Program Overview

Master’s in Counselor Education

The Counselor Education master’s degree (M.Ed.) program involves the rigorous study of psychology and counseling to meet the increasing demand for counselors in educational, health, and community settings. Graduates of our program have gone on to pursue employment in higher education as advisers and career counselors, pursue doctoral studies in counseling or related fields, and pursue certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Program Overview

Our students and faculty work together in a learning community dedicated to advancing the field of counseling by adhering to the professional and ethical standards promoted by the American Counseling Association. We foster the belief that learning continues beyond graduation through participation in professional organizations.

Admissions

All prospective students must apply via the Graduate School by January 10. Counselor Education typically invites candidates for online interviews in mid-February to early March. Selection of admitted students is based on multiple factors, including undergraduate grades, letters of recommendation, personal statement, match between student goals and program goals, and intellectual curiosity.

Coursework

• Core Counseling Coursework (42 credit hours)
  • EDP 383C.12 Assessment in Counseling
  • EDP 384C.2 Theories in Counseling
  • EDP 385C.5 Professional Orientation & Ethics in Counseling
  • EDP 385C.6 Advanced Ethics & Professional Issues in Counseling
  • EDP 384C.8 Helping and Counseling Skills
  • EDP 384D Group Counseling
  • EDP 381C.4 Research Methodology for Practitioners
  • EDP 384C.18 Multicultural Counseling
  • EDP 382F.12 Dysfunction in Human Behavior and Social Organizations
  • EDP 384C.6 Career Development
  • EDP 382F.3 Life Span Development
  • EDP 383C.30 Developmental Psychopathology
  • EDP 384C Family & Couples Interventions
  • EDP 384C.14 Addiction Counseling
• Supporting Coursework (9 credit hours)
  • EDP 385C.12 Seminar in Higher Education
  • Two additional courses related to professional counseling
• Practica and Internship (9 credit hours)
  • EDP 384Q Practicum in Counseling
  • EDP 394E Internship in Counseling (2 semesters, for a minimum of 6 credit hours)

Program Goals

As counselor educators, we are committed to providing graduates with knowledge necessary to provide effective, evidence-based prevention and intervention services in academic settings in a diverse society. Our curriculum addresses the following components:

1. Developing a professional identity as a counselor and knowledge of the ethical mandates of the profession.
2. Developing the awareness, knowledge, and skills essential for competence in multicultural counseling and program development in educational settings.
3. Utilizing a developmental perspective for applying evidence-based prevention and intervention programs on campuses.
4. Applying models of career assessment and development to ensure a link between the world of school and the world of work.
5. Understanding models of helping skills at multiple levels on a campus, including wellness and prevention programming, counseling, and consultation.
6. Developing group counseling skills to facilitate groups in the promotion of student success and social-emotional learning.
7. Understanding assessment principles to select, administer, and interpret appropriate assessment strategies on campuses, as well as to interact with assessment professionals in the community.
8. Understanding principles guiding research and program evaluation in counselor education to enhance their ability to provide evidence-based services in schools and institutions of higher education.

Training Goals

Our program prepares students for licensure as a professional counselor in the state of Texas. While our program aligns with generally accepted national standards for counselor training, we are not accredited by CACREP. Students planning on working in another state after graduation should carefully review that state’s requirements before accepting admission.

Faculty

• Ricardo C Ainslie, Professor and Area Chair for Counseling Psychology Program
• Chris Brownson, Clinical Professor
• Arna Erega, Director of Clinical Training, Counselor Education Program
• Chris J McCarthy, Professor
• Jennifer Mootz, Associate Professor
• Afroze Shaikh, Assistant Professor

Program Details

• Program Starts: Fall, Summer
• Deadline to Apply: January 10
• Length of Program: 2 years
• Schedule: Full-time strongly encouraged
• Program Location: On Campus
• GRE Required?: No
• Program Director: Arna Erega

Research Opportunities

While Counselor Education students are not required to participate in research for this program, students interested in doing so are strongly encouraged to talk with faculty about their scholarship and possible ways to participate in research activities. Students interested in further graduate work at the doctoral level are welcome to apply for the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology in our Department once they finish the M.Ed.; however, this is also a highly competitive program requiring a separate application.