7 Accredited Masters in Counseling Programs in West Texas

Are you looking for a Masters in Counseling that is closer to home? You may want to find a program that is at least in your regional area. That’s why we compiled a list of seven of the best accredited programs on this side of the state.

And you are right on time! The need for mental health professionals in West Texas is surging. Overall, a majority of counties in Texas are official Mental Health Professional Shortage areas, and the more counselors that are educated, the better. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for mental health counselors to grow by 19% through 2033.

Whether you’re looking at online counseling programs in Texas or traditional on-campus options, our guide covers seven accredited masters in counseling Texas programs to help you take a look at your options before you decide.

Angelo State University – Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

Angelo State University offers a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology designed to prepare you for professional practice in mental health settings. The 60-credit program meets the academic requirements for graduates to become a licensed professional counselor or licensed psychological associate in Texas. The program is delivered in an in-person format on campus and accommodates working professionals by offering classes during the day and in the evenings, with select courses available online.

The program has earned notable recognition for its quality and affordability. It ranked #18 in the U.S. among the ’25 Best Online Master’s in Clinical Psychology Degrees’ for 2017-18 and more recently secured the #10 position among BestColleges.com’s “Best Master’s in Counseling Psychology Programs”. You’ll gain hands-on training through collaborative relationships Angelo State maintains with local, regional and statewide healthcare agencies. These provide networking opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

The curriculum focuses on counseling psychology theory, research and evidence-based practice while developing the professionalism and interpersonal skills needed to work with varied clientele in different mental health settings. You can also participate in high-level research with faculty members in various mental health areas and potentially present findings at national conferences and publish in professional journals.

Admission Requirements

Specific admission criteria for the M.S. in Counseling Psychology program are limited in available documentation, but you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university to qualify. Angelo State assesses applicants in a comprehensive way and thinks about your academic background and potential for success in graduate-level counseling work.

You’ll submit applications through ApplyTexas and need to provide official transcripts from institutions where you earned previous degrees. The university considers admitted graduate students for the ASU Distinguished Graduate Scholarships based on your highest degree GPA automatically, requiring no separate application.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Angelo State positions itself as an affordable option for graduate education. Texas residents pay $7,577.20 each year, while non-residents pay $15,281.20, based on 9 semester credit hours each for two semesters. This represents a cost structure much lower than many comparable programs.

The university offers several financial aid mechanisms to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. The ASU Distinguished Graduate Scholarships serve as the premier graduate scholarship and are awarded based on your undergraduate GPA. You can apply for hundreds of general scholarships through a single application. Paid graduate assistant (GA), teaching assistant (TA) and research assistant (RA) positions are available within the program as well, providing valuable practical experience while offsetting program costs through stipends.

Texas residents who demonstrate financial need and enroll at least half-time may qualify for the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG), though funds are limited and early application is encouraged. Long-term loans through the Federal Direct Loan, College Access Loan (CAL) and Alternative Loan programs provide additional financing options.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

The program’s track record speaks to how well it prepares counselors for professional practice. Graduates have achieved a 100% passing rate on the National Counselor Exam since 2005, demonstrating the rigor and quality of training you’ll receive. This pass rate has contributed to the program’s recognition as one of the top counseling degrees in Texas.

You’ll be eligible for licensure by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and/or Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors after graduation. Your career options span many settings, including mental health agencies, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, vocational counseling, academic counseling and private practice. You’ll also be prepared to continue your education in a doctoral program if you choose to pursue advanced training.

Employment opportunities in counseling and social services are expanding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects these fields will see sharp increases through 2031 and add thousands of new jobs. This growth trajectory positions you favorably as you enter the workforce with credentials from a recognized program that emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application nationwide.

West Texas A&M University – Master of Arts in Counseling

West Texas A&M University delivers one of the most flexible masters in counseling programs in West Texas through its 60-credit Master of Arts in Counseling. The program prepares ethical, culturally competent counselors to provide professional services in a variety of clinical settings like mental health centers, state hospitals, facilities for clients with dual diagnoses, and multipurpose mental health agencies.

WTAMU is known for its availability among online counseling programs in Texas. You can complete all coursework online through asynchronous classes, with some synchronous Zoom sessions integrated throughout the program. This format eliminates the need for on-campus attendance and allows you to balance your education with work and personal commitments. The program operates from the Harrington Academic Hall in downtown Amarillo, where you’ll access state-of-the-art teaching and supervision facilities.

Completion time ranges from 3 to 5 years and depends on how many credits you complete each semester. The university recommends you enroll in 2 to 3 courses per semester, which translates to 6 to 9 credits. Your coursework has 54 to 57 hours of required courses that cover foundational topics such as Theories of Counseling, Ethical Standards and Practices, Group Counseling, Crisis Counseling, Diagnosis and Treatment, Assessment and Testing, and Couples and Family Counseling. You’ll also complete practicum and internship experiences that total 3 to 6 hours. You’ll select 3 to 6 hours of electives from specialized offerings like Introduction to Play Therapy, Sexuality Across the Lifespan, or approved Special Topics in Counseling.

