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School Counseling Program

This program is primarily intended for those students who plan to be public school counselors. To learn more about program admission and completion requirements click here. To learn more about the program and its courses feel free to view the following promotional videos:

Requirements

Applicants must submit an application and submit three statements that will be evaluated to determine if the EPP applicant’s knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude are appropriate for the certification sought. Applicants must also pay the $35 TEA technology fee (non-refundable, paid to the TEA as required by TAC 229.9.7).

Admissions Requirements:  A minimum 3.0 GPA on cumulative undergraduate record (or previous 60 hours completed as evaluated by the counseling admission committee) prior to admission. 

For students enrolled in the alternative certification program (ACP), it is encouraged that you complete the ACP prior to starting work toward the M.Ed. in School Counseling. By completing your ACP first, students will be able to focus solely on working toward their M.ED. in School Counseling and avoid the risk of reaching the Graduate School limitation requirement of six-years to obtain a master’s degree. For more information about the ACP, please click here. 

Teaching experience is not required prior to applying. Applicants are screened based on the quality of their application and potential for success in the program via the assessment of the counseling program admissions committee. Students must include the following in their application: 

1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume 
2. Statement of intent 
3. Statement on Counseling Diverse Populations
4. Statement on interpersonal relationships 
5. Three professional letters of references 
6. Official undergraduate transcripts (from each of the colleges or universities the applicant previously attended) 

The above-required application materials will be evaluated to determine if the applicant’s knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude are appropriate for the counseling degree sought. Applicants will be specifically evaluated on (1) GPA, (2) Letters of Recommendation, (3) Purpose Statement, and (4) Responses to the Multicultural and interpersonal Skill questions.

See Evaluation Guide Here

Students must successfully pass a background check to complete the practicum/internship requirement. Additionally, pursuant to the Texas Education Code TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to student teaching; and pursuant to the TEC, §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. A candidate may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP if an individual has been convicted of an offense.A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in an educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person's potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. For further information visit the Texas Education Agency website: 

Candidates will receive training in dyslexia, mental health/youth suicide, and instruction in digital learning with digital literacy evaluation followed by a prescribed digital learning curriculum based on the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) standards. Trainings must be from a TEA approved provider.

Texas Education Agency School Counselor Certification Requirements: In addition to the completion of a 48 hours master's degree program, a student must also have the following: 

1. Valid Texas Teaching Certificate. 
2. Two years of classroom teaching experience in an accredited public, private, or parochial school approved by the Texas Educational Agency (TEA). 
   Note: Teaching Certificate not required if the two years experience is in an accredited private or parochial school 
3. A passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) for School Counselors. 

Due to recent legislation the certificate issuance requirements will change effective 9/1/2023. After 9/1/2023, issuance of the School Counselor certificate will no longer require two creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher. All other issuance requirements will remain the same.

Admissions Cycle Calendar: 

Allowable Transfer of Graduate Credits: Transfer of graduate credit from a CACREP accredited program within a regionally accredited institution* is limited to 9 hours for the master's degree. All transfer credit must have been completed with a grade of “B” or better, completed within the last six years, and approved by the Counseling program faculty and the University of Texas at El Paso. Transfer credits should be evaluated and approved by program faculty during the student's first semester. The course being transferred into a degree program should be a direct equivalent to the course within the certification/degree program. Students should work with their advisor to have courses evaluated for transfer. Transfer credit is not guaranteed and subject to Counseling faculty review and approval. Previous work experience is not accepted as transfer credit into the program.

*Recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Foundational Requirements (18 Semester Hours)

Students are required to earn a B or above in all foundational classes.

Advanced Requirements (24 Semester Hours)

Specialization Electives (3 Semester Hours)

*Requires Advisor Approval

Related Area (6 Semester Hours)

Clinical Experience (9 Semester Hours)

* MAY NOT BE TAKEN CONCURRENTLY

Total: 60 semester hours

Comprehensive Examination: After Approval to Take EDPC 5369.

*Pre-requisites in ( )

* Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA during the program.

Course Rotation for the Counseling Program

School Counseling Fall Cohort Schedule of Classes

School Counseling Spring Cohort Schedule of Classes