Houston is a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area in the United States. As a result, strong counseling programs are crucial for educating the next generation of mental health professionals. While Houston is a large city, many programs within the suburbs will be included in this list.
For those who feel the call to help the most vulnerable in the Houston area, numerous master’s programs in counseling are available to educate future counselors.
Houston Counseling Graduate Program Quick Facts
- Universities Offering Master of Counseling Programs in the Houston Area: 6
- CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in the Houston Area: 4
- Programs that do not require the GRE for admission in the Houston Area: 4, with 2 requiring it based on undergraduate GPA
- Average Tuition Costs: Range from $359.49 per credit hour to $741.85
Master of Counseling Programs in the Houston Area
Lamar University
- Varies
- Online
Why We Picked It
This clinical mental health counseling program is designed to prepare students to provide clinical counseling services to clients in a professional setting. This program was developed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a career as clinical counselors. This program requires students to complete 60 credit hours of coursework to earn their degree. Offered online, this program is flexible and can be taken by students in Texas and other states. There are three specializations: clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and marriage, couples, & family therapy.
Key Highlights
- Accredited by the Regional Accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Offers the flexibility of online coursework for the full 60-credit-hour program
- Courses are offered in a five-week format, and one class is taken per five-week term when you begin the program
- No GRE Requirement for admission
- Tuition starts at $359.49 per credit hour before university fees
Considerations
- Residency CNDV 5380 is a required course in the School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, and Marriage, Couples & Family Counseling programs, which may include extra costs of food and lodging for students living out of town, but financial aid may be available to qualifying students
- Field experiences are required for students in all three specializations, which include a practicum and an internship with sites being established early in the program
- If you reside out of state, it is your responsibility to determine if this program meets licensure requirements in your state
Master’s of Counseling Programs Offered by the School
- Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Education in Counseling Development
- Professional School Counseling
- Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
- Certificate in Mental Health Counseling
Stats
- Accreditation: SACSCOC and CAEP
- Format: 100% Online
- Credits: 60 credit hours
- Length: Varies
- GRE: Not required
- Tuition (2025-2026): $359.49 per credit hour plus fees
- State Exam Passage Rate: 90%
- Cohort Size: Unknown
- Institution Type: Public
Sam Houston State University
- 3-6 years
- Campus
Why We Picked It
This Master of Arts program equips students with the necessary skills to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. Students work alongside instructors who have worked in the field, which helps prepare them to work with diverse populations. Students have the option to receive certification in Play Therapy or Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy. Students may also take elective courses beyond the CACREP-accreditation required courses, such as Sandtray Therapy, Counseling for Sexual Concerns, and Child & Adolescent Counseling.
Key Highlights
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Courses are offered on campus in Huntsville, Texas, for the entirety of the 60-credit-hour program
- Enrollment in either the Spring or Fall semesters
Considerations
- Tuition is the highest on this list at $741.85 per credit hour
- Requires the GRE for admission for students with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0
Master’s of Counseling Programs Offered by the School
- Master of Arts in Counseling with Optional Emphasis Areas Offered In:
- Play Therapy
- Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education
Stats
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Format: On-campus in Huntsville, Texas
- Credits: 60 credit hours
- Length: 3 years full-time and 6 years part-time
- GRE: Required for undergraduate GPA less than 3.0
- Tuition (2025-2026): $741.85 per credit hour
- State Exam Passage Rate: 100%
- Cohort Size: 38
- Institution Type: Public
University of Houston – Clear Lake at Pearland
- Varies
- Campus
Why We Picked It
This Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career as a mental health counselor. The program offers courses in topics like counseling orientation, counseling theories, group counseling, and career development. With CACREP-accreditation, this program prepares students for state LPC licensure in Texas and other states. For those with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, you do not need to take the GRE to apply.
Key Highlights
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Courses offered on campus in Pearland, Texas, for the entirety of the 60-credit-hour program
- Tuition lies in the middle of the range for this area at $551.11 per credit hour
- In addition to a 100% passage rate on the state licensure exam, the program also has a 100% job placement rate after graduation
Considerations
- Requires the GRE for admission for students with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0
- Students must complete 1 semester of practicum and 2 semesters of internship
Master’s of Counseling Programs Offered by the School
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Science in Counseling with School Counselor Certification
Stats
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Format: On-campus in Pearland, Texas
- Credits: 60 credit hours
- Length: Varies
- GRE: Required for students with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0
- Tuition (2025-2026): $551.11 per credit hour
- State Exam Passage Rate: 100%
- Cohort Size: 46
- Institution Type: Public
University of Houston – Victoria
- Varies
- Campus
Why We Picked It
The University of Houston-Victoria Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares students for counseling roles in various community settings, including mental health centers, private practices, and substance abuse centers. The program prepares students with a 60-credit-hour curriculum consisting of courses in assessment, orientation & ethics, counseling techniques, and more. This program is CACREP-accredited and meets the licensure requirements for Texas and many other states. In addition to on-campus work, students will also participate in practicums and internships in the field.
