Best Counseling Psychology Programs in Texas

If you are looking to go beyond counseling into the world of psychology, then a degree in counseling psychology is what you are looking for. The caveat? You’ll need to pursue education through at least the graduate level. Career opportunities for counseling psychologists are projected to increase by 14% through 2028, which makes this decision even more critical. Texas is one of the most expansive states for graduate education in the mental health disciplines.

We’ve looked at all of the programs so you don’t have to, and our list has some PhD programs as well as some master’s programs. We cover admission requirements, a little about each program, application deadlines and more.

1. University of North Texas (UNT) Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

UNT’s Counseling Psychology Ph.D. ranks among the best counseling degree programs in the state. The program has full accreditation from the American Psychological Association since 1978. The program completed its most recent reaccreditation in 2018, with the next site visit scheduled for 2028. This positions it as one of only two APA-accredited programs within the Department of Psychology at UNT.

The program trains health service professional psychologists using a scientist-practitioner model that integrates research methodology with clinical practice. You’ll develop skills to address human problems through understanding biological influences, environmental factors, and developmental changes. The training emphasizes individual and cultural diversity while attending to micro and macro social contexts.

Three specialized elective clusters set this program apart: Child & Family Therapy, Sport Psychology, and Minority Wellness. The Sport Psychology concentration has gained widespread recognition as one of the few programs nationwide combining this specialization with APA-accredited counseling psychology training. Students who enter with a bachelor’s degree have the chance to earn a master’s degree en route to the Ph.D..

Graduate training meets general education requirements for licensure as a psychologist in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and US territories. But states such as California, Maine, and New York require additional coursework or registration.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Applications open September 1 and close December 1 at 11:59 PM for Fall admission. The program admits students only once per year with no spring enrollment option. Virtual interviews occur in late January or early February following the December deadline.

The Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program does not require GRE scores for Fall 2027 admissions. You must meet at least one of these academic measures: a 3.0 overall GPA on a bachelor’s degree, 3.5 GPA on the last 60 credits of a bachelor’s degree, 3.5 GPA in undergraduate psychology coursework, or 3.5 GPA on a completed master’s degree in related fields.

Your application packet should have official transcripts sent to UNT’s Toulouse Graduate Admissions office, with unofficial copies uploaded to the department application for faculty review. Submit a curriculum vitae, a goal statement between 500-1000 words, and indication of your preferred elective cluster. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted through the GradCAS portal; applications without portal-submitted letters will be incomplete.

The admissions committee takes an all-encompassing approach and evaluates your achievements, aptitude, and potential contributions to enrich the program. Describe your interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling psychology, career aspirations, previous academic and practical experiences, and fit with the program in your goal statement. If applying to the Sport Psychology cluster, address your interests in this specialized training while communicating why becoming a licensed Counseling Psychologist remains your main goal.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options

Understanding your financial commitment helps you plan. Here’s the tuition structure for graduate students:

The average annual cost of attendance for Texas residents enrolled in 9 hours per semester reaches $28,376.00. The average annual cost totals $26,774.00 for counseling psychology doctoral students.

UNT awards approximately $450.00 million in scholarships and financial aid each year, with 70% of students receiving some form of assistance. You’ll receive a funding package that has 20-hour assistantships, partial tuition remission for at least 12 credits yearly, and in-state tuition rates for four years when maintaining good academic standing once admitted. You may apply for teaching assistantships, fellowships, and part-time clinical externships funded by the department during your doctoral studies.

The Toulouse Graduate School offers fellowships, scholarships, grants and awards ranging from $500.00 per semester to $34,000.00 per year and health benefits. Any UNT scholarship of $1,000.00 or more per academic year may have an out-of-state tuition waiver when meeting state requirements.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Between 2015 and 2024, 75 students completed the program in an average of 6.03 years, with 59% finishing within 6 years. You may complete the program in 5 years if you enter with a master’s degree and transfer graduate hours. This timeline has the one-year predoctoral internship. Starting with only an undergraduate degree, expect to finish in 6 years.

