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Overview

The Hunter College Counselor Education Program’s mission is to prepare carefully selected and qualified students for the profession of counseling. At Hunter, the professional preparation of counselors emphasizes the nurturance of people within an urban context. Counselors in training at Hunter College are encouraged to join in a partnership with community organizations to provide quality personal and career counseling to individuals, particularly under-served populations.

Counselor Education offers a sequence of cohesive, unified courses and experiences which combine theory with practice so students can develop skills and knowledge in interpersonal and group relations; career counseling and development; family systems; life-span human development; social systems; psychological dynamics; educational, occupational, medical and psychiatric information; research.

Our preparation of counselors goes beyond the acquisition of specific skills and methods. We focus on the personal development and professional identity of students so that they understand and influence the social, political, and economic context within which they function.

 

A Note to Prospective Applicants

The Counseling Faculty at Hunter College are pleased that you are interested in our graduate Counseling Program. We know that considering applying to a graduate counseling program is a major life decision. A considerable amount of information about the admissions process and our program is located on this website. You can also find information about us in the Hunter College Graduate Catalogue; information specific to admissions can also be found at the Hunter College Graduate Admissions webpage: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/graduateadmissions.

Our three program specializations in rehabilitation, mental health, and school counseling attract a large number of applicants. Specific questions about admissions or the program in general should be directed to the School of Education admissions staff at: edadmissions@hunter.cuny.edu. Emails or phone calls should not be directed to individual faculty of the program. The Counseling Program holds two annual informational meetings about the application process and about our overall program and the specific counseling specializations we offer. The meetings are held during the Fall and Spring semesters and provide an opportunity to get to know us better and gain valuable information about the counseling program. All of us in the Counseling Program at Hunter College wish you success in your exploration and educational journey.

 

Our Philosophy

Central to all counseling approaches is the belief that people can develop, assume responsibility, achieve autonomy, and engage in problem solving. Effective counseling requires counselors to understand and accept clients, develop rapport, and establish collaborative working relationships. To achieve these ends, counselors need to understand the psycho-social aspects of human development, counseling theories, the impact of diversity (e.g., gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation) on human experience, ethics, and human service systems, and must develop skills in counseling and assessment. They must have knowledge of current issues in counseling and research. In addition, counselors must be self-aware and  understand their own values, judgements, and beliefs. Course work and supervised practice in agencies provide students with the skills needed for employment. 


Counselors of  today must possess the knowledge and skills to function effectively in various systems which affect people living in our city.  As a counselor-training program in an urban area, our students have the opportunity to learn from and work with individuals from many diverse backgrounds. Our students learn about the needs of specific populations and have access to a multitude of community resources that make our program unique.  In addition, the program is located in New York City, which is an environment that offers an enriched array of accessible opportunities for our students and the people they serve.

Hunter College offers three graduate level counseling programs: School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling and Mental Health Counseling to qualified students. Students in School Counseling may prepare to obtain an English/Spanish Bilingual Extension.

Admissions

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

  1. Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.7; the Graduate Record Examination is not required.
  2. 15-25 credits of approved courses from the following fields: anthropology, economics, education, guidance, health sciences, political science, psychology, sociology, and related areas
  3. Evidence of oral and written expression consonant with graduate-level study.
  4. Interviews with faculty members, alumni, or currently enrolled students. Central purposes of these interviews include assessing counselor potential, applicability of work and life experience, and candidate expectations about both the programs and the field.
  5. Recommendations from appropriate professional or academic references to aid in determining potential for work as a professional counselor.

Please note: All applicants deemed potentially acceptable for the program are required to attend a small group interview as a component of the interview process.

Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Admission to the program is highly competitive, and each applicant’s grade point average, counselor potential, and applicability of work and life experience are carefully considered.

In some instances, a small number of students who demonstrate exceptional potential and experience, but have an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.7, may be recommended for provisional admission as non-matriculated students.