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 CACREP-accredited 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. 

A comprehensive examination is required for graduation and is taken when enrolled in Supervised Practicum (COUN 6376).  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.

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, 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. Additionally, CMHC students interested in play therapy can add on a Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.

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 (LMFT Associate) in the state of Texas. Once students are licensed as an LMFT 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. Students can also take two additional classes not included in their plan of study in order to meet educational requirements to apply for a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern (LPC Intern) in the state of Texas. 

Applications for entrance into the Master of Arts in Counseling (CMHC or MCFC) are accepted for Fall and Spring admission. See program landing page for application deadlines. Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling (CMHC or MCFC) must submit the following items directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions through their Self-Service Portal, which will be activated after submitting your application through Apply Texas:

1. Graduate Application
2. Application fee 
3. Official transcript from undergraduate institution conferring the undergraduate degree
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 that addresses the following questions:
   1. What is motivating you to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist?
   2. What is your experience related to the counseling field, either paid or volunteer?
   3. What are your aspirations related to the field of counseling?
   4. Describe one or more life events that contributed to the development of your aspirations?
   5. What would you identify as your strengths and areas for growth needed to achieve your aspirations? Include in your response one personal characteristic that you most need to modify, improve, or change in order to realize your aspirations.
6. Official GRE General Test 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

The Counselor Education master's admissions committee will consider all applications through a holistic review process.  After reviewing the pool of applicants, the master's admissions committee will recommend the top candidates for interview process.  Applicants invited for the interview will be given specific guidelines for the process. 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MA in Counseling is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• Higher-order thinking.
• Oral and written communication.
• Professional conduct and ethical behavior.
• Multicultural and diversity competencies.
• Self-awareness of inter/intrapersonal relationships.
• Ability to apply counseling and development knowledge to professional practice.