Master of Arts in Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling degree offers two programs of study: Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling.  The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is a CACREP-accredited 60-hour program.  Click here to see the value of attending a CACREP-accredited program. Students select the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program if they want to complete coursework needed in the State of Texas to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

The Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling (MCFC) program is a 60-hour program designed for students to meet the requirements to apply for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Texas. The counseling faculty recently applied for CACREP accreditation for the MCFC program. They are awaiting feedback from CACREP on their accreditation status.

CMHC Program - Preparation for Licensed Professional Counselor

Students completing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program will have the academic and clinical experience requirements needed to apply for a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern (LPC-Intern) in the state of Texas. Students may also choose electives that provide them with more specific training for working with special populations (e.g., play therapy, couples and family, trauma, etc.). LPC-Interns are qualified to work under supervision in a variety of mental health settings, including private practice, non-profit counseling agencies, hospitals, correctional settings, college counseling centers, substance-abuse treatment centers, etc. Once fully licensed (LPC), graduates of this program may work independently in private practice and other mental health settings.

MCFC Program - Preparation for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Students selecting the Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program will be prepared for employment in settings that focus on family systems as well as other service agencies and mental health centers. Once graduated, students may pursue the Marriage and Family Therapy Associate License with the state of Texas. Once students are licensed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, they may immediately begin working in a private practice setting. Other settings include agencies serving children, couples, and families, home-based family therapy programs, and other employment opportunities servicing multiple populations. Additionally, MCFC students interested in play therapy can add on a Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.

Both the CMHC and MCFC programs require sixty semester credit hours for completion. A comprehensive examination is required for graduation and is taken when enrolled in Supervised Practicum (COUN 6376).  In addition, students in the MCFC program take an additional exam with a concentration in marriage and family theories and ethics. Students must be enrolled in the university when taking the comprehensive examination and when applying for graduation.

Applications for entrance into the Master of Arts in Counseling (CMHC or MCFC) are accepted for Fall and Spring admission. Fall application deadline is July 15 and Spring application deadline is November 1. Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling (CMHC or MCFC) must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Graduate Application
2. Application fee 
3. Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions applicant attended
4. Three Reference Forms:
   1. at least two reference forms provided by former or current employers or professors
   2. one reference form a professional acquaintance, but cannot be a family member or an applicant's personal medical or behavioral health provider 
5. Personal Statement
6. Official GRE Scores
   1. The GRE requirement will be waived for applicants meeting the one of the following conditions:
      1. possess an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
      2. have completed at least nine hours of graduate level course work with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
7. Confirmation of Face-to-Face interview: After submitting all of the above application materials, applicants will complete a face-to-face interview. Written confirmation of the interview will be provided to the applicant, which the applicant will submit directly to Graduate Admissions.