Counseling Programs at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology leads the way in meeting regional and national counseling and counselor education needs. Students prepare themselves through challenging academic programs and real-world clinical experiences to succeed in various counseling environments.
The department aims to create influential societal changes through excellent instruction, research, and service at local, state, national, and international levels. This work extends beyond classrooms and shows in their dedication to making mental health services available to the community.
Students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi receive education that meets the highest national standards, as all counseling programs have full accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This prestigious recognition proves the curriculum’s quality, faculty expertise, and student success.
Department faculty members show steadfast dedication to producing competent and ethical professional counselors. They encourage a learning community where students grow both professionally and personally. The faculty builds a culture of accountability where students uphold high professional standards for ethical behavior, academic performance, and clinical skill development.
The University Counseling Center (UCC) enhances academic programs by offering practical mental health services. Students can access short-term counseling, psychiatric services, skills training, and workshops in the Driftwood Building to help them reach their academic and personal goals. Licensed professional counselors and psychologists with experience in handling different student concerns make up the center’s clinical staff.
The department’s excellence earned recognition when it was named the 2020 Outstanding Master’s Counselor Education Program by the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES). This award explains the core faculty’s notable contributions to scholarship, service, and teaching in the field.
The UCC delivers quality clinical, developmental, and preventive services in a supportive learning environment. On top of that, it values individual differences and provides culturally sensitive services. Staff members learn continuously to enhance their resources and support for all students.
The department’s commitment to community mental health and student training shines through its affordable or free individual, couple, family, and group counseling services for the community.
What counseling programs does Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi offer?
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi runs several CACREP-accredited counseling programs that help students become professional counselors. Students get a mix of challenging academic work and hands-on clinical experience to become well-rounded counseling professionals.
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program gives you the knowledge and skills you need to help clients in different settings. Students complete 60 credit hours of coursework that covers counseling theories, assessment techniques, multicultural counseling, and psychopathology. The program prepares graduates to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).
Students who want to work in schools can choose the Master of Science in School Counseling program. This path teaches you how to help K-12 students effectively. The program focuses on developmental counseling methods, educational systems, and school-specific intervention strategies. After graduation, you can apply to become a certified School Counselor in Texas.
The university’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education program creates future leaders in counselor education, supervision, and advanced clinical practice. Students learn research methods, teaching skills, and leadership qualities needed to shape the counseling profession’s future.
Each program follows a well-laid-out curriculum that meets state licensing requirements and lets students choose elective courses. You’ll build your counseling skills through classroom learning, supervised practical experience, and complete internships.
These programs stand out because they blend theory with real practice. You’ll study current research and use your knowledge right away in supervised clinical settings. This combination helps you graduate with both a degree and the confidence to help clients effectively.
The basic requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, good grades, recommendation letters, a personal statement, and a faculty interview. The department looks at both academic performance and personal qualities that make good counselors before accepting students.
These programs will give you the educational foundation you need to build a career in mental health, school counseling, or counselor education.
Internships/Practicum at TAMU – Corpus Christi
Clinical experience is the core of counseling education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Students get structured practicum and internship opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-life applications.
The counseling program needs 700 total clinical hours to give students a complete training experience. The program has 100 practicum hours (with at least 40 direct client hours) and 600 internship hours (with at least 240 direct client hours). You’ll provide counseling services under careful supervision while you develop your clinical skills.
Supervision builds the foundation of our training model. Weekly individual or triadic supervision comes from both a university doctoral student supervisor and your site supervisor during practicum. Your internship continues with site supervision, and you’ll join regular group supervision sessions with university faculty. This layered approach gives you consistent feedback to help your professional growth.
The university’s Counseling and Training Clinic offers many placement opportunities. Counselor trainees work with individuals, couples, families, and children. The University Counseling Center (UCC) is another great training site where you’ll work with TAMU-CC students based on your experience level.
The Counseling and Training Clinic provides a safe, confidential environment. Licensed professionals supervise all sessions. The UCC uses a developmental supervision model that creates a challenging yet supportive experience.
You must complete Introduction to Counseling, Counseling Theories, and The Counseling Process before enrollment. The semester before your field experience starts, submit your application through the online Lumivero platform.
Your practicum/internship will give you hands-on experience in individual counseling, group counseling, assessment, diagnosis, and crisis intervention. This practical experience prepares you to step into professional counseling roles in settings of all types.
What sets TAMU – Corpus Christi apart?
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s counseling programs excel with their specialized training tracks and high accreditation standards. These programs prepare graduates for many professional paths.
The Master of Science in Professional Counseling gives you four specialized emphasis areas to match your career goals:
- Addictions Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Hispanic Mental Health Emphasis (online)
Students get focused training while receiving a complete core counseling education. The programs are designed to meet Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) educational requirements. Students choosing the marriage, couple, and family counseling emphasis will also meet Texas Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) educational requirements.
Academic standards are high at the department. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. You can apply only two courses with a grade of C toward your degree, and no course below C counts. These standards ensure graduates are ready for professional practice.
TAMU-CC values personal development alongside academic excellence. Faculty members review each student’s personal and professional growth regularly. This comprehensive approach helps students develop essential counseling qualities while gaining knowledge.
The program’s excellence earned recognition in 2020. The Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) named the department the Outstanding Master’s Counselor Education Program. This honor recognizes the core faculty’s distinguished scholarship, service, and teaching.
The university’s island setting adds to these strong academic programs. Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi is the nation’s only university on its own island. This coastal location creates a unique environment for learning and shapes graduates’ educational experience.
Next steps
Want to apply for counseling programs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi? Here’s what you need to know to begin your trip.
Some students may receive conditional admission status if they don’t qualify for full admission right away. This status applies to your first nine credit hours, and you must complete these three courses:
- CNEP 5304: Introduction to Counseling
- CNEP 5308: Counseling Theories
- CNEP 5314: Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
You must earn a grade of B or higher in each course during your conditional status to move to full admission.
A major update for school counseling certification came into effect September 1, 2023: professional school counselors no longer need to complete two years of classroom teaching experience before qualifying for Texas school counselor certification. All the same, you should check with the program coordinator and certification office about current requirements.
Students must pass a complete written examination when they near program completion, usually during practicum enrollment. Your counseling skills and professional behavior ratings are vital for graduation, along with your coursework.