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faq

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How/when do I apply and what is required for the 60-credit M.S.Ed. in Counselor Education: School Counseling program and bilingual advanced certificate?
  2. How/when do I apply and what is required for the 60-credit M.S. Ed. Counselor Education: Clinical Mental Heath Counseling (CE: CMHC)?
  3. What are hints for successful Counselor Education admission?
  4. How do I have international transcripts evaluated?
  5. How is the Counselor Education program accredited?
  6. What are the 750-hour pre-practica, practicum, and internship requirements?
  7. When can I work as a professional school counselor in independent schools, and how do I apply for INITIAL and PROFESSIONAL certification to work in public schools in New York State?
  8. How can I become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor?
  9. What are the national and state Counselor Education professional organizations and codes of ethics?
  10. Where is the Graduate Studies Office, and how does it assist with Course Withdrawals, Transfer of Credits, Removing Registration HOLDS, and Leave of Absence?
  11. How do I receive advising, course permissions, and register for classes?
  12. How many credits do I take each semester?
  13. When do classes start and when and how are they offered?
  14. How do I find financial aid and/or scholarship opportunities?
  15. What additional fees must Counselor Education students pay including student membership and liability insurance and Taskstream Assessment?
  16. Are Counselor Education candidates required to do personal counseling?
  17. How much time should I put into graduate studies each week?
  18. What is the required GPA to maintain matriculation?
  19. What is the grade appeals procedure?
  20. What are technology expectations for Counselor Education candidates?
  21. What help is there for research, writing, APA style, and, using the Lehman library/tutoring center?
  22. When am I eligible for membership in Chi Sigma Iota, the international professional counseling honor society?
  23. What is the employment outlook for school, career, and college access/admission counselors?

 

1. How/when do I apply and what is required for the 60-credit M.S.Ed. in Counselor Education: School Counseling program and bilingual advanced certificate?

The program is only open to matriculated degree candidates. New School Counseling candidates are accepted only once a year for the Fall term. The application review (with all documentation submitted on time) begins March 1st for the Fall semester. You can apply to the Counselor Education program only online in Apply Yourself. The Graduate Admissions Office is located in Shuster Hall 167; email Graduate Admission Officer Rosa Ianuale, rosa.ianuale@lehman.cuny.edu with questions. After an initial screening of materials, applicants who meet the criteria are invited to an on-campus group interview. Admissions decisions are made after the group interview process in late April and announced in Apply Yourself May 1. You do NOT need a teaching certificate to be a school counselor in 46 of 50 states (including New York!). CE:SC program admission is competitive with usually double the amount of applicants we are able to accept with a substantial wait list annually; there is no guarantee of being taken off of a wait list, however. Wait list candidates who are not selected become denied applicants.

  • Submit an online application for admission in Apply Yourself starting November 1.
  • Arrange to send (or deliver in person) ALL official undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts (copies are not acceptable) to the Graduate Admissions Office, Shuster Hall, Room 167, Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W., Bronx, NY 10468 to document an undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 or better (B average) on a 4.0 scale. If you did any CUNY undergraduate or graduate degrees, the admission office can access your CUNY transcripts electronically and you do not need to send them. Applications cannot be reviewed until all transcripts are uploaded by admissions staff at Lehman.
  • When you open the online admission form, you will email two persons to write and upload recommendation letters of reference that evaluate your readiness to be a school counselor and to start graduate school. One reference should be from a faculty member who can address your written and oral communication skills, readiness for graduate study, and potential for success as a professional school counselor. The second recommendation would ideally be from a K-12 building leader, school counselor or current work supervisor outside schools who can address your potential for success in graduate school and as a professional K-12 school counselor. Two faculty are acceptable as recommendations if you are not currently working in schools.
  • A current resume.
  • A group interview for qualified candidates after faculty screen the applications in late April on a weekend late afternoon. The invitations are made via email usually a week prior to the interviews.
  • Application fee of $75. (waived for current Lehman students and alumni)
  • If admitted, you must (1) have evidence of updated immunizations on file at Lehman College (2) pay a deposit to hold your place in the cohort, (3) get your EMPL ID number, (4) await a time for advising to get course permissions, and (5) register on CUNYFIRST, and (6) pay for courses as soon as possible in prior to the fall semester. Initial advising/registration occurs in May and June. Classes begin the last week of August. As of fall on campus 2021, CUNY requires proof of COVID19 vaccination.
    Candidates seeking the bilingual extension take EDG 702 and EDG 704 as part of the 60-credit program. The additional 2 courses are EBS 701 and EBS 760 taken during summer sessions. Bilingual extension candidates must take the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) exam prior to their last semester in the program and received a passing score of 220 or higher. They also must file a change of program form with the Office of Graduate Studies prior to the last semester signed by their advisor to add the extension.

