Texas Master’s in Counseling Programs

In the Southern United States, Texas is the second-largest state in size and population. As a result of the large population and area of the state, Texas is projected to need 28% more mental health counselors by 2030, according to O*Net Online. Part of this need for mental health counselors in the state results from a rapidly growing population. Another reason is the ever-changing and controversial political landscape, which has created a mental strain for certain populations due to a number of complex factors. The need for more professionals in the state has led to many mental health counseling degree programs emerging.

CACREP-Accredited Programs	30 clinical mental health counseling programs (CACREP directory)
Median Annual Salary (National)	$59,350 per year (BLS, May 2025)
Licensing Board	Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
Supervised Experience	3,000 hours post-degree under an LPC-Supervisor
Job Growth (National)	19% projected growth (2023-2033, BLS OOH)
Texas Employment	21,400 counselors (5th highest state nationally, BLS OES May 2025)

2026 Texas Counseling Updates

If you’re planning to enter the counseling field in Texas this year, here’s what’s changed recently. These updates affect licensure, continuing education, and interstate practice.

• CE Broker tracking became mandatory January 1, 2026. Every Texas-licensed counselor now has to have a CE Broker account and log CE hours through it before renewing a license. The Basic account is free. If you’re graduating soon, set up your account when you get your LPC-Associate license so you’re not scrambling at renewal time.
• BHEC adopted a substantial set of new LPC rules effective March 13, 2026. The updates rewrote §681.91 (LPC Associate License) and §681.93 (Supervisor Requirements) in plainer language and added new obligations: LPC Associates now have to notify BHEC and their supervisors when changing supervisors, share any remediation plan with all current and future supervisors, and disclose pending complaints. The requirement that supervisors keep documentation of your professional liability insurance was removed. Details are in the BHEC recently adopted rules section.
• Counseling Compact bills are still pending in Texas. As of mid-2026, 39 states plus DC have joined the Counseling Compact, which lets LPCs practice across member states without applying for individual state licenses. Texas has HB 1537 and SB 498 filed but hasn’t enacted yet. If interstate telehealth practice matters to you long-term, this is the piece of legislation to watch.
• Texas telehealth rules haven’t changed for in-state practice. If your client is physically located in Texas at the time of the session, you need a Texas LPC license, regardless of where you’re sitting. If you’re licensed in Texas and want to see a client located elsewhere, you’re subject to that jurisdiction’s rules.

Master of Counseling Programs in Texas

In Texas, there are many mental health counseling master’s programs that allow you to purse licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC). According to the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, one must graduate from a CACREP-accredited counseling program to become a Mental Health Counselor or licensed professional counselor. Programs in Texas that are CACREP-Accredited also fit into the categories of online programs and no GRE-required programs. That leaves many options for potential counseling students in Texas.

CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Texas

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits counseling programs that meet consistent educational standards nationwide. Choosing a CACREP-accredited program is the simplest way to make sure your coursework satisfies Texas LPC requirements and stays portable if you ever move out of state. Texas has 30 CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs, organized below by delivery format so you can find the ones that fit your life.

Fully Online CACREP Programs

If you need to keep working full-time or you don’t live near a program campus, these two CACREP-accredited programs deliver the full degree online.

Midwestern State University

Degree	Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	Online
Location	Flower Mound, TX
Tuition	$415 per credit hour + fees
Best for	Working adults who need full-time-compatible online CACREP delivery at a mid-range price
Program page	View program details →

MSU’s Flower Mound campus is one of the smaller CACREP-accredited programs in the state, which some students prefer for closer faculty relationships and a lower cohort count. The fully online format was designed for licensed teachers and healthcare workers pursuing a career change, so course scheduling accommodates evening and weekend study. If you want CACREP accreditation but need to keep working full-time through your master’s, this is one of the cleanest options.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	Online
Location	Kingsville, TX
In-state tuition	$6,157 per 9 credit hours + fees
Out-of-state tuition	$14,345 per 9 credit hours + fees
Best for	South Texas students who want CACREP accreditation with a bilingual practice orientation
Program page	View program details →

TAMU-Kingsville’s fully online CACREP program serves a lot of students who plan to practice in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, where bilingual counselors are consistently in short supply. The program is embedded in an institution that emphasizes Spanish-speaking clinical training and community engagement in a way most North Texas programs don’t. Out-of-state tuition is more than double in-state, so this program makes the most sense financially if you’re a Texas resident.

