Mental Health Licensing Preparation Courses
(15 credits)

If you are a certified school counselor interested in obtaining licensure as a mental health counselor, the C.W. Post Department of Counseling and Development provides a course of study in Mental Health Counseling that will enable individuals with a Master's degree in School Counseling to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in New York State.

Individuals who already hold a 48-credit Master's degree in School Counseling can satisfy the educational requirements for licensure by completing the 15 credits of coursework below:

EDC 601 Mental Health Counseling
EDC 608 Assessment and Intervention Strategies in Mental Health Counseling
EDC 616 Family Counseling
EDC 685 Counseling Internship III (Mental Health)
EDC 686 Counseling Internship IV (Mental Health)

EDC 601 Mental Health Counseling
This course is an introduction to preventive education and counseling for mental and emotional health as uniquely available in mental health centers. The course prepares students to work in counseling teams and enrichment programs, to handle referral procedures, community relations and teamwork, and to deal with mental health problems in terms of their etiology and the innovations in the field.
3 credits

EDC 608 Assessment and Intervention Strategies in Mental Health Counseling
This course is a weekly seminar focused on, but not limited to, the following: the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, referral and prevention of disorders; psychological assessment, case conceptualization, psychopathology, utilization of current diagnostic tools, including the DMS-IV; use and limitations of psychopharmacological  medications; guidelines for conducting intake, mental status, biophysical, and mental health interviews; and consultation theory and practice.
3 credits

EDC 616 Family Counseling
This course offers a consideration of theories, practices and related activities with couples, parents and/or other related adults and children. Included in the course is a survey of some major trends and problems associated with individual adjustments, adaptations and other reactions within family and social settings.
3 credits

EDC 685 Counseling Internship III
This course consists of supervised experience involving 300 hours in selected agency settings. Professional readings and action research project are required. However, the student at this level is expected to be self-initiating and able to perform both competently and creatively in considerable depth in achieving the objectives of the course at the practitioner level. Health insurance is required for Mental Health Counseling students.  The permission form must be on file with the Department of Counseling and Development before the student begins the internship placement.
3 credits

EDC 686 Counseling Internship IV
This course is a continuation of the advanced internship placement and seminar experience as it consists of supervised experience involving 300 hours in selected agency settings. Professional readings and action research project are required. However, the student at this level is expected to be self-initiating and able to perform both competently and creatively in considerable depth in achieving the objectives of the course at the practitioner level. Health insurance is required for Mental Health Counseling students.  The permission form must be on file with the Department of Counseling and Development before the student begins the internship placement.
3 credits

Tuition Discount
A one-third tuition discount is available for individuals who graduated from C.W. Post with a 48-credit Master's degree in School Counseling and who wish to pursue these additional 15 credits of coursework in Mental Health Counseling.

The awarding of mental health licensure by New York State is contingent upon the acceptance by the New York State Education Department of all prior coursework completed during the individual's M.S. in School Counseling program. In addition to these academic requirements, an applicant for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor must also pass an examination and accrue 3,000 hours post Master's experience in supervised mental health counseling.

Contact Information
If you would like further information, please contact the academic counselor, Dan Heller at 516-299-2183 (daniel.heller@liu.edu), or the Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator, Dr. Lynn Swaner (lynn.swaner@liu.edu) at 516-299-2082.