School Counseling Program

This program is primarily intended for those students who plan to be public school counselors. To learn more about program admission and completion requirements click here. To learn more about the program and its courses feel free to view the following promotional videos:

Requirements

Applicants must submit an application and submit three statements that will be evaluated to determine if the EPP applicant’s knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude are appropriate for the certification sought. Applicants must also pay the $35 TEA technology fee (non-refundable, paid to the TEA as required by TAC 229.9.7).

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. 

For students enrolled in the alternative certification program (ACP), it is encouraged that you complete the ACP prior to starting work toward the M.Ed. in School Counseling. By completing your ACP first, students will be able to focus solely on working toward their M.ED. in School Counseling and avoid the risk of reaching the Graduate School limitation requirement of six-years to obtain a master’s degree. For more information about the ACP, please click here. 

Teaching experience is not required prior to applying. 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 Counseling Diverse Populations
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) 

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.

See Evaluation Guide Here

Students must successfully pass a background check to complete the practicum/internship requirement. Additionally, pursuant to the Texas Education Code TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to student teaching; and pursuant to the TEC, §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. A candidate may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP if an individual has been convicted of an offense.A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in an educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person's potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. For further information visit the Texas Education Agency website: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/preliminary-criminal-history-evaluation-faqs

Candidates will receive training in dyslexia, mental health/youth suicide, and instruction in digital learning with digital literacy evaluation followed by a prescribed digital learning curriculum based on the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) standards. Trainings must be from a TEA approved provider.

Texas Education Agency School Counselor Certification Requirements: In addition to the completion of a 48 hours master's degree program, a student must also have the following: 

1. Valid Texas Teaching Certificate. 
2. Two years of classroom teaching experience in an accredited public, private, or parochial school approved by the Texas Educational Agency (TEA). 
   Note: Teaching Certificate not required if the two years experience is in an accredited private or parochial school 
3. A passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) for School Counselors. 

Due to recent legislation the certificate issuance requirements will change effective 9/1/2023. After 9/1/2023, issuance of the School Counselor certificate will no longer require two creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher. All other issuance requirements will remain the same.

Supply and Demand for Texas School Counselors:

Addressing the Growing Need for School Counselors in Texas

Texas is facing a significant shortage of school counselors, a challenge that directly impacts students' access to essential academic and mental health support. Despite the American School Counselor Association's recommendation of a 250:1 student-to-counselor ratio, many Texas schools exceed this—some with ratios over 500:1 (Brown & Knight, 2023).

Projections indicate that the demand for school counselors in Texas will continue to rise. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, employment for educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors is expected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028, outpacing the national average of 4% (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified this need, as students face increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related challenges—further highlighting the essential role school counselors play in student well-being (Houston Chronicle).

To help meet this urgent need, the University of Texas at El Paso School Counseling program is committed to preparing highly qualified school counselors who can support students’ academic achievement, career development, and social-emotional health.

EPP Performance Over Time:

UTEP College of Education is an approved educator preparation program in the state of Texas. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) annually assesses our educator program’s effectiveness in preparing educators.

Accreditation status with Texas Education Agency:

2023-24: Accredited

2022-23: Accredited

2021-22: Accredited

2020-21: Accredited

2019-20: Accredited

Below is a helpful link to learn more about UTEP performance over time

Notification of potential ineligibility for certification

Any individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. For more information, please refer to the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) rules prescribed in §249.16. Individuals have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in 19 TAC §227.1(d) (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility).

Admissions Cycle Calendar: 

Allowable Transfer of Graduate Credits: Transfer of graduate credit from a CACREP accredited program within a regionally accredited institution* is limited to 9 hours for the master's degree. All transfer credit must have been completed with a grade of “B” or better, completed within the last six years, and approved by the Counseling program faculty and the University of Texas at El Paso. Transfer credits should be evaluated and approved by program faculty during the student's first semester. The course being transferred into a degree program should be a direct equivalent to the course within the certification/degree program. Students should work with their advisor to have courses evaluated for transfer. Transfer credit is not guaranteed and subject to Counseling faculty review and approval. Previous work experience is not accepted as transfer credit into the program.

*Recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Foundational Requirements (18 Semester Hours)

Students are required to earn a B or above in all foundational classes.

Advanced Requirements (24 Semester Hours)

Specialization Electives (3 Semester Hours)

*Requires Advisor Approval

Related Area (6 Semester Hours)

Clinical Experience (9 Semester Hours)

* MAY NOT BE TAKEN CONCURRENTLY

Total: 60 semester hours

Comprehensive Examination: After Approval to Take EDPC 5369.

*Pre-requisites in ( )

* Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA during the program.

Course Rotation for the Counseling Program

School Counseling Fall Cohort Schedule of Classes

School Counseling Spring Cohort Schedule of Classes

EXIT Policy

School Counseling Program Exit Policy Statement

The School Counseling Program at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) maintains a clear and structured exit policy to guide the dismissal of candidates who do not meet academic, professional, or enrollment standards.

Exit Procedures and Candidate Review

The program's Retention and Review Policy, outlined in the School Counseling Student Handbook (pages 34–36), ensures that candidates are supported when challenges arise, and also establishes a formal process for dismissal if necessary. This policy includes:

• Early faculty intervention when concerns are observed
• Development of a Corrective Action Plan in consultation with the Program Coordinator
• Ongoing monitoring and support
• A Retention Review Hearing, if needed, to determine next steps—up to and including dismissal from the program

Additionally, the program conducts three formal Student Progress Reviews at key milestones (early coursework, prior to practicum, and prior to graduation). These reviews are designed to assess academic progress, interpersonal and professional development, and readiness for fieldwork and graduation.

Inactivity and Readmission

The School Counseling Program follows the UTEP Graduate School policy for student enrollment and inactivity. If a student does not enroll in courses for 12 consecutive months and has not received an approved leave of absence, their academic record is inactivated. Students must then reapply for admission in order to continue in the program. This also applies to newly admitted students who do not enroll in the semester of admission.

Student Acknowledgment of Policies

Upon admission to the program, all students are required to attend a mandatory orientation, during which program expectations—including retention, review, and exit policies—are reviewed. Students then sign a handbook acknowledgment form, affirming that they have read, understood, and agreed to follow the procedures and standards outlined in the School Counseling Student Handbook.

For full details on our student review, retention, and exit policies, we encourage students, applicants, and stakeholders to consult the most recent version of the School Counseling Student Handbook.