7 Masters in Counseling Programs in Dallas-Fort Worth

The choice among masters in counseling programs in Dallas-Fort Worth can feel overwhelming when you try to find the right fit for your career goals. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area is home to several top-ranked counseling programs that prepare you for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. You might pursue masters in counseling programs with CACREP accreditation or compare LPC programs in Texas based on clinical hours and specializations. This guide breaks down seven leading options. You’ll find program structures, costs and career outcomes to make an informed decision.

Choosing a local program can help you when it comes time for your internship hours, because local programs have connections with local facilities.

1. East Texas A&M University – MS in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health)

Program Overview and Accreditation

East Texas A&M University offers a Master of Science in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling emphasis. The program requires 60 semester hours of coursework. The program holds CACREP accreditation through October 31, 2031 and positions itself among the recognized LPC programs in Texas. This accreditation began in March 1992 originally and transitioned from Community Counseling to Clinical Mental Health Counseling in January 2016.

The curriculum prepares you for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. You will work with clients facing mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. You’ll complete the program in 2.5 to 3 years. The coursework prepares you for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) as part of the LPC licensure process. You must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) before graduation. The Center for Credentialing in Education developed this nationally standardized exit exam.

Specializations and Course Delivery

The program operates through a hybrid delivery format. Online courses combine with face-to-face requirements. Classes take place at the main Commerce campus. Select offerings are available in Dallas at 8750 North Central Expressway, Suite 1900, and in Mesquite. This flexibility serves current professionals and aspiring counselors who need to balance education with existing commitments.

Your coursework has a common core plus specialty courses specific to clinical mental health counseling. The curriculum covers career development, assessment in counseling, counseling diverse populations, developmental issues, counseling theories and techniques, simple and advanced counseling skills, group dynamics, diagnosis and treatment planning, psychopharmacology, crisis intervention, chemical dependency assessment and treatment, and marriage and family counseling. You must complete field experience courses where you work with client populations under supervision besides the academic coursework.

You must earn a grade of A or B in five specific courses: COUN 501, 510, 516, 528, and 548. The program also requires you to complete 10 personal counseling sessions during COUN 516. This provides firsthand experience as a client before you begin working with your own clients.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

Admission to the MS in Counseling program requires meeting both Graduate School and departmental requirements. You’ll submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, three professional reference forms and a writing sample responding to a program-specific prompt. The application process has completing forms through the Graduate School, which forwards materials to the Department of Counseling for review.

Applicants meeting academic admission requirements receive invitations to participate in group applicant interviews held once per term in February, October and June. The department must approve your application before the Graduate School grants admission to the master’s degree program. You’ll meet with an advisor to complete your degree plan once admitted and begin with COUN 501 and COUN 510 in your first semester.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are structured as follows:

Residency StatusCost per Semester (9 Credit Hours)

Additional fees apply for online courses at $50 per hour, remote locations at $20 per hour and lab fees ranging from $5 to $30 per course.

Financial aid has scholarships, federal and state grants, and work-study programs. Graduate assistantships offer financial support and professional development opportunities in academic and non-academic departments. You must enroll in at least six credit hours per semester to receive financial aid. The Texas Public Education Grant may pay up to $1,000 per semester for eligible students. The TEXAS Grant for Graduate Students may provide up to $1,500 per semester. Both grants require maintaining a 3.0 GPA and demonstrating financial need through FAFSA or TASFA completion.

Clinical Experience and Internship Opportunities

Your clinical training begins with COUN 551: Practicum. This requires a minimum of 100 contact hours, with 40 hours providing direct service to clients. You’ll complete this experience at an approved agency, such as a community mental health center or private practice, under licensed supervision. Prerequisites are completing COUN 548, 522, 517, 540, 545 and 564 with grades of B or better.

You’ll complete two semesters of COUN 552: Internship following practicum. Each internship requires 300 contact hours, with 120 hours in direct client service. This brings your total internship hours to 600, with 240 hours of direct service. You’ll accumulate 700 total clinical hours with 280 hours of direct client contact combined with practicum.