2. How/when do I apply and what is required for the 60-credit M.S. Ed. Counselor Education: Clinical Mental Heath Counseling (CE: CMHC)?

The program is only open to matriculated degree candidates. New Clinical Mental Health Counseling candidates are accepted only once a year for the June term. The application review (with all documentation submitted on time) begins March 1st. You can apply to the Counselor Education program only online in Apply Yourself. The Graduate Admissions Office is located in Shuster Hall 167; email Graduate Admission Officer, Masuda Tanny (masuda.tanny@lehman.cuny.edu) with questions. After an initial screening of materials, applicants who meet the criteria are invited to an on-campus group interview. Admissions decisions are made after the group interview process in late April and announced in Apply Yourself May 1. CE:CMHC program admission is competitive with usually double the amount of applicants we are able to accept with a substantial wait list annually; there is no guarantee of being taken off of a wait list, however. Wait list candidates who are not selected become denied applicants.

  • Submit an online application for admission in Apply Yourself starting November 1.
  • Arrange to send (or deliver in person) ALL official undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts (copies are not acceptable) to the Graduate Admissions Office, Shuster Hall, Room 167, Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W., Bronx, NY 10468 to document an undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 or better (B average) on a 4.0 scale. If you did any CUNY undergraduate or graduate degrees, the admission office can access your CUNY transcripts electronically and you do not need to send them. Applications cannot be reviewed until all transcripts are uploaded by admissions staff at Lehman.
  • When you open the online admission form, you will email two persons to write and upload recommendation letters of reference that evaluate your readiness to be a school counselor and to start graduate school. One reference should be from a faculty member who can address your written and oral communication skills, readiness for graduate study, and potential for success as a professional school counselor. The second recommendation would ideally be from a K-12 building leader, school counselor or current work supervisor outside schools who can address your potential for success in graduate school and as a professional K-12 school counselor. Two faculty are acceptable as recommendations if you are not currently working in schools.
  • A current resume.
  • A group interview for qualified candidates after faculty screen the applications in late April on a weekend late afternoon. The invitations are made via email usually a week prior to the interviews.
  • Application fee of $75 (waive for currents Lehman students and alumni)
  • If admitted, you must (1) have evidence of updated immunizations on file at Lehman College (2) pay a deposit to hold your place in the cohort, (3) get your EMPL ID number, (4) await a time for advising to get course permissions, and (5) register on CUNYFIRST, and (6) pay for courses as soon as possible in prior to the June semester. Initial advising/registration occurs in May. Classes begin the first Saturday in June. As of fall on campus 2021, CUNY requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

3. What are hints for successful Counselor Education admission?

A. Submit ALL materials on time, particularly, original copies of transcripts and ensure recommenders have uploaded their letters of recommendation well prior to the March 15th application deadline. International transcripts need to be evaluated earlier in the process, and should be submitted by February 15th to allow sufficient time prior to the application deadline.

B. State your accurate GPA every time on the application and your resume and ensure that it matches your transcripts.

C. Do your homework on school counselors and school counseling as a profession prior to applying and use current terms to describe the profession.

D. TRIPLE CHECK for grammar errors, typos, fragments, and ensure that your 5 essay question responses and your resume are written and edited to showcase your best writing.

E. If you have under a 3.0 GPA, explain why briefly in the large essay and how you will ensure you maintain a B average in the program.

F. Your essays and your recommenders’ essays should focus on school counseling and your abilities to be successful in graduate school and as a school counselor. We are interested in your writing skills, your speaking skills, your readiness for graduate study, and and potential as either a certified K-12 school counselor or Licensed Mental Health Counselor..

4. How do I have international transcripts evaluated?

You must contact an international transcript evaluation agency such as AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators),and WES (World Education Services) to have them evaluated and then submit that transcript evaluation to Lehman as your uploaded transcript(s). Find these agencies.

5. How are the Counselor Education programs accredited?

The Counselor Education: School Counseling program is accredited by the Middle States Association for higher education programs and by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the first public New York City Counselor Education/School Counseling program to have CACREP accreditation.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by Middle States and the program plans to apply for CACREP accreditation after the first cohort has graduated.

