6 Top Masters in Counseling Programs in Austin

The right Masters in Counseling Programs in Austin can determine your trajectory as a licensed mental health professional. Austin hosts several distinguished institutions offering pathways to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), with programs ranging from CACREP-accredited options to specialized tracks in clinical mental health and school counseling. You can also find traditional or faith-based programs in Austin and surrounding areas.

Your master’s degree in counseling begins with understanding what each program offers. Accreditation status, curriculum structure, tuition costs, and licensure preparation rates matter when selecting your masters in counseling program. This guide looks at six top programs in Austin to help you make an informed decision for 2026.

1. Seminary of the Southwest – Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Overview and Mission

Seminary of the Southwest is the first institution in Austin to offer a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with CACREP accreditation status. The Loise Henderson Wessendorff Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation runs the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MHC). This 60-hour degree program prepares students to pass the Texas State LPC qualifying exam.

The program’s vision centers on cultivating transformation through mutuality. Its mission prepares counselors through a social justice oriented curriculum combined with a foundation that integrates spirituality. Students work toward becoming “builders of beloved community” through this distinctive approach. CACREP has given the program national recognition as a model program for antiracist counselor education. Social and racial justice practices are infused throughout the professional counseling curriculum.

You can pursue a concentration in Latinx Counseling. This prepares future Licensed Professional Counselors with tools and experience to provide mental health care to America’s second fastest growing population.

CACREP Accreditation Status

The program maintains full CACREP accreditation through April 30, 2034, with accreditation beginning on July 13, 2017. This eight-year reaffirmation represents the highest standard in counselor education curriculum nationwide. The visiting team from CACREP commended the spiritual integration as one of the program’s hallmarks.

CACREP accreditation carries substantial practical benefits. Graduates qualify to work with Veterans Administration benefits and serve military communities in Killeen and San Antonio. The federal government employs only CACREP graduates as LPCs. You can work for the VA, military installations, and TRI-CARE insurance. CACREP graduates also become eligible for federal loan forgiveness when working in qualifying regions that lack health care providers. Areas of East Texas are among these regions.

The accreditation provides twice as many supervised practicum hours compared to other counseling degrees. This gives more thorough training that increases confidence and reduces risk for future clients.

Curriculum and Spiritual Integration Focus

The 60-hour curriculum provides academic foundation. The State of Texas requires a 300-hour practicum for LPC credentialing. All MHC courses address knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for competent professional counseling practice in settings of all types.

Students experience formation and transformation through three competency areas:

Being (Disposition Objectives): You develop professional counselor identity in relation to self. This shows self-awareness, openness, and commitment to personal and spiritual well-being.

Knowing (Content Objectives): You gain knowledge across professional orientation and counselor identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, research and evaluation, crisis and trauma, psychopathology, couples, parents and family systems, addiction, plus clinical mental health counseling foundation, context and practice.

Doing (Skill Objectives): You perform essential tasks of a competent professional clinical mental health counselor.

The program has two core classes that focus on spirituality. Four courses in spiritual integration provide Biblical, theological, historical, and ethical foundation for integrating spiritual, ethical, religious and multicultural competency with counseling theories and techniques. This spiritual integration allows students to provide complete support to clients.

Admissions Requirements

Your application must include official transcripts that show a minimal GPA of 2.5 and undergraduate degree completion. You also need three letters of recommendation. You submit two written personal statements that describe your learning and career goals, examples of your effectiveness in forming relationships and respect for cultural differences, plus demonstration of your aptitude for graduate-level study.

The program offers evening and weekend classes to accommodate working adults. Full-time students complete the degree in 2.5 to 3 years. You must complete 60 credit hours within six years of study.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options

Tuition costs $19,706 for full-time enrollment during Fall and Spring semesters for the 2025-2026 academic year. Part-time enrollment costs $822 per credit at 3 credits per course. Part-time students pay a student services fee of $642 per year. Full-time students pay $1,004 annually. MHC students also pay a Student Association Activity Fee of $59 per year.

