University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

M.S. in Mental Health Counseling

The Mental Health Counseling program offers a M.S. that meets the requirements for Licensure as a Professional Counselor in the state of Texas and prepares students for counseling positions in various settings such as mental health centers, family counseling centers, social service agencies, psychiatric hospitals, and private practice.

Applicants must submit an application and participate in either a screening interview or instrument to determine if the applicant's knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude meet program admission standards. 

Admission Requirements

A minimum 3.0 GPA on cumulative record (or previous 60 hours completed as evaluated by the counseling admission committee) prior to admission. Applicants are screened based on the quality of their application and the candidate's potential for success in the program via the assessment of the counseling program admissions committee. Students must include the following in their application: 

  1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  2. Statement of Intent
  3. Statement of diversity 
  4. Statement on interpersonal relationships
  5. Three professional letters of reference
  6. Official undergraduate transcripts (from each of the colleges or universities the applicant previously attended)
  7. Applicants from countries where English is not the first language are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the graduate school website for required scores.

The above required screening materials will be evaluated to determine if the applicant's knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude are appropriate for the counseling degree sought. Students will receive a letter notification of their acceptance or non-acceptance into the program. 

Students must successfully pass a background check to complete the practicum and internship requirement. 

Licensure Requirements

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

  1. Three thousand (3,000) clock hours of post graduate supervised experience; and
  2. A passing score on the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE).

Degree Plan

Required Courses
EDPC 5310Appl. Res. Des. for Coun & Spe3
EDPC 5317Human Growth and Development3
EDPC 5320Lifestyle & Career Development3
EDPC 5322Mental Health Counseling3
EDPC 5324Ethic, Legl/Prof. Issue/Cnslng3
EDPC 5333Crisis Counseling3
EDPC 5335Prin of Appraisal & Assessment3
EDPC 5338Group Counseling3
EDPC 5339Techniques of Counseling3
EDPC 5341Theories of Counseling3
EDPC 5345Abnormal Human Behavior3
EDPC 5346Counsel Multicult/Div Popula3
EDPC 5347Addictions Counseling3
EDPC 5360Intro Marriage & Famly Therapy3
EDPC 5371Mental Health Counseling Pract3
EDPC 5372Mental Health Coun. Intern I3
EDPC 5373Mental Health Coun. Intern II3
Free Electives9
Select nine hours
Cognitive/Behavioral Therapies
Neuroscience and Counseling
Family Theories
Cnslng Chldren, Adlscnts & Fam
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Directed Individual Study
Play Therapy
Special Topics in Couns & Sped
Seminar in Psychopathology
Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Total Hours60