THE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE’S GRADUATE SCHOOL
ADDS NEW PROGRAM IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

NEW ROCHELLE, NY, April 10, 2006 -- Effective May 30, The College of New Rochelle’s (CNR) Graduate School (GS) will offer a new 60-credit master’s degree program in Mental Health Counseling that will prepare graduates for state licensing requirements.  This announcement follows a decision by the NYS Department of Education to require mandatory licenses for all Mental Health counselors as of January 2006.  Previously, there was little regulation in this quickly growing field.

 “The demand for qualified Mental Health professionals has skyrocketed over the past 10 years in all segments of American society,” said Dr. Marie Ribarich, Assistant Dean of Human Services at CNR’s Graduate School. “Our goal with this program is to successfully address a critical need in society today. Graduates will be prepared to counsel individuals, groups, and families of all ages.  Once licensed, they may seek employment in hospitals, mental health clinics, and in private practice.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 26.2% of American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. When applied to 2004 U.S. Census numbers for people ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 57.7 million people.  Major depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide among persons ages five and older.  In the U.S. and Canada, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability for people ages 15-44.  This term includes (but is not limited to): depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, suicide, eating disorders, ADHD, autism, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

“The best candidate for our new program is someone who has a strong desire to help clients with emotional and psychological problems and to make a positive difference in their lives.  This program will appeal to those with a social work, sociology, or psychology background as well as to career changers looking for a more meaningful vocation,” added Dr. Ribarich.

Building on the success of their master’s program in Guidance & Counseling, the College’s new program will offer a well-rounded curricula of 20 courses, all taught by current GS faculty.  Practicum and 600-hour internship experiences will further develop students’ counseling skills and professional expertise.  The program emphasizes an applied, practical approach to learning rather than a research oriented emphasis.  Students may begin their program in the summer, fall, or spring semesters, with flexible weeknight and weekend courses.

The Graduate School at CNR, founded in 1969, is a professional school educating men and women in the service professions (education, human services, and art and communication studies). It carries out and enlivens the mission of the College through its curriculum offerings, service to students, respect for the uniqueness of the individual learner, community of scholarship, and commitment to the highest standards of excellence.  To find out more, go to: http://www.cnr.edu/ACADEMICS/gs-index.html or call (914) 654-5334.

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