6. What are the 750-hour pre-practica, practicum, and internship requirements?

School Counseling candidates usually need weekday time to complete pre-practica, practicum, and internship requirements in K-12 schools.* 10 hours are required on-site at a K-12 school for each of the five school counseling pre-practica (EDG 700 Professional Identity in School Counseling, EDG 701 Counseling Theories and Techniques, EDG 705 Group Counseling, EDG 702 Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling, and EDG 706 Assessment in Counseling classes). 100 hours is required at a K-12 school for practicum (40 hours of direct service, 60 hours of indirect service). 600 hours is required over two semesters of internship in a K-12 school (240 hours of direct service, 360 hours of indirect service). NOTE: For candidates entering in fall 2021 and beyond, the internship must include 300 hours at the K-8 level and 300 hours at the high school level. We recommend that you continue with the practicum certified school counseling site/site supervisor for internship and then add a new certified school counseling site/site supervisor for the remainder of internship at the other building level. For example, if you are more interested in high school, start with high school for 100 hours of practicum and continue in internship for 300 additional hours at the same site with the same certified school counseling site supervisor. Then, add 300 hours of either elementary or middle school counseling at a different site with a new certified school counseling site supervisor to complete the internship. Further information is available in the Practicum and Internship Handbook.

*Note: While there are a few night-time schools, they only have over-age and under-credited students. We strongly encourage students to do pre-practica, practicum, and internships during the day for the best experience.

School Counseling candidates fulfill their pre-practica, practicum, and internship requirements in K–12 schools where we have supervisory contacts in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, and Putnam Counties and in Connecticut. The program and clinical coordinators maintain lists of over 1,000 alumni, current and former site supervisors, and appropriate pre-practica/practicum/internship sites and assist in finding placements. Certified school counseling site supervisors need at least two years of experience as school counselors--school social workers and school psychologists are not allowed as site supervisors for students entering in Fall of 2021 and beyond. certified school counseling site supervisors provide weekly supervision of at least one hour a week for practicum and internship. They ensure candidates find multiple individual and group counseling student clients and classroom experiences for delivering school counseling curriculum lessons in equal amounts of time. They ensure our candidates have appropriate school counseling program experiences delivering academic, career/college, and social/emotional competencies to K-12 students in a school counseling program framework every semester. Additional information is available in the Practicum and Internship Handbook and from the Clinical Coordinator.

7. When can I work as a professional school counselor in independent schools, and how do I apply for INITIAL and PROFESSIONAL certification to work in public schools in New York State?

Independent schools (including charters) may hire anyone to do school counseling without a state certification but most prefer state certification. For candidates enrolling in Fall 2021 and beyond, you may not work in a public school counseling position in New York State until you have 48 credits including a completed internship. In our program, if desired, you will apply for public school jobs and initial certification as soon as you have completed the second semester of internship at the end of the program (60 credits). If you are interested in working as a school counselor outside of New York state, check with the state board of education where you plan to work well prior to moving. Most states offer reciprocity to New York candidates who have certification. We have a number of students, for example, who work in Connecticut. Four states require a teaching certificate, including Texas, however, to become public school counselors (but not independent or charter schools).

For candidates entering the program in Fall 2021 and after, completion of 48 credits and the internship allows you to apply to New York State Education Department (NYSED) for school counselor INITIAL certification (be patient—it can take several months). You apply for initial certification on your own with your TEACH NY account; create it here.. However, If you are hired with it in process, principals can call the state and move your application up for immediate processing. Once you have 60 credits and have worked two years full-time as a school counselor, you are eligible for PROFESSIONAL certification as a New York State school counselor and you contact teacher.education@lehman.cuny.edu in the Dean’s office of the Lehman College School of Education to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The NYSED Code for the 48-credit Lehman College Counselor Education program is 02188 for folks who entered the program prior to 2021 (up through the Class of ‘23). For folks who entered the 60-credit Counselor Education: School Counseling program in 2021 (Class of ‘24+) the code is: 41528.

8. How can I become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)?

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Requirements

Here is the checklist you can use to keep track of the requirements as you meet them:

Licensed Menta Healthl Counselor (LMHC) Checklist

9. What are the national and state Counselor Education professional organizations and codes of ethics?

The professional organization that serves as the umbrella for all the counseling professions is the American Counseling Association and the New York State branch is NY-ACA. The two publications that come with membership include the scholarly journal, The Journal of Counseling and Development, and the monthly newspaper Counseling Today. The American Counseling Association has divisions and branches addressing the needs and interests of specialized groups. Information about these affiliated associations is on the ACA website. The American School Counselor Association is the professional school counselor association with resources and membership benefits including the scholarly journal Professional School Counseling and the magazine ASCA School Counselor. In addition to the national organization, New York State’s ASCA state branch is the New York State School Counselor Association (NYSSCA). The college access/affordability/admission professional membership organization national is the National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC), and the New York State Association of College Admission Counselors (NYSACAC) is the state branch.

All Counseling candidates are expected to follow the most recent

10. Where is the Graduate Studies Office, and how does it assist with Course Withdrawals, Transfer of Credits, Removing Registration HOLDS, and Leave of Absence?