Financial assistance is available to students who demonstrate financial need on a year-to-year basis. Types of financial aid include:

• Institutional Aid: Complete the Institutional Financial Aid Evaluation form and FAFSA at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to qualify for scholarship grant consideration
• Outside Scholarships: The Financial Office compiles a complete list of outside scholarship opportunities
• Loans: Student loans are available through the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program from the U.S. Department of Education

Need-based institutional tuition grants are available to Center students whatever the number of hours taken.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

The MHC curriculum provides the academic foundation that the State of Texas specifies for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential. Requirements for the LPC license in Texas include completion of a graduate degree of at least 60 hours as specified by the Department of State Health Services, a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) required by the State of Texas, and a post-graduate supervised internship of at least 3,000 hours.

You complete a Student Counseling Requirement, Capstone Paper, and receive Advisor Endorsement for candidacy. You pass the Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), maintain adequate GPA, meet KPD Benchmarks at 2.0 or higher, complete your Capstone Paper, and secure Advisor Endorsement for graduation. You must also fully discharge all financial obligations to the seminary.

2. St. Edward’s University – Master of Arts in Counseling

Program Overview and Philosophy

The Department of Counseling at St. Edward’s University trains mental health professionals through a framework grounded in humanistic values that emphasize prevention, wellness, personal growth and human dignity. Program director Melissa Alvarado guides this three-year master’s degree in counseling Texas that mirrors the diverse communities students will serve.

Your education focuses on the client-counselor relationship alongside creative and experiential modalities. The curriculum reflects multiple theoretical perspectives and provides guidance as you develop your own framework for community and clinical practice. Students involve themselves in hard conversations about power and privilege through assignments that examine where they fit into these frameworks.

St. Edward’s distinguishes itself through a social justice orientation that lines up with both the counseling profession’s values and the university’s Holy Cross mission. Faculty members participate in advocacy days at the State Capitol and help legislators understand bills affecting professional counseling and the populations served. The Community Counseling Clinic extends this commitment by providing low- to no-cost services to Austin residents and expands access to those who need it most.

Accreditation and Program Recognition

Both program concentrations hold CACREP accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, which receives recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This dual accreditation allows students to pursue either the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) or Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling (MCFC) track with equal credential strength.

Curriculum and Specialization Tracks

The 60-credit hour program prepares you for licensure through detailed coursework in professional ethics, multicultural counseling, human development, therapeutic relationships, counseling theories, group facilitation, career development, assessment techniques and research methods that support evidence-based practice.

You select between two concentrations based on your licensure goals. The CMHC track meets academic requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Texas, while the MCFC track prepares you for the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) designation. Students can remain undecided at first, as clearer direction emerges near the end of core courses.

Field experience spans three semesters during your final year and totals at least 700 hours of supervised practice. Your first practicum semester takes place at the on-campus Community Counseling Clinic, where state-of-the-art recording equipment allows faculty supervisors to watch sessions remotely live or review them later. You deliver both in-person and online counseling services and train for the reality of remote mental health care.

You advance to two semesters of internships at field-based sites after completing the practicum requirements. St. Edward’s maintains partnerships with more than 40 agencies, hospitals, schools and practices throughout Austin and surrounding areas. These include Austin State Hospital, Integral Care, LifeWorks, Hays Consolidated Independent School District, Goodwill, Rock Springs Hospital, Travis County Correctional Facility and Capital Area Counseling.

Admissions Requirements

Your application requires a $50 fee, though this is waived when applying by the priority deadline. Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended, a professional resume detailing work history and a valid government-issued ID.

