Professional School Counseling (M.S.)
- Student taking notes
The M.S. in professional school counseling program is designed for candidates interested in careers as Texas school counselors.
Candidates may qualify upon completion of the degree to take the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) for the Professional Certificate for School Counselors.
Candidates must complete a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate work, including all academic requirements for the Professional Certificate for School Counselors, and must submit proof of two years of classroom teaching experience to be eligible for the TExES school counseling exam. This program is not accredited by CACREP. The College of Education is accredited by CAEP.
Degree
Master of Science in professional school counselingCareers
Professional school counselors in Texas
Program Highlights
We offer eight-week courses that are 100 percent online.
Students gain extensive field experience through internships and practicum opportunities.
Our 48-credit-hour program is designed to meet the academic requirements to become a Certified School Counselor in the state of Texas.
Our program was ranked in 2019 as No. 5 in the U.S. among the “20 Most Affordable Master’s in School Counseling Degrees Online” by GradSchoolHub.com.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Learner-Centered Knowledge: The certified school counselor has a broad knowledge base.
- Learner-Centered Skills: The certified school counselor applies the knowledge base to promote the educational, personal, social and career development of the learner as outlined in The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.
- Learner-Centered Process: The certified school counselor participates in the development, monitoring, revision and evaluation of a campus based on The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs that promotes learners’ knowledge, skills, motivation and personal growth.
- Learner-Centered Equity and Excellence for All Learners: The certified school counselor promotes academic success for all learners by acknowledging, respecting and responding to diversity while building on similarities that bond all people.
- Learner-Centered Communications: The certified school counselor, an advocate for all students and the school, demonstrates effective professional and interpersonal communication skills.
- Learner-Centered Professional Development: The certified school counselor continues professional development, demonstrating a commitment to learn, to improve the profession, and to model professional ethics and personal integrity.
Admission Requirements
All college and university transcripts. The GRE is NOT required for admission.
Prerequisites
- Hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or better, including all grades on repeated courses, or hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or better in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
- For State of Texas certification, applicants must have two years teaching experience in an accredited public school prior to eligibility for approval to take TExES school counselor exam.
- Students are strongly encouraged to register for the first and second eight-week sessions simultaneously, before the first eight-week session begins.
- Out-of-state students are responsible for ensuring program meets state requirements and may also want to see the Guidance Counseling Master’s Degree (M.Ed) program.
Application Deadlines
8 week Program Deadline:
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Spring A – Jan. 1
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Spring B – March 1
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Summer – May 1
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Fall A – Aug. 12
- Fall B – Oct. 1