Field placement opportunities are the Harold Murphy Counseling Center, a partnership between East Texas A&M and McKinney ISD, and the Mesquite Family Support Center, which serves children and families in Mesquite ISD. You can also complete placements at the university’s counseling center or other approved off-campus locations. Application deadlines for practicum and internship require submission the semester before enrollment, with specific dates posted online. Practicum is not offered during summer sessions.

2. Southern Methodist University (SMU) – MS in Counseling

Program Overview and Accreditation

Southern Methodist University’s MS in Counseling stands out among masters in counseling programs in Dallas-Fort Worth with a 99% pass rate on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and 89% of graduates securing jobs within 6 months of graduation. CACREP accreditation runs through October 31, 2027, with specialty areas accredited since July 2018. Located at 6116 N. Central Expressway in Dallas, you need 63 credit hours to complete the program. Written and oral exams are required alongside internship requirements.

This CACREP-accredited program prepares you for multiple licensure pathways in Texas. You can pursue state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or get the Certified School Counselor (CSC) credential. The chance to become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) can be incorporated through elective concentrations. Graduate students learn counseling skills through classroom instruction, role-playing, observation of licensed counselors, and supervised clinical practice.

Specializations and Course Delivery

SMU offers three CACREP-accredited specialty areas: Clinical Mental Health, Marriage Couple and Family, and School Counseling. Beyond these specialties, you can pursue elective concentrations in Addiction, Art & Trauma, Child & Adolescent Counseling, and LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy. The Clinical Mental Health specialty fulfills educational requirements for LPC licensure in Texas. The School Counseling specialty prepares you for elementary or secondary CSC certification.

Classes are delivered over 15-week terms at SMU’s main campus in Dallas. Online delivery options are not currently available. Your coursework begins with HDCN 6302: Basic Clinical Methods, required as your first course, followed by HDCN 6320: Life Span Human Development in your first or second term. The common curriculum has courses in counseling theories, family therapy, ethics, psychopathology (both adult and child/adolescent), research design, career development, and addiction psychology.

You must complete 36 credit hours of pre-clinical coursework before entering the clinical sequence. This sequence has practicum and internship, with a minimum of 300 clinical hours required. Students relying on financial aid or maintaining full-time enrollment should plan to take electives at the same time as the clinical sequence.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

Admission requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If your cumulative GPA falls under 3.0, you must submit GRE scores with minimums of 146 in Math, 156 in Verbal, and 3.5 in Writing within the last five years. Application deadlines are September 1, 2026 for Early Decision (binding) and September 15, 2026 for Regular Admissions for Spring Term 2027.

Your application has a 2-page essay, resume, three recommendations, official transcripts, and a $40 non-refundable application fee. Applicants meeting minimum requirements receive invitations to attend PONI Day, a mandatory three-hour information and interview session. SMU requires a minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based test for international applicants, with section minimums of 26 in Listening, 26 in Reading, 24 in Writing, and 24 in Speaking. The IELTS alternative requires an overall band score of 7.0 with minimums of 7.0 in each skill area.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

Tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year are structured as follows:

Fee TypeRate

General student fees are not charged for January, May, and Summer semesters. Financial aid has federal student loans through FAFSA completion using SMU school code 003613. Scholarships are available with application deadlines of April 1 for Discovery Travel Scholarships and April 15 for all other continuing student scholarships. Scholarship eligibility requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, good program standing, and a completed FAFSA application. Students can receive only one Counseling Program scholarship per application window.

Clinical Experience and Internship Opportunities

Your clinical training follows a structured sequence after completing all pre-clinical requirements. The program emphasizes culturally sensitive skills and detailed training needed to enable individuals and families to achieve psychological growth and mental well-being. Field experiences have practicum and internship placements where you work with client populations under licensed supervision. You apply developmental and social sciences to assist children and adults with psychological growth, relationship concerns, and mental health issues.