The program operates on rolling admissions with specific priority dates. Fall semester applications receive priority review by February 15, with a final deadline of April 15. Spring semester priority falls on October 1, with final submissions accepted until November 15. You secure your enrollment with a $500 non-refundable deposit that applies toward total tuition costs once accepted.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options

Tuition costs $1,610 per credit hour for the masters in counseling Texas program. You attend year-round through fall, spring and summer terms spanning about two and a half to three years by the time you complete all 60 credits over eight semesters.

The Financial Aid Office supports you and helps explore assistance options. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the January 15 priority deadline for the best selection of financing options. Your assigned financial aid counselor guides you throughout your studies and provides tailored support for your specific situation. Financial aid packages may include scholarships, grants and loans.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Graduates achieve a 95% passing rate on the National Counselor Exam (NCE). This performance reflects the program’s preparation for state licensing requirements. You must complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised work experience with a temporary license under a board-approved supervisor after graduation.

Your practical training creates valuable professional connections. Many students receive full-time job offers at their practicum sites and complete internship requirements within two years. Faculty members bring diverse clinical experience from community mental health centers, hospitals, schools and private practice settings, which informs both their teaching and supervision approaches.

3. The University of Texas at Austin – Master’s in Counseling Program

Program Overview and Focus Areas

UT Austin’s M.Ed. in Counselor Education ranks among the best programs in the country. The program blends academic excellence with hands-on skills training and helps students master psychology and counseling fundamentals to meet the growing need for qualified counselors in schools and communities. Students learn evidence-based prevention and intervention methods to work in different academic settings.

The program creates a learning environment that advances the counseling field while following the American Counseling Association’s professional and ethical guidelines. Your training emphasizes integration of theoretical knowledge, evidence-based counseling skills, ethical decision-making and professional identity development. Multicultural competence and cultural humility serve as foundational components of counselor preparation.

The program supports you in developing self-awareness, understanding systemic and contextual factors affecting client well-being and building skills needed to provide culturally responsive and inclusive counseling services. Students learn to recognize their cultural background and biases while developing strategies to address unfairness in educational settings.

Accreditation Status

The program arranges with standards accepted for counselor training but does not hold CACREP accreditation. Graduates qualify to become Licensed Professional Counselors in Texas. Review their licensure requirements before enrolling if you plan to practice in other states. The National Board for Certified Counselors maintains a full list of licensing boards for reference.

Curriculum Structure and Concentrations

You complete 60 credit hours over two years of full-time study and one full summer semester with six to nine credit hours. The curriculum divides into three components:

Core Counseling Coursework (42 credit hours) covers assessment in counseling, theories in counseling, professional orientation and ethics, advanced ethics and professional issues, helping and counseling skills, group counseling, research methodology for practitioners, multicultural counseling, dysfunction in human behavior and social organizations, career development, life span development, developmental psychopathology, family and couples interventions and addiction counseling.

Supporting Coursework (9 credit hours) has a seminar in higher education plus two additional courses related to professional counseling.

Practica and Internship (9 credit hours) require practicum in counseling followed by two semesters of internship, totaling a minimum of 6 credit hours. Practicum demands at least 100 total hours spent on site for 10 hours per week, with 40 hours of direct client contact averaging 2 to 3 direct contact hours weekly. Internship requirements increase to 300 total hours on site for 20 hours per week, with 120 hours of direct client contact averaging 8 to 10 direct contact hours weekly.

Full-time enrollment works best since the rigorous schedule may interfere with full-time work. Many students manage part-time employment while studying.

Admissions Requirements

Submit applications by January 10 for fall semester admission. The program uses comprehensive review of each application and evaluates undergraduate academic performance, letters of recommendation, personal statement, alignment between your goals and program objectives and evidence of intellectual curiosity. GRE scores are not required. The program maintains an 88% acceptance rate.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options

The total program cost is $33,414. 86% of enrollees receive some form of financial assistance to help manage costs. Graduates cite these resources as vital to managing expenses, allowing them to focus on developing counseling skills and meeting licensure requirements.