Hybrid CACREP Programs

These programs mix in-person and online coursework, giving you some scheduling flexibility while keeping face-to-face clinical training days on campus.

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Degree	Master of Science in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Focus
Credits	60
Modality	Hybrid (multi-site)
Location	Commerce, Dallas, McKinney, and Mesquite, TX
In-state tuition	$3,669 per 9-credit semester + fees
Out-of-state tuition	$7,341 per 9-credit semester + fees
Best for	DFW-based students who need a mix of in-person and online without committing to a single campus
Program page	View program details →

TAMU-Commerce operates the counseling program across four DFW-adjacent locations with hybrid course delivery, so you can attend near where you live or work. The multi-site model reduces the commute burden that pushes many working students out of traditional programs. In-state tuition is one of the strongest values in the DFW area.

Texas State University

Degree	Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus/hybrid
Location	San Marcos, TX
In-state tuition	~$9,000 for 9 months + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$16,560 for 9 months + fees
Best for	Central Texas students who want a mid-size university with practicum access to both Austin and San Antonio
Program page	View program details →

Texas State’s San Marcos location puts you within easy commute of both Austin and San Antonio for practicum placements, which broadens your job market meaningfully. The hybrid delivery mixes in-person and online components so you can maintain some flexibility during coursework. It’s a good fit if you don’t want to relocate to a major metro but still want access to metro clinical sites.

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	Hybrid
Location	Houston, TX
In-state tuition	~$9,902 tuition + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$19,082 tuition + fees
Best for	Houston-area students who need hybrid delivery with access to a large practicum network
Program page	View program details →

UH-Clear Lake pulls from the Houston/Bay Area’s diverse clinical population and places students at a wide range of practicum sites across the metro. The hybrid format works well for students who want in-person clinical training days combined with online coursework. The diverse client demographic you’ll encounter in Houston-area practicum sites is one of the strongest clinical training advantages you’ll find in Texas.

The University of Texas at El Paso

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 semester hours
Modality	On-campus/hybrid
Location	El Paso, TX
In-state tuition	~$7,696/year + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$17,530/year + fees
Best for	Far West Texas students who want bilingual clinical training in a border-region context
Program page	View program details →

UTEP is the primary CACREP-accredited option in far West Texas. The program’s bilingual clinical training reflects the El Paso border region, and you’ll do practicum work in a population that few programs elsewhere in Texas serve. The hybrid delivery accommodates working students, and rural health workforce shortages in the surrounding region can open loan repayment options after graduation.

On-Campus CACREP Programs

The bulk of Texas CACREP programs run on-campus, with practicum placements built around the region each program serves. Choose based on where you want to train and eventually practice.

Hardin-Simmons University

Degree	Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Abilene, TX
Tuition	$995 per credit hour + fees
Best for	Students who want small-cohort, faith-informed clinical training in West Texas
Program page	View program details →

Hardin-Simmons runs one of the smaller CACREP programs in the state, which shows up in close faculty relationships and a cohort model that emphasizes personal formation alongside clinical skill. If you want your training explicitly informed by Christian faith and delivered in a small West Texas community, this program is a good fit. Tuition puts it in the mid-range for private Texas programs.

Sam Houston State University

Degree	Master of Arts in Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Huntsville, TX
In-state tuition	$413.25 per credit hour incl. fees
Out-of-state tuition	Contact program
Best for	Budget-conscious in-state students who want concentration flexibility across CMHC, school, or MFT tracks
Program page	View program details →

Sam Houston State’s counseling program is one of the strongest values in Texas. The per-credit rate for in-state students is well below most public and private alternatives, and the program offers concentrations that let you specialize in clinical mental health, school counseling, or marriage and family work depending on where you want your career to go. The Huntsville location keeps cost of living low while putting you within an hour of Houston for practicum options.