3. Dallas Baptist University – MA in Professional Counseling

Program Overview and Accreditation

July 2025 saw Dallas Baptist University’s MA in Professional Counseling achieve a most important milestone: full CACREP accreditation valid through October 2033. This accomplishment followed a 13-year experience that began in 2012 when an investigative committee first assessed whether DBU’s existing counseling programs were ready to pursue accreditation. The breakthrough came in 2015 when Texas announced that LPC licensure would require a 60-hour master’s degree by 2017. DBU restructured its curriculum and renamed the program to Master of Arts in Professional Counseling (MAPC).

The 60-hour CACREP-accredited program prepares you to get licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Texas. The program also offers required coursework and field experience to get dual licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFT-A). Students who graduate from the CACREP-accredited program receive certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) under the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). You can take the National Counselor Exam (NCE) before graduation. Much of the graduating class passes their NCE, receives their LPC-Associate License, and secures jobs before completing the program.

Specializations and Course Delivery

DBU integrates a Christ-centered worldview throughout the curriculum and distinguishes itself from other LPC programs in Texas. The program consists of 17 content courses and 4 courses that constitute the final 3 semesters. These include a practicum and two internship courses. Classes are offered in flexible formats: in-person, hybrid, and asynchronous delivery options. Afternoon and evening course offerings accommodate working professionals.

The program prepares you for advanced study at the doctoral level in fields such as psychology and counselor education. You complete 8 required personal counseling sessions during the first two semesters. This provides firsthand experience as a client before working with your own clients.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

The MAPC Admissions Committee reviews your application and schedules personal interviews with applicants. The committee assesses four core criteria: relevance of career goals, aptitude for graduate-level study, potential success in forming effective counseling relationships, and respect for cultural differences.

Applicants must demonstrate academic preparation with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Provisional Admission allows enrollment for up to 12 hours for those not meeting Full Admission criteria. Students under Provisional Admission must maintain a 3.0 GPA with no grades below ‘B’. Full Admission is granted upon completion of 12 credit hours and fulfillment of conditions determined by the Master’s Degrees Admission Committee.

Transfer students can apply up to 12 credit hours from a CACREP-accredited counseling education program. Transfer applicants must submit an official letter from the Dean or Program Director that confirms good standing and eligibility to complete their original program.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

Tuition is structured at $1,381 per credit hour. Your total tuition investment reaches approximately $82,860 for the complete 60-hour program. DBU participates in the G.I. Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. This opens doors for veterans pursuing counseling careers.

Financial aid packages include need-based scholarships, grants, and self-help aid. The average need-based scholarship awarded to first-year students was $4,413, while the average non-need-based scholarship reached $19,462. DBU met 60% of students’ financial aid need.

Clinical Experience and Internship Opportunities

Your clinical training follows a three-course sequence: COUN 6317 Counseling Practicum, COUN 6318 Counseling Internship I, and COUN 6319 Counseling Internship II, completed in order. The combined Practicum/Internship totals 700 hours. Internship requires 120 of the 300 clock hours as direct client counseling hours and includes leading or co-leading a psychoeducation or therapeutic group.

You must complete 8 required personal counseling sessions, 12 hours of undergraduate prerequisite courses, maintain a current GPA of 3.0 or above, secure a practicum site, and complete 10 candidacy courses before enrolling in Practicum. You must apply for candidacy and pass the Candidacy Exam with a score of at least 75. Students must purchase liability insurance through TCA or ACA.

4. University of North Texas – MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Overview and Accreditation

The University of North Texas counseling program ranks #1 in Texas and places among the top 20 counseling programs nationwide. This makes it one of the most competitive masters in counseling programs in Dallas-Fort Worth. The 60-credit-hour MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling takes about 3 years to complete and holds CACREP accreditation through March 31, 2027. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has managed to keep continuous accreditation since 1980. This reflects decades of excellence in counselor preparation.

This program meets all educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. You must pass the master’s comprehensive exam (written, oral, or both) before graduation. The program administers this exam during your internship enrollment. The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision gave the program its Outstanding Program Award and its Publication in Counselor Education and Supervision Award multiple times.

