School Counseling M.A.
Total Semester Credit Hours = 48
The School Counseling M.A. is intended for those who wish to work as professional school counselors in educational settings. This degree program does not prepare its graduates to counsel in social service or mental health agencies or in private practice. This is a 48 credit hour, fully online graduate degree program. Students in the School Counseling M.A. program receive instruction in developing appropriate comprehensive guidance plans to promote the academic, personal, social, and career development appropriate to elementary and secondary students. They develop competencies in assessment and counseling techniques, including legal and ethical standards, practices, and issues. Students complete a supervised internship in a public or private school. Certification as a School Counselor in Texas requires successful completion of the required course sequence, a passing score on the appropriate state certification exam (TExES), and two years of classroom teaching experience approved by TEA.
Certification
The School Counseling M.A. can qualify students to meet the course requirements to become School Counselors certified by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. Applicants must have two years of TEA-approved classroom teaching experience to qualify for the Texas School Counselor Certificate. Students matriculating in master's programs other than the M.A. in School Counseling program or students who already have master's degrees should contact the Graduate Advisor in School Counseling regarding the School Counselor Certificate. Students seeking only the School Counselor Certificate must meet admission and other requirements for the M.A. in School Counseling degree program. Students are admitted only under the Full Admissions criteria.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in school counseling, the individual must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Hold a Texas teacher certification.
- Submit Texas teaching service record and any other documents required by Texas governing units.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Submit three (3) recommendation forms.
- Have an appropriate GPA as set by Texas Administrative Code and other administrative units.
- Submit a Department Information Sheet which includes a Statement of Purpose.
- Complete admissions/screening instrument interview.
- Upon admission, students must:
- Sign and submit an acknowledgement of admission and departmental agreements.
NOTE 1: In accordance with Texas Administrative Code, all applicants must be fully admitted prior to taking any coursework in the area in which they are seeking certification. Therefore, no provisional admission is allowed.
NOTE 2: This program does accept students from outside of Texas to complete the M.A. only. These such students are not eligible for School Counseling certification in the state of Texas and UT Tyler does not guarantee that our program will be accepted by any other state than Texas. It is the responsibility of the applicant to check with their state regarding acceptance of our program.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours = 48
Required Courses
Required total for degree with certification is a minimum of 48 graduate semester hours. Specifics of this program are subject to change by the SBEC or the degree-granting institution. New and currently enrolled students may be required to meet additional or different requirements.