11 Best Online Masters in Counseling Texas Programs for 2026
Need an online Master’s in Counseling program in Texas that works with your packed schedule? You’re stepping into a rewarding field with great earning potential. Mental health counselors in Texas earn a median salary of $60,630—higher than the national median of $59,190. The career outlook looks even better with projected growth of 17% through 2034.
Texas offers several online counseling programs that balance flexibility with practical experience. Students at Angelo State University can take all their courses online through eight-week asynchronous sessions. This setup helps you keep your current commitments while working toward your new career. These online counseling degrees in Texas prepare you through extensive practicum and internship experiences. Texas Southern University’s program shows this commitment to real-life training. Their master’s students must complete a 600-hour counseling internship in an approved clinical setting. The results speak for themselves—UT Tyler’s students achieved a 100% pass rate on the TExES professional school counselors certification examination.
Want to find a program that lines up with your career goals? Let’s look at the 11 best options that can help you become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas.
Angelo State University – M.A. in Professional Counseling
Angelo State University’s M.A. in Professional Counseling degree is prominent among Texas online masters programs. This young program competes with programs that are decades old. It blends flexibility with clinical rigor to prepare tomorrow’s counseling professionals.
Program Overview
The M.A. in Professional Counseling program at Angelo State delivers all coursework online through eight-week sessions. Students can balance their studies with work and life commitments. The program structure gives you flexibility while meeting Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure requirements.
The program builds on both practical skills and theory. While students complete coursework online, counseling practicums need in-person participation. Students must get approval for examinations and finish additional in-person internship requirements set by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) for full licensure.
Key Features
The program’s clinical training sets it apart. Students can select their counseling supervisor and practicum location. This creates tailored experiences that match their career goals.
Angelo State’s online teaching quality deserves recognition. Many courses have won the prestigious Blackboard Exemplary Course Award. This honor goes to faculty and designers who create engaging online learning spaces. This excellence shows throughout the program.
Though one of Texas’s newer online counseling programs, Angelo State’s degrees rank among America’s best and most affordable options. Many higher education guides confirm this. Such early recognition proves the program’s worth and quality.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Affordable education is the essence of Angelo State’s mission. Graduate students who live in Texas pay $7,508.90 for nine semester credit hours over two semesters. Non-residents pay $14,888.90. The total cost reaches $24,994 for Texas residents when you add living expenses, books, transport, and personal costs.
Students have many ways to reduce these costs. Nine out of ten students at Angelo State get some type of financial aid. The university gave over $75 million in scholarships, grants, and other aid for 2025-26.
ASU Distinguished Graduate Scholarships are great opportunities. Students get these based on their highest degree GPA at admission – no extra application needed. The university also offers hundreds of scholarship programs through one simple application.
Accreditation & Licensure
The M.A. in Professional Counseling program helps you meet Texas Licensed Professional Counselor academic requirements. Full licensure needs more steps after graduation.
Students need exam approval and must complete in-person internships as required by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. These hands-on components build essential counseling skills and professional networks that boost career growth.
The program combines theory and practice to give you complete preparation. This helps you excel in counseling roles of all types across Texas.
Lamar University – M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lamar University’s M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling gives students advanced skills they need for counseling careers of all types. Students find the program appealing among online counseling degrees in Texas because it balances theoretical foundations with practical experience.
Program Overview
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lamar requires 60 credit hours. Students learn to provide clinical counseling services in clinics, hospitals, school-based mental health programs, and private practice. This detailed program suits people with a bachelor’s degree who want to become clinical mental health counselors. Working adults can complete assignments at their convenience since the curriculum runs entirely online.
The program includes intensive practicum and internship experiences that provide hands-on training. Students complete these practical components in-person at approved sites, while all coursework stays 100% online. This mix helps students build both theoretical knowledge and ground counseling techniques.
Key Features
The program is notable because of its flexibility. Students can balance their work and life while earning their degree since courses run 100% online. The curriculum looks at family, school, work, and spiritual contexts through a systems viewpoint when working with clients.
