About the Program:

Counselor Education (EPCE) is an academic program in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership.  The program prepares school counselors, licensed professional counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors who are well prepared in their area of counseling, and who subscribe to the ethical standards and values recognized by the counseling profession, the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES).

For information and advising regarding the Counselor Education program, please contact Dr. L.J. Gould at or (806) 742-1997 ext. 296.

Standards

Program work within Counselor Education is developed and guided by a strong conceptual framework, the standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), criteria from the State of Texas, guidelines from ACA, ACES, and other professional associations, and the sound professional judgment of an experienced and caring faculty.  

Degree/Certification/Licensure/Certificate programs of study

There are five options for study/degree within the Counselor Education Program.

• Master of Education in Counselor Education --Community Counseling Program. This 48-hour program prepares counselors to work in a wide range of mental health and related community counseling agencies/private practice settings. This program meets the academic coursework requirements for licensure by the Texas Board of Professional Counselors (Licensed Professional Counselor-LPC) and certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors.
• Master of Education in Counselor Education --School Counseling Program. This 48-hour program prepares students to serve as counselors in educational settings at the elementary and secondary levels. This program provides academic coursework for certification as a school counselor in Texas.
• Master of Education in Counselor Education – Dual Major in both Community and School Counseling. This 63-hour program prepares students to serve as counselors in both school and agency/private practice settings.
• Non-Degree Professional Certification in School Counseling Program. This 48-hour program allows students with a master’s degree in a related field to complete academic coursework for certification as a school counselor in Texas.
• Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.). This degree requires a minimum of 93 hours and a maximum of 99 semester hours. The emphasis is on advanced study of counseling theory, practice, consultations, supervision, research, and the teaching of counseling.  Graduates of the program are equipped with advanced-level skills to work as counselors in a variety of educational and agency settings and counselor educators in colleges and universities.

The above programs are described in detail in a variety of online handbooks and documents that are accessed through the links found on this homepage. In addition to the above programs, a Mental Health Certificate is offered to students who have a Masters Degree in counseling and who complete the 15 hours of additional coursework required for this certificate.

Counselor Education candidates come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds and many are currently employed.  To accommodate the needs of these working professionals, the program routinely offers a variety of evening, weekend, and summer courses.   

The Counselor Education program is committed to recognizing the dignity of all individuals. We foster an environment of appreciation, mutual respect, and tolerance for differing values, beliefs, and backgrounds. We support and encourage the application of ethical practices and policies ensuring access, equity, and excellence in Counselor Education. We encourage applications from minorities and other effected groups.