Master of Education in Professional School Counseling
About the Degree
The professional school counselor today is a vital member of the educational team on each campus. The need for school counselors is on a rise and yet school counselors remain scarce (TCA Newsline, March 10, 2022). As described by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), school counselors provide a myriad of services to promote student wellness and support student development. The school counselor (TEC § 33.005 and § 33.006) coordinates services with the faculty, staff, students, parents, and community to plan, implement, and evaluate the Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP).
Program Coordinator
For more information about this degree, please contact Dr. Angela K. Waggoner (awaggoner@HC.edu).
Student Learning Outcomes
Master of Education Professional School Counselors students acquire the following student learning outcomes:
- Our students are uniquely trained and qualified from a theoretical and developmental framework to make a difference for all children and students as they become productive, well-adjusted individuals of tomorrow.
- During practicum and internship, our students complete three (3) 45-minute observations at the beginning, middle, and end of supervision with the same student. These observations can be completed face-to-face or virtually. Our students then receive one-on-one feedback following each observation.
- This degree prepares interested individuals to meet the state requirements to become a certified school counselor, as well as, to take and pass the TExES 252 Exam. Students are expected to complete all courses with a “B” or higher and successfully complete a comprehensive exam.
What Can I Do With My Master of Education Degree as a Professional School Counselor?
The following examples represent professional settings in which graduates with a Master of Education Professional School Counselors may be hired:
- Public Schools
- Accredited Private Schools
The following examples represent career paths graduates with a Master of Education Professional School Counselors may pursue:
- School Counselor
Admission Requirements
In order to enter this program, the graduate student needs to have completed two years of teaching in a TEA accredited school setting, pre-kinder to 12th grade. This degree program is 48 hours of graduate coursework. Students must complete all courses with a grade of “B” or higher, and successfully complete a comprehensive exam. Students must additionally complete a practicum and internship, consisting of a minimum of 400 clinical hours, in a University-approved school setting.
In addition to completing the course work, traditional steps are required to obtain certification. First the student must complete their degree in counseling and successfully complete the required state certification exam, TExES 252. A copy of their service record or teaching record must be submitted to our CoEBS’ Office of Certification. Finally the CoEBS Certification Officer provides an approval for state certification by TEA.
Additional Application Requirements
In accordance with best practices in the field of mental health counseling, applicants who meet the requirements specified by the graduate school will be invited to an interview and orientation. These interviews are typically held about once per month, and may take up to three hours depending on the applicant pool. Interview spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, we encourage you to apply early. We remind you to turn in your application before the deadlines set for the semester to which you are applying.
Course Requirements
Master of Education in Professional School Counseling
| Course Name | Hours |
| COUN 5310: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5316: Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| COUN 5317: Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5318: Counseling Skills and Techniques | 3 |
| COUN 5320: Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 5321: Group Counseling and Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN 5363: Principles of School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6309: Assessment and Testing | 3 |
| COUN 6310: Clinical Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN 6320: Research Design and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| COUN 6321: Career Counseling and Lifestyle Development | 3 |
| COUN 6323: Crisis Response and Trauma Care | 3 |
| COUN 6341: Counseling Children, Adolescents, and Families | 3 |
| COUN 6324: Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| COUN 6365: Advanced School Counseling and Leadership | 3 |
| COUN 6391: Counseling Practicum (100 Hours: 40 Direct) | 3 |
| COUN 6392: Counseling Internship I (300 Hours: 120 Direct) | 3 |
| Total Hours |
48 |
Additional Courses for LPC Licensure
Master of Education Professional School Counselors are encouraged to consider taking four (4) additional courses to obtain their Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Certification with the State of Texas in addition to meeting the requirements for their M. Ed degree.
| Course Name | Hours |
| COUN 5309: Counselor Professional Identity and Function | 3 |
| COUN 6324: Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| COUN 6325: Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| COUN Elective – Suggested: COUN 6326 Human Sexuality or COUN 6331 Grief and Loss |
3 |
| Total Hours |
12 |
View Degree Plan
Texas School Counselor Certification Only Program
If you only wish to obtain the certificate, you will need to have completed a master’s degree (60-credit hour) in a counseling or psychology related field. The School Counselor certificate plan consists of 18 hours of graduate coursework, plus 3 hours of school-based internship with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. In addition, TEA requires all School Counselors to pass the TExES 252 State Certification Exam.
| Course | Course Name | Hours | |
| PSYC 5340 | Orientation & Consultation In School Psychology | 3 | |
| PSYC 5309 | Ethics in School Psychology | 3 | |
| EDSP 5319 | Teaching Strategies in Special Education | 3 | |
| COUN 5363 | Principles of School Counseling | 3 | |
| COUN 6365 | Advanced School Counseling & Leadership | 3 | |
| COUN 6395 | School Counseling Internship | 3 | |
| Choose from one of the following below | |||
| EDAD 6393 | School Law | 3 | |
| EDAD 6316 | Data Driven Decision Making | 3 | |
| EDAD 5320 | Systems Thinking: Theory & Applications | 3 | |
| EDAD 6312 | Interpersonal Communication and Public Relations | 3 | |
| Total Certificate in Professional School Counseling | 21 | ||
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 eligibility. Houston Christian University has not determined whether their program of study meets the students state licensure requirements. Please see the Professional Licensure Directory for more information.