Program Overview

Professional Counseling, MS

The Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology offers programs leading to the Master of Science degrees in Professional Counseling and Professional School Counseling, as well as the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education. Programs in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology are accredited by The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Mission Statement

The Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, devoted to excellence in instruction, research, and service, prepares graduate-level counselors and counselor educators to facilitate impactful societal changes at the local, state, national, and international levels.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Professional Counseling (60 semester hours) offers training in four major areas:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
• Addictions Counseling
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Hispanic Mental Health Emphasis (online) All degree plans are designed to meet the current educational requirements for the Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential as specified by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of professional orientation and ethical practice into contemporary counseling practice.
• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of social and cultural diversity into contemporary counseling practice.
• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of human growth and development into contemporary counseling practice.
• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of career development into contemporary counseling practice.
• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of counseling and helping relationships into contemporary counseling practice.
• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of group counseling into contemporary counseling practice.
• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of assessment and testing into contemporary counseling practice.
• Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of research and program evaluation into contemporary counseling practice.

Academic Standards

Students pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Professional Counseling must maintain the following standards:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Only two courses with a grade of C can be applied to the degree.
• No course with a grade below C will be applied toward the degree.
• No grade below B in Practicum or Internship will be applied toward the degree.
• Students may not proceed to practicum or internship unless they meet the standards in 1-3 above.
• All requirements, including coursework at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and transfer credit coursework, must be completed within seven (7) calendar years from the date of initial enrollment in coursework.

Fitness to Practice

In addition to meeting or exceeding academic standards, students pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Professional Counseling must meet fitness to practice standards that are assessed by faculty throughout the program. These standards include demonstration of emotional and mental fitness in their interaction with others as well as conformance with professional counseling associations and State of Texas codes of ethics and standards of practice.

Experiential Learning

Students in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology Master of Science programs will, in some coursework, be expected to participate in experiential learning that will involve some degree of self-exploration and self-reflection. Some training components will encourage personal growth and self-disclosure as part of the training process.

Admission Requirements

Students are eligible to pursue graduate-level course work in Counseling if they meet COEHD graduate admission requirements as specified in the COEHD's Graduate Policies and Regulations section of this catalog. The above minimum criteria, along with the following factors, are reviewed by the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology faculty selection committee in determining admissions:

• Deadline for Master of Science Student Applications are: March 1 - fall semester, October 1 - spring semester, March 1 - summer semester.
• Requirements:
  • Undergraduate performance GPA (3.0 in last 60 hours)
  • Graduate level work with a B grade or higher
  • Interview
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • 500-700 word written essay, including one's personal/professional career plans, goals, and a statement indicating one's ability to work individually and in groups with diverse populations.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Professional Counseling is a 60 semester hour program of study that prepares students to become license-eligible mental health providers. The Professional Counseling degree has four emphasis areas:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
• Addictions Counseling
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Hispanic Mental Health Emphasis (online) Degree plans for each emphasis area are as follows:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Emphasis

• Core Courses:
  • EDFN 5301 Introduction to Research
  • CNEP 5304 Introduction to Counseling
  • CNEP 5306 Career Counseling
  • CNEP 5308 Counseling Theories
  • CNEP 5312 Addictions Counseling
  • CNEP 5314 Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
  • CNEP 5327 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CNEP 5328 Abnormal Human Behavior
  • CNEP 5354 Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior
  • CNEP 5361 Group Counseling
  • CNEP 5371 Psychometrics
  • CNEP 5381 Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies
  • CNEP 5384 The Counseling Process
  • CNEP 5397 Practicum
  • CNEP 5698 Internship
  • CNEP 5698 Internship (II)
• Special Emphasis Courses:
  • CNEP 5320 Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
  • CNEP 5375 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Strategies
  • CNEP 5322 Strategies in Family Counseling or CNEP 5324 Counseling Couples
• Elective Courses: Select three hours

Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Emphasis

• Core Courses:
  • EDFN 5301 Introduction to Research
  • CNEP 5304 Introduction to Counseling
  • CNEP 5306 Career Counseling
  • CNEP 5308 Counseling Theories
  • CNEP 5312 Addictions Counseling
  • CNEP 5314 Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
  • CNEP 5327 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CNEP 5328 Abnormal Human Behavior
  • CNEP 5354 Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior
  • CNEP 5361 Group Counseling
  • CNEP 5371 Psychometrics
  • CNEP 5381 Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies
  • CNEP 5384 The Counseling Process
  • CNEP 5397 Practicum
  • CNEP 5698 Internship
  • CNEP 5698 Internship (II)
• Special Emphasis Courses:
  • CNEP 5320 Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
  • CNEP 5322 Strategies in Family Counseling
  • CNEP 5324 Counseling Couples
  • CNEP 5326 Family Counseling for Child and Adolescent-Focused Issues