Admission Requirements

WTAMU made its admission process simpler by removing the GRE requirement. You must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintain a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA calculated from your last 60 credit hours.

Your application package has several components submitted through the WTAMU applicant portal. You’ll provide official transcripts from all previously attended institutions and upload a departmental application along with your resume. The program requires two letters of recommendation from professional or academic contacts, which your references submit through your applicant portal.

The program accepts applications for three start terms annually. Submit your materials by August 1 for fall admission. Spring admission requires a December 1 deadline, and summer admission closes on May 1. Meeting these deadlines positions you for timely review and acceptance into one of the region’s premier masters in counseling Texas programs.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The university’s Business Office makes cost information available. Financial aid becomes available once you enroll in at least 6 credits per semester. Graduate students pursuing this program can access federal unsubsidized loans through the federal government by completing the FAFSA. You’ll need to link your tax return to the FAFSA and manage your aid package through Buff Advisor.

The Graduate School offers scholarships for graduate students. You must complete the general scholarship application to qualify. Enroll as a degree-seeking student in at least six graduate hours toward your degree and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in graduate coursework. You must also demonstrate financial need through FAFSA submission. The priority deadline for scholarship review is February 1 for the following academic year. Awards are distributed based on funds that are available, with most scholarships being need-based.

Graduate teaching and research assistantships provide another funding avenue while giving you valuable experience. These positions require enrollment in coursework on an approved plan of study. Contact the department head to explore assistantship opportunities.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

The program meets all academic requirements for Texas licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. You’ll follow a structured path toward licensure after completing the 60-semester-hour program and passing the comprehensive exam.

Your first step involves passing the National Counselor Exam administered by NBCC. WTAMU tracks graduate performance on this credentialing exam and collects NCE scores from the National Board for Certified Counselors with graduate consent. This data, combined with graduate feedback about preparation activities, enables faculty to evaluate curriculum effectiveness and improve student guidance services.

Next, you’ll pass the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counseling Texas Jurisprudence Exam. Then you can apply for an LPC-Associate license (formerly called Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern) through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.

You’ll complete supervised internship experience under a Licensed Professional Counselor who has held licensure for at least two years after you receive licensure as an LPC-Associate. You must secure a Master level or Doctoral level, board-approved Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and accrue 3,000 clock-hours at your internship site(s) before applying for full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center houses one of the most innovative masters in counseling programs in West Texas within its School of Health Professions. The MSMH program is 7 years old and distinguishes itself as one of the first counselor education programs in the United States to train practitioners in clinical counseling skills and telehealth techniques at the same time. This dual emphasis positions you as a pioneer of modern mental health service delivery.

The 60-credit-hour program operates online. It was designed for working professionals who cannot undertake graduate studies in a traditional on-site setting. You’ll complete the degree in 7-10 semesters on an individualized schedule that accommodates your employment and personal commitments. The program delivers quality courses using the latest online education technology while you maintain accessibility to professors and faculty.

Telehealth integration sets this program apart from other online counseling programs in Texas. TTUHSC makes distance-based healthcare an integral component of your training rather than treating it as supplementary. This innovative approach prepares you to extend treatment access to underserved communities and meet the unique needs of diverse populations through both in-person and remote counseling modalities.

Your curriculum combines core and specialty courses covering Human Growth and Development, Treatment Planning and Case Management, Foundations of Counseling and Ethical Development, Crisis Counseling, and Psychopharmacology for Mental Health. You’ll complete a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship at the clinic of your choosing. There you’ll observe seasoned professionals and practice your skills. This clinical experience allows you to apply classroom knowledge to ground patient situations in your local area.

The program’s location within a medical university provides distinctive advantages. You’ll interact with other health professions and learn different approaches to patient situations. You gain collaborative skills that boost your effectiveness as a counselor. You’ll receive a certificate in telehealth upon graduation and add a valuable credential to your professional portfolio.

Admission Requirements

The program begins twice yearly in fall and spring semesters. You must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in psychology, sociology, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, social work, special education, or nursing. Degrees in other areas receive consideration though.

You need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from all previous institutions or a GPA of 3.0 in your last 60 semester hours of courses as of Spring 2022. Prior work experience in human service settings is expected, paid or voluntary.

Your application requires a $75 fee payable by credit card through the online system. Submit official transcripts in sealed envelopes to TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs, 3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6294, Lubbock, TX 79430. You can also send electronic transcripts from your institution to shp.application@ttuhsc.edu. You’ll also provide a current resume and an essay through the application system.

