M.Ed. - Counseling

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Applicants must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree prior to applying for admission to the Graduate School.

School Counseling Emphasis

This plan is intended primarily for those wishing to be school counselors.

Additional Admission Requirements: Completion of a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of undergraduate upper-division coursework in Professional Education, Behavioral Science (Psychology, Sociology, Social Work and /or Criminal Justice) or Nursing with grades of B or better (must be completed prior to admission to the program). SPED 5320 Spec Ed-Historical Legal Basis is an additional prerequisite requirement, but can be taken after admission to the program. Successful completion of an Alternative Certification Program also meets prerequisite requirements, although SPED 5320  is still required. It is highly recommended that students applying as Professional Educators should have completed the teacher certification process prior to applying. Teaching experience is not required prior to applying. Copies of applicant's Teacher Service Record and Teacher Certification documents are also required for admission if the applicant is certified and has taught for at least two years.  Students who participate in Counseling internships with agencies or school districts requiring background checks must successfully pass the background check to complete internship requirement. Additionally, a background check is required to be certified as a School Counselor in the State of Texas.

Note: Students with prior master’s degrees in Community or Mental Health Counseling wishing to become school counselors can apply through the Graduate School as Certification-Only students and must take specified coursework in school counseling, including an internship through UTEP in a school setting, in order to be recommended to take the School Counselor TExES exam.

School Counselor Certification: In addition to the completion of the 48 hours master's degree program, a student must also have the following:

1. Valid Texas Teaching Certificate.
2. Two years of classroom teaching experience in an accredited public, private, or parochial school.
   Note: Teaching Certificate not required if the two years experience is in an accredited private or parochial school
3. Satisfactory completion of the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) for School Counselors.

Licensure: For licensure as a Professional Counselor in Texas, in addition to the 48-hour master's program, a student must have:

1. Three thousand (3,000) clock hours of supervised experience; and
2. Satisfactory completion of the National Counselor Exam (NCE).

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Emphasis

This plan is intended primarily for those pursuing employment as Community Counselors in a public or private agency or hospital setting.

Additional Admission Requirements Necessary for an Interview: Completion of 12 semester hours of undergraduate upper-division course work in Professional Education or Behavioral Science (Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, and/or Criminal Justice) and/or Nursing with grades of B or better (must be completed prior to admission to the program). Any combination of courses in the above areas is permitted.

Licensure: For licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas, in addition to the 60-hour master's program, a student must have:

1. Satisfactorily completed the National Counselor Exam as administered by the Texas State Board Examiners of Professional Counselors;
2. Three thousand (3,000) clock hours of supervised experience by an Approved Supervisor; and
3. Satisfactorily completed a Jurisprudence examination administered by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.

NOTE: Students who participate in Counseling internship (for Clinical Mental Health Counselors) or Practicum for School Counselors with agencies or school districts requiring background checks must successfully pass the background check to complete the internship or Practicum for School Counselor requirement.  Additionally, a background check is required to be certified as a School Counselor in the State of Texas.