The Graduate Studies Office, Shuster Hall Room 275, is where Counselor Education candidates access forms and approvals to withdraw from a course, transfer of credit forms, or to have a stop removed from their registration. The Director of Graduate Studies can be contacted at 718-960–8448. Your advisor will work with you and the Director of Graduate Studies to sign the appropriate forms and monitor your coursework and credits toward graduation. If there is a HOLD on your registration, go to either the Graduate Studies Office in Shuster Hall Room 275 or go to the Registrar in Shuster Hall Room 108. You must have the HOLD removed prior to registration.

Sometimes Counselor Education candidates take a leave of absence from the program by informing your advisor and the program coordinator. When you are ready to return, go to the Graduate Admissions Office (Shuster Hall – Room 150), complete a Readmission Application, and pay a maintenance of matriculation fee. This form needs to be signed by your advisor or the program coordinator and returned to the Graduate Admissions Office prior to re-enrolling. If you have been away from the program for an extended time, your readmission is contingent upon a reevaluation of your coursework and current program requirements by the Program Coordinator.

Transfer credits may occur in the first semester of the program with your advisor to review your previous transcript, grades, syllabi, and coursework samples. The decision regarding transfer credit is determined by the faculty advisor and the director of graduate studies. Coursework must be less than five years old and preferably from a CACREP-accredited Counselor Education program. No more than 12 credits may be transferred. If approved, you must obtain and file a Transfer of Credit form signed by your advisor with the Graduate Studies Office, Shuster Hall Room 275.

11. How do I receive advising, course permissions, and register for classes?

Registration is a 4-step process. 1) First, you must receive a letter of admission and then pay a $250 deposit to graduate admissions holding your place in the program and have your EMPL (student ID) issued. DO NOT LOSE YOUR EMPL ID! 2.) Next, school counseling candidates who are in the system meet with their faculty advisor about courses and requirements and receive permission to take classes each semester prior. These permissions are entered into the computer system by the advisor so that the student may register. Please wait for your advisor to contact you to set up an advising appointment time; ignore any CUNYFIRST messages regarding advising times that are not from your advisor. 3) Next, school counseling candidates register on-line through the CUNYFIRST portal (you must sign up for an account and keep your EMPLID and password safe and available to access your account). CUNYFIRST is one-stop student services so that you can monitor your accounts, pay, and ensure loans are credited. You can learn how to do CUNYFIRST in person at Carmen Hall I-T Center on the 1st floor using either set of outside stairs. You can also call them 7 days a week and most evenings at 718-960-1111. In person is suggested for the first time to learn how to do CUNYFIRST at the IT Center. 4.) You need to pay for classes as soon as you have registered! If you are dropped for lack of payment, you still have course permissions in the system. They don’t disappear.

NOTES:

  • Counselor Education candidates should register during regular registration. IGNORE robo-calls and IGNORE CUNYFIRST requests to register. Your advisors will contact you for a registration course permissions and after you receive them, enroll, register and pay immediately. Late registration occurs only at scheduled times during the first few day(s) of classes and there is an additional fee charged.
  • Check the CLLSE department bulletin boards (outside Carman Hall B-20) for the most up-to-date course information.
  • No student may register without current immunizations. You will be blocked from registering on CUNYFIRST if you do not have current immunizations on file with Health Services at Lehman.

Specific hours for receiving course permissions and for advising are posted during the registration period along with course information outside Carman Hall B-20 and you will receive an email from your advisor. Since all Counselor Education candidates are matriculated, no candidates are closed out of regular semester classes. Counselor Education students follow a prescribed sequence of courses and students go through the program as a cohort.

12. How many credits do I take each semester?

CE:SC students 6 in the fall semester, 6 in the spring semester; 3 in the winter intersession; 6 each summer intersession (3 in June and 3 in July-August) for three years. CE:CMHC students take 9 credits in the fall and spring semesters and 3 in winter, June, and July-August each to reach 60 credits in two years.

13. When do classes start and when and how are they offered?

Counselor Education: School Counseling hybrid classes begin the last week of August and run most semesters back to back Wednesday evenings at 6 - 7:40 and 7:50 - 9:30 p.m. Some Practicum and Internship classes occur on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening times at 5, 6, or 7pm. The Winter intersession course is either 3 nights a week for 3 weeks from 6-9:30 or 2 nights a week and a Saturday for 3 weeks. Summer courses usually meet two nights a week M,W, or T,TH for four weeks. Students are required throughout their course of study to spend some time most semesters in a K-12 setting during regular school hours. Class schedules are posted in CUNYFIRST and outside Carman Hall B-20. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed. program will be offered Saturdays year round and the 60-credit program will begin in June.