Addictions Counseling

• Core Courses:
  • EDFN 5301 Introduction to Research
  • CNEP 5304 Introduction to Counseling
  • CNEP 5306 Career Counseling
  • CNEP 5308 Counseling Theories
  • CNEP 5312 Addictions Counseling
  • CNEP 5314 Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
  • CNEP 5327 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CNEP 5328 Abnormal Human Behavior
  • CNEP 5354 Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior
  • CNEP 5361 Group Counseling
  • CNEP 5371 Psychometrics
  • CNEP 5381 Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies
  • CNEP 5384 The Counseling Process
  • CNEP 5397 Practicum
  • CNEP 5698 Internship
  • CNEP 5698 Internship (II)
• Special Emphasis Courses:
  • CNEP 5313 Theories and Techniques in Substance Abuse Counseling
  • CNEP 5321 Behavioral and Process Addictions
  • CNEP 5323 Counseling for Holistic Wellness
• Elective Courses: Select three hours

Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Hispanic Mental Health Emphasis (online)

• Core Courses:
  • EDFN 5301 Introduction to Research
  • CNEP 5304 Introduction to Counseling
  • CNEP 5306 Career Counseling
  • CNEP 5308 Counseling Theories
  • CNEP 5312 Addictions Counseling
  • CNEP 5314 Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
  • CNEP 5327 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CNEP 5328 Abnormal Human Behavior
  • CNEP 5354 Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior
  • CNEP 5361 Group Counseling
  • CNEP 5371 Psychometrics
  • CNEP 5381 Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies
  • CNEP 5384 The Counseling Process
  • CNEP 5397 Practicum
  • CNEP 5698 Internship
  • CNEP 5698 Internship (II)
• Special Emphasis Courses:
  • CNEP 5329 Culture and Customs in Hispanic Communities
  • CNEP 5330 Professional and Technical Spanish
  • CNEP 5331 Strategies and Interventions for Spanish-Speaking Clients
  • CNEP 5375 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Strategies

Comprehensive Examination

In addition to successful completion of all courses required for graduation, students are required to pass a comprehensive written examination. Students generally take this examination while enrolled in practicum. All students should have completed pre-requisites prior to enrollment in Practicum.

Courses

• CNEP 5304 Introduction to Counseling
• CNEP 5306 Career Counseling
• CNEP 5308 Counseling Theories
• CNEP 5309 Grief and Loss Counseling
• CNEP 5312 Addictions Counseling
• CNEP 5313 Theories and Techniques in Substance Abuse Counseling
• CNEP 5314 Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
• CNEP 5315 Consultation and Responsive Services in Schools
• CNEP 5316 Developmental School Counseling
• CNEP 5317 Play Therapy: a Counseling intervention
• CNEP 5318 Consultation in School Settings
• CNEP 5320 Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
• CNEP 5321 Behavioral and Process Addictions
• CNEP 5322 Strategies in Family Counseling
• CNEP 5323 Counseling for Holistic Wellness
• CNEP 5324 Counseling Couples
• CNEP 5326 Family Counseling for Child and Adolescent-Focused Issues
• CNEP 5327 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
• CNEP 5328 Abnormal Human Behavior
• CNEP 5329 Culture and Customs in Hispanic Communities
• CNEP 5330 Professional and Technical Spanish
• CNEP 5331 Strategies and Interventions for Spanish-Speaking Clients
• CNEP 5332 Spanish-Speaking Internship
• CNEP 5345 Integrated Care Strategies in Behavioral Health Settings
• CNEP 5354 Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior
• CNEP 5361 Group Counseling
• CNEP 5371 Psychometrics
• CNEP 5374 Individual intelligence Testing
• CNEP 5375 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Strategies
• CNEP 5381 Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies
• CNEP 5384 The Counseling Process
• CNEP 5385 Bridge Supervision
• CNEP 5390 Professional Seminar
• CNEP 5397 Practicum
• CNEP 5399 Specialized internship Experience
• CNEP 5696 Directed individual Study
• CNEP 5698 Internship
• CNEP 6305 Advanced Theories in Individual and Group Counseling
• CNEP 6310 Advanced Counseling Strategies
• CNEP 6315 Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues
• CNEP 6316 Research, Writing and Publishing in a Multicultural Society
• CNEP 6320 Advanced Appraisal Techniques and Psychometrics
• CNEP 6335 Consultation Theory and Professional Advocacy
• CNEP 6340 Diversity in Counselor Education
• CNEP 6350 Advanced Clinical Supervision
• CNEP 6354 Counselor Education Pedagogy
• CNEP 6355 Leadership and Advocacy in Counselor Education
• CNEP 6360 Research Design and Statistics
• CNEP 6365 Advanced Research & Design in Wellness and Stress Management Practices
• CNEP 6370 Quantitative Research Methods I
• CNEP 6372 Quantitative Research Methods II
• CNEP 6384 Qualitative Research Methods I
• CNEP 6385 Qualitative Research Methods II
• CNEP 6390 Special Topics
• CNEP 6395 Doctoral Practicum
• CNEP 6396 Doctoral internship
• CNEP 6397 Research Seminar
• CNEP 6398 Dissertation in Progress
• CNEP 6696 Directed individual Study