Students demonstrate excellent success securing internship placements. Nearly all students obtained internships from 2015 to 2025, predominantly at APA/CPA accredited sites. 94% of graduates from 2015-2023 became licensed psychologists within ten years of completing the program.

The median early career salary for clinical psychology doctoral graduates from UNT reaches $59,576.00 per year, which is 5% higher than the national average of $56,578.00. Graduates work in a variety of settings that have university counseling centers, community mental health centers, university athletic departments, VA medical centers, hospitals, academic positions, and private practice.

2. Texas A&M University Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

Texas A&M’s Counseling Psychology doctoral program maintains APA accreditation continuously since 1981. This establishes it as one of the best counseling degree programs with four decades of recognized excellence. The program grounds its approach in the scientist-practitioner model and trains clinically competent counseling psychologists who meet current APA Commission on Accreditation standards for health service psychology.

Your degree plan requires different credit hours depending on your entry point. With a completed master’s degree, DDS/DMD, DVM, or MD from a U.S. institution, you’ll complete a minimum of 64 hours. The requirement increases to at least 96 hours if you enter with only a baccalaureate degree. Bachelor’s degree holders can apply to receive a non-thesis M.Ed. after they complete the first 36 graduate credit hours.

The program accepts traditional counseling psychology values with emphasis on theoretically based, empirically-informed services that boost health and well-being for people and communities. Training attends to multiculturalism, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Sequential and cumulative training occurs in classrooms, clinics, and field experiences that aid professional development. The program appropriately grades complexity to balance support with expectations.

You’ll develop advanced competencies in psychological assessment, evidence-based intervention, multicultural counseling, vocational psychology, and lifespan development through rigorous research training. The program integrates supervised clinical practica, research mentorship, and a pre-doctoral internship. It culminates in a dissertation that contributes original scholarship.

The program permits up to 9 credit hours maximum from other institutions. These are restricted to Group Counseling, Lifespan Development, and Counseling Techniques for post-masters students with practicum experience. Course waiver requests receive review only for accepted students, with no guarantee of approval.

Admission Process and Prerequisites

Applications for Fall admission close December 1st. Strong academic records and research experience distinguish competitive candidates. The GRE requirement does not apply for Fall admissions, except for Industrial & Organizational PhD Psychology applications. Most successful applicants maintain GPAs of 3.50 or higher.

Your application materials must include a statement of purpose that demonstrates your qualifications, research experience, and career plans. Three recommendation letters submitted through the electronic system are required. You’ll also submit a curriculum vitae or resume. Official transcripts get sent only after admission.

International students must prove English language proficiency through TOEFL scores. This requirement is waived if you hold a four-year degree from an English-speaking country or score above 146 on the GRE verbal section.

You must meet with your advisor and complete the registration advising form prior to registration each semester. Students must follow all graduate admission requirements to gain entry into the Counseling Psychology program.

Cost and Funding Opportunities

Understanding your financial investment helps with planning. First-year students can expect these costs:

These figures cover 9 credits per semester for Fall and Spring. Many students enroll in up to 13 credits during Fall and Spring semesters, plus 6 credits in summer, which increases costs.

PhD students receive funding through assistantships. These positions cover all tuition and required fees, plus annual stipends that range from $18,000.00 to $22,000.00 for 20 weekly hours of teaching or research work. Students also gain access to the graduate student health insurance plan.

The program is not subject to the 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees and allows up to 130 doctoral hours. Doctoral students have seven years to complete their degree before they face out-of-state tuition charges, even as Texas residents.

Graduate Career Paths and Licensure

From 2014 to 2024, 71 students completed the program in approximately 5.65 years on average. Most students finish in 5 years (59.2%), while 22.5% take 6 years. Every student in the last decade secured an APA/CPA-accredited internship. More than that, 81.8% of graduates from 2014-2022 became licensed psychologists within ten years.

The PhD in Counseling Psychology meets educational requirements for licensure in 47 states, including Texas. California, Michigan, and New Jersey are the exceptions. State licensing boards require additional training requirements and examinations beyond the degree.

Graduates pursue careers in academia, healthcare systems, university counseling centers, community agencies, and private practice. The program prepares you for diverse professional roles as researchers, clinicians, supervisors, and educators.

