Texas A&M University – Texarkana Counseling Programs
Texas A&M University-Texarkana has a strong counseling program that will prepare you to excel in mental health services. The Master of Science in Counseling program helps you develop skills in mental health, addiction, and school counseling.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program stands at the heart of this learning experience. It holds prestigious accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation means your counseling degree meets the highest educational standards and is accepted by state counseling licensure boards across the country.
You’ll need to complete 60 credit hours to get your state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. The program’s success speaks through its 100% National Counselor Exam pass rate, with every graduate getting their counseling license. These results show how well the program prepares mental health professionals.
Classes take place at the Texarkana campus, with some courses using online resources to enhance learning. Once you finish most of your coursework, you’ll start your practicum and internship. These field experiences include 9 semester credit hours at approved mental health agencies.
The program’s mission goes beyond academic excellence. Through quality instruction, it develops talented counselors who become lifelong learners and leaders. The counseling faculty focuses on creating exceptional mental health counselors who can work with different populations.
School graduates help meet mental health needs in Texas, neighboring states, and worldwide. They become active change-makers who care for various populations through ethical practice and professional conduct.
The program turns your natural empathy into professional expertise. It gives you the advanced knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitude needed to help people and communities succeed. University partnerships with community and mental health agencies provide hands-on clinical experience that prepares you to make a difference immediately.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to meet the growing need for mental health professionals. You can bring compassionate, evidence-based care to your community and beyond.
What counseling programs does Texas A&M University – Texarkana offer?
Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s Master of Science in Counseling-Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is its flagship counseling offering. The program combines traditional classroom learning with advanced education technology in a hybrid format.
Students need to complete 60 credit hours of detailed coursework to prepare for professional counseling practice. The core curriculum has these key courses:
- Counseling Theories
- Introduction to Counseling Services
- Career Development and Information
- Pre-Practicum and Practicum experiences
- Group Procedures in Counseling
- Counseling Diverse Populations
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Behavior Disorders
- Crisis Intervention: Theory and Practice
You’ll also complete two internship experiences that provide hands-on training at approved mental health agencies. These field experiences help you apply theoretical knowledge to real situations, requiring 9 semester credit hours of supervised clinical work.
The program’s value comes from its chance to take specialized elective courses. You can shape your education with focused training in telemental health, child and adolescent counseling, marriage and family therapy, and trauma-informed counseling. The program also offers Introduction to Trauma Counseling, Play Therapy, and Sexual Behavior courses as electives.
This program serves as a direct path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The curriculum meets all academic requirements needed for the LPC licensing examination. The program’s excellence shows in its results – 100% completion rate, 100% National Counselor Examination pass rate, and 100% job placement rate for graduates seeking employment.
Career prospects look bright for graduates. Mental health counselor positions should grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than other occupations. Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s location at the border of three states (Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma) creates a rich job market for clinical mental health counselors.
Supportive faculty members will mentor you throughout your academic and professional growth. You’ll graduate ready to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to people of all ages and life stages in various healthcare settings.
Internships/Practicum at TAMU – Texarkana
TAMU-Texarkana’s counseling program places field experience at its core. Students gain hands-on training through practicum and internship courses that connect theory with real-life application. These experiences follow the 2024 Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards to give high-quality supervised clinical training.
Students must complete most coursework in the program’s 8 core testing areas before starting practicum. The counseling faculty and clinical coordinator need to approve your application. Students should attend a mandatory Practicum and Internship Orientation at the start of Fall or Spring semester.
The field experience sequence has three courses:
- COUN 525: Practicum (3 credit hours)
- COUN 526: Internship (3 credit hours)
- COUN 527: Internship II (3 credit hours)
Your practicum or internship site requires 40 hours of direct service for every 100 hours served. This 4:10 ratio will give you enough client interaction time. Both individual and group counseling activities count as direct service.
You need state, federal, and child maltreatment background checks before starting practicum or internship experiences. Your field work takes place under supervision in settings that showcase the local community’s diversity. This helps develop your counseling skills and ethical responsibility.
Full-time workers can only take one additional course while doing practicum or internship. Students who want to complete their practicum or internship at their workplace must have separate duties from their regular job. Someone other than their work supervisor must supervise them.
The program evaluates students based on their program expectations, placement setting performance, and competency in achieving the Counseling Program’s learning objectives. Students must provide video recordings of client interactions as work samples for supervision.
These 9 semester credit hours of field experiences at approved mental health agencies mark the final phase of your counseling education. They prepare you for professional practice by applying counseling techniques in ground settings.
What sets TAMU – Texarkana apart?
TAMU-Texarkana’s counseling program stands out with features that go beyond simple academics. The program’s CACREP accreditation makes your degree acceptable to state counseling licensure boards nationwide.
The numbers speak for themselves. The program has achieved perfect scores across the board – every student completes the program, passes the National Counselor Examination, and lands a job in the counseling field. These results show you’ll get the preparation you need to succeed.
Location is a big plus. TAMU-Texarkana’s position at the crossroads of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma opens up numerous job opportunities for clinical mental health counselors. This strategic spot has helped build a strong network of Licensed Professional Counselors who graduated from the program and now practice within a 100-mile radius.
Small classes mean you get individual-specific experiences. You’ll work with faculty experts in child and adolescent counseling, trauma, and marriage and family therapy. They’ll support you every step of the way – from coursework and advising to research and professional growth.
The core curriculum is just the beginning. You can choose specialized electives to earn certifications in telemental health, child and adolescent counseling, marriage and family therapy, and trauma-informed counseling. These specializations prepare you to serve clients of all backgrounds in various practice settings.
The university’s strategic collaborations with Texarkana regional resources are a great way to get real-world experience. You’ll connect with community and mental health agencies to build practical skills for professional success.
The future looks bright for mental health counselors. The field is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, and this is a big deal as it means that growth will outpace other occupations. As a graduate, you’ll be ready to meet this growing need and bring evidence-based care to communities that need it most.
Next steps
Texas A&M University-Texarkana is an exceptional choice if you want to become a professional counselor in mental health. You’ll learn vital skills in specialized areas and get a CACREP-accredited degree that’s recognized nationwide.
The program’s numbers tell the whole story. Students have achieved a 100% completion rate, passed the National Counselor Examination at 100%, and those looking for jobs have found them at a 100% rate. This 60-credit hour program will turn you into a career-ready professional.
Hands-on experience is the substance of your education at TAMU-Texarkana. You’ll start with core courses and then move to practical training through practicum and internship placements. These real-world experiences will teach you to help people from all backgrounds with evidence-based care from day one.
The university sits at a crossroads of four states, which creates plenty of job opportunities for clinical mental health counselors. On top of that, the field expects 19% more mental health counseling positions between 2023 and 2033, promising strong career prospects after graduation.
Small classes mean you’ll get personal attention from faculty as you progress. Their expertise in areas like child and adolescent counseling, trauma counseling, and marriage and family therapy will boost your learning experience. You can also pick electives that match your career goals.
TAMU-Texarkana turns your natural empathy into professional expertise through solid academic work and meaningful clinical experiences. Without doubt, you’ll graduate with advanced knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitude to make a real effect as a mental health professional. Your trip at Texas A&M University-Texarkana will prepare you to meet the growing need for skilled, compassionate counselors who help communities thrive.