Master’s in Counseling Degrees in Texas — Explore Online and On-Campus Options

A master’s degree in counseling may open doors for you, your future clients and your community at large. There are several ways to become a licensed counselor in the state of Texas.

Programs across the state come in varying formats: online, in-person and hybrid. Schools also offer specialization options, like clinical mental health, school counseling and rehabilitation counseling.

As you explore the degree program options below, it’s important to keep your goals in mind. We know the variety may be overwhelming, so we did some of the homework for you! Read on to compare Texas counseling master’s programs and decide which is right for you.

Sponsored Online Counseling Programs Enrolling in TX

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Northwestern University • Evanston, IL

Master of Arts in Counseling

Enrollment Type

Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program

As few as 18 months

Credits

60

Admission Requirements

  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Statement of purpose
  • Supplemental essay
  • Recent photo
Request more info from Northwestern University.
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New York University • New York, NY

master of arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness

Enrollment Type

Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program

As few as 21 months

Credits

60

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Statement of purpose
  • Current resume
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
Request more info from NYU Steinhardt.

Compare 13 Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs in Texas

Institution & ProgramTest requirementStudy LengthDelivery Mode
Angelo State UniversityMaster of Science in Counseling Psychology
No GRE required2 yearsOnline
Lamar UniversityMaster of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No GRE required2.5 yearsOnline
St. Mary's UniversityMaster of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GRE2 yearsIn-Person
Texas A&M University – Central TexasMaster of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No GRE required2 yearsIn-Person
Texas A&M University Corpus ChristiMaster of Science in Professional Counseling
No GRE required2 yearsIn-Person
Texas Tech UniversityMaster of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No GRE required2+ yearsOnline
University of Mary Hardin-BaylorMaster of Arts in Counseling
No GRE required2 yearsOnline
University of North Texas at DallasMaster of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
GRE2 yearsOnline
University of Texas at San AntonioMaster of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No GRE required2+ yearsOnline

Compare 7 School Counseling Degree Programs in Texas

Institution & ProgramTest requirementStudy LengthDelivery Mode
Texas A&M University – Central TexasMaster of Science in School Counseling
No GRE required2 yearsIn-Person
Texas A&M University Corpus ChristiMaster of Science in Professional School Counseling
No GRE required2 yearsIn-Person
Texas State UniversityMaster of Arts in School Counseling
GRE2 yearsIn-Person
Texas Tech UniversityMaster of Education in School Counseling
No GRE required2+ yearsOnline
University of North Texas at DallasMaster of Education in School Counseling
GRE1.5 yearsOnline
University of Texas at San AntonioMaster of Education in School Counseling
No GRE required1.5+ yearsOnline

Compare 2 Rehabilitation Counseling Degree Programs in Texas

Institution & ProgramTest requirementStudy LengthDelivery Mode
University of North Texas at DallasMaster of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
No GRE required2 yearsOnline
Texas Tech UniversityMaster of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
No GRE required2+ yearsOnline

Education and Other Requirements for Counseling Licensure in Texas

To become a licensed counselor in Texas, there are several state requirements you’ll need to meet as laid out by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. First off, becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requires a master’s degree or higher in counseling from a program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These usually include 60 graduate-level credit hours, a supervised internship and a course of practicum that meet the requirements laid out by the Texas licensing board. After completing your degree, you’ll also have to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and pay a licensing fee. Licensed counselors in Texas are often also registered with the Texas Counseling Association (TCA).

Salary and Career Outlook for Counselors in Texas

Next, you may want to get acquainted with career outlooks and salary expectations as you decide whether becoming a counselor in Texas is the right choice for you. Read on to find information about counseling salaries and job growth rates for various pathways in counseling in Texas, based on data gathered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2024:

FAQ

Wondering about the various counseling career paths available to you in Texas? Explore these questions and answers to learn more:

You may want to familiarize yourself with the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensing requirements from the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). To qualify for the LMFT, you need to have completed a master's degree program (or higher) that meets the council’s requirements and two years of full-time supervised work experience, as well as pass an entrance examination and pay a license fee.

Information last updated: November 2025