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:
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Statement of Intent
- Statement on Counseling Diverse Populations
- Statement on interpersonal relationships
- Three professional letters of reference
- Official undergraduate transcripts (from each of the colleges or universities the applicant previously attended)
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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 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:
- Three thousand (3,000) clock hours of post graduate supervised experience; and
- A passing score on the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE).
Degree Plan
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDPC 5310 | Appl. Res. Des. for Coun & Spe | 3 |
| EDPC 5317 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| EDPC 5320 | Lifestyle & Career Development | 3 |
| EDPC 5322 | Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| EDPC 5324 | Ethic, Legl/Prof. Issue/Cnslng | 3 |
| EDPC 5333 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| EDPC 5335 | Prin of Appraisal & Assessment | 3 |
| EDPC 5338 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| EDPC 5339 | Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| EDPC 5341 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| EDPC 5345 | Abnormal Human Behavior | 3 |
| EDPC 5346 | Counsel Multicult/Div Popula | 3 |
| EDPC 5347 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| EDPC 5360 | Intro Marriage & Famly Therapy | 3 |
| EDPC 5371 | Mental Health Counseling Pract | 3 |
| EDPC 5372 | Mental Health Coun. Intern I | 3 |
| EDPC 5373 | Mental Health Coun. Intern II | 3 |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| 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 Hours | 60 | |