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Counseling Psychology Master’s Degree (M.S.)

The Master of Science (M.S.) in counseling psychology is a 60-credit-hour program that prepares students to become licensed psychological associates or licensed professional counselors.

Graduates of our program may sit for state licensing exams from these entities:

  • Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
  • Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors 

Students are welcome to apply for admission regardless of their undergraduate major. 

Degree

Master of Science in counseling psychology

Careers

  • Nonprofit or for-profit mental health agencies
  • Mental Health/Mental Retardation centers
  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation settings
  • Vocational counseling
  • Academic counseling
  • Private practice

Program Highlights

  • Our 60-credit-hour program is designed to meet the academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Psychological Associate in the state of Texas.

  • We emphasize a small student-to-faculty ratio, opportunities to conduct faculty-mentored research on a wide range of topics, and diverse practicum experiences.

  • Course offerings in our program are designed to accommodate students who are currently employed. Courses are offered during the day, in the evenings and online to better fit your scheduling needs.

Admission Formula

Formula:

[GPA x 100] + Quantitative + Verbal + Converted Analytical ≥ 730.

GRE Analytical Writing Conversion Scale

The GRE Analytical Writing sub test is scored on a scale of 1-6. This score is converted to the metric of the other sub tests as follows:

1.0-2.0 = 130           
2.5 = 135
3.0 = 140
3.5 = 145
4.0 = 150
4.5 = 155
5.0 = 160
5.5 = 165
6.0 = 170 

Admission Requirements

Students are welcome to apply for admission regardless of their undergraduate major. Those who have fewer than 18 credit hours of undergraduate psychology are required to complete a graduate leveling course that provides training in the foundational areas of psychology.  

Students who want to be considered for our program need to have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for admission on the basis of the formula above.

Prerequisites

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree. Students who have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher automatically qualify for admission, if space in the program allows. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may qualify for admission on the basis of the formula described in the GRE column.
  • Students who have fewer than 18 credit hours of undergraduate psychology are required to complete a graduate leveling course that provides training in the foundational areas of psychology.

Application Deadlines

Other Application Deadlines:

Priority Admission Review for the counseling psychology program

  • March 15 for fall admissions
  • Oct. 15 for spring admissions

Applications for the counseling psychology program will be reviewed beginning on March 15 for fall admissions and Oct. 15 for spring admissions. Applications received by these dates will receive priority and will be processed before registration so new students can register on time for a better selection of classes. After the priority deadlines, applications will be reviewed when they are received, and students will be admitted based on space available in the program. 

Fall: July 15

International Student Fall: June 10

Spring: Dec. 1

International Student Spring: November 1

Degree Plan

  • Students may take up to 12 credit hours during the long semesters and six credit hours per summer session.

    Course to be Completed in the First Long Semester

    (Only for students with less than 18 hours of psychology coursework prior to admission)

    6302: Core Concepts in Psychological Science

    Required Courses

    • 6306 Advanced Abnormal Psychology
    • 6307 Psychopathology
    • 6309 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • 6314 Research Methods
    • 6315 Marriage and Family Counseling
    • 6322 Psychological Assessment
    • 6323 Counseling Theories
    • 6324 Group Counseling
    • 6325 Counseling Methods and Techniques
    • 6326 Counseling with Minorities
    • 6328 Ethics and Law in the Counseling Profession
    • 6329 Professional Orientation to Counseling
    • 6344 Addictions Counseling
    • 6347 Developmental Psychology
    • 6351 A Survey of Vocational Counseling Methods
    • 6371 (twice) or 6671 Practicum in Counseling Psychology, 6399 (Thesis) twice or 6699 (Thesis), and three credit hours of electives approved by the program director

    Practicum

    Students may com­plete up to nine credit hours of supervised practical experience in applying the techniques of psychological appraisal and counseling. Each three credit hours requires 150 clock hours in a supervised practicum setting. (Psy­chology 6371 may be repeated twice, but the total practicum credits may not exceed nine.)

    Prior to enrolling in practicum students must have completed 24 credits of graduate level psychology courses, 21 hours of which must include Psychology 6306, 6307, 6309, 6323, 6324, 6325, and 6329.

    Elective Courses

    Thesis Option: six credit hours of electives approved by the program director.

    Non-thesis option: twelve credit hours of electives, six of which must be in psychology, approved by the program director.

    Thesis and Non-Thesis Options

    Thesis Option (60 SCH): The student must complete a minimum of 60 SCHs of graduate-level work in psychology and courses must include 6306, 6307, 6309, 6314, 6315, 6322, 6323, 6324, 6325, 6326, 6328, 6329, 6344, 6347, 6351, 6371 twice or 6671, 6399 (Thesis) twice or 6699 (Thesis), and three credit hours of electives approved by the program director.

    Non-Thesis Option (60 SCH): The student must complete a minimum of 60 SCHs of graduate-level work in psychology and courses must include 6306, 6307, 6309, 6314, 6315, 6322, 6323, 6324, 6325, 6326, 6328, 6329, 6344, 6347, 6351, 6371 twice or 6671, and nine credit hours of electives (six of which must be in psychology) approved by the program director.

    Completion of the degree requirements satisfies the academic requirements for the Texas State Board of Examiners of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists for Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA). However, those seeking the LPA should complete nine credit hours of practicum rather than the required six credit hours. For additional information about other requirements for LPC or LPA licensure, students should contact the state boards.

Assistantships

  • Graduate
  • Research
  • Teaching

Read this assistantship information to learn more about the availability and the application process.

  • Carr Academic Graduate Scholarships

    Carr Academic Graduate Scholarships are ASU’s premier scholarships for graduate students. Awards are based on undergraduate GPA. Students are considered for the Carr Academic Graduate Scholarship upon their acceptance into the College of Graduate Studies and Research. No application is required.

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