3. Angelo State University Counseling Psychology Psy.D.

Angelo State’s Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology is one of the newest counseling psychology programs Texas has launched, with classes beginning in Fall 2022. The program meets the overwhelming need for professional psychologists across the state. Seven other doctoral programs receive hundreds of applications each year for only 45 available positions.

The Psy.D. requires 105 semester credit hours over six years and culminates in a full-time internship. Students entering with a master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical, or School Psychology may transfer up to 24 semester credit hours. This does not shorten the expected completion timeline, though. The curriculum follows a sequential structure and begins with foundational courses in abnormal psychology, history and systems, and professional orientation during the first year.

Years two through three build upon this foundation with psychopathology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, multicultural counseling, and ethics courses. The fourth year introduces supervised practicum experiences alongside advanced assessment and psychopharmacology training. Year five continues practicum work while you complete dissertation requirements. The sixth year consists of a three-semester internship in professional psychology.

The program has collaborative relationships with local and regional healthcare agencies to provide hands-on training opportunities. This immersive approach develops professionalism and interpersonal skills needed to work with varied clientele across mental health settings.

Admission Criteria

You must apply through the Psychology Centralized Application System (PSYCAS). Applications are reviewed for Fall semester admission only. The priority application deadline falls on January 15 each year.

Academic prerequisites include having a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, keeping an overall GPA of 3.0, and getting a 3.5 GPA in psychology coursework. Those who completed graduate work need a minimum 3.5 GPA. You need at least 18 credit hours of undergraduate psychology.

GRE scores of 145 on both Verbal and Quantitative sections, plus 3.5 on Analytical Writing are expected. The exam must have been taken within five years of submission. GRE waivers are available in financial hardship situations by contacting the program director.

Your application packet has official transcripts sent to PSYCAS, three professional recommendation letters (at least two from academic sources), and an essay no longer than five pages addressing your psychology background and doctoral study goals. An on-campus interview is required, though virtual options exist for applicants facing financial hardship.

Recent cohort data shows admitted students averaged GPAs of 3.84 in Fall 2022, 3.40 in Fall 2023, and 3.29 in Fall 2024. Average GRE scores ranged from 141-149 on Quantitative and 149-152 on Verbal sections.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Angelo State shows commitment to affordability among Texas psychology programs. In-state tuition costs $427.002 per year, with university fees adding $306.006. Additional estimated expenses for books and travel total about $500.00.

Qualifying students get the Carr Scholarship. Graduate assistantship positions give $7,490 per year for admitted students who apply. Some students also secure research assistantships with varying amounts based on grant funding. 100% of the Fall 2022 cohort received financial support.

Angelo State offers hundreds of scholarship types through a single application, with a priority review date of January 15. The university reports that 62% of students get scholarship awards, while 50% graduate debt-free.

Career Opportunities and Licensure Preparation

Graduates become eligible for licensure as a licensed psychologist in Texas upon completing the program. The degree meets educational requirements for LP credentialing, though you must pass licensing examinations and complete additional post-degree supervised experience. Licensure requirements vary across states.

Employment opportunities for counseling psychologists are projected to grow 14% through 2028 and add thousands of positions nationwide. As a new program that began in 2022, Angelo State has not yet produced graduates or licensure outcome data.

4. Texas State University Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA

Texas State University’s Master of Arts in Professional Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration offers one of the best counseling degree programs for those seeking master’s-level training. The program requires 60 semester credit hours for the non-thesis track or 66 hours if you choose the thesis option. Both pathways meet academic requirements for Texas Licensed Professional Counselor credentials.

The curriculum builds clinical skills through three progressive levels, from foundational to advanced, via didactic and experiential activities. Core foundations cover theories, interventions, assessment and research, while emphasizing diversity, ethics, professional development and self-awareness throughout your training. The clinical sequence has a practicum and two internships that provide over 700 supervised hours. Students complete the program in two years typically, with courses offered in a hybrid format that combines online and in-person instruction.

CACREP accreditation matches what most states require for licensure. You must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) prior to registering for the Clinical Practicum. You’re allowed three attempts at this exam, with support structured progressively. Faculty advising comes after the first attempt and Program Standards Committee review after the second.

