0. Meeting the Professional Education Requirements for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (MHC) in New York NYMHCA Counselor Educator Meeting April 8, 2017
Presentation by Division of Professional Education Office of the Professions New York State Education Department

1. Purpose of this Presentation
Provide an overview of the responsibilities of the Division of Professional Education
Review the professional education requirements for MHC licensure in New York
Provide information on existing licensure-qualifying MHC programs
Review the standards and procedure to register an MHC licensure-qualifying program
Answer any questions you may have

2. Major Responsibility of the Division of Professional Education
The mission of the Office of the Professions: to protect the public by fostering high standards of professional licensure, practice, and discipline.
The major responsibility of the Division of Professional Education is to ensure that candidates meet licensure education requirements through program registration and individual transcript evaluation.
The Division of Professional Education is core to the mission of the Office of the Professions.

3. Organizational Chart

4. Professional Education Requirement for MHC Licensure in New York
Degree: a master's or doctoral degree program in counseling.
Curriculum: 60 semester hours or equivalent study containing curricular content that includes each of the required content areas.
Clinical experience: at least 600 clock hours supervised internship or supervised practicum in mental health counseling.

5. Data on Existing MHC Programs
43 institutions have registered licensure-qualifying MHC programs, including 29 independent institutions, 7 CUNY institutions, and 7 SUNY institutions.
Among the 43 institutions, 14 institutions have CACREP accredited programs (up from 9 in 2015), including 11 independent institutions and 3 SUNY institutions. One other program is in the accreditation process.
Average state pass rate on NCMHCE for 2014 and 2015 was 59%.

6. Programs by Degree Level
At this time in New York State there are:
62 registered licensure-qualifying master’s programs
21 registered licensure-qualifying advanced certificate programs
2 registered licensure-qualifying doctoral programs

7. MHC Program Registration- What Requires Registration
All newly proposed MHC licensure-qualifying degree and certificate programs; and
Any changes (curricular change; title change; number of credits change, etc.) in a registered licensure-qualifying program.
Prior to NYSED approval, no program shall be advertised or offered/no changes shall be implemented.

8. MHC Program Registration- Program Registration Standards
The program shall meet the professional education requirement as a licensed MHC:
master’s or doctoral degree program in counseling;
60 credits of study or its equivalent covering all the required content areas;
at least 600 hours internship.
The program shall have qualified faculty: doctorates or terminal degrees or special competence for graduate degree programs.
The program shall have sufficient full-time faculty to foster and maintain continuity and stability.

9. MHC Program Registration- Program Registration Standards (Cont.)
The institution shall have sufficient resources (instructional, financial, library, etc.) to support the program.
The institution shall provide adequate academic support services to students in the program.
The program shall meet other program registration standards specified in Part 52.2 of the Commissioner’s Regulations on Standards for the Registration of Undergraduate and Graduate Curricula.

10. MHC Program Registration- 600 Clock Hour Clinical Experience
Education program is responsible for placing students in the internship
Setting authorized to provide MHC services
Supervisor licensed and qualified to practice and supervise MHC interns

11. MHC Program Registration- Distance Education
SED defines distance education format as programs that include 50% or more distance courses.
There is no need to register addition of online courses unless they exceed 50% or more of the total courses.
We would typically expect clinical courses to remain face to face.

12. MHC Program Registration- Bridge Program
Bridge programs are typically credit hours and are designed to bridge a gap for students who may have already taken many of the same foundational courses and who need to fill a gap to meet MHC licensure requirements.
Admission requirements include a graduate degree in counseling or related field.
Program shall include didactic courses/internship to bridge the gap.
Pre-requisites and required courses/internship should account for all MHC requirements.

13. Placement of Interns from Out-of-State Schools
Out-of-state CACREP accredited Mental Health Counseling programs may place students at internship settings located in NYS.
As of October 2015, non-accredited programs can no longer apply for permission to place interns in NYS.
At this time 10 institutions have permission to place interns in NYS until September 1, 2018.
Effective September 1, 2018 only out-of-state CACREP accredited programs may place students in internship settings in NYS.

14. MHC Program Registration- Collaborative Review Process
Master’s level MHC program proposals are reviewed in collaboration with the Executive Secretary of the Mental Health Practitioners Board.
Doctoral level MHC program proposals are reviewed in collaboration with the Executive Secretary of the Mental Health Practitioners Board and the Doctoral Program Review staff from the Office of Higher Education.

15. MHC Program Registration- Links to Regulations
Part 52.2 of the Commissioner’s Regulations on Standards for the Registration of Undergraduate and Graduate Curricula:
Part of the Commissioner’s Regulations on Mental Health Counseling:

16. MHC Program Registration- Links to Registration Application Forms
New Program Registration:
Adapt/Change an Existing Program:
Add Distance Education Format:

17. MHC Program Registration- Submission
Submit the application electronically to AND
Mail one hard copy to the following address:
Professional Education Program Review
Office of the Professions
2nd Floor, West Wing, EB,
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12234

18. Useful Links and Contact information
Link to MHP on the Office of the Professions website:
Link to Frequently Asked Questions:
Questions on MHC program registration: ( ); (518) ext. 360 (phone)
Questions on MHC practice: ( ); (518) ext. 450 (phone)

19. Questions and Answers