Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's Programs in Texas
Students pursuing a master's degree in mental health counseling in Texas often spend 2.5 years studying psychological and social science topics related to therapy, clinical treatment, ethics, and multicultural inclusion. Programs at ten Texas schools are profiled below.
University of Houston - Victoria
The University of Houston - Victoria offers a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that prepares students for Texas licensure as well as counseling positions in institutions such as mental health centers, drug abuse centers, and child protective services. Students enrolled in this program take such courses as abnormal human behavior and advanced ethics in addition to a practicum and two internship courses.
<h2 id="section---TarletonStateUniversity">Tarleton State University</h2><p>Tarleton State University offers a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that typically requires students to study for approximately two to three years in preparation for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. Certified teachers who have two or more years of teaching experience are also eligible to take preparation coursework for the TExES School Counseling Certification Exam.
</p><h2 id="section---TexasAMUniversityCentralTexas">Texas A&M University - Central Texas</h2><p>Texas A&M University - Central Texas also has a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program for students seeking licensure as professional counselors in Texas. This program prepares its students for work in clinics, mental health agencies, vocational planning centers, schools, and hospitals, among other settings.
</p><h2 id="section---TexasStateUniversity">Texas State University</h2><p>Texas State University offers a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling with a clinical mental health counseling concentration. This program is designed to qualify students for professional counselor licensure and offers additional emphases in play therapy and adult therapy.
</p><h2 id="section---UniversityOfStThomas">University of St Thomas</h2><p>The University of St. Thomas offers a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in full-time and part-time formats, both of which can lead to LPC credentials. The full-time program is designed to be completed in six consecutive semesters with classes two days per week, while the part-time program lasts 12 consecutive semesters with one day of classes per week.
</p><h2 id="section---TexasAMUniversityCommerce">Texas A&M University - Commerce</h2><p>Texas A&M University - Commerce has a Master of Science in Counseling program with a clinical mental health counseling emphasis that can lead to an LPC credential as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential in Texas, provided students select relevant courses. The time to completion is seven semesters for full-time students and 10 semesters for part-time students.
</p><h2 id="section---TheUniversityOfTexasAtTyler">The University of Texas at Tyler</h2><p>The University of Texas at Tyler offers a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program designed for students looking to apply for a Licensed Professional Counselor credential. In this 60-credit-hour program, students are required to take courses like group counseling, addictions counseling, and advanced psychopathology as well as a practicum and two consecutive internship courses with a duration of 420 hours of practice per course.
</p><h2 id="section---TexasTechUniversityHealthSciencesCenter">Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center</h2><p>Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a focus on preparing its students for National Certified Counselor credentials that can be used to qualify for licensure in Texas and other states. Students enrolled in this program have a 60-credit-hour requirement to complete, including 12 credit hours' worth of clinical experience.
</p><h2 id="section---TexasWomanSUniversity">Texas Woman's University</h2><p>The Texas Woman's University has a Master of Science in Counseling and Development program with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling. Students who complete the appropriate electives in this 61-credit program can qualify for the Registered Play Therapist designation in addition to LPC credentials.
</p><h2 id="section---TheUniversityOfTexasAtSanAntonio">The University of Texas at San Antonio</h2><p>The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a 60-credit-hour Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that includes 700 hours of practicum and internship experience in addition to a portfolio assignment. Some of the research topics students are pursuing in this program include relational cultural theory, multicultural issues in counseling, online counseling, creative approaches to aging, and treatment of trauma.
</p><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>School Name</th><th>Programs Offered</th><th>Graduate Tuition (2018-2019)*</th></tr>
<tr><td>University of Houston - Victoria</td><td>Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$6,154 in-state, $13,624 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>Tarleton State University</td><td>Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$3,996 in-state, $11,466 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>Texas A&M University - Central Texas</td><td>Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$4,264 in-state, $11,734 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>Texas State University</td><td>Master of Arts in Professional Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$6,556 in-state, $14,856 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of St Thomas</td><td>Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$20,934</td></tr>
<tr><td>Texas A&M University - Commerce</td><td>Master of Science in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$3,630 in-state, $11,100 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>The University of Texas at Tyler</td><td>Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$5,472 in-state, $13,374 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center</td><td>Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$6,000 in-state, $15,960 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>Texas Woman's University</td><td>Master of Science in Counseling and Development - Clinical Mental Health Counseling </td><td> $4,852 in-state, $12,322 out-of-state</td></tr>
<tr><td>The University of Texas at San Antonio</td><td>Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</td><td>$5,615 in-state, $22,448 out-of-state</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *National Center for Education Statistics</i>
</p><p>Students interested in working towards a master's degree in mental health counseling can find several schools in Texas that prepare graduates for the state's Licensed Professional Counselor credential. Programs typically include practicum and internship hours in addition to coursework.</p>