Counseling Programs offered at Angelo State University
Want to find counseling programs with proven exam success? Students at Angelo State University achieve outstanding results with an almost 100% pass rate on the School Counselor 252 certification exam. The university also managed to keep a perfect 100% passing rate on the National Counselor Exam since 2005.
ASU’s nationally-recognized master’s in counseling degrees run completely online through eight-week terms. You can earn your degree from this school in as little as one year. The convenience of an online counseling degree in Texas creates many more career opportunities. Graduates work in clinical settings, private practice, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and mental health centers. The program offers options that match your professional goals and schedule – from an 18-credit graduate-level bridge program to a complete master’s degree.
What counseling programs does Angelo State University offer?
Angelo State University offers several counseling degree programs that align with different career paths and professional goals. Each program has unique features and upholds ASU’s steadfast dedication to academic excellence and practical training.
The Professional Counseling M.A. runs entirely online through asynchronous eight-week courses. You can balance your education with career and family responsibilities easily. This program gives you the essential knowledge, skills, and clinical experience to work as an ethical and inclusive professional mental health counselor. Graduates meet the academic requirements to become Texas licensed professional counselors (LPC). Career paths include clinical settings, private practice, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and mental health centers.
Students who prefer face-to-face learning should consider the Psychology, Counseling M.S. program. It provides hands-on training in counseling psychology theory, research, and evidence-based practice. The program works closely with local, regional, and statewide healthcare agencies to create valuable training and networking opportunities. The program has managed to keep a perfect 100% passing rate on the National Counselor Exam since 2005. Graduates can seek licensure from both the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant growth in counseling and social services jobs through 2034.
The Mental Health and Wellness Counseling M.A. is another online option with eight-week courses that students can finish in just one year. While this program doesn’t lead to licensure, it builds a strong foundation in mental health and wellness counseling concepts for professionals in various fields. The curriculum includes:
- Lifespan development
- Individual and group counseling
- School and community counseling
- Trauma and mental health concerns
This adaptable degree suits many settings such as education, faith-based organizations, human services, community health, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, management/human resources, military, and higher education.
The School Counseling M.Ed. readies you to become a certified Texas school counselor through a nationally-recognized, fully online program. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, so you’ll graduate with artifacts, skills, and resources you can use right away. Students get extensive field experience through internships and practicum opportunities. The program boasts an almost 100% pass rate on the School Counselor 252 certification exam.
ASU also features a Mental Health and Wellness Counseling – Online LPC Bridge program of 18 credit hours (six courses). This graduate-level bridge helps professionals with existing degrees become licensed professional counselors in Texas.
These programs have earned prestigious awards including the TxDLA 2022 Outstanding Commitment to Excellence and Innovation in Distance Education awards, Blackboard Exemplary Course Program Award, and the Online Learning Consortium 2020 John R. Bourne Outstanding Online Program Award. ASU partners with HELP and OASIS Grants to create cohorts that address school counselor shortages in various districts.
These respected programs blend academic excellence with practical skills. You’ll be ready for success in your chosen counseling specialty while enjoying the flexibility working professionals need.
Internships/Practicum at ASU
Hands-on experience is the foundation of Angelo State University’s counseling programs. Students bridge theoretical knowledge with real-life application through well-laid-out internships and practicums. These field experiences prepare you to practice professionally through supervised client interactions.
The Psychology, Counseling M.S. program lets students complete up to nine credit hours of supervised practical experience. Students apply psychological assessment and counseling techniques during this time. Each three-credit practicum needs 150 clock hours in a supervised setting. Students must complete 24 credit hours of graduate-level psychology courses before enrollment. These courses include Psychology 6306, 6307, 6309, 6323, 6324, 6325, and 6329.
Professional Counseling M.A. students complete most coursework online, but counseling practicums require in-person attendance. Candidates need approval for examinations after completing academic coursework. The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council requires additional in-person internship hours to get full licensure.
Field experience course EDG 6350 requires 150 clock hours of supervised practicum in counseling. Students must spend at least 50 hours in direct client counseling to meet Texas Licensed Professional Counselor requirements set by the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Students typically take this pass/fail course near their program’s end.