Admission Requirements

Applications for Fall admission have a priority deadline of February 1, with a final deadline of April 30. The program admits students for fall term. Your application requires a $55.00 fee for domestic applicants or $90.00 for international credentials.

You need a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university with either a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. Official GRE scores with competitive verbal and quantitative reasoning sections are required, though the GRE may be waived if you hold a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

Submit a statement of purpose with a maximum of 750 words addressing your professional goals, rationale for pursuing professional counseling, reasons for choosing the clinical mental health counseling concentration, your strengths and weaknesses, and viewpoint on diversity. Provide a resume detailing volunteer work, language skills and technological competence, along with three forms of recommendation.

Affordability and Financial Support

The estimated tuition for the program totals approximately $26,730.00 annually. Financial support options include fellowships, scholarships, graduate assistantships and Federal Work-Study programs. The financial award application deadline matches the priority admission date of February 1.

Career Outcomes for Graduates

Graduates meet academic and clinical experience requirements to apply for the Texas Licensed Professional Counselor Associate license after graduation, as well as certification as a National Certified Counselor. You’ll need to complete 3,000 supervised clinical hours under an LPC-Supervisor after graduation, which includes 1,500 direct counseling hours and 1,500 indirect hours.

Career opportunities span private practice, community mental health centers, residential treatment centers and specialized areas like addictions counseling, child and adolescent counseling, play therapy and LGBTQIA counseling. Mental health counselors in Texas face a projected growth rate of 27.2% through 2032, creating strong employment prospects for program graduates.

5. University of Houston Clinical Psychology MA

The University of Houston system offers distinct graduate pathways depending on your campus choice. The main University of Houston campus provides Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology with three specialty training areas: Clinical Program (adult), Clinical Child Program, and Clinical Neuropsychology. The department does not operate a terminal master’s program. But University of Houston-Clear Lake delivers a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology designed for those pursuing master’s-level practice.

UHCL’s program is known among Texas psychology programs through specialized study options in behavioral medicine, anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies. You’ll complete rigorous coursework that teaches evidence-based psychological assessment and psychotherapy skills. The two-semester internal practicum at the onsite Psychological Services Clinic provides hands-on client training before your 500-hour internship at one of over 60 quality sites across the Houston area. UHCL helps you secure placements that arrange with your career goals, unlike programs that just provide internship lists.

Admission Standards

Applications close January 25, and accepted students begin in Summer or Fall semesters. GRE test scores are not required. You’ll submit unofficial transcripts through the UHCL Graduate Application Portal during the review process. Official transcripts showing degree conferral become mandatory for class registration if admitted.

Your application packet has a curriculum vitae describing previous education, work experience, relevant coursework, volunteer activities, honors, and presentations. The statement of purpose should explain your degree motivation and career goal alignment, limited to 1,000 words maximum. Three letters of recommendation and ratings must be identified through the portal. Expect a $35.00 program application fee payable online or by check, beyond the university application fee.

The admissions committee invites selected applicants to campus for March interviews after the review. Admission decisions arrive by April 15.

Program Costs

Cost information requires examination through the College of Human Sciences and Humanities at UHCL. Tuition is approximately $2880 per semester for 9 credits of resident, in-state tuition.

Career Pathways and Licensure Options

The program prepares you for professional practice in clinics, hospitals, research facilities, or private practice. You’ll work with skilled, licensed supervisors who provide formative feedback through challenging coursework and practical skills. The rigorous training gives you what you need to become a mental health care professional in Texas. This positions graduates among the best counseling degree programs for master’s-level practitioners seeking diverse career opportunities in the expanding mental health field.

6. Sam Houston State University Clinical Psychology MA

Sam Houston State University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology positions itself among Texas psychology programs designed to prepare practitioners for Licensed Psychological Associate credentials in Texas. The practitioner-oriented curriculum requires 60 semester credit hours for the non-thesis concentration or 66 hours when pursuing the formal thesis option.

