Counseling, M.S.CNS

Mario De La Garza, Program Director

The Master of Science in Counseling program prepares students for the counseling profession, which involves the application of the developmental and social sciences in assisting children and adults with psychological growth, relationship concerns, and mental health concerns.

Students acquire knowledge in the disciplines that underlie counseling, including education, psychology, human development, learning and social change. They develop clinical skills in counseling and assessment and become familiar with the legal, ethical and clinical considerations confronting practitioners. Repeated practice and role-play with feedback and strategic modification are critical to mastery of the skills and are, consequently, an essential part of the program.

The Counseling program offers three accredited specialty areas of study including Clinical Mental Health; Marriage, Couple and Family; and School Counseling. In addition, students may pursue elective concentrations in Addiction, Child and Adolescent Counseling, LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy and the Art and Science of Trauma Counseling.

A successful graduate can pursue state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and/or a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), as well as obtain the Certified School Counselor (CSC) credential, depending on the designated specialization and electives. Students who have completed the requisite coursework and clinical experience requirements may also pursue credentialing as Registered Play Therapists.

Admission Requirements

These are the admission requirements for the counseling program:

1. A completed online application.
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
3. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended.
4. Three letters of recommendation.
5. A two-page, double-spaced essay on why the applicant wants to study counseling and their career aspirations. Applicants are to include experiences that have shaped the development of their identity and informed their choice to pursue professional counseling as a career.
6. An acceptable GRE graduate school entry exam score for a cummulative undergraduate GPA lower than 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale). Acceptable GRE scores must meet the following minimum requirements: 156 - Verbal; 146 - Math and 3.5 in Writing.
7. Resume.
8. Applicant must also pay a non-refundable application fee.
9. English Proficiency Requirement. If you were born outside the U.S. or attend a school outside the U.S., you may be required to demonstrate English proficiency by providing an acceptable Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test score. The program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based test with the following minimum section scores: Listening (26), Reading (26), Writing (24), and Speaking (24). This test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (www.TOEFL.org). The score must be reported to the Department of Counseling directly from The Educational Testing Service. The Counseling Program code number 6660. If submitting IELTS scores, the program requires a minimum overall band score of a 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills. The score report is uploaded as a PDF by the applicant in the admissions application system.

Applications are reviewed administratively and by faculty. Qualifying applicants who score the highest on the admissions requirements will be invited for a group interview and must submit a background check upon registration for the interview.

Reapplication of Former Students. Students who do not enroll in classes for more than one full year must reapply to the program. This reapplication will include completing a new application online, submitting an updated resume and essay, and completing an updated background check. Students will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis regarding whether or not they must attend a group interview again, and that determination will be made after faculty review of the application. If it is determined that a student does not need to attend the group interview, the previous group interview score will be used in the final calculation of the review score. Students reapplying for admission will not have to resubmit transcripts.

Non-degree Seeking Students. Non-degree seeking students can apply to take elective specialty courses and core courses with the exception of clinical courses (Basic Clinical Methods, Group Counseling, and Advanced/Pre-Practicum, Practicum and Internship I & II). Students who wish to complete clinical courses must formally apply to the program, meeting all admissions requirements. Non-degree seeking applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. A completed non-degree seeking student application.
2. A master’s degree in counseling or a related mental health degree or for students who are currently enrolled in a graduate level counseling or related mental health degree at another college or university must submit a letter from their academic department on official letterhead stating they are in good academic and professional standing within the program and are authorized to take the course(s).
3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
4. A minimum of 3.0 GPA in graduate coursework
5. A non-refundable application fee.

Non-degree seeking applicants must submit all required documents three weeks in advance of registration for each term. Non-degree seeking students must also provide proof of liability insurance coverage, complete a background check, and complete the required Protection of Minors training prior to enrollment.