Students learn many counseling theories and techniques. The program starts with basics and moves to specialized topics in marriage, abuse, and crisis counseling. A five-day residency within a five-week hybrid course lets students interact with faculty face-to-face.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Lamar bases tuition rates on credit hours for graduate students in 2025-2026. Texas residents taking nine credit hours over two semesters pay about $4,321 per semester. Online M.Ed. students pay $360 per credit hour for the 60-credit program, reaching $21,604 with university fees.
Lamar University helps students manage costs through grants, loans, and payment plans. Students can lock in their tuition rate for four years through the university’s tuition guarantee plan.
Accreditation & Licensure
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) provides regional accreditation to Lamar University’s counseling programs. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program doesn’t have CACREP accreditation. This doesn’t affect Texas licensure since the state doesn’t require CACREP accreditation.
Graduates meet the educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Texas. Students from other states should check their state’s licensing board requirements before enrolling since they vary.
UT Tyler – M.A. in School Counseling
The University of Texas at Tyler offers an outstanding M.A. in School Counseling program with a 100% pass rate on the TExES professional school counselors certification examination. Students can complete this online program and help shape young minds throughout Texas.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in School Counseling at UT Tyler needs 48 credit hours to build expertise in counseling theories, school counseling programs, and intervention strategies. The curriculum matches Texas School Counselor standards and American School Counselor Association (ASCA) guidelines. Students join as a cohort each summer and can finish their degree in 24 months by following a well-laid-out course sequence.
Students learn essential counseling tools and develop cultural awareness and leadership skills to help students succeed. The program teaches you to work together with teachers, staff members, and parents to support children’s success.
Key Features
UT Tyler has these distinctive features:
- 100% Online Format: Study through a user-friendly online platform that fits your schedule. Classes blend synchronous, semi-synchronous, and asynchronous learning with evening sessions perfect for working professionals.
- Experiential Learning: Get hands-on experience with 500 onsite hours of supervised counseling in local schools.
- Outstanding Faculty: Study under expert counselor educators who are certified school counselors and licensed professional counselors. They provide personal guidance throughout your program.
- Focus on Diversity: Learn about ethnographic, demographic, and status differences that affect children’s education. This knowledge helps reduce bias and makes counseling more effective.
Tuition & Financial Aid
From Fall 2025, new students will pay standard university tuition and fees, bringing the total cost to around $15,710.
Students can access Texas Public Education Grants (TPEG), Education Affordability Grants up to $2,000 per semester, unsubsidized federal loans, and graduate scholarships.
Accreditation & Licensure
The program satisfies all counselor certification requirements from the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. Graduates can take the School Counselor TExES certification exam. Texas HB1508 requires passing a criminal history background check for certification.
The College of Education and Psychology’s professional accreditation ensures high-quality education standards. This qualification opens doors to school counseling positions, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 5% job growth in the next decade—faster than average.
Texas Tech University – M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The 6-year-old Texas Tech University’s M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program leads the way in the field. The program uniquely blends traditional counseling education with specialized telehealth training. This innovative approach makes it a great choice for students looking for state-of-the-art online masters in counseling Texas options.
Program Overview
Students need to complete 60 credit hours of core and specialty courses, plus 12 credit hours of hands-on practical experience. The curriculum explores deeply into vital subjects like Human Growth and Development, Treatment Planning and Case Management, Foundations of Counseling and Ethical Development, Crisis Counseling, and Psycho-pharmacology for Mental Health. Texas Tech’s graduates learn to “Create and implement treatment plans and programs to serve the needs of clients, communities, and agencies”.
Students can complete this online counseling degree entirely through distance learning. The program gives great flexibility and welcomes working professionals from Texas, the United States, and around the world.
Key Features
Texas Tech’s program is well-known for its focus on telehealth—a state-of-the-art approach to distance-based health care services. The program was one of the first in the United States to train practitioners in both clinical counseling skills and telehealth techniques.
Graduates qualify for the Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-THM) Credential through the National Board of Certified Counselors. This certification gives graduates an edge in today’s evolving mental health field where remote services continue to grow.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Texas residents pay about $2,867 per semester for on-campus study and $2,687 for online learning. Out-of-state students pay $5,297 for on-campus and $2,687 for online study.
Texas Tech provides excellent financial support options. First-year students usually receive a $1,000 scholarship that waives out-of-state tuition and fees. Many students get half-time assistantships (20 hours weekly) for nine months, with possible extension to 12 months based on budget. Assistantship recipients get university employee benefits, including quality health insurance.
Accreditation & Licensure
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) fully accredits the program. This respected national accreditation helps graduates gain professional recognition in any discipline.
Graduates become eligible for certification as Nationally Certified Counselors (NCC) and can apply to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Texas and many other states. The coursework meets all academic requirements for LPC licensure in Texas, though the Texas LPC Board makes the final decision about licensure eligibility.
Graduates can pursue various careers in substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, career counseling, human resources, grief counseling, probation work, case management, and agency leadership.
University of Houston-Victoria – M.S. in Professional Counseling
The University of Houston-Victoria’s M.S. in Professional Counseling is the only program with CACREP accreditation in the Coastal Bend and Greater Houston areas. The program has transformed over the last several years to better serve students and advance the counseling profession.
Program Overview
UHV’s counseling program has moved from a Master of Education in counselor education to a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling. This transformation better reflects the program’s clinical focus and aligns with employer needs, starting with May 2023 graduates. Students complete 60 credit hours to meet Texas LPC educational requirements for licensure. The program offers two concentrations:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Prepares you to work in a variety of settings like mental health centers, private agencies, drug abuse treatment centers, and business environments
- Professional School Counseling: Focuses on mental health counseling with children and adolescents in school settings (Pre-K through 12th grade)
Key Features
The program is made up of expert faculty who blend academic knowledge with real-world counseling experience. Students receive education that’s both theoretical and practical. Small classes allow personal mentorship throughout your studies. Faculty often stay connected with graduates after they complete the program.
Cultural competence is a cornerstone of the curriculum. The program goes beyond basic diversity training by weaving cultural awareness into every course. This helps you serve clients from all backgrounds effectively.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The total degree costs less than $20,000, which offers great value compared to the national average of $26,804 for master’s degrees in psychology. Students can access scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities if they qualify.
Accreditation & Licensure
Both program concentrations earned CACREP accreditation in 2010 and renewed it in 2018. This recognition will give a quality education and clinical experience that builds your professional identity as a counselor.
Students must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). Graduates can take the National Counselor Examination (NCE), which is required to become an LPC in Texas and many other states.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor – M.A. in Counseling
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor offers a Christ-centered M.A. in Counseling program. Students can choose between two specialized tracks that lead to different mental health careers. This CACREP-accredited program gives students both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Program Overview
UMHB’s Master of Arts in Counseling program lets you choose between two paths: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and Marriage, Family & Child Counseling (MFCC). The CMHC track helps you work with individual clients in various counseling settings and prepares you for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure. The MFCC track focuses on working with couples and families. Both tracks need 60 credit hours and take about seven semesters with year-round classes.
Key Features
UMHB reviews students at several points during the program to check their academic progress and people skills needed for counseling. Students need to keep a minimum 3.0 GPA and apply for candidacy admission twice – first after finishing 12-18 semester hours and again after completing practicum.
The program helps students develop their professional identity and multicultural skills. Faculty members work as practicing clinicians and bring their real-life expertise to class. Students learn eight core areas set by CACREP standards, from human development and group counseling to assessment techniques and research methods.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Graduate courses cost $935 per semester hour. Students also pay a $60 general service fee and $15 technology fee per hour. Financial aid options include scholarships, grants, loans, and monthly payment plans through Tuition Management Systems. The system lets you make five equal payments with a $40 fee each semester.
Accreditation & Licensure
The counseling program meets all CACREP standards. It also fulfills Texas’s educational requirements set by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. Students must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination before applying for licensure. LPC candidates need to complete a 3,000-hour internship and pass both the National Counselor Exam and Jurisprudence Exam after graduation.
Texas A&M University – Central Texas – M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Texas A&M University-Central Texas stands among the best online counseling programs in Texas. The university provides a strong M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that prepares students for professional licensure. This complete program gives graduates the ability to help individuals, families, and groups in different settings.
Program Overview
The TAMUCT master’s program has 60 semester hours that prepare professional counselors to work in community agencies, educational settings, and private practice. Students learn to help clients reach their mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. The program helps students show competency in CACREP’s eight core areas while they become skilled at basic counseling techniques.
Students who want to become Texas school counselors can choose a specialized track. This track needs extra admission materials beyond the usual program requirements.
Key Features
The program is set apart because it:
- Offers online options that work well for busy professionals
- Places high importance on ethical counseling and professional standards
- Has faculty committed to helping students excel in theory and practice with diverse populations
- Lets students develop their professional identity while learning to connect with different clients
Tuition & Financial Aid
Students benefit from affordable tuition at TAMUCT. The “Warrior Guarantee” locks rates for up to nine straight semesters. The “Bachelor’s Bonus” limits tuition and mandatory fees to 12 semester credit hours, which saves money for students taking more courses.
Students can get financial help through grants, loans, scholarships, and tuition exemption programs. To get the most financial aid, submit your FAFSA (code 042295) and required documents before April 15 for the academic year.
Accreditation & Licensure
The program holds national accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This respected credential shows the curriculum meets industry standards. As a result, graduates meet academic requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure in Texas. This prepares them for jobs in mental health settings of all types.
Stephen F. Austin State University – M.A. in Professional Counseling
Ranked as the #1 top-value counseling master’s degree in Texas, Stephen F. Austin State University has an acclaimed M.A. in Professional Counseling program that combines online learning with hands-on experience. The program earned this recognition through its completion rate, job placement rate, licensing exam pass rate, accreditation length, research productivity, and tuition costs.
Program Overview
The CACREP-accredited program requires 60 hours and features three concentrations: school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and clinical rehabilitation counseling. This hybrid program blends online coursework with classroom learning. Students get the best of both worlds – flexibility and practical training. The program includes a 100-hour practicum at the SFASU Counseling Clinic and a 600-hour internship in professional settings.
Key Features
SFA’s curriculum has a unique structure. All students complete 48 common core hours before taking 12 specialization hours. This approach lets you experience all three counseling areas while ensuring solid clinical training whatever your specialization. The program’s small size of 65-80 students creates strong bonds between faculty and students. You also get a chance to earn dual credentials since all three tracks qualify you for Licensed Professional Counselor eligibility.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Full-time students taking 9 hours pay about $300 per semester plus fees, books, and materials. Texas residents can expect to pay $11,470 total by summer 2025, while non-residents will pay $17,620. Students can access FAFSA-based aid, limited Graduate Assistantships, and various scholarships.
Accreditation & Licensure
CACREP accreditation ensures the program meets national standards. Graduates can pursue Licensed Professional Counselor credentials in Texas. Students who choose specific specializations can also become Certified School Counselors or Certified Rehabilitation Counselors.
University of North Texas at Dallas – M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The UNT Dallas M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program stands out among Texas online counseling programs. Its prestigious CACREP accreditation makes it an excellent choice for students seeking professional licensure.
Program Overview
This complete 60-hour program gives you the tools to counsel in a variety of settings. Students can work at mental health centers, private agencies, drug treatment facilities, and family counseling centers. The program offers a hybrid format where some courses meet face-to-face, while others combine online and in-person elements. A few courses run entirely online. In spite of that, students can’t complete all requirements remotely. The program has 42 core hours, 9 elective hours, and supervised practicum and internships.
Key Features
The program’s exceptional academic foundation lets students specialize in counseling children, adolescents, or adults based on their career goals. Social justice and service learning principles are the foundations of the curriculum. Students must complete at least 100 counseling hours during practicum, followed by 600 hours of professionally supervised internships.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The 2025-26 tuition costs $9,595 for in-state and $21,894 for out-of-state students. UNT Dallas has managed to keep its spot among America’s 100 Best College Buys for 25 straight years. Students can access financial aid through FAFSA (school code 042421).
Accreditation & Licensure
The program meets Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure requirements. Students take the National Counselor Exam while completing their internship course. After earning their master’s degree, graduates ended up needing to pass this exam and complete 3,000 supervised clinical hours for full licensure.