Seminary of the Southwest

Degree	Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Austin, TX
Tuition	$738/credit hour (part-time); $17,692/year (full-time) + fees
Best for	Students who want clinical training paired with reflection on meaning-making and spiritual care
Program page	View program details →

Seminary of the Southwest is one of a small number of CACREP programs that explicitly integrate clinical counselor training with theological reflection and spiritual care. If your work will bring you into contact with clients whose distress has spiritual or existential dimensions, this program prepares you for that in a way secular programs don’t. Small cohorts and close faculty relationships come up consistently in student feedback.

Southern Methodist University

Degree	Master of Science in Counseling
Credits	63
Modality	On-campus
Location	Dallas, TX
Tuition	$725 per credit hour + fees
Best for	Dallas-area students seeking a private-university option with extended specialization coursework
Program page	View program details →

SMU’s Simmons School program requires 63 credit hours rather than the typical 60, which reflects additional specialization coursework built into the curriculum. You gain access to SMU’s clinical placements across the DFW metro area and a program with strong connections in Dallas mental health. Private-university tuition, but the DFW alumni network and clinical partnerships can meaningfully shorten your job search after graduation.

St. Edward’s University

Degree	Master of Arts in Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Austin, TX
Tuition	$1,610 per credit hour + fees
Best for	Austin-area students drawn to service-oriented counseling with a Holy Cross-values foundation
Program page	View program details →

St. Edward’s pairs clinical training with the Holy Cross values that shape the university, including a strong emphasis on serving underserved populations. Tuition is at the higher end of Texas programs, but the Austin-area clinical partnerships and the program’s focus on underserved communities draw students who want that combination of clinical skill and social mission.

St. Mary’s University

Degree	Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	San Antonio, TX
Tuition	$1,068 per credit hour + fees
Best for	San Antonio students seeking a Marianist-tradition private program with a service orientation
Program page	View program details →

St. Mary’s counseling program is shaped by the university’s Marianist tradition, which emphasizes education in service of underserved communities. San Antonio’s demographic diversity means your practicum experiences will span a broad range of clinical populations. It’s a solid fit if you want a private-university option in South Texas with a values-driven program culture.

Stephen F. Austin State University

Degree	Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Nacogdoches, TX
In-state tuition	Variable — contact graduate school
Out-of-state tuition	Variable — contact graduate school
Best for	Deep East Texas students who want to train and practice in a region other programs don’t reach
Program page	View program details →

SFA in Nacogdoches serves the Deep East Texas region that most other CACREP programs don’t reach. The clinical sites available to students here are often community mental health centers and small-town practices where students see a full range of presenting concerns from day one. Tuition is variable based on your credit load and residency status, so request a cost estimate from the graduate school before you apply.

Tarleton State University

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus (multi-site)
Location	Stephenville, Fort Worth, and Waco, TX
In-state tuition	~$7,467/year + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$14,829/year + fees
Best for	North and Central Texas students who want an established public program near where they already live
Program page	View program details →

Tarleton delivers the same 60-credit program across three campuses (Stephenville, Fort Worth, and Waco), which meaningfully expands access for working students. It’s a well-established public program with a strong foothold in North and Central Texas, and the multi-site model reduces relocation pressure. In-state tuition is competitive with other public options.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Killeen, TX
In-state tuition	Variable — contact graduate school
Out-of-state tuition	Variable — contact graduate school
Best for	Fort Hood-area students, active-duty families, and community mental health-focused students
Program page	View program details →

TAMU-Central Texas serves the Fort Hood/Killeen region and has strong ties to community mental health providers, active-duty military families, and veterans’ services. If you’re planning to work with military-connected populations or in Central Texas community mental health, the practicum pipeline here is particularly well-suited. Contact the graduate school for a current cost breakdown.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Degree	Master of Science in Professional Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Corpus Christi, TX
In-state tuition	$4,884 per 18-credit academic year + fees
Out-of-state tuition	$10,652 per 18-credit academic year + fees
Best for	Coastal Bend students who want to train and practice in the region
Program page	View program details →

TAMU-Corpus Christi is the primary CACREP-accredited option along the Coastal Bend. Students who want to train and eventually practice in the Corpus Christi/South Texas Coast region often start here because the practicum pipeline is built into local community mental health providers. In-state tuition is among the lower public-program options.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Degree	Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	San Antonio, TX
In-state tuition	$6,438 per 9 credit hours + fees
Out-of-state tuition	$6,438 per 9 credit hours + non-resident fee
Best for	San Antonio students focused on serving the region’s growing bilingual population
Program page	View program details →

TAMU-San Antonio serves the growing San Antonio and South Texas market, with practicum placements across the metro’s community mental health and school district partnerships. The student demographic tends to skew local, which reinforces the program’s regional focus. If you want to serve the San Antonio area specifically, this is one of two strong public options there.

Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Degree	Master of Science in Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Texarkana, TX
In-state tuition	$3,007.99 per 9 credit hours + fees
Out-of-state tuition	$3,007.99 + non-resident fee
Best for	Four-state Texarkana region students who want the most affordable East Texas option
Program page	View program details →

TAMU-Texarkana is one of the more affordable options in East Texas, and its four-state region draw (Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana) means graduates often find work close to home. Small class sizes and the university’s regional focus make this a good fit if you plan to serve the Texarkana area and want to keep costs low.

Texas Christian University

Degree	Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Fort Worth, TX
Tuition	$1,982 per credit hour + fees
Best for	Fort Worth students who want smaller class sizes and access to TCU’s alumni network in DFW
Program page	View program details →

TCU sits at the higher end of Texas tuition, but you gain smaller class sizes than at the large state institutions and access to TCU’s Fort Worth clinical partnerships. Faculty maintain active clinical practices and bring current clinical experience into coursework, which shows up in how practicum and internship are structured. If your goal is private practice or working in an established DFW group practice, TCU’s Fort Worth alumni network is a real asset.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Lubbock, TX
Tuition	$3,466.50 per 9 credit hours incl. fees
Best for	Students drawn to integrated care, addiction medicine, or hospital-based crisis work
Program page	View program details →

The TTUHSC program is genuinely different from every other option on this list. It’s housed inside a health sciences university alongside the medical school, pharmacy school, and nursing school, so your training happens in an interprofessional environment with exposure to integrated behavioral health and hospital-based practicum sites. If you’re drawn to integrated care, addiction medicine, hospital-based crisis work, or medical psychology-adjacent roles, this program is designed for you in a way an education-school-based program isn’t. The West Texas location also opens loan repayment options for graduates who practice in rural shortage areas.

Texas Tech University

Degree	Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Lubbock, TX
In-state tuition	~$8,504/year + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$16,180/year + fees
Best for	Lubbock-area students who want education-side counselor training with faculty research strength
Program page	View program details →

Alongside the Health Sciences Center program above, Texas Tech’s College of Education runs its own 60-credit CMHC program. Two different tracks at Texas Tech means you can pick the framing that fits how you want to practice: education-side (this program) or health-sciences-side (TTUHSC). The College of Education program has strong counselor education research faculty if you’re considering doctoral study later.

Texas Woman’s University

Degree	Master of Science in Counseling & Development
Credits	61
Modality	On-campus
Location	Denton, TX
In-state tuition	$5,196 per 9 credit hours + fees
Out-of-state tuition	$5,196 + $7,344 non-resident fee
Best for	Students who want counseling coursework integrated with human development research
Program page	View program details →

TWU’s program is 61 credits rather than the standard 60, with an extra course reflecting its unusual integration with human development research. The program’s strength is that integration — faculty come from both counseling and developmental science backgrounds, which shapes how the curriculum treats lifespan issues. Despite the name, TWU has been coeducational since 1972 and its programs enroll students of all genders.

University of Houston-Victoria

Degree	Master of Science in Professional Counseling (CMHC specialty)
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Victoria, TX
In-state tuition	$3,309.12 per 9-credit semester + fees
Out-of-state tuition	$6,981.12 per 9-credit semester + fees
Best for	Coastal Bend and central Gulf Coast students who want a smaller-campus program
Program page	View program details →

UH-Victoria is a smaller-campus option that serves the Coastal Bend and central Gulf Coast region, with strong ties to community mental health providers there. If you want to train and practice in that region without commuting to Houston, this is one of the few CACREP options that keeps you local. The smaller cohort means more individual faculty attention.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Degree	Master of Arts in Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Belton, TX
Tuition	$1,040 per credit hour
Best for	Central Texas students who want a small private Christian program between Austin and Waco
Program page	View program details →

UMHB is a private Christian option in the central Texas corridor between Austin and Waco. The smaller cohort size and faith-integrative approach draw students who want that particular fit, and the Belton location gives you access to clinical sites in both Austin and Waco within reasonable commutes. Tuition sits in the mid-range for private programs.