ASU’s Counseling Services are a great way to get semester and yearlong practicum experiences for graduate counseling students. The application deadlines are:
- Fall/Summer Applications: Due February 15
- Spring Applications: Due October 15
Students in these practicums receive weekly individual supervision and provide counseling to ASU students. They take part in group supervision with staff therapists and learn to use standardized national assessment tools. Students build clinical hours through triage, individual counseling, and group counseling while getting continuous support and feedback.
Field experiences at Angelo State go beyond campus settings. Students get practical experience working in a variety of populations. These include children, families, people with mental health issues, physical disabilities, the elderly, and those with substance use disorders. Many students build their professional networks by volunteering at local social service organizations, hospitals, treatment facilities, and non-profit agencies.
These learning opportunities help turn classroom knowledge into practical skills through supervised real-life application. You’ll become skilled at essential competencies during your practicum experience. The experience helps you connect with professionals and find career paths that match your professional goals.
What sets Angelo State apart?
Angelo State University stands out in the counseling education world with its exceptional achievements and breakthrough approaches. The counseling programs have earned prestigious recognition, including the Online Learning Consortium 2020 John R. Bourne Outstanding Online Program Award. The faculty’s dedication shows through their TxDLA 2022 Outstanding Commitment to Excellence and Innovation in Distance Education by an Individual Award.
Quality online education is an essential part of ASU’s counseling programs. Faculty and course designers create engaging online learning spaces that have earned multiple Blackboard Exemplary Course Awards. Their dedication to quality puts ASU’s counseling programs consistently among the best and most affordable options nationwide.
ASU offers exceptional personal connections to its students. They can choose their counseling supervisor and clinical practicum location, which helps build strong relationships with professors throughout their educational trip. The faculty’s close connections with the local ESC Region 15 Center and school districts create great opportunities for future counselors.
The university builds mutually beneficial alliances that help students financially. ASU works with HELP and OASIS Grants to create cohorts that fill school counselor vacancies in districts of all sizes. These alliances show the program’s steadfast dedication to meeting real-life needs in the counseling field.
Though relatively new among Texas online counseling programs, ASU has become a game-changer faster than expected. The school counseling and mental health counseling programs consistently rank high nationally. The M.Ed. in school counseling ranks #6 among “Most Affordable Master’s in Counseling Online Degree Programs” by GradSchoolCenter.com and #17 among “Best Online Master’s in School Counseling Degree Programs” by Intelligent.com.
Students looking for an affordable, high-quality online counseling degree in Texas will find exceptional value at Angelo State University. The university maintains high academic standards and professional preparation while keeping costs reasonable.
Next steps
Angelo State University excels as a top choice for future counseling professionals who want quality education that fits their schedule. The program’s excellence shows in its certification exam results. Students have achieved 100% success on the National Counselor Exam since 2005. School Counseling graduates also score at the top of their certification exams.
This piece explores ASU’s diverse counseling paths. Students can complete the Professional Counseling M.A. and Mental Health and Wellness Counseling M.A. online through eight-week courses in just one year. The Psychology Counseling M.S. welcomes students who prefer classroom learning. The School Counseling M.Ed. program prepares graduates for Texas school counselor certification through its nationally recognized curriculum.
Hands-on experience sits at the heart of ASU’s counseling programs. Students gain real-life application through well-laid-out internships and practicums. These supervised sessions help build clinical hours while getting great feedback from seasoned professionals.
ASU is notable from other universities in several ways. The university earned the Online Learning Consortium award, but its greatest strength lies in the close student-faculty bonds. Students can choose their counseling supervisor and clinical practicum location to create tailored learning experiences. Mutually beneficial alliances with HELP and OASIS Grants provide financial support while helping fill counselor gaps in districts of all sizes.
ASU delivers outstanding value for students seeking either a detailed master’s degree or an 18-credit bridge program. These respected programs blend academic excellence with practical skills. Students become skilled at their chosen counseling specialty while enjoying the flexibility that working professionals need.