Fastest Way To Become a Counselor in New York 2025

If you're interested in pursuing mental health counseling or some other counseling career in New York, you may be curious about how to get there. In particular, you're wondering about the fastest way to become a counselor in New York.

Keep reading as we answer this question in-depth, providing answers to questions and looking at a few top schools to consider. We'll look at the fastest ways to become a therapist in New York and talk about some of the many counseling and therapy career paths to choose from.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in New York?

There are numerous counseling careers, but not all of them have the same educational requirements. However, in most cases, it takes at least six years to become a licensed counselor in New York.

Candidates living in New York must meet education, examination, and experience requirements, be trained in child abuse reporting, and demonstrate strong moral character to pursue state licensure. They may also need to meet minimum age requirements depending on the specific type of counselor they are planning to become.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Counselor in New York?

A career in counseling requires you to follow several steps. Though specific counseling licensure and education standards may vary, the general steps you'll need to take are as follows:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree: Almost all counselors are expected to have an undergraduate degree, usually a bachelor's degree. Not only is this necessary for various entry-level social services careers, but it is a required step in pursuing more advanced levels of education.

2. Earn a master's degree: Most counselors are required to have a graduate degree; some complete master's programs, while others go on to earn their doctoral degrees. These educational programs provide advanced and highly specific training in the student's chosen field of counseling.

3. Complete supervised clinical experience: Those interested in clinical mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, marriage and family therapy, and other specializations must gain supervised work experience before pursuing full licensure. At least 1,500 to 3,000 clock hours of this on-the-job training is required.

4. Complete New York counselor licensure requirements: Licensing requirements can vary depending on the license you are pursuing. Generally, candidates must pass a counseling license examination, submit an application and application fee, and certify their education and experience. A limited permit may be required before pursuing a full license. State licensing procedures are commonly administered through the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

What Is the Fastest Way To Get a Counseling Degree in New York?

It typically takes about four years to get a bachelor's degree and an additional two to three years to earn a master's degree. However, there are a few ways to speed up your education and pursue your chosen career path sooner. Let's look at some of the fastest ways to become a counselor in New York.

Choose an Accelerated Online Master's in Counseling Program

Accelerated master's in counseling programs allow students to complete their graduate education in under two years. These programs commonly take 18 to 21 months to finish, but some enable students to graduate in as little as one year.

Students in accelerated programs must be committed to intensive study schedules and full-time course loads. They will also likely need to work through consecutive terms, including summer sessions.

Earn a Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Some schools offer combined bachelor's and master's degrees, which may also be known as bachelor's-to-master's and 4+1 programs. These programs allow students to complete some master-level coursework during their undergraduate studies and apply these courses to both their bachelor's and master's degrees.

Students in these programs graduate with their bachelor's degrees within four years having already completed a significant number of master's courses as well. This enables them to earn their master's degree within one year, earning both degrees within five years.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Many schools accept transfer credits that students can apply toward their degrees. This is a great option for those who already hold an associate degree, have a significant number of college credits, or who have exam or work experience credits to transfer.

Some schools allow students to transfer up to 90 semester hours toward a bachelor's degree, making it possible for them to graduate within one year. Some graduate programs also allow transfer credits, which can help students save up to a year or more on their master's degrees.

Featured Online Counseling Programs in New York

If you're ready to start your master's degree in counseling, there are several top schools in New York providing flexible online options. Let's look at a few of the best schools to consider and the counseling programs they offer.

New York University

New York University is a large private school in New York City. Students can earn an online Master of Arts in counseling for mental health and wellness at this school. Both online and in-person options are available.

Students can choose between full-time and part-time schedules; those who study full-time can graduate in as little as 21 months, making this program one of the fastest ways to become a therapist in New York. The program features live online classes and consists of 60 credit hours, a 100-hour practicum, a 600-hour internship, and an optional campus immersion experience. It prepares students to become licensed mental health counselors.

• Time to completion: 21 months
• Tuition cost: $38,826 annually
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
• Specializations: grief and bereavement counseling; drama, art, or music therapy; career counseling; women and mental health; marriage and family; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender studies.

New York Institute of Technology

New York Institute of Technology, commonly known as New York Tech, is a private school with campuses in Manhattan and Old Westbury. It also offers online degrees, one of which is a Master of Science in mental health counseling that offers flexible coursework scheduling.

This 60-credit program provides various experiential learning opportunities, from research projects to an in-depth 700-hour practicum and internship. This mental health counseling program prepares students to pursue state licensure by helping them develop key skills and competencies in the field.

• Time to completion: 2.5 years on average (can be finished sooner)
• Tuition cost: $27,720 annually
• Accreditation: MSCHE
• Specializations: None

Niagara University

Niagara University is a private school in Lewiston offering a highly flexible Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling. The program is available online, in-person, or in a hybrid format so students can choose whatever study option works for them.

The program comprises 60 credit hours and 900 hours of practicum and internship experiences. Students commonly complete the program in three years, but the flexibility of online coursework enables highly motivated students to accelerate their education if desired.

• Time to completion: 2-3 years
• Tuition cost: $14,850 annually
• Accreditation: MSCHE, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Specializations: None

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Counselor?

Tuition costs and other college expenses vary from school to school. The average cost of a counseling degree in New York is around $42,600, but this figure can be significantly lower or higher depending on whether you attend a public or private school.

It's also worth noting that you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree before pursuing a master's degree in counseling. The average cost of a bachelor's degree in New York is around $21,700 per year.

In addition to educational expenses, you will also need to pay for state examination and licensing fees. For example, the fee to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) is $371.

Are There Affordable Counseling Degree Programs?

Some schools offer more affordable counseling degrees than others. Among the schools listed above, Niagara provides the lowest average tuition rates of under $15,000 a year. Students attending public schools may face even lower yearly rates.

Students can also pursue financial aid to help them cover their degree costs. Federal and state aid may be available for students who demonstrate financial need; students can also pursue scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships to earn money toward their degrees.

How Much Can I Earn as a Counselor?

Your earning potential as a counselor will depend on your specialization. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), school and career counselors earn the most; median pay is $61,710 a year, with the top 10% of professionals earning more than $100,050 annually.

Substance abuse and mental health counselors earn an average of $53,710 each year, with the highest 10% of earners making more than $89,920. All other counselors earn a relatively low median salary of $46,130, with the highest 10% earning $79,880 or more.

Types of Counseling Career Paths With a Master's Degree

There are many different counseling specializations. Certified counselors work in fields like social work, health services, education, and more. Some common job titles for counselors include:

• licensed mental health counselor
• school counselor
• substance abuse counselor
• licensed professional counselor
• marriage and family therapist
• social worker

Explore Master's Programs in Counseling

If you're looking for the fastest way to become a therapist in New York and you're ready to begin your master's degree in counseling, explore the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to learn more about their degree programs and to find the right one for you.