14. How do I find financial aid and/or scholarship opportunities?

The Lehman College Financial Aid office in Shuster Hall is staffed with personnel to help with affordability questions and forms at Shuster Hall Room 205, 718 960-8156, or on the web at Lehman Financial Aid or Lehman Scholarships.

The main work-study program for some of our students is:

The CUNY CAP (Counseling Assistant Program), open to all CUNY undergraduate alumni/ae with bachelor’s degrees. It provides a tuition remission and a stipend for working 20 hours a week in a counseling-related office on a CUNY campus. Information on this program is available by calling the Lehman Financial Aid office or by calling CUNY CAP directly at 212 290-5709.

Multiple scholarships are offered annually for our students through Lehman, CUNY, and state and national organization sources:

A. The Evalyn and Stephen Milman Scholarships for Innovation in Teaching/Counseling/Leadership (Lehman School of Education)

Purpose (April 1 deadline)

The Evalyn and Stephen Milman Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships for Innovation in Teaching are intended to recognize educator candidates who have demonstrated excellent academic performance and strong dispositions for being outstanding educators, and/or have already demonstrated leadership skills in a discipline (e.g., Early Childhood Education, Counseling Education, or Science Education). Additionally, having unique talents in the arts that can seamlessly be aligned and integrated into disciplinary curricular experiences are helpful, but they are not mandatory for scholarship application.Generous donor, Evalyn Milman, who with her husband has made these scholarships possible, had been a school teacher earlier in her life, and she has expertise in integrating art and music into classroom teaching on many subjects.

General (Eligibility)

The Scholarship provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate candidates in educator preparation programs to explore innovative ideas and strategies in learning how to effectively teach students in high needs schools through the integration of arts. An applicant must be a student currently matriculated in one of the three departments in the School of Education: Counseling, Leadership, Literacy and Special Education (CLLSE); Early Childhood and Childhood Education (ECCE); and Middle and High School Education (MHSE). For students in the Department of MHSE, they can be undergraduate or graduate students in programs leading to initial NYS certification. CLLSE and ECCE must be graduate students.
For more information about the award amount and length of the scholarship as well as specific requirements all recipients must complete, please see Award and Requirements by Department PDF.

B. The American School Counselor Association Foundation does an annual scholarship competition awarding 10 $1000 scholarships to school counseling students across the USA who are ASCA student members and write an essay. This program is designed in part to attract more students of nondominant cultural identities and more men into the school counseling profession. More information is available on the website if you have questions, and the application deadline is usually mid-October annually.

C. NYSSCA Graduate Student Scholarship

To help future school counselors fulfill their educational goals, the New York State School Counselor Association awards scholarships to graduate students each year who are currently enrolled in a New York State accredited master’s-level school counseling program. Scholarships are awarded based on students’ academic achievement, contributions to the field and commitment to the promotion of the ASCA/NYSSCA Model and NYS Learning Standards. The required letter of recommendation should be specific as to the candidate’s suitability for the award. The essay response to the following question is a critical part of the application for the NYSSCA Graduate Student Scholarship. “Given the evolution of the school counseling profession in recent years, and the emphasis in education on accountability, how can counselors demonstrate their commitment to student achievement and development through the application of NYS Learning Standards and the ASCA/NYSSCA Comprehensive Model?” NYSSCA Contact: Dr. Robert Rotunda, Executive Director (631) 582-4047, or at executivedirector@nyssca.org.

New York State School Counselor Association
The Application for the 2013 Graduate Student Scholarship is available HERE
New York State School Counselor Association
Application for Graduate Student Award
NYSSCA will award five scholarships in the amount of $500 each.

Qualifications:

  • Applicants must be current members of NYSSCA.
  • Applicants & recipients must be currently matriculated & in good standing in an accredited graduate school program for school counseling, having completed at least one semester.
  • The recipients must provide NYSSCA with a photograph for publication in the NYSSCA newsletter and/or on the NYSSCA website.

D. Annual National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation Scholarships The NBCC Foundation annually offers currently enrolled Counselor Education students the chance to apply for 10 graduate Counselor Education students to have a $3000 scholarship. There are five rural/underserved areas (including Bronx County residents) scholarships and five military scholarships available in the amount of $3,000 each. The military scholarship is for service members and veterans currently enrolled in counseling programs who commit to serve military personnel upon graduation (as either mental health or school counselors). The rural/underserved areas scholarship is for students who are currently enrolled in counseling programs who commit to serving rural or underserved areas upon graduation as mental health or school counselors. To determine if your area qualifies, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration. The application deadline is November 1st. For more information, visit the website or email foundation@nbcc.org.

