Maria College partners with Siena on mental health degree pathway

The partnership aims to address a growing workforce shortage of clinical mental health counselors in New York state.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Maria College has established a partnership with Siena University to expand the pipeline of clinical mental health counselors in New York. Under the agreement, Maria College will reserve 10 seats annually in its Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program for qualified Siena students, helping to address a growing workforce shortage across the state.

Why it matters

Mental health services have become increasingly in-demand in recent years, but New York state has struggled to meet the need for qualified clinical mental health counselors. This partnership between Maria College and Siena University aims to increase the number of students entering the field and help fill critical workforce gaps.

The details

The new agreement between Maria College and Siena University will reserve 10 seats each year in Maria's Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program for qualified Siena students. This will create a direct pathway for Siena undergraduates to continue their education and enter the clinical mental health counseling field.

  • The partnership was announced on February 23, 2026.

The players

Maria College

A private college located in Albany, New York that offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Siena University

A private liberal arts university located in Loudonville, New York that offers undergraduate and graduate programs.

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What’s next

The partnership between Maria College and Siena University is expected to begin enrolling Siena students in Maria's CMHC program starting in the Fall 2026 semester.

The takeaway

This new agreement between Maria College and Siena University represents an important step in addressing the shortage of clinical mental health counselors in New York state, providing a clear pathway for more students to enter this critical field.