Counseling (MS)

School Counseling Emphasis

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 letter 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.

• Go to the Educator Certification page on MarketPlace
  • Click Educator Professional Fee
  • Click the shopping cart plus icon
  • Fill in your personal information to be associated with the fee and click “Continue”
• Go back to the Educator Certification page on MarketPlace
  • Click TEA Assessment Fee
  • Click the shopping cart plus icon
  • Complete your payment
• Download and save your receipts to upload to TK20

You will need to have the following documents ready for upload in order to submit the application:

• Certification fee receipt
• TEA Assessment fee receipt
• Official transcripts from the Graduate Office will be reviewed by the certification office.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to satisfy TEA certification admission requirements.
  • Applicants must meet one of the following GPA requirements for certification admission:
    • Minimum 2.75 overall GPA; or
    • Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a conferred master's degree; or
    • Minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours
  • Please note that certification admission requirements may differ from those of the Graduate School and are separate requirements.

If applicable:

• TEA Transfers
  • If you have previously been admitted to another educator preparation program for school counseling certification.
  • Request that a completed TEA transfer form be sent from your previous program to [email protected].
• Transcripts from outside the United States
  • Contact [email protected] for any questions about TEA requirements for transcripts from outside the United States.
  • If your official transcripts are from institutions outside the United States and the country of origin is not exempt by TEA, send the following documentation to [email protected]:
    • A course-by-course evaluation from a TEA-approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Service
    • Minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Please note that TOEFL scores are only valid for a period of two years. Required minimum score ranges are 20-24 for Speaking, 17-21 for Listening, 18-23 for Reading and 17-23 for Writing.
      • A valid standard Texas educator certificate will be accepted in lieu of TOEFL iBT scores.

• Go to tamuc.tk20.com
• Scroll down and click “Admissions”
• Select “Click here to create your account.”

• Complete the “Create Applicant Account” form.
• Note: You will be creating a password for this account.
• Store the password you create in a secure location so you can refer to it later.
• After completing the “Create Applicant Account” form, TK20 will provide your username.
• Store your TK20 username and password in a secure location so you can refer to them later.
  • You will use the username to log in to review your admission application once submitted.

• Log into your TK20 account
  • Click on the “back to login” link.
  • Enter your username and password.
  • Click the green “Log Into Your Account” button.

• Click on the “Create New Application” button.

• Select “School Counselor” application
• Click the “Next” button.

• Complete the application.

Once both the Graduate School and Certification Program Applications are complete, the Department of Counseling will screen written responses in the application for the applicant's knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude using a rubric with a coherent set of criteria. This screening meets Texas Education Agency requirements for determining appropriate program eligibility.

Once accepted, please sign and return the “letter of invitation.”