At Hofstra School of Health Sciences, two programs earn diagnostic privilege

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At Hofstra University’s School of Health Sciences, two graduate programs have been awarded the designation of diagnostic privilege under New York State’s mental health licensure laws.

The school’s Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling in Mental Health (RCMH) and the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) degrees were approved by the New York State Department of Education to confer the designation of diagnostic privilege upon their graduates. This designation allows these graduates to independently diagnose mental health conditions, broadening their scope of practice and enhancing patient care, according to Hofstra.

“We are proud to have earned this important designation from the New York State Department of Education,” Reginald Alston, the dean of Hofstra School of Health Sciences, said in a news release about the designation. “This recognition underscores the quality of our programs and will greatly enhance the professional capacities of our graduates as they go on to provide essential mental health services to our communities.”

The newly approved diagnostic privilege comes at a time when experts say there is a growing need for comprehensive mental health services in diverse settings. With this designation, Hofstra University graduates will expand the pool of professionals eligible to diagnose mental health issues, allowing for more efficient and effective care for individuals across New York State.

“Being recognized as having the ability to diagnose and develop assessment-based treatment plans allows for graduates of Hofstra’s programs to enter positions that they may not have had the opportunity to enter before, including supervisory roles and positions within different sectors of our community,” Cindy Zabinski, a licensed and certified clinician and an approved consultant and graduate of Hofstra’s RCMH program, said in the news release.

“Hofstra University’s RCMH and MHC programs not only currently meet the NYS requirements to prepare current students for the path of diagnostic privilege, but also have qualified many alumni to be able to apply for diagnostic privilege without having to complete additional coursework,” Zabinski said.

“Interest in mental health counseling licensure continues to grow each year and applications to our programs show evidence to support this trend,” Genevieve Weber, associate professor of counseling and mental health professions, said in the news release.

“Holding diagnostic privilege enhances our expertise, enriches our ability to support and understand the evolving needs of those we serve, and expands an already strong job market for our graduates,” Weber said.