Mental Health Counseling Program

This program is primarily intended for those students who plan to work in community, agency and private practice settings that provide mental health services. 

Admissions Requirements:  A minimum 3.0 GPA on cumulative undergraduate record (or previous 60 hours completed as evaluated by the counseling admission committee) prior to admission.

Applicants are screened based on the quality of their application and potential for success in the program via the assessment of the counseling program admissions committee. Students must include the following in their application: 

1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume 
2. Statement of intent* 
3. Statement on diversity* 
4. Statement on interpersonal relationships* 
5. Three professional letters of references 
6. Official undergraduate transcripts (from each of the colleges or universities the applicant previously attended) 

*Statement of Intent: Write a statement clearly stating the reasons you would like to become a school or mental health counselor. Please make sure you write this statement in reference to the specific program you are applying to (i.e., school counseling; mental health counseling).

*Statement on Interpersonal Relationships: Briefly describe an experience in which you acted in a helping role. What qualities do you possess that you believe will make an effective mental health counselor or school counselor, and what skills do you think you need to develop in your ability to help others? Please make sure you address these questions in reference to the specific program you are applying to (i.e., school counseling; mental health counseling).

*Statement on Diversity: Appreciating diversity is an important value of our programs. Think about your experiences with various diverse groups and describe some of your experiences that show your commitment to diversity. How have these experiences helped you challenge various stereotypes? Address any personal assumptions, values or biases that could potentially provide difficulty for serving culturally diverse clients. Please make sure you address these questions in reference to the specific program you are applying to (i.e., school counseling; mental health counseling).

The above-required application materials will be evaluated to determine if the applicant’s knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude are appropriate for the counseling degree sought. Applicants will be specifically evaluated on (1) GPA, (2) Letters of Recommendation, (3) Purpose Statement, and (4) Responses to the Multicultural and interpersonal Skill questions. Students will receive a letter detailing rationales for their acceptance or non-acceptance into the program. Students must successfully pass a background check to complete the practicum/internship requirement.

Licensure Requirements: For licensure as a Professional Counselor in Texas, in addition to the 60-hour master's program, a student must have:

1. Three thousand (3,000) clock hours of supervised experience; and
2. Satisfactory completion of the National Counselor Exam (NCE).

The MHC Program is taught almost entirely in a traditional face to face format or hybrid format with a combination of face to face instruction and online assignments.