Key Highlights
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Courses are offered on campus in Victoria, Texas, for the entirety of the 60-credit-hour program
- Tuition lies at the lower end of the scale at $390 per credit hour plus fees
- This program offers a smaller cohort size of 36 pupils compared to other comparable programs
Considerations
- Students must complete 1 semester of practicum and 2 semesters of internship for the clinical mental health counseling program
- Admission requirements include a written statement of purpose, an interview, and 3 letters of recommendation
Master’s of Counseling Programs Offered by the School
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Science in Professional School Counseling
Stats
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Format: On campus in Victoria, Texas
- Credits: 60 credit hours
- Length: Varies
- GRE: Not required
- Tuition (2025-2026): $390 per credit hour plus fees
- State Exam Passage Rate: 91%
- Cohort Size: 36
- Institution Type: Public
University of Saint Thomas – Houston
- Varies
- Campus
Why We Picked It
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston is designed to educate future mental health professionals to serve their community. This program upholds high standards of ethics and professional conduct and uses evidence-based approaches, social and cultural diversity, and social justice. In addition to the required practicum and internship, students may also provide services to community members in the Counseling Training Center on campus, allowing students to work closely with their instructors.
Key Highlights
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Courses are offered on campus in Houston, Texas, for the entire 60-credit-hour program
- Students have the chance to learn in the field at the Counseling Training Clinic, where they will provide affordable services to members of the Houston community
Considerations
- Requires the GRE for admission for students with an undergraduate GPA less than 2.7
- At $700 per credit hour, this program is at the higher end for tuition costs for programs in the Houston area
- The state licensing exam passage rate is on the lower end of programs on this list; however, program leaders are working to make changes to the program to increase the passage rate
Master’s of Counseling Programs Offered by the School
- Associate of Applied Science in Drug and Alcohol Counseling
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Education in School Counselor Education
Stats
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Format: On campus in Houston, Texas
- Credits: 60 credit hours
- Length: Varies
- GRE: Required for undergraduate GPA less than 2.7
- Tuition (2025-2026): $700 per credit hour
- State Exam Passage Rate: 79%
- Cohort Size: 37-43
- Institution Type: Private
University of Houston
- 3 years
- Campus
Why We Picked It
The University of Houston’s Master of Education in Counseling program provides a deep understanding of counseling theories, skills, and techniques and prepares graduates for careers in professional counseling. The program offers a track in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which helps students understand the roles of professional counselors and the influence of counselors in the community. Upon graduation, students will be able to apply research techniques to counseling to broaden their scope of practice in the community.
Key Highlights
- Accredited by the Regional Accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- This program is offered at two locations, including Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, for the duration of the 60-credit-hour program
- Students looking for financial assistance can apply for the Graduate Tuition Fellowship, where they will work in various roles within the program in exchange for money off their tuition
Considerations
- The program at the University of Houston is not accredited by CACREP, which is a requirement for licensure in many states
- While the Graduate Tuition Fellowship is a great way to learn and save money on your education, it is a competitive program, and not everyone who applies is accepted
Master’s of Counseling Programs Offered by the School
- Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology
Stats
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Format: On-campus in Houston and Sugar Land, Texas
- Credits: 60 credit hours
- Length: 3 years
- GRE: Not required
- Tuition (2025-2026): $489.41 per credit hour
- State Exam Passage Rate:
- Cohort Size:
- Institution Type: Public
Houston Counseling FAQs
What is CACREP Accreditation?
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many master of counseling programs nationwide. Attending a CACREP-accredited graduate program can help you meet the counseling licensure requirements in most states.
What is the GRE?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test designed to assess the aptitude of potential college students. If you find standardized tests challenging, seeking a program that does not require them is ideal.
What is the Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in the Houston Area?
When choosing a Master’s in Counseling program, many people look toward the price of the program. While the quality of education is essential, it is also important to be able to afford it. When looking at the price of a program, you should consider how much you will be paying out of pocket, student loans, and your ability to pay back the loans after graduation.
The most affordable Master’s in Counseling program in the Houston area is at Lamar University. The price of this program is $359.49. However, this program is offered only online, and there are some students who prefer on-campus courses. For those who prefer on-campus, the most affordable program is at the University of Houston-Victoria, with a price of $390 per credit hour.
Are There Any Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in the Houston Area?
While there are no accelerated programs in the Houston area, all can be completed in just 60 credit hours, which is the standard for most counseling programs in the United States.
Who Are the Largest Employers of Counseling Degree Graduates in Houston
Houston is a large and fast-growing metropolitan area in Texas. Students seeking internships and those just graduating will have no trouble finding jobs in various mental health industries.
There are varying “largest employers” in the Houston area based on what type of counseling graduates would like to do. Texas Children’s Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center hire counselors to provide fully comprehensive medical services for those seeking employment in a hospital setting.
Those looking to provide counseling to college-aged students can look no further than the University of Houston. This university offers counseling services to a diverse group of students at no extra cost to them in areas such as mental health and career advising.
Finally, counseling graduates who would like to work in private practice should look at Thriveworks, a large nationwide counseling organization that provides telehealth and in-person counseling services in the Houston area.
What is the Average Salary of a Counseling Degree Graduate in Houston
According to Zip Recruiter, a popular job-seeking website, the average salary for mental health counselors in Houston is $72,808. While that is the average, most salaries fall between $59,208 and $66,847.
Mental Health Needs and Resources in Houston
As Texas’s largest city and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, Houston has a population of 2,301,572, according to the 2020 Census. While many people are flocking to the area for a low cost of living and year-round warm weather, it is not without its struggles in the mental health crisis.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Texas lacks an adequate amount of mental health care facilities, often leaving people who suffer to end up in local jails and prisons. One of the main reasons for a lack of mental health facilities is inadequate staffing levels. To address the mental health crisis, the Texas legislature has invested a record amount of money in services, including tele-health, workforce development, and developing a trust fund for the 988 crisis line.