University of North Texas at Dallas

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Dallas, TX
In-state tuition	~$26,134/year at 9 credits/semester (avg)
Out-of-state tuition	~$33,694/year at 9 credits/semester (avg)
Best for	Dallas students who want to train inside one of the largest clinical markets in the country
Program page	View program details →

UNT Dallas puts you in the heart of one of the largest clinical training markets in the country, with practicum access to community mental health, hospital systems, private group practices, and university counseling centers across DFW. Published costs are on the higher end for public options, so confirm the current financial picture with the graduate school before you commit. The clinical exposure you get by training in the DFW market can meaningfully shorten your job search.

University of North Texas

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60 semester hours
Modality	On-campus
Location	Denton, TX
In-state tuition	~$4,610 per 9-hour semester + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$8,386 per 9-hour semester + fees
Best for	Students who want one of the state’s largest programs with strong research faculty and a top-ranked doctoral program above it
Program page	View program details →

UNT is one of the largest and best-established counseling programs in Texas, with a national reputation for its research faculty and its practicum partnerships across the DFW metroplex. Students routinely place at community mental health centers, university counseling centers, hospitals, and school-adjacent settings. UNT offers concentration tracks in addictions counseling, gerontological counseling, and school counseling in addition to CMHC, and it’s a strong pick if you might eventually pursue doctoral counselor education (the doctoral program is nationally ranked).

University of St. Thomas-Houston

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Houston, TX
Tuition	$676 per unit + fees
Best for	Houston-area students seeking a mid-priced Catholic private program with an ethical formation focus
Program page	View program details →

St. Thomas is a Catholic university option in Houston with an emphasis on ethical formation alongside clinical skills. The per-credit tuition sits between the public options and the top-tier private programs, which makes it accessible without being cheap. The Houston location gives you access to a large practicum network.

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Degree	Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	San Antonio, TX
In-state tuition	~$9,362 per 9-credit term + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$27,310 per 9-credit term + fees
Best for	South Texas students focused on community mental health, integrated healthcare, and bilingual practice
Program page	View program details →

UT San Antonio’s program serves the fastest-growing part of Texas, with practicum placements across San Antonio’s medical center, community behavioral health system, and school district partnerships. Bilingual clinical training is built in, which is a significant advantage if you plan to practice in South Texas or the Rio Grande Valley. Graduates tend to move into community mental health and integrated healthcare settings rather than exclusively private practice.

The University of Texas at Tyler

Degree	Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Tyler, TX
In-state tuition	~$4,222 per 9-credit term + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$8,704 per 9-credit term + fees
Best for	East Texas students who want a well-regarded public program with access to smaller-community clinical sites
Program page	View program details →

UT Tyler is a well-regarded public university option in East Texas that gives students access to clinical sites you can’t find at bigger metropolitan programs. Community mental health and small-town practice sites often serve as practicum placements, which broadens the clinical presentations you’ll see during training. In-state tuition is one of the more accessible public options in the state.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Degree	Master of Education in Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Edinburg, TX
In-state tuition	~$4,286.55 per 9-credit term + fees
Out-of-state tuition	~$8,066.55 per 9-credit term + fees
Best for	Rio Grande Valley students who want bilingual clinical training to serve the region
Program page	View program details →

UTRGV is the primary CACREP-accredited option in the Rio Grande Valley. The program offers bilingual clinical training that reflects the region it serves, and practicum placements are concentrated in Valley community mental health providers. If you want to train and eventually practice in the RGV, this is the natural home.

Non-CACREP Alternatives with Portability Considerations

If you’re considering a non-CACREP program, portability to other states becomes the main practical concern. CACREP accreditation is the smoothest path to license portability, but it’s not the only one. The programs below meet Texas LPC coursework requirements and offer varying degrees of out-of-state portability depending on their accreditation status.

Texas A&M International University

Degree	Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Credits	60
Modality	On-campus
Location	Laredo, TX
Accreditation	MPCAC (accredited through January 2028)
Tuition	Contact graduate school for current tuition rates
Best for	South Texas students seeking programmatic accreditation as a portability alternative to CACREP
Program page	View program details →

TAMIU’s counseling psychology program is accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), which several state boards accept as an alternative to CACREP for LPC licensure. Not all states accept MPCAC accreditation the way they accept CACREP, so verify with your target state’s licensing board before assuming portability. The program’s Laredo location serves the South Texas border region and includes bilingual training relevant to that population.

Lamar University

Degree	Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	60
Modality	Online
Location	Beaumont, TX
Accreditation	Not CACREP-accredited (regionally accredited university)
In-state tuition	$4,321.15 per 9-credit semester tuition & fees
Out-of-state tuition	$8,101.15 per 9-credit semester tuition & fees
Best for	Texas-based students who want online delivery and don’t plan to relocate out of state
Program page	View program details →

Lamar’s 60-credit online program meets Texas LPC coursework requirements and works cleanly for Texas licensure. Portability to other states depends on that state’s willingness to review non-CACREP curricula on a course-by-course basis, which can add months of paperwork and delay licensure if you ever move. If you’re confident you’ll practice in Texas long-term, Lamar is a reasonable option; if you might move, weigh the CACREP alternatives carefully.

LeTourneau University

Degree	Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Credits	66
Modality	Online
Location	Longview, TX
Accreditation	Not CACREP-accredited (regionally accredited private Christian university)
Tuition	$625 per credit hour + fees
Best for	Faith-oriented students who want a Christian program with the option to skip the GRE
Program page	View program details →

LeTourneau is a private Christian university offering a 66-credit online program that isn’t CACREP-accredited but meets Texas LPC coursework requirements. The Christian formation aspect and the GRE waiver for applicants with a 2.5+ undergraduate GPA are the main draws. Same portability caveat applies as with Lamar: expect state-by-state coursework review if you leave Texas.

How to Choose Between These Programs

With 30 CACREP-accredited counseling programs based in Texas plus a handful of non-CACREP alternatives, choosing between them can feel harder than it should. The programs look more similar than different on paper. Most run 60 credits, most are on-campus or hybrid, and most price in a similar range for in-state students. The real differentiators are usually about you and what you want your career to look like, not about the programs themselves.

Start with career goal rather than program prestige. If you want to open a private practice eventually, look at programs with strong ties to community mental health providers so you can build a professional network you’ll draw referrals from later. If you want to work in a hospital or integrated healthcare setting, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center program is unusual for embedding counselor training inside a medical school environment. If you want to serve rural Texas, programs like Stephen F. Austin State (Nacogdoches), Texas A&M-Central Texas (Killeen), and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi build placement pipelines into their regions that harder-to-reach communities benefit from.

Geography drives practicum and job placement. The programs you enroll in will place you at practicum sites in their region, and that region tends to become your job market. Deciding where you want to end up practicing matters as much as which school you attend. San Antonio, El Paso, Rio Grande Valley, and Corpus Christi all have Spanish-speaking populations and bilingual counselor demand you won’t find in North Texas at the same intensity.

Budget the whole thing, not the per-credit price. In-state tuition at Texas public universities runs well below private tuition, and public schools also offer graduate assistantships that can reduce your net cost further (see the funding section below). Two 60-credit programs with the same per-credit rate can end up costing you very different amounts once fees, textbook costs, licensure exam fees, and lost income from practicum hours are factored in.

Pace matters more than “accelerated” branding. Texas doesn’t really have accelerated counseling programs. Sixty credits is sixty credits, and the 3,000 post-graduate supervised hours takes about two years regardless. What you should optimize for is finishing on your own timeline, whether that’s full-time in two years or part-time in three, and whether the program’s course delivery fits your life. If you’re working full-time now and need to keep working, look closely at Midwestern State, TAMU-Kingsville, and the hybrid options.