E. The BG Scholarship established in memory of Brandon Goodman is available to the students of Lehman College—AWARDED ONCE A MONTH! Brandon embraced new cultures and religions, sought to understand their meanings and took with him the best of each new experience. He was an artist, painter, he loved to sketch and compose poetry. He gave these aesthetic traces of himself to the many fast friends he made around the world. The scholarship established by his mother helps to keep Brandon’s memory alive.

The BG Scholarship strives to reward students who do well academically and also contribute to their school and/or community by getting involved. The Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students with a minimum 2.0 GPA. US Citizens, Permanent Residents and International students are eligible. An essay about your academic goals and contributions to your school and/or community is required.

The essay is judged two ways:

1. Need based – Determined by the financial need of the student. Explain why you need this scholarship.
2. Merit based – Determined by how the student has affected his/her community for the better. Explain how you have contributed to your community and why you deserve this scholarship.

Please go to BG Scholarship to apply online. Deadline to apply is on the last day of each month. A new scholarship award is announced on the 15th of every month in the amount of $400. If you have any questions and for assistance in applying, please contact Gloria Figueroa, Lehman College Scholarship Coordinator, at 718-960-8382 via email at gloria.figueroa@lehman.cuny.edu or stop by the Scholarship Office in Shuster Hall Room 205 during office hours; Monday, Thursday, Friday 9am – 5pm and Tuesday, Wednesday 9am – 6:30pm.

F. CUNY University Student Senate (USS) graduate student scholarships.

  1. USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for Students with Disabilities - established in 2003, this scholarship recognizes students with disabilities who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and enthusiastic leadership and service under extraordinary circumstances.
  2. USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for International Students - established in 2003, this scholarship recognizes students with disabilities who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and enthusiastic leadership and service under extraordinary circumstances.
  3. The Graduate Peer Mentoring Scholarship - established in 2013, for a graduate student who demonstrates a tremendous effort to help other graduate students through academic support, professional development and leadership development within their college community.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Graduate applicants must be registered for a minimum of three (3) credits during the Spring semester. Applicants must also register for a minimum of three (3) credits during the fall semester.Graduate applicants must have already completed a minimum of six (6) credits and no more than twenty-four (24) credits at a CUNY College.
    The application packet will be available in the Office of Academic Testing, Scholarships & Awards in Shuster Hall Room 205.
  • Each application must include:
    • Two letters of recommendation indicating evidence of good character, academic achievement and/or service to the community. At least one of the letters must be from a CUNY faculty member.
    • Two original, typed, personal essays of no more than three hundred words each:
      1) Three hundred words stating why you would benefit from this scholarship and how do you believe you have earned it?
      2) Three hundred words stating your field of interest, current projects, future plans, etc.
    • Resume
    • An official letter verifying enrollment of the current academic year from the Registrar Office, Shuster Hall Room 112
    • An official transcript
    • A signed Declaration Form that will enable the College Chief Student Affairs Administrator to verify the applicant’s GPA and credit/enrollment information.
      Deadline to apply is April 8. All documents must be submitted to the Office of Academic Testing, Scholarships & Awards. If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Figueroa, Scholarship Coordinator, at 718-960-8382 or via email at gloria.figueroa@lehman.cuny.edu.

G. The Pigott Scholarship for master’s degree students in Education at Lehman College was established in 2010 through a generous donation by philanthropist Mr. Mark Pigott, Chairman and CEO of PACCAR Inc. The scholarships are available to selected applicants in master's degree programs in Education who demonstrate outstanding academic potential and financial need. The amount is usually between $2,000 and $2,500. All students must demonstrate financial need, strong academic success, and one is usually nominated by each of the three Education departments prior to April 1 and each student needs to write a personal statement.

H. The BPW/NYS Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. annually accepts applications for Graduate Study Fellowships of $1,000. The Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. is an affiliate of the Business and Professional Women’s Clubs of New York State, Inc. They offer several Grace LeGendre Fellowships to women who are registered in graduate studies and within two years of completing the degree program requirements at an accredited college or university in the state of New York. Deadline to apply is usually the last day of February. Qualifications: Women who are permanent residents of New York State and citizens of the United States with a completed Bachelor’s degree, currently matriculated in graduate studies, and within two years of completing studies in a graduate degree program, and who show evidence of scholastic ability and need for financial assistance. The application is available in Shuster Hall Room 205. If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Figueroa, Scholarship Coordinator, at 718-960-8382 or via email at gloria.figueroa@lehman.cuny.edu.