Graduate Employment and Licensure Rates

Graduates choose different career paths that include positions in higher education as academic advisers and career counselors, advancement to doctoral studies in counseling psychology or related fields and work as Licensed Professional Counselors. The Texas Workforce Commission forecasts a 22% growth in counseling jobs by 2030.

Licensure requires completing your master’s degree, approximately 3,000 supervised clinical hours and passing the National Counselor Examination or a state-approved exam. Graduates from Texas institutions often find rewarding careers across multiple sectors and secure positions as licensed professional counselors in mental health clinics, hospitals and private practices, where they support clients navigating anxiety, depression or trauma.

4. Texas State University – Master’s Degree in Counseling Texas

Program Overview and Concentrations

The M.A. in Professional Counseling at Texas State University stands out with an extensive clinical sequence that builds confidence and improved skills over time. Three CACREP-accredited concentrations fulfill academic requirements for Texas licensure and certification: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (MCFC), and School Counseling (SC).

Each 60-credit hour track combines internationally known faculty with access to two state-of-the-art community counseling clinics. The San Marcos and Hays County communities receive services from the Assessment & Counseling Clinic, and the Counseling Practicum Clinic at the Round Rock Campus provides affordable mental health services to surrounding areas. Advanced students gain supervised clinical experience at these fully equipped teaching clinics while meeting community mental health needs.

CACREP Accreditation

Texas State received its first CACREP accreditation in 2000 and has managed to keep this status since then. The most recent reaccreditation occurred in August 2025 and granted all three concentrations the full eight-year cycle through October 31, 2032. This prestigious recognition confirms graduates meet national counseling education standards.

Curriculum and Course Requirements

Core tenets including diversity, advanced ethics, professional development, and self-awareness form the curriculum’s foundation. The program features core foundational instruction in theories, clinical interventions, assessment, and research. Students complete basic skills and intermediate methods courses with specialty populations before advancing to clinical experiences.

The unique clinical sequence runs consecutively: COUN 5689 (Clinical Practicum) followed by two semesters of COUN 5389 (Site-based Internship). Students must pass the Counselor Preparation Complete Examination (CPCE) before registering for Clinical Practicum, with three attempts allowed. All coursework counting toward the degree requires a grade of B or better. Full-time students complete the degree in three years.

Admissions Requirements

The application requires a $55 domestic fee or $90 international fee. Official transcripts showing a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate hours plus any graduate courses must be submitted. The GRE general test is required with competitive verbal and quantitative reasoning scores, though this requirement may be waived if applicants hold a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

Additional materials include a resume detailing unique competencies, volunteer work, language skills, and technological competence, plus three recommendation forms and a 750-word statement of purpose. Applications close February 15 for Fall and Summer admission, and October 1 for Spring enrollment.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options

Annual tuition and fees total $26,730. Financial support includes fellowships, scholarships, loans, graduate assistantships, and Federal Work-Study. The FAFSA should be submitted by the February 1 priority deadline to maximize financial award opportunities.

Career Outcomes and Alumni Success

Graduate outcomes demonstrate exceptional preparation. During AY 2024-2025, all three concentrations achieved 91-100% licensure examination pass rates. Employment rates reached 100% for graduates seeking positions across all tracks. Specifically, 35 students graduated from CMHC, 12 from MCFC, and 7 from School Counseling, with 100% completing their degrees within the expected timeframe.

5. Concordia University Texas – Masters in Counseling Texas Program

Program Overview and Christian Integration

Concordia University Texas sits on a 435-acre campus in Northwest Austin and prepares compassionate, Christ-centered leaders through flexible graduate programs that blend academic excellence with faith-based perspectives. The masters in counseling Texas offerings cater to working professionals through online and hybrid formats that accommodate your schedule.

Your graduate education integrates Christian identity exploration throughout coursework to explore how faith connects to vocation and academic study. The university’s mission emphasizes giving students of all backgrounds the ability to lead lives of critical thought, compassionate action and courageous leadership. This distinctive approach combines rigorous academic preparation with spiritual formation. It develops counselors who provide all-encompassing support to diverse client populations.

