Counseling Programs offered at University of Houston – Clear Lake

UHCL’s counseling programs shape professionals who think critically and help meet the academic, career, and personal-social needs of families from all backgrounds. Students learn in an exceptional environment – a 524-acre campus nestled within a wildlife and nature preserve right in Clear Lake’s bustling high-tech community.

The program aims to develop counselors with deep knowledge and strong clinical skills who enhance their clients’ quality of life. Excellence shows through prestigious accreditations. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program has received accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). On top of that, the College of Education holds accreditation from the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

These counseling master’s programs in Texas stand out with their integrated and strengths-based approach. Students become skilled at serving people from different cultures, while faculty and students take active roles in community service. The program teaches future counselors to help people direct their way through life challenges using proven methods.

The success rates prove how well UHCL’s counseling degrees work in Texas. Program assessment data shows remarkable outcomes from students who received services:

• 95% experienced reduction of symptoms
• 93% improved self-esteem/self-worth/self-image
• 90% developed improved coping skills
• 93% reduced negative thinking
• 96% improved quality of life functioning

UHCL’s master’s in counseling programs ready graduates for many career paths and credentials, including Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), or Certified School Counselor (CSC). These qualifications let graduates work with children, adolescents, individual adults, couples, and families in settings from schools to private practice.

Students with work and family commitments benefit from flexible scheduling – most only need to visit campus once weekly for evening courses. This mix of accessibility and academic excellence makes UHCL a smart choice for quality counseling education in Texas. The program’s 100% pass rate on certification and licensure exams shows the complete preparation students receive.

What counseling programs does University of Houston – Clear Lake offer?

UHCL offers two different counseling master’s programs in Texas that set students up for rewarding careers in helping professions.

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program gives you the skills you need to counsel clients who face psychological, social, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Students need to complete minimum of 60 credit hours in this complete program that covers significant topics like counseling orientation and ethics, counseling theories, group counseling, assessment, career development, research methods, diagnostics, treatment, and psychotherapy. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has earned prestigious accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

UHCL’s Master of Science in School Counseling helps students launch careers in school-based counseling. This 48-semester hour program prepares future counselors to work in elementary, middle/intermediate, and high schools. Students learn a complete, developmental, and shared school-counseling model that helps address K-12 students’ academic, career development, and personal/social needs. Graduates are well-prepared to pass the School Counselor State Assessment.

Working professionals can easily fit these programs into their schedules. Students typically need to visit campus just once a week for evening classes. This flexibility makes these counseling degrees in Texas available to students with families and busy schedules.

Graduates from the University of Houston master’s in counseling programs can pursue several professional credentials:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC)
• Certified School Counselor (CSC)

These qualifications help graduates work in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, private practices, and mental health agencies.

School Counseling graduates can expand their career options through UHCL’s Clinical Certificate. This certificate provides extra training needed to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Students can complete this modern hybrid program at the UHCL Pearland campus within 24 months.

The program attracts a diverse student body. During 2019-2020, the university awarded 14 master’s degrees in mental health counseling/counselor. Women earned 78.6% of these degrees while racial-ethnic minorities earned 42.9%. This is a big deal as it means that minority representation surpasses the nationwide average of 35%.

Student success rates show the program’s quality. A 100% pass rate on certification and licensure exams proves how well these respected counseling programs prepare their students.

Internships/Practicum at UHCL

Counseling degrees in Texas at UHCL put hands-on experience front and center. Students build their professional skills through well-laid-out field experiences. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs help students develop their clinical abilities through three field experience courses.

Here’s how the field experience works:

• First practicum: 100 hours (including 40 hours of direct service)
• Second practicum/Internship I: 300 hours
• Third practicum/Internship II: 300 hours (combined internships require 240 hours of direct service)

UHCL lets you choose your own placement site based on your career interests and goals. This flexibility helps you build connections that could lead to jobs after graduation.

School Counseling students need to work within a school district. This gives them targeted experience in educational settings. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students often stay at the same agency for all three semesters, though they can switch if they want to.

You’ll need to start planning early. The process begins with applying to faculty practicum coordinators one semester before you start. Next comes preparing your resume and interviewing with potential sites.

Each semester includes complete supervision. Students share feedback about their on-site supervisor and clinical experience at the end of each term.

UHCL’s own Counseling and Mental Health Center offers some great opportunities. The center, 25 years old, lets you work with students, groups, and couples in a university setting.

Every student in clinical placements needs liability insurance. ACA Liability Insurance is recommended and comes with student membership in the American Counseling Association.

The Clinical Management Trainer software costs about $200. This investment gives you lifetime access to track your progress toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor.

These field experiences help University of Houston master’s in counseling graduates combine practical skills with classroom learning. This prepares them to work effectively with different types of clients.

What sets University of Houston – Clear Lake apart?

UHCL stands out among counseling master’s programs in Texas because of its steadfast dedication to diversity and student success. The university creates an enriched learning environment that mirrors real-life diversity as a Hispanic serving institution with 33% Hispanic undergraduates and over 50% racial or ethnic minority students.

The campus setting makes learning even more special—a 524-acre wildlife and nature preserve sits right in Clear Lake’s high-tech community. Students find this peaceful environment perfect for their counseling education.

Numbers tell the story of the program’s excellence. Students achieve a 95% completion rate and graduates enjoy a 100% job placement rate. The program’s quality shines through with students achieving a perfect 100% pass rate on certification and licensure exams.

Money shouldn’t stop anyone from pursuing counseling degrees in Texas at UHCL. Two-thirds of students get some type of financial aid package. This makes the University of Houston master’s in counseling programs available to students from many backgrounds.

The program takes a comprehensive, strengths-based approach and trains culturally competent counselors through hands-on experience. Working professionals can easily attend evening classes, and most students come to campus just once a week.

Of course, these outstanding features explain UHCL’s national recognition for achievement and breakthroughs, including the prestigious Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education.

Next steps

The University of Houston-Clear Lake offers nationally recognized counseling programs that open doors to various career paths in helping professions. Students can choose between two excellent tracks—Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. These programs are built with working professionals in mind, and evening classes are available to students who juggle work and personal commitments.

UHCL’s counseling programs stand out with impressive credentials. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program’s CACREP accreditation shows its commitment to the highest standards in counselor education. Students’ perfect 100% pass rate on certification and licensure exams proves the quality of education they receive.

The program values diversity and creates a learning environment that reflects ground realities of counseling practice. Students complete 700 hours of field experience across three semesters. This hands-on training is a vital part that turns classroom knowledge into practical skills.

UHCL graduates achieve remarkable career outcomes. Their 100% job placement rate shows how well the program meets industry needs. The university’s affordable tuition makes these opportunities accessible to students from all backgrounds.

UHCL gives you the academic foundation and clinical skills you need, whether you aim to become a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, or Certified School Counselor. The university’s counseling programs go beyond just offering degrees—they prepare you to create positive changes in people’s lives through evidence-based practices and culturally competent care.