Masters in Mental Health counseling (Baruch or Ferkauf - Yeshiva)

[namiha]

Hi everyone!

 

I have been accepted into both these programs but am stuck between the two. The main difference for me is the cost. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why one school is better than the other?

[PsyDuck90]

I'm guessing Baruch is the cheaper one? CUNYs pretty typically provide solid training for a fraction of the cost of comparable programs. LPCs don't make a whole ton of money, even in NYC, so the cheaper program will almost always be the best bet. Most training in MHC programs happens in clinical placements anyway. 

[namiha]

On 4/5/2021 at 10:30 PM, PsyDuck90 said:

I'm guessing Baruch is the cheaper one? CUNYs pretty typically provide solid training for a fraction of the cost of comparable programs. LPCs don't make a whole ton of money, even in NYC, so the cheaper program will almost always be the best bet. Most training in MHC programs happens in clinical placements anyway. 

Thank you! But as far as reputation, would you know which is better? Baruch doesn't have a PhD/Psy.D program in the psych field, but Yeshiva does. So I am thinking maybe I'll have a better chance of getting into a doctoral program if the school already has that connection. Or does that not really matter?

[PsyDuck90]

That doesn't matter. And while Baruch specifically does not, CUNY has a few PhDs, and CUNY has a MUCH better reputation than Yeshiva. The biggest factor for getting into a PhD/PsyD is really going to be research experience. Most of the good quality PsyDs still require some research. I'm in a PsyD, and mostly everyone came in with some pretty extensive research experience along with clinical experience. 

If your ultimate goal is a doctoral program, unless your undergrad was not in psych or your GPA wasn't great, a paid research coordinator position will be much more beneficial for you than a master's in mental health counseling. Check out all the different hospitals in the area and see if anyone is hiring. Right now is when the current cycle of students have gotten accepted to PhD and PsyD programs, so their jobs will be up for grabs. Columbia Presbyterian, NYU, etc. all do tons of research.