Specializations and Course Delivery

You select one of four emphasis tracks when you start the program: Adolescent, Adult, Child, or College. This specialization lets you counsel specific client populations while receiving broad training across individual, couple, family and group counseling modalities. UNT provides supervised experience at specialized facilities that have the Child and Family Resource Clinic, Center for Play Therapy and Consortium for Animal-Assisted Therapy.

The in-person program operates at the Denton campus. Classes meet afternoons and evenings, Monday through Thursday, once per week. Non-clinical classes accommodate up to 25 students, while clinic classes range from 10 to 15 students. Your curriculum has specialized courses such as Systems, Leadership and Ethical Program Development, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Effects of Trauma and Crisis Intervention, and Addiction Counseling.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

The program’s strong reputation makes admission to UNT’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program competitive. You must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The graduate admissions office calculates your GPA from all official transcripts. GRE scores are not required to apply.

Application deadlines are March 15 for Fall admission and October 1 for Spring admission. The spring deadline will change to October 15 starting with Spring 2028 admissions. Your complete application has official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, three reference evaluation forms specific to the counseling program, a one-page writing sample responding to a provided prompt, and your resume or CV. The program invites selected applicants to attend an orientation meeting and complete a group interview.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

The average annual cost of attendance for a Texas resident graduate student living off campus and enrolled in 9 hours per semester is $28,376. The Toulouse Graduate School offers fellowships, scholarships, grants and awards ranging from $500 per semester to $34,000 per year and health benefits. UNT awards $70 million in scholarships and $450 million in financial aid each year, with 70% of students receiving some form of assistance.

Clinical Experience and Internship Opportunities

Your clinical training begins with practicum and needs 100 total hours with at least 40 hours of direct client contact. You receive weekly one-hour individual supervision from an on-site supervisor. Internship needs at least 600 supervised hours, with 240 hours as direct service. The master’s program needs two semesters of internship.

Internship opportunities range from private practices and community clinics to in-patient settings. UNT Counseling and Testing Services partners with the counseling program, though trainees must commit to at least two semesters. Site supervisors must hold a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling or a related profession with equivalent qualifications, appropriate professional licenses and certifications, and a minimum of two years of professional experience.

5. Texas Woman’s University – MS in Counseling

Program Overview and Accreditation

Texas Woman’s University delivers an MS in Counseling and Development requiring 61 semester credit hours in two focal areas. The program holds CACREP accreditation for both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling specialties. Clinical Mental Health Counseling accreditation extends through March 31, 2033, with graduates considered CACREP-certified beginning July 14, 2014. This accreditation makes TWU one of the recognized programs in Texas for counselor preparation.

The Clinical Mental Health track prepares you for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure. The School Counseling track meets State Board for Educator Certification requirements and LPC eligibility. You must complete a professional portfolio and defend it orally before your advisory committee of three Counseling and Development faculty members before graduation.

Specializations and Course Delivery

The in-person program operates at the Denton campus, with online and evening classes offered to accommodate working students. Your coursework requires 12 SCH of counseling core courses within the first 21 SCH. The program enforces a strict academic standard: no grade below B counts toward your degree. You face dismissal from the program with a six-year ineligibility period for reapplication if you earn more than one grade below B.

School Counseling students complete specialty courses that include Foundations of School Counseling, Critical Issues in School Counseling and Applied Skills in School Counseling. Both tracks share core courses in professional ethics, counseling theory, clinical diagnosis, multicultural counseling and lifespan human development.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

You need a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate study and all prior graduate work. Your application has a letter of intent limited to 350 words that discusses your reasons for pursuing the degree, relevant experiences and program fit. Applicants meeting academic requirements receive invitations to participate in interview days with program faculty.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

Graduate student costs for 9 hours per semester are:

ItemOff-Campus Cost

Out-of-state students add $7,560 for tuition charges.

Clinical Experience and Internship Opportunities

Your clinical sequence begins with COUN 5363 Prepracticum (3 SCH), taken concurrently with COUN 5373 Group Counseling Procedures (3 SCH). You then complete COUN 5364 Practicum (4 SCH) for one semester and COUN 5894 Internship (8 SCH total) over two consecutive semesters. Internship requires 300 clinical field hours per semester.