Two letters of recommendation are required, though the program prefers three. Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Priority deadlines are June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Fulfillment of basic requirements does not guarantee admission as the program evaluates candidates as a whole.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Annual costs for the MSMH program are structured as follows:

Cost ComponentTexas ResidentsNon-Residents

Complete the FAFSA to access need-based aid. This may include funds from the institution, state, or outside organizations. Federal Direct PLUS and Unsubsidized loans provide additional financing options along with private loans. The financial award application deadline is September 1.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

You’ll be eligible to sit for the National Counselor Exam upon completing the program. This is one of the final steps toward becoming a licensed mental health professional. The program prepares you for national certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor and state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in many states.

Career prospects are strong. Graduates can earn up to $75,000 annually, with job growth projected at 22%. A critical shortage of counselors exists throughout Texas and is expected to worsen over the next 10 years. This creates abundant opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for mental health counselors to grow by 19% through 2033.

Your training gives you the tools to pursue director roles at mental health agencies or open your own private practice. The combination of clinical skills, telehealth certification, and experience from a medical university setting positions you well in this expanding field.

Hardin-Simmons University – Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Hardin-Simmons University operates a faith-enlightened Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that prepares you to provide professional counseling services to diverse populations. The 60-credit-hour program holds CACREP accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education. This accreditation will give you credentials respected nationwide for their excellence.

HSU requires on-campus completion at the Abilene location, unlike other masters in counseling programs in West Texas offering online options. The program trains you to deliver mental health services to individuals, couples and families in clinical settings of all types. These settings range from inpatient facilities and outpatient centers to church counseling centers, university counseling centers, community mental health agencies and private practice. Your education emphasizes self-awareness development through classroom opportunities that encourage personal growth among other clinical skills you’ll acquire.

HSU launched a telehealth training initiative in fall through federal Rural Utilities Services grant funding. Dr. Randall Maurer leads this program and gives you advanced telehealth skills to provide secure, supervised virtual care to students in rural school districts across West Texas. The program demonstrates strong outcomes and boasts a 100% job placement rate for graduates and 100% field work placement for interns.

Admission Requirements

You must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to qualify. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA overall from your undergraduate studies or a 3.2 GPA for your last 60 credit hours.

Your application has three letters of recommendation that prove your potential for graduate counseling study and professional appropriateness. Two references must come from former professors, while the third should be from a professional who is not a family member. HSU applicants must secure recommendations from professors outside the Counseling Program and Psychology and Counseling Department.

You’ll submit a 3-5 page writing sample from a paper completed during your junior or senior undergraduate year, either before or during your interview[192]. The program requires authorization for a criminal background check. Practicum and internship sites just need these before placement, and state licensure boards just need them to determine eligibility[192]. International students need a score of 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, 5 on the TWE and 50 on the TSE.

Faculty review all application components and invite qualified candidates for campus interviews. An interview invitation does not guarantee admission. Final decisions rest with the CMHC faculty committee following this detailed evaluation.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate tuition at Hardin-Simmons costs $995 per credit hour for the 2026-2027 academic year. Your total tuition reaches $59,700 for the complete program with 60 required credits. The university budgets an additional $1,262 annually for books, course materials and supplies.

Additional estimated expenses include $1,698 annually for transportation and $2,110 for personal expenses if you attend at least half-time. Federal loan recipients should budget $222 annually for loan origination fees. You can request cost of attendance adjustments with adequate documentation through the HSU Financial Aid Office.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

You meet requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas upon graduation. You can qualify as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by taking one additional elective and meeting specific internship conditions. Completing the program and passing the National Counselor Exam makes you eligible for National Certified Counselor certification.

Professionals with this degree earn an average salary of $57,000 according to Payscale.com. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for mental health counselors to grow 23% over the next decade, more than double the national average for other occupational fields.

Midwestern State University – Master of Science in Counseling

Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls provides a fully online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health program among the most available online counseling programs in Texas. The program offers two distinct pathways: a 60-credit-hour Clinical Mental Health track and a 63-credit-hour Clinical Mental Health with School Counseling concentration. Both tracks are delivered digitally and you won’t need to attend campus.

The program holds CACREP accreditation through October 31, 2028 and your degree meets national standards for counselor education. The faculty’s mission centers on providing you with current research, technology, training and supervision required to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. The program prepares you as a knowledgeable, ethical and competent counselor with strong advocacy skills and respect for diverse populations.

A most important change takes effect starting Fall 2026. CACREP Policy A.2.e. requires you to attend two mandatory synchronous intensives during your program. Intensive I occurs during your first fall semester and Intensive II takes place during your second fall semester. Each intensive spans two days and focuses on reviewing your professional dispositions and counseling skills. You must participate in both intensives to progress toward practicum and graduation.