Supervised practicum experiences are the foundations of clinical training and develop your skills in psychological assessment, diagnosis and clinical intervention. You must complete two capstone evaluations in assessment and psychotherapy during your final semester. The recommended course sequence spans three years. This distinguishes it from the two-year MA in Experimental Psychology that the same department offers.

Research opportunities exist through faculty research labs. All students can access these labs whatever track they select. A limited number of students may pursue a formal thesis when they get faculty mentorship and prospectus approval. This flexibility is really great for students.

Application Requirements

Submit your application materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions for Fall enrollment. The February 15 deadline applies. The program admits students once each year with no spring or summer options. Admission remains competitive with limited available positions.

Your application packet requires a graduate application, application fee and transcripts that document all prior degrees with at least 12 hours of psychology coursework. You need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA from the degree-granting institution. Submit also a letter of intent that discusses your fit with the program, three completed recommendation forms that comment on your graduate study suitability, official GRE General Exam scores and a curriculum vitae. Your CV should emphasize education, research experience, volunteer or clinical experience and notable achievements.

Tuition and Assistance Programs

The Department of Psychology and Philosophy awards graduate assistantships to qualified students. You may qualify to serve as instructor of record for undergraduate courses after you complete at least 18 graduate hours. Both the Graduate Studies Office and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences offer limited graduate scholarships to highly qualified students. These scholarships qualify out-of-state students for in-state tuition rates.

Job Prospects and Licensure Eligibility

Graduates become eligible to apply for licensure as Licensed Psychological Associates in Texas. Career opportunities for LPAs span hospitals, clinics, counseling centers and other community and government agencies. LPAs may choose to practice independently in private practice settings after they get post-graduate supervised experience. Mental health services demand continues growing and creates stable job prospects for clinical psychology professionals.

7. Texas Woman’s University Counseling Psychology MA

TWU’s MA in Counseling Psychology is notable among counseling psychology programs Texas offers through its feminist philosophy and pedagogy-grounded approach. The practitioner-scientist model focuses on developing clinicians with strong understanding of individuals and families within gendered and socio-cultural contexts, coupled with a social justice and advocacy orientation. This emphasis on diversity-sensitive applications prepares you to work competently with individual, systemic/family and integrative theories.

The program requires a minimum of 61 semester credit hours. This total has 6 hours for thesis or 3 hours for the Capstone Experience. Flexibility allows graduates to pursue multiple state-level credentials as Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychological Associates (with additional coursework) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (with additional coursework). You may enroll part-time (3-8 hours) or full-time (9-12+ hours), though no residence requirements exist.

Admission Guidelines

Submit your application by November 30 if you’re a domestic applicant or February 1 if you’re an international student. You need a bachelor’s degree with at least 18 semester hours in psychology. These hours should cover Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods and a psychology elective. Your psychology coursework requires a minimum 3.5 GPA, with 3.0 overall average for the last 60 undergraduate credit hours.

GRE scores of 150 Verbal and 153 Quantitative are preferred. Submit also three recommendation letters, curriculum vitae and essays responding to five questions with 250-word maximum responses. Interviews are required if you apply to counseling psychology.

Cost-Effectiveness

Tuition figures vary by enrollment status and residency. Financial support has graduate assistantships, scholarships and loans, with a January 15 application deadline for financial awards.

Graduate Employment and Licensure

Graduates work currently in non-profit counseling organizations, independent practice, managed health care settings, university counseling centers and social services administration. The program prepares you for the Licensed Professional Counselors exam through the Texas State Board of Examiners. Counseling psychology ranks as the most broad-based specialty among applied psychology fields and offers career flexibility.

Find Your Way Today

If you want a career in counseling psychology, you’ll need to further your education. Getting into the right program is the first step in your preparation for your career. There are great doctoral programs like UNT and Texas A&M in Texas that have APA accreditation. Master’s programs at Texas State and TWU prepare you for different licensure paths. Tuition varies quite a bit at the different schools, but financial aid packages make these programs available to qualified students.

Take your time and assess each program’s specializations, licensure outcomes, and tuition and funding options before you decide. Your investment in a great education sets you up for a rewarding career serving mental health needs here in Texas.