I. Los Padres Foundation is offering the Gilbert Rios Memorial Award for Hispanic/Latino students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies. The $5,000 award is for a full-time accredited graduate or professional degree program that terminates in two to four years.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Completed a minimum 100 hours of non-faith based voluntary community service each year he/she was enrolled in undergraduate school.
  • Maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • First generation in the family to attend graduate school.
  • Family meets the federal guidelines for low income.
  • Must apply to an accredited graduate/professional program. Doctoral programs are excluded.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident
  • Deadline to apply is June 1. Applications are available in the Academic Testing & Scholarships Office in Shuster Hall Room 205 or online.

J. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation's preeminent organization supporting Latinos in higher education. HSF's vision is to strengthen the country by advancing college education among Latinos. In support of its mission to double the rate of Latinos earning college degrees, HSF provides the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. The HSF provides scholarship opportunities for graduate students with scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. The general eligibility requirements for most of the scholarships in the HSF are:

  • Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551
  • Be pursuing or plan to pursue your first undergraduate or graduate degree
  • Must apply for federal financial aid using the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be enrolled or plan to enroll full-time as an undergrad or graduate student in a degree seeking program at a U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam.

Please visit website to obtain more information, view a list of all their scholarship opportunities and submit an online application.

K.Select students seeking the Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Counselor Education/School Counseling may be eligible for the NYC DOE scholarship funding if they have a 3.5 GPA and do not work for the NYC DOE, among other requirements. Details are at www.nycteach.org. This is an extremely competitive program.

L. The UNCF Program Services Department offers scholarship opportunities to graduate students who qualify. Please visit www.uncf.org <http://www.uncf.org> for a list of opportunities and to apply online.

M. BECAS Scholarship: Application for the CUNY Becas Scholarship Program is Now Available

CUNY Becas (Información disponible en español)
The Jaime Lucero Mexican Studies Institute’s Becas program offers scholarships that range from $4500 to $6030 to CUNY undergraduate and graduate students who meet three criteria: academic excellence, financial need, and commitment to service in the Mexican community. Currently, the scholarship can only be used for tuition. The scholarship primarily aids students with little or no access to other funding sources. Because its emphasis is on financial need and because it does not discriminate based on immigration status, this program has been particularly successful in aiding undocumented students.

Scholarship recipients join the Becari@s Network of current and past Becas recipients. They participate in monthly professionalization seminars and are expected to complete internships for a total of 200 hours in an affiliated nonprofit institution. Students are matched to an internship that suits their interests, professional goals and schedules. The Institute works closely with “Becari@s,” scholarship winners, and internship sites to ensure a positive experience on both sides.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Academic excellence
  • Financial need
  • Commitment to service in the Mexican community.

Application Materials:

  • Completed application form
  • Most recent transcript
  • A letter of recommendation and recommendation form
  • Two essays: a personal statement and a financial statement

Scholarship Conditions:

For undergraduate students, the scholarship will be disbursed to the recipient’s CUNY campus in two equal installments over the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 semesters. For graduate students, the scholarship will be disbursed to the recipient’s CUNY campus in one full installment. Failure to comply with the following conditions may result in the suspension or revocation of scholarship awards:

  • Full-time enrollment at a CUNY school
  • Participation in monthly seminars
  • Completion of a 200 hour internship in an affiliated nonprofit institution
  • Submission of semester academic progress report
  • Continuous involvement with the Institute and Becari@s network in events and activities

Additional Information:
Questions can be directed to mexican.studies@lehman.cuny.edu or at 347-577-4080. Applications must be submitted by February 28 at 11:59PM—Note this is an annual awards program email them for the future due dates. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on February 28 by email only to mexican.studies@lehman.cuny.edu. The application form is available in the Office of Academic Testing, Scholarships and Awards in Shuster Hall Room 205. For more information, you may contact the CUNY Institute of Mexican Studies at 718-960-5115 or via email at mexican.studies@lehman.cuny.edu. If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Figueroa, Lehman College Scholarship Coordinator, at 718-960-8382 or via email at gloria.figueroa@lehman.cuny.edu.

N. The Point Foundation offers full scholarships to LBGT students, especially those who are under-resourced, at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Apply here.

O. Scholarships for UNDERGRADUATES IN HUMAN SERVICES/HELPING FIELDS Planning to Pursue a Career in Counseling from The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) recently announced its scholarship program for Human Services-Board Certified Practitioners (HS-BCPs) who intend to pursue a career in counseling. This new scholarship category is made possible by generous corporate support from the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE).

  • HS-BCPs working toward a bachelor's degree in a helping field with the intention to enter a master's-degree program in counseling may be eligible to apply for one of two $2,000 scholarships.
  • Bachelor's-level HS-BCPs who are currently enrolled in a master's-degree program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) may be eligible to apply for a $5,000 scholarship.
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or hold legal resident status. Complete eligibility criteria can be found in the scholarship application packet. The deadline for applications is December 20.

