Counseling (MS)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Emphasis
As the need for skilled mental health counselors grows, embrace the opportunity to make a lasting impact at East Texas A&M through our robust graduate program.
- Offered Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face in Commerce, Dallas and Collin.
- 2.5 to 3 years
- 60 credit hours
- No thesis required
- No foreign language credits required
Empower Individuals
Do you want to help guide others to better lives? You can with an MS in Counseling through our CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling track. Train to serve individuals seeking help with mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. Looking to provide couples counseling instead? We also offer courses designed to prepare you to become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).
At East Texas A&M, our program is carefully crafted to prepare you for critical state and national examinations required for professional accreditation and licensure. Develop the skills you need to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) as well as become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. Learn how you can make a difference today.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
A counseling degree in clinical mental health from East Texas A&M can open a range of career opportunities. Find your passion as a licensed professional counselor, school counselor, mental health clinician or crisis intervention specialist, and work in community health organizations, private practice or nonprofit agencies. Let us help you develop the skills to support individuals and communities effectively.
Careers and Salaries
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
At East Texas A&M, our master’s of counseling in clinical mental health is designed to prepare you for an impactful career in mental health counseling. We emphasize developing essential skills such as understanding human behavior and evidence-based practices through hands-on experience.
What Might I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Fundamental Counseling Techniques
Explore effective therapeutic skills for impactful client interactions.
Assessment and Diagnosis Skills
Evaluate mental health issues and create individualized treatment plans.
Human Development Insights
Understand the stages of human growth and their relevance to mental health.
Practical Internship Experience
Gain hands-on training in real-world counseling settings to apply your knowledge.
Counseling Center Internships
Gain real-life experience! Positions in the university’s counseling center allow students to gain hands-on experience in mental health support, working alongside licensed professionals to provide counseling services and support to fellow students.
For more information, contact Adam Metts, Counseling Center Director.
Taking Classes
Online and Face-to-Face
Designed for both current and aspiring professionals, the Counseling (MS) program offers a flexible, hybrid course delivery format. Enjoy the convenience of online courses alongside traditional face-to-face classes held at our main campus in Commerce, with select offerings available in Dallas, Mesquite and the Collin Higher Education Center.
Weekend College Dallas
Meet the demand for counselors in Texas by starting your master’s degree in counseling at the Dallas site through our Weekend College Dallas! Weekend College Dallas is designed for students who find it difficult to attend classes during the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. Complete one to three classes per semester by attending class just one day a week.
For an up to date list of current course offerings, locations and meeting times, please check the schedule of classes, which is subject to change.
Curriculum
Our 60-semester-hour program is carefully crafted to prepare you for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. Curriculum includes specialized courses tailored to clinical mental health and field experience components which allow you to engage with client populations under supervision. To ensure you’re getting a robust education, we require field experience through practicums and internships, providing hands-on opportunities for you to apply your skills in real-world settings. As you approach graduation, you should be equipped to serve clients with mental, emotional and behavioral challenges, and should be eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) as part of the LPC licensure process.
Counselor Exams
Learn about some of the exams you will encounter as part of your counseling preparation.
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 required 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. Adding a graduate certificate can help you boost your job skills and get hired!
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.
Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate
Take your therapeutic and instructional skills to the next level with our Applied Behavior Analysis graduate certificate. As you earn your graduate certificate, you'll meet the coursework requirements to be able to sit for the licensure exam with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
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
Ajitha Chandrika Prasanna Kumaran, Ph.D., NCC
Faculty
Student Organizations
Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved. At East Texas A&M, you have access to professional organizations that support career development and practical experience. These organizations strive to offer opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration on industry-focused projects. By actively participating, you can deepen your expertise, build valuable connections and develop the skills essential for advancing in the field of Counseling.
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
Back to menuOn-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.
Back to menuCost 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
Back to menuAdditional 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.
- GPA minimum 2.5
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Admission Process
Note: This program is not currently available to international students
Deadline
Spring application and documents deadline: October 15
Fall application and documents deadline: June 15
No Summer Admission
- Create an 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, MS 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.
Back to menuIf your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
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.
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 letter 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
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.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
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 your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- 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