Master's Degree in School Counseling

Students who complete the school counseling emphasis will meet TEA educational requirements for Professional School Counselor certification. Students who complete the requirements for school counseling will be eligible to apply for state licensure. 

Students completing the program with a specialization of school counseling will demonstrate knowledge of: 

• The roles, functions, credentialing and professional identity of professional school counselors.
• Policies, laws, legislation, and other issues relevant to professional school counselors in a culturally diverse society.
• Roles of a counselor in school settings, organizational and legal dimensions of a school setting and evidence-based interventions, consultation, education, and outreach.
• Skills to work with all students K-12 individually or in groups to address their personal, social, academic and career concerns.
• Competencies necessary to conduct research and use assessment in order to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive developmental guidance program.
• Program development and delivery to diverse populations, including prevention, support groups, parent education, career/occupational information and counseling, and self-help.
• Effective strategies for promoting client understanding of and access to community resources, and modalities for initiating, maintaining, and terminating counseling services with diverse populations.

Graduate Counseling Program Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
• Personal Statement: Submit a statement of approximately 600 words describing your reason for pursuing graduate study at UTPB, your personal and academic background, relevant experience, and your professional goals.
• Three letters of recommendation in support of student. (Evidence of honorable discharge following military service may be used in place of one letter of recommendation.)

Conditional Admission

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• GPA below 3.0 - 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree.
• Personal Statement: Submit a statement of approximately 600 words describing your reason for pursuing graduate study at UTPB, your personal and academic background, relevant experience, and your professional goals.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation in support of student. (Evidence of honorable discharge following military service may be used in place of one letter of recommendation.)
• OTHER EVIDENCE: At least one of the following:
  • Written explanation describing the circumstances that contributed to their low GPA, and steps to be taken and resources in place that will contribute to the applicant's academic success in graduate school and the counseling program.
  • The University of Texas of the Permian Basin takes a holistic approach in the admission of applicants to graduate programs as authorized by section 51.842 of the Texas Education Code. This section authorizes graduate programs to consider certain academic, socioeconomic, family, geographic, and other factors relating to an applicant's background in making an admission decision for admission into the graduate program.

• ADDITIONAL: Personal Interview (telephone or face-to-face)

New students will be able to begin their program of study in the Fall and Spring semesters only and must complete a new students orientation before or at the beginning of the first term of enrollment.

Two-Step Admission Process Statement for School Counselor candidates 

Acceptance to the MA in Counseling Program does not constitute automatic acceptance into the School Counselor certification program. In order to comply with Texas Education Agency rules, a second admission step is required of Texas residents who want to obtain School Counselor certification. Contact COE Admissions Counselor for more information about the admission process.

M.A. in Counseling – School Counseling Degree Requirements

• Students must complete 51 semester credit hours of core coursework.
• Students must complete 9 semester credit hours of clinical coursework.
• Must earn a passing score on the Comprehensive Examination.
• Must earn a passing score on TExES Practice Exam

Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling Degree Plan

Learn More about Clinical Coursework

The required clinical coursework includes a practicum and internship experience that will provide students with the opportunities to practice counseling skills under the supervision of a qualified professional counselor. The practice component will give students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in class in a real-life setting.

Practicum 
Students will complete 100 hours under the direction of a qualified supervisor, 40 of which are direct service hours. Of those 40, students are expected to accrue at least 5 hours of individual counseling and group counseling each. The student will meet with the supervisor on a weekly basis to review work and professional development. Students will be evaluated throughout the semester by their supervisor(s) and instructor.

Internship 
Students must complete their practicum before they can participate in an internship. Each student will complete 300 hours per semester under the direction of a qualified supervisor, 120 of which are direct service hours. Of those 120, students are expected to accrue at least 10 hours of individual counseling and group counseling each. The student will meet with the supervisor on a weekly basis to review work and professional development. Students will be evaluated throughout the semester by their supervisor(s) and instructor.

What are Candidate Examinations?

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)

School Counseling Practice Exam

To be eligible to take the TExES exam for school counselor, candidates must pass the practice representative exam. Students must pass this exam before entering COUN 6393 Internship II. Upon passing this practice exam, the Certification Specialist will release a student to test in the online TEA system and will send the student instructions for registration in the TEA/ETS online systems.