TWU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a practicum site that accepts three to seven practicum therapists each semester. The center serves a diverse student body at three campuses and provides unique training with women and non-traditional students.

6. Amberton University – MA in Professional Counseling

Program Overview and Accreditation

Amberton University differs from other masters in counseling programs in Dallas-Fort Worth. You must be a permanent resident living in the State of Texas to enroll in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (formerly Professional Counseling). The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) provides regional accreditation for the program. The university has served counseling students for over 30 years. The 60-credit-hour curriculum has a minimum of 300 practicum hours and meets the academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas.

You must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) practice exam before enrolling in the Pre-Practicum course. This requirement was implemented in Fall 2023 and increases your likelihood of passing the state exam on your first attempt. The program prepares you to work with individuals, couples and families in community settings, social service agencies, religious organizations and private practice.

Specializations and Course Delivery

You can earn the program 100% online with optional in-person classes[312]. This flexibility serves professionals seeking a career change to counseling and adults who need a part-time counseling master’s path. The curriculum has 3 hours of required graduate studies, 54 hours of major requirements and 3 hours of counseling electives. You must complete 48 semester hours at Amberton University and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

Amberton simplifies access with no entrance exam requirements and a free application. You must meet graduate admission requirements stated in the current catalog. A criminal history may prevent licensure eligibility. Applicants should request a Criminal History Evaluation if concerned about licensure eligibility due to prior convictions.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

ItemCost

Amberton participates in Title IV programs and the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program[342]. Payment deferral options have personal payments, company reimbursement and financial aid, with a 3/4 of 1% finance charge on unpaid monthly balances. The university also accepts military tuition assistance and Veterans Education Benefits[342].

Clinical Experience and Internship Opportunities

You are responsible for getting your own practicum site. Faculty recommend beginning your search during Tier Three courses. Sites should be finalized by the first Practicum I meeting. Your site must provide Clinical Mental Health Counseling opportunities under supervision from a Texas-licensed mental health professional[352]. You must complete a minimum of 100 hours of direct client contact across both Practicum I and II courses, totaling 300 total hours by the end of Practicum II.

7. University of Texas at Arlington – MEd in Counseling

Program Overview and Accreditation

The University of Texas at Arlington offers graduate training opportunities in counseling psychology through the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) division. CAPS provides practicum-level training as part of a multidisciplinary team that serves diverse college student populations. Pre-doctoral psychology students receive intensive, practice-oriented training over two semesters that prepares them for entry-level positions in professional psychology.

Specializations and Course Delivery

Training focuses on individual, group, and couples counseling, among other areas like psychological assessment, career counseling, and campus outreach. Students work from various theoretical perspectives that include interpersonal and psychodynamic approaches, as well as cognitive-behavioral and family systems models. Crisis intervention and short-term counseling are typical modalities.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required for graduate admissions. Applicants must maintain a satisfactory GPA in their last 60 semester hours. U.S. citizens with all domestic coursework pay a $75 application fee.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

Texas residents pay $11,950 in graduate tuition annually. Out-of-state students pay $29,432. UTA offers over $500 million in financial aid and $40 million in scholarships each year. Seventy percent of students receive assistance.

Clinical Experience and Internship Opportunities

Practicum students commit 20 hours weekly over two semesters, with a minimum of 10 direct service hours. The training program has supervision, didactic seminars, and work with highly diverse student populations.

Choose Today

You now have information about seven counseling programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Each program offers distinct advantages for your career path. The right program depends on your specific needs: affordability, specialization options, and class format flexibility. Programs like UNT and SMU deliver top rankings and exceptional pass rates. Amberton offers budget-friendly online options, and DBU brings faith-based counseling viewpoints to the table.

Review which program best fits your professional goals, financial situation, and schedule. Your next step is to reach out to admissions offices and attend information sessions. This will help you make your final decision.