St. Mary’s University – M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
St. Mary’s University is reputable with its M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. The program focuses on social justice principles and offers both traditional and online learning formats. This makes it a great choice for students looking at counseling programs in Texas.
Program Overview
The 60-credit hour program equips students to work in a variety of mental health settings. Students learn counseling theories, human development, and assessment techniques while developing practical skills. Online students attend evening classes twice weekly, which helps them balance their professional commitments while they participate with peers and faculty. Students must complete three practicum courses with 700 clinical hours to get hands-on experience.
Key Features
The program’s unique strengths include:
- Strong focus on multicultural counseling skills
- Social justice principles woven throughout courses
- Learning experiences with underserved communities
- Small class sizes for individual mentorship
Students move through their courses together in cohorts. This creates a supportive community and builds lasting professional relationships that continue after graduation.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Graduate tuition costs $1,020 per credit hour. The total program investment comes to about $61,200. The good news is that more than 80% of students get financial help through scholarships, grants, or federal aid programs.
Accreditation & Licensure
CACREP accreditation ensures the program meets national quality standards. Graduates meet all academic requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Texas. This is a big deal as it means that the program’s licensure exam pass rates are higher than the state average.
Hardin-Simmons University – M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Hardin-Simmons University offers a faith-based M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. The program has achieved a perfect job placement rate and seamlessly blends Christian values with professional counseling education.
Program Overview
The 60-hour residential graduate program opens doors to careers in a variety of settings. Students can work in in-patient facilities, outpatient clinics, church counseling centers, universities, and private practice. You’ll learn to provide mental health services to people of all ages, couples, and families. The program requires on-campus attendance since HSU doesn’t offer an online degree option in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students develop clinical skills for different client populations through practical experiences and multiple educational views.
Key Features
HSU is esteemed for its dedication to Christian ethics and values. The program creates a unique balance between faith and psychology that considers patients’ biological, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Students grow into competent counselors through academic training and self-discovery opportunities. The Psychology and Counseling Center helps students gain practical experience by offering affordable counseling services at $20 per session under licensed faculty supervision.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The graduate tuition rate is $995 per credit hour. New students with undergraduate GPAs of 3.5 or higher can apply for limited graduate scholarships. These scholarships continue for students who maintain at least a 3.66 GPA. Students can access FAFSA-based aid and payment plans. The plans split costs into five equal payments with a $40 fee each semester.
Accreditation & Licensure
CACREP accreditation for the program extends through March 31, 2025. Graduates can pursue several credentials:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with one additional elective
- National Certified Counselor (NCC) by passing the National Counselor Exam
The CACREP-approved program meets educational requirements for counseling licensure in all but two states.
Start Today
Starting a trip toward a master’s in counseling creates rewarding career opportunities in Texas. These programs are great pathways to become a Licensed Professional Counselor that fit your professional and personal life.
The programs offer flexible online formats. Each program maintains vital in-person components that develop practical skills. It also helps that many have prestigious CACREP accreditation. This ensures your education meets national standards in counseling education.
Your program selection should go beyond just tuition costs. Program’s structure, specialization options, faculty’s expertise, and hands-on experience requirements shape your educational journey. Location becomes important too, especially for programs with on-campus requirements or specific practicum placements.
Tuition costs vary by a lot between schools. UT Tyler charges around $13,000 while private universities like St. Mary’s cost over $60,000. Notwithstanding that, schools provide substantial financial aid through scholarships, grants, and payment plans to help offset these costs.
Counseling professionals have an unmatched career outlook. Growth rates in this field are a big deal as it means they surpass many other professions. Texas counselors earn well, particularly those with specialized certifications beyond their original degree.
Your choice ended up depending on your situation, goals, and priorities. Angelo State’s fully online format might work best for you. You might prefer the faith-based approach at UMHB or Hardin-Simmons. Each program provides the academic foundation you need for Texas licensure.
This detailed overview of Texas’s best online counseling programs helps you take the next step. You can move forward confidently toward achieving a career that helps others overcome challenges and improve their mental health and wellbeing.