15. What additional fees/costs must Counselor Education students pay (ASCA student membership/liability insurance and Watermark’sTaskstream assessment, books, parking/transit, food, housing)?

Counselor Education students must pay for student membership in professional associations and liability insurance each semester:

  • CE:SC students: American School Counselor Association $75 annually (includes liability insurance)
  • CE:CMHC students: American Counseling Association $105 annually (includes liability insurance)
  • All students must purchase a Taskstream Assessment for 3 years from Watermark corporation ($135 one-time fee)
  • Books ($500-1000 a year for 2-3 years)
  • Parking/Transit (varies)
  • Food (varies)
  • Housing (varies)

16. Are Counselor Education candidates required to do personal counseling?

No. Ethically, however, professional counselors can only help clients/students/families to the extent that the counselor has worked on her or his own counseling issues. The Counselor Education program is committed to counseling candidates constantly reflecting on their strengths and areas to improve. The strongest professional counselors have had professional and personal experience as clients and as counselors. Lehman has a FREE personal counseling center for students. For an appointment contact the Counseling Center, 114 Old Gym building, at 718-960-6739 or email: ccenter@lehman.cuny.edu.

17. How much time should I put into graduate studies each week?

3 hours for every hour of graduate credit including on-site supervision, fieldwork, class readings and assignments. Internship requirements are larger.

18. What is the required GPA to maintain matriculation?

The Lehman College Graduate Bulletin outlines the requirements for maintaining matriculation. A Counselor Education candidate with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) below 3.0 is placed on academic probation. Candidates on academic probation have one semester to raise their GPA to 3.0. During this probationary period, candidates who make satisfactory progress maintain both their academic standing with the College and their eligibility for financial aid. A student with a Grade Point Average that remains below 3.0 at the end of the probationary period will be dropped from the College. Students may appeal to the Director of Graduate Studies.

19. What is the grade appeals procedure?

See the Graduate Bulletin for the Grade Appeals procedure (p. 23). A Counselor Education candidate should first discuss the situation with the instructor who assigned the grade. If the candidate is unsatisfied, they should consult with the Program Coordinator. If the candidate is unsatisfied, the student should appeal in writing to the Counseling, Leadership, Literacy, and Special Education (CLLSE) Department Chair at Carman Hall B-20. The CLLSE Department Chair will ask the Graduate Grade Appeal Committee to evaluate the appeal. Grade appeals must be initiated in the semester following the entry of a permanent grade, and no grades can be changed after the date of graduation. The decision of the Graduate Grade Appeal Committee is binding on all parties.

20. What are technology expectations for Counselor Education candidates?

All Counseling Education candidates MUST have:

  • a LEHMAN student email account (xxxxx@lc.cuny.edu)
  • a CUNY portal account to gain access to Blackboard and program, department, division, and campus announcements, and a
  • CUNYFIRST account to access student accounts, records, and course permissions/registration.

Lehman email accounts, CUNY portal accounts, and CUNYFIRST Accounts are available free of charge for Lehman students from the Instructional Technology Center, online at the Help Desk FAQS, or by phone at 718.960.1111 and CUNYFIRST student information. The Information Technology Center is open to all students and personnel are available there to provide technical assistance.

21. What help is there for research, writing, APA style, and, using the Lehman library/tutoring center?

The Lehman library’s hours and services may be accessed from the Lehman website or by calling library information at 718.960.7766. There is a full-time Education librarian who assists students and faculty with all research-related needs in-person, over the phone, or via email.

All Counselor Education candidates and faculty follow the writing style of the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, as done in all counseling journals and major counseling publications. In addition to publishing the Manual, the American Psychological Association has online references and a software program called APA-Style Helper 6.0. Another web-based resource is found at . Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab) is also a helpful resource online. Help is available from the staff in the Lehman library and through the Lehman Instructional Services Support/Tutoring Program, Old Gym Building Rm. 205. (718-960-8175). This program offers help in all writing issues in addition to APA style assistance. Counselor Education candidates need to ensure that all writing done in the program avoids plagiarism, i.e., the use of others’ words or work without giving them credit (see Harvard College Writing Program).

22. When am I eligible for membership in Chi Sigma Iota, the international professional counseling honor society?

The Lehman College Graduate Program in Counselor Education is the Tau chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (CSI). Eligible candidates who have completed 24 credits with a 3.5 GPA may be invited to apply for membership by the CSI Advisor. CSI induction ceremony is conducted annually at the end of the Spring Semester.

23. What is the employment outlook for school and career counselors?

Summary of Mental Health Counselors: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm

 

Summary of Counselor Educators: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, downloaded April 25, 2021.