Professional Counseling, MA

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Overview

Training that prepares you to make a real difference

Becoming a professional counselor takes more than coursework. It takes rigorous clinical training, strong mentorship and the kind of supervision that helps you develop genuine confidence in your skills. You'll learn from dedicated professors who prioritize your individual growth and development. Our program focuses on academic excellence, clinical competence and cultural humility, ensuring you are fully prepared to meet the needs of those you serve.

A focus on clinical mental health counseling

This accredited master's degree maintains a 60-hour curriculum. Courses focus on core counseling theories, assessment and evidence-based interventions to help your clients navigate personal and mental health challenges.

Clinical experience

You’ll gain essential hands-on experience by working directly with clients through a 100-hour practicum at the SFA Counseling Clinic followed by a 600-hour internship in a professional setting.

Your path to licensure

The program is designed to meet the educational requirements for Texas LPC licensure. It also prepares you to apply for LPC-Associate status and complete the required post-graduate supervised experience toward independent LPC licensure.

Program delivery

Our approach to the program is based on the strong belief that face-to-face interaction is invaluable. While some classes are offered in an online format, in-person training helps prepare highly-qualified counseling professionals.

Each class meets once per week, at 4:30 p.m. or 7:15 p.m., for two and a half hours.

Your course sequence will be determined on an individual basis and whether you're attending full- or part-time.

Resources

Student handbook

The student handbook goes in depth on expectations, requirements, evaluation procedures and more. When considering whether SFA's professional counseling program is a proper fit for you, be sure to read through this handbook.

SFA's Master of Arts in professional counseling is accredited Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Information below is provided in compliance of CACREP accreditation requirements.

Program's mission

The mission of the professional counseling program is to deliver exceptional master's level training, nurturing the growth of highly skilled counselors. Our graduates are characterized by a robust professional identity, a commitment to ethical and proficient practice, and a capacity to excel in meeting the needs of a broad spectrum of populations.

Objectives

The program outcome measures are as follows:

Academic excellence: Ensure students receive high-quality academic training by providing rigorous coursework, comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical skill development in counseling principles and techniques.
Clinical competence: Equip students with the necessary clinical skills and experience through supervised clinical training and practicum opportunities to effectively assess, diagnose and provide evidence-based counseling interventions to diverse client populations.
Cultural competency: Foster cultural competence among students to understand and address the unique needs of diverse client populations, including but not limited to differences in ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation and ability.
Professional licensure preparedness: Prepare students for licensure as professional counselors by ensuring they meet all academic, clinical and ethical requirements necessary for licensure, and by providing guidance and support throughout the licensure application process.

Goals

Program learning outcome goals are as follows:

Professional orientation and ethical practice: Students articulate the elements related to professional identity including the history and philosophy of the counseling profession, the value of professional organizations, the need for legal and ethical practice, and advocating for the profession and clients that are served.
Social and cultural diversity: Students demonstrate multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for competency in working with a varied population.
Human growth and development: Students differentiate the development across the lifespan and the impact on normal and abnormal functioning.
Career development: Students analyze career development theory in the development of individualized and developmentally appropriate career development activities and interventions.
Counseling and helping relationships: Students apply the skills necessary to engage in an effective and therapeutic helping relationship.
Group counseling and group work: Students demonstrate competency in preparing and facilitation of group counseling.
Assessment and treatment planning: Students identify effective assessment strategies in order to facilitate treatment planning.
Research and program evaluation: Students evaluate research methods to inform evidence-based practice.

Program outcomes data

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Most recent annual evaluation report:

2024-25 program assessment report

Prior evaluation reports are available upon request.

SFA's estimated cost of attendance
- graduate-level tuition, fees and variable costs (textbooks, supplies, course materials, equipment, travel and other miscellaneous expenses.)
- actual cost varies based on credit hours taken per semester, residency status and course delivery method.

Funding options for the program

Learn about SFA's graduate assistantship opportunities.
Visit SFA's Office of Financial Assistance website
- and the various scholarship opportunities.

See curriculum

Curriculum requirements

Are classes face-to-face?
Yes.

Is the program accredited?
Yes, by the CACREP.

Does this program help me become licensed?
Yes, you'll meet all academic requirements necessary for Texas LPC licensure.

Part of the College of Health Professions.

Master of Arts in Professional Counseling career paths

Graduates of this program are prepared for licensure as professional counselors and go on to work in community mental health centers, private practice, hospitals, nonprofits and a wide range of other settings. The program is built to meet all academic, clinical and ethical requirements for licensure, and faculty provide guidance and support throughout the licensure application process.

Apply to the professional counseling master's program

The GRE is not required.

To be eligible for consideration into the program, you must:

meet SFA's graduate school requirements
achieve an undergraduate 2.8 GPA or higher in your final 60 hours of undergraduate work
and hold a completed bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited higher institution.

Note: If you don't meet the GPA requirement but showcase a significant professional history, provisional admission may be considered.

Ready? Complete the graduate school application and submit the following items directly to the program coordinator:

Autobiographical letter of application: Two-four pages typed and double-spaced.
- Why you want to pursue this degree, including any relevant life experiences.
- Your professional goals upon obtaining your master's degree in professional counseling.
Recommendations: Submit three letters of recommendation from professional counselors.
- Each letter must also include the counselor education program recommendation form.
Résumé and personal data form.

Priority deadlines

Submit your completed application by the following dates:

March 1 for Fall semester enrollment.
Oct. 1 for Spring semester enrollment.

Questions about the program?

If you have questions about the Master of Arts in professional counseling, contact the graduate program coordinator.

Ralf Schuster

Contact

Ralf.Schuster@sfasu.edu

Physical Address

Human Services 233

Colleges Overview

Professional Counseling, MA

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Training that prepares you to make a real difference