CACREP accreditation matters most if you might leave Texas. For Texas licensure alone, both CACREP and non-CACREP programs work as long as the curriculum meets the state’s course requirements. But if you might move to another state, CACREP accreditation is the smoothest path to portability. Lamar and LeTourneau are legitimate programs, but graduating from a non-CACREP program can add months of coursework review by your new state’s licensing board.

No GRE Required Master in Counseling Programs

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test some graduate schools use to evaluate applicants. Most Texas counseling programs have dropped the GRE requirement in recent admissions cycles, so if you’d rather skip it, you have options.

Among the online programs above, Midwestern State University and Texas A&M-Kingsville don’t require the GRE at all. LeTourneau waives it for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Confirm current admissions requirements directly with each program’s graduate school before you apply. GRE policies shift year to year, and some programs waive the test if your undergrad GPA is high enough or you have professional experience.

Most Affordable Master in Counseling Programs in Texas

Affordability depends on how you count it. Some programs advertise a low per-credit rate but pile on fees. Non-residents can end up paying two to three times what in-state students pay for the same coursework.

For Texas residents, the lowest per-credit tuition among the CACREP-accredited programs listed above is Sam Houston State University at $413 per credit hour including fees. Other affordable public options include Texas A&M-Texarkana, UT Tyler, and UT Rio Grande Valley. Among the online programs, Midwestern State University at $415 per credit hour is close behind.

If cost is the deciding factor, start with public universities within commuting distance. In-state tuition at any Texas public university runs well below what private schools charge. And compare total program cost (credit hours × per-credit rate + fees), not just the sticker per-credit rate.

Accelerated Master in Counseling Programs in Texas

Texas doesn’t have counseling programs that market themselves as “accelerated” the way you’d see with online undergraduate degrees. Every Texas counseling program that meets LPC licensure requirements includes at least 60 credit hours (a couple require 61 or 63). The state’s supervised experience requirement of 3,000 post-degree hours is fixed regardless of how fast you get through coursework.

If speed matters, look at the online CACREP options above. Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Kingsville both let you move at your own pace and finish in about two years of full-time study. For on-campus programs, most students take two to three years, depending on whether they’re full-time and how their internship and practicum placements land.

Financial Aid and Funding for Counseling Programs in Texas

Counseling master’s programs range from surprisingly affordable to genuinely expensive depending on where you go and how you fund it. A few strategies that Texas students consistently overlook can meaningfully reduce your out-of-pocket cost.

Start with graduate assistantships at public programs. Most of the public Texas universities in the list above offer graduate assistant positions — teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or program administrative roles — that pay a stipend and often include a tuition waiver for in-state students. Sam Houston State, Texas A&M campuses, University of North Texas, and Texas State all have counseling program assistantships worth asking about at the interview stage. These positions aren’t advertised heavily and often go to students who ask for them directly.

The federal Health Resources and Services Administration runs the NHSC Loan Repayment Program for behavioral health professionals who commit to working in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Texas has a large number of designated shortage areas, particularly in rural counties and along the border. Full-time work in a qualifying site can pay off up to $50,000 in student loans in two years. If you’re open to practicing in a shortage area for your first LPC-Associate role, this program can substantially change your loan math.

For federal student loans, graduate students qualify for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans through FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA before program deadlines, which usually fall in the spring before fall admission. Public program financial aid offices are typically responsive; private programs sometimes require additional institutional applications.

Check each program’s website for departmental scholarships, alumni-funded awards, and diversity-focused funding. Many are small (a few hundred to a few thousand dollars) but they add up. Faith-based private programs like Hardin-Simmons, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, LeTourneau, and Seminary of the Southwest sometimes have denominationally connected scholarship funds worth investigating if you fit the profile.

Many students work as behavioral health technicians, case managers, or peer support specialists during their master’s coursework. These roles pay modestly but give you paid clinical exposure that complements your practicum, and sometimes the employer covers CE credits or provides a tuition benefit. Rural community mental health centers in Texas often actively recruit master’s students with these arrangements.