Accreditation and Program Recognition

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) grants Concordia University Texas accreditation to award bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The institution also participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and delivers online courses across 49 member states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The university maintains an acceptance rate of 91%. This reflects its commitment to graduate education available to more people while maintaining academic standards.

Curriculum and Specializations

You can complete most master’s programs in 18 to 24 months, depending on your pace. The flexible formats enable you to balance multiple responsibilities while pursuing your master’s degree in counseling Texas. You attend courses through online or hybrid delivery models designed for working professionals.

The curriculum develops critical thinking skills and practical counseling competencies. You can choose fully online study or hybrid attendance that combines virtual and on-campus sessions. The program structure allows you to progress at a pace that fits your professional and personal commitments.

Admissions Requirements

Your application requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Concordia Texas does not require GRE or GMAT scores for admission to most graduate programs and streamlines the application process. Submit transcripts from all institutions attended along with your completed application.

Graduate hybrid programs offered on campus qualify international students. You must provide a minimum GPA of 2.75, transcript evaluation from a NACES member, proof of English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.5+, or Duolingo 120+) and financial documentation for I-20 issuance.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options

Graduate tuition rates vary by program for 2026-27:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): $785 per credit hour
• Master of Education (MEd): $767 per credit hour
• Master of Computer Science (MCS): $800 per credit hour

Eligible U.S. citizens and residents can access federal student loans. You may also qualify for tuition reimbursement through employer partnerships or institutional payment plans. The Financial Aid Office provides individual-specific support throughout your studies and helps you explore all available funding options.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Support

Concordia tracks student achievement outcomes across retention, completion, academic proficiency, licensure, certification and post-graduate activities. Students receive access to online tutoring, academic advising, career development, library resources and a dedicated success coach. This complete support structure prepares you for professional licensure examinations and career placement in your chosen counseling specialty.

6. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary – Counseling Graduate Program

Program Overview and Theological Integration

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary partners with The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work to deliver the MDiv/MSSW dual degree for students passionate about agency-based social service, clinical counseling and policy-oriented ministries. The seminary’s 2022 graduates included 8 students with master’s degrees in pastoral counseling. This theological approach gives you the ability to think theologically while serving creatively in faith-based communities and clinical counseling positions.

Accreditation and Recognition

The seminary holds accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, with approved programs that include Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion and Doctor of Ministry. Austin Presbyterian also maintains accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award master’s and doctoral degrees.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

You receive two degrees upon completion, one from each institution. The program tailors coursework to meet your vocational interests in counseling and ministry contexts.

Admissions Requirements

Submit a $50 application fee, three essays and official transcripts that show baccalaureate degree completion. You must also complete a criminal history check. Applications for fall admission close May 1, while international students must apply by January 1.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options

Tuition costs $233 per credit. More than 90% of students receive tuition assistance, with opportunities for up to 90% tuition coverage. Ten competitive merit-based fellowships include full tuition plus housing and books. Eight scholarships cover 100% of tuition.

Career Outcomes and Professional Development

Graduates pursue careers in clinical counseling and social services agencies. They bring both theological grounding and clinical counseling skills to ministry leadership roles.

Choose Your Austin Program Today

Selecting your ideal masters in counseling program depends on your specific priorities. Each institution offers distinct advantages, so weigh factors like CACREP accreditation status, spiritual integration priorities, program flexibility and tuition costs against your career goals.

Seminary of the Southwest and St. Edward’s University provide strong CACREP-accredited options with high licensure exam pass rates. Texas State University is known for its extensive clinical training sequence. Concordia University Texas offers flexibility for working professionals.

Request program information from your top choices as your next step. Connect with current students or alumni. These conversations will teach you beyond published materials and help you make the decision that best supports your path toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor.