Applicants must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree prior to applying for admission to the Graduate School. The M.Ed. in School Counseling is intended primarily for those wishing to be school counselors.

Requirements

Applicants must submit an application and participate in either a screening interview or instrument to determine if the EPP applicant's knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude are appropriate for the certification sought. 

• Applicants must also pay a TEA technology fee (non-refundable, paid to the TEA as required by TAC 229.9.7).
• Pursuant to the Texas Education Code TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to student teaching
• Pursuant to the TEC, §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator.
• A candidate may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP if an individual has been convicted of an offense.
• A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in an educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person's potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.
• For further information visit the Texas Education Agency website: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/preliminary-criminal-history-evaluation-faqs
• Candidates must receive training in dyslexia, mental health/youth suicide, and instruction in digital learning with digital literacy evaluation followed by a prescribed digital learning curriculum based on the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) standards. Trainings must be from a TEA approved provider.

For information on transfer credit, see the School Counseling Program Page.

Admission Requirements

For information on Admission Cycle Calendar of Dates, please see https://www.utep.edu/graduate/future-students/degrees-and-programs.html for information.

A minimum 3.0 GPA on cumulative undergraduate record (or previous 60 hours completed as evaluated by the counseling admission committee) prior to admission.

For students enrolled in the alternative certification program (ACP), it is encouraged that you complete the ACP prior to starting work toward the M.Ed. in School Counseling and avoid the risk of reaching the Graduate School limitation requirement of six-years to obtain a master's degree. For more information about the ACP: https://www.utep.edu/education/css/programs/alternative-certification/alternative-certification.html. 

Teaching experience is not required prior to applying. Applicants are screened based on the quality of their application and 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 on Counseling Diverse Populations 
4. Statement on interpersonal relationships
5. Three professional letters of references
6. Official undergraduate transcripts (from each of the colleges or universities the applicant previously attended)

7. Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the Graduate School website for required scores.

The above required application 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/internship requirement. Additionally, a background check is required to be certified as a School Counselor in the State of Texas. 

Texas Education Agency School Counselor Certification Requirements

In addition to completion of the 60 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 approved by the Texas Educational Agency (TEA). Note: Teaching Certificate not required if the two years experience is in an accredited private or parochial school
3. A passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) for School Counselors.

Due to recent legislation the certificate issuance requirements will change effective 09/01/2023. After 09/01/2023, issuance of the School Counselor certificate will no longer require two creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher. All other issuance requirements will remain the same.

Students must be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in their last semester. 

Degree Plan