Counseling (MED)
Student Affairs Emphasis
Put your passion into practice with hands-on opportunities in student affairs. Build the skills and experience needed to support and empower students on their path to success.
- Offered 100% Online.
- 1 to 2 years
- 30 credit hours
- No thesis required
- No foreign language credits required
Empower Future Leaders
Do you like working with higher education students? A master’s degree in counseling with a student affairs emphasis can equip you with the skills to engage college students effectively. Whether you plan to work in a community agency, school, or student affairs office, you can learn to identify and examine salient issues facing college students today and explore student and adult learner development theories. Join this impactful field at East Texas A&M and make a difference in students' lives.
$500/Semester Quick Start Grant
You may be eligible for this renewable $250 or $500 grant if you are a new student starting your master’s degree program in Summer 2026, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
Empowering the future of higher education, graduates of our Counseling program in Student Affairs prepare to make a lasting impact on college campuses. Our Lions train to take on different and dynamic roles, from shaping academic journeys through advising to guiding career aspirations in student services.
Careers and Salaries
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
Earning a master’s in counseling with an emphasis on student affairs can empower you for roles in academic advising, career services and counseling, and prepare you to support student success in higher education.
What Might I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key academic areas.
Counseling Techniques
Explore effective counseling methods to support students through academic and personal challenges.
Crisis Intervention Skills
Practice essential skills for managing crises and providing timely support to students in distress.
Multicultural Competence
Develop strategies to foster welcoming environments that respect and celebrate a wide range of backgrounds.
Program Development
Learn how to design and implement impactful programs that enhance student engagement and success.
Taking Classes
Our flexible programs are designed for current educators and working professionals.
Designed for your life
Whether you are a full- or part-time student, you can complete the program at your own pace.
Online and Face-to-Face
Our Master of Science in Counseling offers face-to-face and hybrid courses at our Commerce campus, the Dallas and the Mesquite location.
For an up to date list of course offerings, locations and times, please check the schedule of classes, which is subject to change.
Curriculum
Our Master of Education in Counseling, Student Affairs emphasis, is a 30-semester-hour program tailored for those seeking careers in higher education student services. Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to effectively support and enhance student development.
Courses rotate often, so check out the course catalog and schedule of classes for more details.
Counselor Exams
As part of your counseling preparation, key standardized exams serve as gateways to successful graduation and licensure.
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam
The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) is a standardized exit exam designed to review core counseling concepts. All school and clinical mental health students must pass the CPCE. This computer-based exam is administered by the Testing Center.
National Counselor Exam
The National Counselor Exam is a standardized test used to assess knowledge, skills and abilities determined to be important for providing effective counseling services. The NCE is an optional exam that is not needed to graduate. However, it is a requirement for counselor licensure in many states, including the state of Texas, and for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification.
Adding Value with Certificates
Get noticed! Earning a graduate certificate at East Texas A&M can help open new opportunities, boost your skills and credentials and enhance your marketability to potential employers.
Chemical Dependency Counseling Graduate Certificate
This certificate will prepare you with the necessary theories, assessments and modalities to counsel, prepare, and implement treatment plans for substance abuse clients, their families and co-workers.
Teaching Psychology Graduate Certificate
The Teaching of Psychology graduate certificate will help you prepare to teach undergraduate psychology courses, particularly at community colleges where a master's degree or doctorate is not required.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
LaVelle Hendricks, Ed.D.
Alum Faculty
Elizabeth Malveaux-Hudson, Ph.D.
Alum Faculty
Student Organizations
Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved. At East Texas A&M, student organizations strive to foster a vibrant community for aspiring educators and tech enthusiasts. Through workshops, collaborative projects and networking events, members can enhance their skills and share innovative ideas that leverage technology in education. Join us to connect, grow and lead the future of learning!
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
On-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Cost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Additional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Admission Process
Note: This program is not currently available to International students.
- Create an ApplyTexas account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Select “Counseling, MED” as your “Program.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Domestic Transcripts
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your Graduate Student Services Coordinator. We accept transcripts officially via email (directly from the institution), through Parchment, and any other official transcript providing agency. If your university does not offer an electronic transcript service, you may request them to be sent via regular mail to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
If your degree is from East Texas A&M University, you do not have to order a transcript. We will access your transcript.
If we already have your transcript, we will reuse it for a new application as long as it is still on file.
International transcripts
WES ICAP evaluations will be required for certain countries; those are listed below:
- Transcripts/Degrees from universities in Nigeria
- Transcripts/Degrees from universities in China that do not come from CSSD (formerly CHESICC)
- Any country where the official transcript is not in English
For all other countries, an evaluation is not initially required. Original official transcripts are required for admission consideration.
Please know that upon receipt of your official transcript, the Graduate School reserves the right to require an external evaluation at that time.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents.
If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Submit a statement of self-exploration and personal and professional self-development.
Explain why these qualities are especially important for counselors-in-training and what you would do, if admitted to our master's degree program, to facilitate your own openness in these areas. Reference your answer to your own specific career goals.
Request three reference forms, using our department form, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.
Those individuals should:
- Email the reference form to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the form to yourself. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
View Degree Plan
DegreeWorks is where you track your progress through your program and make sure you are meeting all your requirements for graduation.
- Sing in to myLEO
- Navigate to “Student Resources”
- Select “Grad School DegreeWorks”
Register for Classes
- To register for classes, go to myLEO > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of Counseling
- 903.886.5637
- 903.886.5594
- P.O.Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011