Your clinical training has practicum and two internship courses where you must earn a B or better. The program calls 12 credit hours per semester full-time for fall and spring, with the same standard applied to combined summer sessions. You’ll finish a complete exam as a program completion requirement.

Admission Requirements

Specific admission criteria receive limited documentation, but you must gain acceptance to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health program before enrolling in courses with the COUN prefix. The university processes applications and evaluates candidates for admission to this masters in counseling Texas program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The program costs $404 per credit hour. So the 60-credit Clinical Mental Health track totals $24,240 and the 63-credit School Counseling concentration reaches $25,452. Graduate students taking 9 semester credit hours face estimated costs of $3,714.55 per semester for Texas residents. This includes state tuition, designated tuition, graduate tuition, mandatory fees and instructional enhancement fees.

Graduate assistantships are available to online students who meet GPA and course load requirements. MSU operates an online scholarship manager system that matches you with scholarships aligned with your profile information automatically. Certificate and non-degree seeking students do not qualify for scholarships. Financial aid has grants, scholarships, long-term and short-term loans, and part-time employment opportunities.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

You meet requirements to work in private practices, hospitals and community clinics after completing the 60-semester-hour program. The curriculum prepares you for the National Counselor Examination. The program wants to give you the knowledge and skills to serve diverse client populations, involve ethical counseling practice, use research to inform practice and diagnose and treat various mental health issues.

The School Counseling concentration prepares you for public school counselor roles. Texas now allows LPCs and LPC-Associates to work as school counselors and this expands your career flexibility. You can work at VA facilities helping veterans because of the program’s CACREP accreditation. All clinical work occurs at a counseling site of your choosing during practicum and internship experiences.

Sul Ross State University – Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Sul Ross State University stands out among masters in counseling programs in West Texas. The school ranks as the sixth most-affordable counseling program in the United States. The Master of Education with a major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 semester credit hours of CACREP-aligned coursework that prepares you to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Faculty bring substantial expertise to your education. All instructors are Licensed Professional Counselors. Two hold Texas Certified School Counselor credentials, and the team contributes over 114 years of graduate teaching experience. Classes are offered in an online and weekend virtual format. You can balance studies with work commitments. You can enroll in up to 9 semester credit hours during fall and spring terms and up to 6 semester credit hours in each summer session. You can join at the beginning of any term, unlike programs with rigid start dates.

The program follows a cohort model where course sequences progress through foundational and advanced formats. As a participating university with the National Board of Certified Counselors, you can take the National Counselor Exam during your final semester.

Admission Requirements

You apply through ApplyTexas. Select the correct campus (Alpine or SRSU International) and counseling track. You must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on your transcript and complete a program application presented by graduate studies after your university application.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Texas residents pay $50 per semester hour in state tuition, while non-residents pay $470 per semester hour. Coupled with board-authorized graduate tuition of $14 per semester credit hour, your total program cost becomes competitive among masters in counseling Texas programs.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

You’re eligible to begin the LPC licensing process with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors after completion. The pathway toward full licensure requires completing 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work under an LPC Supervisor.

Wayland Baptist University – Master of Arts in Counseling

Wayland Baptist University offers a distinctive blended learning approach among masters in counseling programs in West Texas, combining weekend face-to-face instruction with online coursework within a Christian environment. Classes meet about once monthly on Friday evenings and Saturdays, providing flexibility for working professionals.

You can choose between two counseling tracks. The M.A. in Clinical Counseling requires 60 credit hours and prepares you to sit for Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Mental Health Counselor exams in Texas. The M.A. in School Counseling requires 48 credit hours but is available only in Texas and requires you to hold teaching certification with at least two years of classroom experience. The program can be completed in two years.

Admission Requirements

You must complete courses in general and developmental psychology before admission. You also need either an undergraduate statistics or quantitative research methods course, or a passing CLEP or DANTES statistics test. You can transfer a maximum of 18 graduate semester hours from another institution.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate tuition costs $475 per credit hour. The 60-credit Clinical Counseling track totals $28,500, while the 48-credit School Counseling program costs $22,800.

Career Outcomes and Licensure Preparation

Upon graduation, you must complete 3,000 hours of supervised counseling before sitting for the Texas state board exam. You’ll also pass a complete examination before degree completion.

Choose a Program

With these points in mind, the right program depends on your specific circumstances. Your decision should factor in learning format priorities, budget constraints and career timeline. Online programs offer flexibility for working professionals. On-campus options provide traditional learning environments. CACREP accreditation will give you quality at many institutions, and the projected 19% growth in mental health counseling positions you well to find employment.

Start by figuring out which program format lines up with your schedule. Review tuition costs against available financial aid next. Confirm the program meets Texas licensure requirements last. These steps will help you select the master’s in counseling program that best supports your professional goals.