License and Certification Statement
For students seeking certification or licensure inside the State of Texas: Programs offered at HCU designed to fulfill the educational requirements for a specific professional licensure or certification do meet the educational requirements for the State of Texas. Completion of an academic program does not guarantee licensure/certification.
Students seeking certification or licensure outside the State of Texas: Students seeking certification or licensure from any state other than Texas should check with their state licensing board to determine if Houston Christian University’s educational requirements meet their states eligibility for licensure. Houston Christian University has not determined whether their program of study fulfills the students’ educational requirements for state licensure. Please click the button below for more information.
Professional Licensure Directory
Nursing Professional Licensure Disclosure
For students seeking certification or licensure inside the State of Texas: Programs offered at Houston Christian University (HCU) that are designed to fulfill the educational requirements for a specific professional licensure or certification meet the educational requirements for the State of Texas. Completion of an academic program does not guarantee licensure or certification.
Students seeking certification or licensure outside the State of Texas: Students seeking certification or licensure in any state other than Texas should contact their state licensing board to determine whether Houston Christian University’s educational requirements meet that state’s eligibility requirements for licensure. Please click the button below for more information.
If a state licensing board has questions regarding a graduate’s educational preparation, the graduate or the licensing board may contact the Dean of the Linda R. Dunham School of Nursing or the Office of Academic Records for verification and additional information.
Educator Certification Disclosure
Houston Christian University offers educator preparation programs that lead to recommendation for educator certification in the State of Texas through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The university does not grant educator licensure or certification in other states or U.S. territories.
Individuals who obtain Texas educator certification may choose to seek certification, licensure, or credential recognition in another state or territory. Requirements for educator credentials vary by jurisdiction and may include additional conditions beyond completion of an academic program. Depending on the state or territory, these requirements may include, but are not limited to, examinations, application fees, criminal background checks, fingerprinting, professional experience, references, or other state-specific criteria. Ongoing professional development or continuing education requirements may also apply.
Some states and territories provide reciprocity or credential review processes for individuals who hold a Texas educator certificate. However, acceptance of a Texas certificate is determined solely by the applicable state licensing or certification agency and cannot be guaranteed by the university.
Certification and licensure requirements are established by individual states and territories and may change at any time. Although HCU periodically reviews and updates the information provided on this page, students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate state agency directly to verify current requirements before enrolling in an educator preparation program or seeking employment outside of Texas.
Because requirements differ among states and territories, relocating during or after program completion may affect eligibility for certification or licensure in another jurisdiction. Students considering relocation should contact the appropriate state education agency or licensing authority to determine whether a Texas educator certificate will be accepted and to identify any additional requirements that may apply.
Students should carefully review the requirements of the state or territory in which they intend to work and determine whether a Texas educator certificate will satisfy that jurisdiction’s credentialing requirements. Agency contact information is provided below to assist students in obtaining the most current information.
Questions regarding educator certification disclosures may be directed to the Houston Christian University Educator Preparation Program. While university personnel may provide general information regarding certification pathways, it is the responsibility of each student to confirm and monitor the requirements of the state or territory where they intend to seek employment or professional credentials.
State-Specific Educator Certification Requirements
For additional information regarding Texas educator certification requirements and certification reciprocity with other states and U.S. territories, students are encouraged to review the Texas Education Agency’s Educator Certification and Out-of-State Certification webpages. Because certification and licensure requirements are subject to change, students should also contact the appropriate state education agency or licensing authority directly to verify current requirements and determine whether additional requirements may apply.
The relevant TEA resources are available here:
If information for a particular state or territory has not been determined or is subject to change, students should contact their program advisor and the appropriate state agency for additional guidance.
Counseling Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs are designed in accordance with the educational requirements established by the applicable Texas licensing boards and regulatory agencies.
Completion of one of these degree programs does not, by itself, result in professional licensure. Graduates seeking licensure as a professional counselor or marriage and family therapist must satisfy all requirements established by the applicable licensing authority, which may include supervised experience, examinations, application fees, criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and other state-specific requirements.
Licensure requirements vary by state and are subject to change at the discretion of each state’s licensing board. Although Houston Christian University periodically reviews and updates information regarding professional licensure requirements, prospective and current students are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing authority to verify current requirements before enrolling in a program or seeking licensure in a particular jurisdiction.
The university has designed these programs to align with Texas counselor educational requirements. The university cannot guarantee that completion of these programs will satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in states or territories outside of Texas.
Additionally, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) currently limits eligibility for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential to graduates of counseling programs that meet its established requirements, including graduation from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited institution. Because Houston Christian University is not a CACREP-accredited institution, graduates may not be eligible to obtain the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.
Students who intend to seek licensure outside of Texas should be aware that Texas is not currently a participant in the Counseling Compact. As a result, portability of a Texas counseling license to another state may be limited and may require additional coursework, examinations, supervised experience, or other state-specific requirements before a credential can be issued.
Relocating to another state during or after completion of the program may affect a student’s ability to obtain professional licensure. Students considering relocation are strongly encouraged to contact the licensing authority in the state where they intend to practice to determine whether the program’s curriculum and a Texas-issued license, if obtained, will satisfy that state’s requirements.
Students should carefully review the licensure requirements of the state or territory in which they intend to practice and consult the appropriate licensing board for the most current information. While university personnel may provide general guidance regarding professional licensure pathways, it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to verify and monitor the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek licensure or certification.