Texas A&M University – Central Texas Counseling Programs

Texas A&M University-Central Texas’s Department of Counseling and Psychology delivers quality education and services to students pursuing mental health careers. The department’s programs prepare students for professional roles in counseling and psychology at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology or a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Psychology. These programs build a strong foundation in psychological principles that help students enter the field or advance to higher studies.

The university’s graduate programs cater to different specializations. The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling shapes professional counselors to work in community agencies, educational settings, and private practice. This 60-semester hour program helps students become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Texas. It also offers a specialized track for Texas school counselor certification.

Students interested in family therapy can pursue a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy to become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. The Master of Science in Applied Psychology has emphases in Experimental Psychology, Institutional Research, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Educational Psychology.

The university’s Specialist Degree in School Psychology prepares future Licensed Specialists in School Psychology.

The faculty members ensure graduates demonstrate strong theory-based knowledge and skills in counseling while serving diverse populations effectively. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program’s accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) ensures all standards line up with CACREP requirements.

Students can get involved with the university community through these organizations:

• The TAMUCT Psychology Club – a student-run organization that develops leadership and communication skills
• Psi Chi – the International Honor Society in Psychology that recognizes excellence in psychological science and application

The university’s Community Counseling and Family Therapy Center provides quality counseling services to individuals, couples, and families from Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, and throughout Texas. This center serves as a valuable community resource while giving students hands-on experience with diverse clients.

What counseling programs does Texas A&M University – Central Texas offer?

Texas A&M University-Central Texas offers counseling programs that prepare students to take on professional roles in the mental health field. The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is their flagship program – a complete 60 semester hour program that readies professional counselors to work in community agencies, educational settings, and private practice. Students who want to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Texas will find this program particularly valuable.

The program stands out with its specialized track that prepares students to become certified Texas school counselors. Students choosing this track need to submit extra materials beyond the standard Clinical Mental Health Counseling requirements. These include a School Counselor application with an essay and a letter showing their intent to pursue certification.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program’s curriculum has coursework in:

• Introduction to Research
• Human Development
• Multicultural Counseling
• Career Counseling and Guidance
• Group Procedures for Counselors
• Family Counseling
• Methods and Practices in Counseling
• Assessment and Evaluation Fundamentals

The university also offers a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy that helps students become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

Students looking to explore other psychology fields can pursue a Master of Science in Applied Psychology with several concentrations. These options include Experimental Psychology, Institutional Research, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Educational Psychology. Some of these programs can be completed entirely online.

The university’s Specialist Degree in School Psychology prepares students to become Licensed Specialists in School Psychology.

Each program puts strong emphasis on real-life experience through practicums and internships. This hands-on approach helps graduates develop practical skills under professional supervision. Graduates can find work in various settings where they help individuals, families, and groups achieve their mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

Internships/Practicum at TAMU – Central Texas

Texas A&M University-Central Texas makes field experience a vital part of its counseling programs. Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program must complete both practicum and internship requirements through hands-on training.

Your clinical journey begins with the Clinical Mental Health Practicum (COUN 5393). Two semesters of Clinical Mental Health Internship (COUN 5386) follow this experience, and each semester earns you 3 credit hours. Professional guidance helps you develop and polish your counseling skills throughout these experiences.

The program requires a 20-hour weekly commitment. Your professional activities include:

• Direct client contact (10+ hours weekly)
• Individual clinical supervision (2 hours)
• Supervision preparation (2 hours)
• Group supervision and case consultation (1 hour biweekly)
• Documentation (1-2 hours as needed)
• Seminars (1-2 hours biweekly)

Senior staff members who have held licenses for at least two years provide clinical supervision – the substance of our training program. Some programs might need supervisors with three or more years of experience, and we can accommodate that. Supervisors review all counseling sessions through video recordings.

Students must meet specific program requirements before starting their field experiences. Those seeking school counselor certification with their counseling degree must complete all field experience hours in a TEA-approved PreK-12 school setting. This includes experience at both elementary and secondary levels.

Your progress receives continuous evaluation throughout the field experience. Supervisors provide formal written feedback at each semester’s end. Regular progress discussions happen between supervisors and supervisees, especially during mid-semester evaluation meetings.

The program offers opportunities beyond individual counseling. You might participate in group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach events, and program development. This approach will give a well-rounded clinical skillset that prepares you for professional practice.

The field experiences emphasize personal and professional growth integration. We follow a practitioner model that applies evidence-based practices in ground settings.

What sets TAMU – Central Texas apart?

Texas A&M University-Central Texas stands out from other regional counseling programs with its exceptional value and easy access. The university ranks as Texas’s second most affordable public university according to College for All Texans. Students can apply for scholarships every semester, unlike other schools that limit applications to yearly deadlines.

The university’s dedication to quality education shows in its national rankings. Two of its online programs made it to the Top 100 in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs. The 14-year old campus, part of The Texas A&M University System, features modern facilities. Warrior Hall, added recently, houses cutting-edge science labs, the University Library, and a Counseling Center.

Small class sizes give students a big advantage. You’ll get more one-on-one time with professors and build stronger connections with classmates. The faculty members don’t just teach – they’re experts who mentor and shape future counseling professionals.

The university shines in its support for military-affiliated students:

• It partners with GoArmyEd to give active-duty soldiers easy access to tuition help
• The VetSuccess on Campus program helps veteran-students adjust to college life – a resource few other schools offer
• It proudly holds the title of Purple Heart University

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program’s CACREP accreditation ensures top professional standards. This certification makes graduates more marketable and lets them work across state lines easily.

Next steps

Want to join the counseling programs at Texas A&M University – Central Texas? Let’s walk through the steps needed to get your application assessed properly.

You need to submit an institutional application through ApplyTexas. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. The university expects you to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in your last 60 hours of coursework.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program requires these documents:

• Completed Counseling and Psychology Department application
• Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions
• Documentation of clinical/volunteer experience (this makes your application stand out, though it’s not mandatory)

Students pursuing school counselor certification need to provide:

• School counselor application with essay
• Letter of intent to pursue certification
• Complete an interview with program faculty

After admission, students complete their coursework before taking the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). This 160-item examination is mandatory to graduate.

Graduates seeking licensure as Professional Counselors must complete 3,000 post-graduate clinical hours under an LPC-Supervisor. This includes 1,500 direct counseling hours and 1,500 indirect hours.