SUNY Buffalo Online Counseling Programs | New York
The University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo, a State University of New York flagship institution) offers three online counseling pathways: the master of science in mental health counseling, the master of science in rehabilitation counseling, and the advanced certificate in rehabilitation counseling. These programs are designed for students who want flexible study, supervised clinical experience, and preparation for professional practice.
All three programs are part of the Graduate School of Education and the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology. The university emphasizes diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion in its training. Students can choose online or hybrid formats, complete coursework part-time, and work with faculty who focus on research-informed practice and real-world application.
The MS in mental health counseling prepares students for work in hospitals, mental health centers, state agencies, and substance abuse treatment facilities. The program is 60 credits and includes 600 hours of internship. Important courses include mental health counseling; assessment in mental health counseling; legal and ethical issues in counseling; psychopathology and evidence-based interventions; multicultural issues in counseling; and introduction to the rehabilitation of substance abuse and addictions.
The MS in rehabilitation counseling prepares students to empower individuals with cognitive, physical, sensory, or mental health challenges. The program is made up of 60 credits and includes more than 750 hours of clinical experience. Important courses include rehabilitation foundations; medical and psychosocial aspects of disability; career development; vocational placement process; and RC internship. The program is designed to prepare graduates for roles in recovery programs, government agencies, vocational rehabilitation, and private practice.
The advanced certificate in rehabilitation counseling is for students who already hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field. The certificate is 15 to 24 credits and can be completed in three to four part-time semesters online. Important courses include professional orientation; ethics in rehabilitation counseling; medical and psychosocial aspects of disability; assessment; and theories and techniques of counseling. The program meets educational criteria for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam.
Admission requirements vary by program. The MS in mental health counseling requires a baccalaureate degree, an online application with a fee, three recommendation letters, unofficial transcripts, a resume, and short answers about motivation, diversity and social justice involvement, and counseling-related experience. The MS in rehabilitation counseling requires a bachelor’s degree, an online application with a fee, two recommendation letters, unofficial transcripts, a statement of intent, and an admission interview. The advanced certificate in rehabilitation counseling requires a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field, an online application with a fee, academic transcripts, two recommendation letters, and a personal statement about career goals and interest in the CRC credential.
The University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, New York, and is one of the two flagship institutions of the State University of New York system. The university is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The MS in mental health counseling is accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and the MS in rehabilitation counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) and the New York State Education Department.
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Advanced Certificate – Rehabilitation Counseling
MS – Mental Health Counseling
MS – Rehabilitation Counseling
12 Capen HallBuffalo, New York
Program Essentials
Post-Master's Certificate
Counseling: Rehabilitation Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
15-24 (depends on prior education)
Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 3-4 semesters
Program Admissions
No GRE required
Not specified
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
15-24 (depends on prior education)
$471.00
$7,065 – $11,304
$565.00
$8,475 – $13,560
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
Fall
Complete in as few as 4 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.00
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$471.00
$28,260.00
$565.00
$33,900.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Rehabilitation Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
Fall, Spring
Can be completed in less than 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
Not specified
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$471.00
$28,260.00
$565.00
$33,900.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.