Required Courses for Licensure in Texas

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors sets specific coursework standards that any counseling master’s has to include for you to qualify for LPC licensure. If you pick a CACREP-accredited program from the list above, you’re covered automatically. The full list is worth knowing so you can spot-check any non-CACREP program you’re considering.

Texas rule requires coverage of the following areas:

• Normal Human Growth and Development
• Abnormal Human Behavior
• Appraisal and Assessment Techniques
• Counseling Theories
• Counseling Methods or Techniques
• Research
• Lifestyle and Career Development
• Social, Cultural, and Family Issues
• Professional Orientation
• Addictions Counseling
• Counselor Ethics
• Couples, Marriage, or Family Counseling
• Psychopathology
• Practicum or Internship of at least 300 clock hours, with 100 hours of direct client contact

The practicum piece is what most students underestimate. That’s 300 supervised hours during your master’s program, before you even start counting toward the 3,000 post-graduate supervised hours needed for full LPC licensure. Ask each program you’re considering how they support you in finding practicum placements. Some have established partnerships with community mental health centers, agencies, and hospitals across their metro area; others expect you to find your own site, which becomes a job of its own.

Non-CACREP programs (like Lamar and LeTourneau in the Online section above) still need to cover all of these areas for you to qualify for Texas licensure. Verify their current curriculum against this list before enrolling if either is on your shortlist.

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Texas

Texas licenses professional counselors through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), which houses the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. You’ll pursue two clinical licenses in sequence — the LPC-Associate first, then full LPC — plus a supervisor designation you can add later if you want to train new counselors.

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-Associate)

The LPC-Associate is your working license after graduation. You’ll submit the following to BHEC to get it:

• Practicum documentation from your master’s program
• Texas Jurisprudence Examination completion certificate
• Supervisory Agreement Form signed by you and a state-approved LPC-Supervisor
• Either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), submitted through the National Board for Certified Counselors
• National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query report
• Fingerprint-based background check
• Official counseling program transcripts

Plan on the whole submission and review process taking several weeks. Most graduates start looking for LPC-Associate positions during their final semester so the license is ready when the job is.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Once you have your Associate license, you’ll practice under supervision and log 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience. Most Associates work full time and hit that number in about two to two and a half years. To upgrade to full LPC, you submit:

• Jurisprudence Examination completion certificate (fresh copy)
• Supervised Experience Documentation Form showing the 3,000 hours are complete
• Fingerprint-based background check

If you plan to eventually supervise other Associates, you can add the LPC-Supervisor designation after you have your LPC. That requires additional supervision-specific training and BHEC approval.

2026 rule changes to watch

BHEC adopted a set of new supervision rules effective March 13, 2026. If you’re currently an LPC-Associate or planning to become one, the practical changes are: you now have to notify BHEC and your supervisors any time you change supervisors, share any remediation plan with all current and future supervisors, and disclose pending complaints. The supervisor requirement to keep documentation of your professional liability insurance was removed. Details are on the BHEC recently adopted rules page.

If your goal is marriage and family therapy specifically rather than a general counseling license, the Texas LMFT licensure path is a parallel route with different educational requirements and a different exam.

Career Outlook for Counselors in Texas

Texas ranks among the top five states for mental health counselor employment nationally. The Bureau of Labor Statistics OES program counts about 21,400 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors currently working in Texas as of May 2025, with employment concentrated in the major metros: Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio.

Nationally, the median annual wage for the occupation is $59,350 and the mean is $64,440. Texas wages track close to the national figures for most metros, with variation by setting. Private practice and clinical roles at hospitals or established group practices tend to pay higher than community mental health or residential treatment positions. If you plan to build a private practice, expect income to lag your salaried peers for the first couple of years while you build a caseload, then likely exceed them once you’re established.

Job growth is projected at 19% nationally between 2023 and 2033, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. That’s much faster than the average across all occupations. Texas’s rate of growth is likely to outpace the national number given the state’s population growth and continued expansion of Medicaid-adjacent behavioral health services.

Where you practice inside Texas matters as much as which credential you hold. Urban areas have more job openings but more competition; rural counties have real behavioral health workforce shortages and often qualify practitioners for federal loan repayment programs. More on that in the funding section below.

Texas Counseling FAQs