University of Houston-Victoria Counseling Programs
The University of Houston-Victoria runs outstanding graduate counseling programs that prepare students for successful professional counseling careers. The program has evolved from a Master of Education in counselor education to a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling. Students can now focus on clinical mental health counseling or school counseling. This shift better showcases the program’s clinical emphasis and meets employer expectations in the field.
The counseling programs at the University of Houston-Victoria have earned prestigious recognition. Both the clinical mental health counseling and school counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation is considered the gold standard for training future counselors. UHV is the only institution with CACREP-accredited degrees in the Coastal Bend and Greater Houston areas.
The program began its mission to develop master’s level counselors who excel in professional skills, theoretical knowledge, personal growth, and cross-cultural awareness. The faculty helps graduates gain a complete understanding of counseling knowledge, skills, and techniques. They put special emphasis on serving people from diverse backgrounds.
Students take a closer look at core areas during their academic trip. These include counseling theories and techniques for diverse populations, understanding counselor’s roles across cultural and social groups, legal and ethical responsibilities, research application, and effective assessment methods. This well-laid-out program helps graduates tackle the challenges of an evolving profession while maintaining high practice standards.
The university’s Counseling Center serves as a great resource for the community. It offers free and confidential individual, couples, and group therapy services. All enrolled students can access these services, including graduate students and those studying at the UHV Katy instructional site. Students can choose between in-person or virtual sessions, whatever their living situation.
On top of that, the College of Education & Health Professions supports UHV’s counseling programs. The college prepares qualified professionals for various roles in teaching, counseling, and administration. It promotes an education system that responds to modern society’s challenges and builds a community dedicated to improving people’s lives.
What counseling programs does University of Houston-Victoria offer?
UHV’s counseling education has changed substantially over the last several years to meet industry standards and serve students better. The university offers a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling with two specialized concentrations:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credit hours)
- School Counseling
The program has moved away from the previous Master of Education format to enhance its clinical focus. UHV launched a 60-credit-hour master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling in fall 2014, which replaced the 48-credit-hour community counseling program. Students who started the community counseling degree could finish their original curriculum.
This transition brought key curricular changes. UHV added new courses that matched current CACREP standards and requirements for education, skills, and knowledge. The existing classes were updated to reflect modern training and standards in the counseling field.
The clinical mental health counseling and school counseling programs have earned prestigious accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This difference matters because UHV has the only CACREP-accredited school counseling and clinical mental health counseling degrees in the Victoria and Greater Houston areas.
The clinical mental health counseling concentration prepares you to work in community settings of all types, including:
- Mental health centers
- Private counseling agencies
- Drug abuse treatment centers
- Family counseling facilities
- Business and industry environments
You’ll become skilled at counseling theories and techniques that help diverse populations with various needs. You’ll learn about the counselor’s role and impact when working with culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse populations.
The program will give a solid foundation to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. This well-laid-out curriculum prepares you to meet state licensure requirements and start your career confidently.
Internships/Practicum at University of Houston-Victoria
Clinical experience is the foundation of professional counseling education at University of Houston-Victoria. The counseling curriculum combines smoothly with three field experience courses. Students complete one practicum course and two internship experiences that provide hands-on training.
Faculty members provide continuous skill development feedback during these field placements. Students receive professional development opportunities that prepare them for ground counseling scenarios. This well-laid-out approach will give students a gradual build-up of competence with proper supervision and guidance.
UHV’s partnership with the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston creates valuable training opportunities for counseling students. The university achieved a remarkable milestone when it became one of just seven universities nationwide selected for a pilot program. This program aims to expand the recruitment pipeline of qualified mental health professionals.
Graduate students pursuing master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling work with veterans and their families in the center’s addiction unit through collaboration with this prestigious institution. Interns learn significant experience in integrated behavioral health care. Primary care physicians and counselors work together in the same clinic—a practice that reflects current trends in mental health treatment.
The program’s quality drew substantial financial support. UHV received an $850,737 federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program allocates 70% directly to student stipends, which helps offset tuition and living expenses during clinical placements.
Completing your practicum and internship through UHV offers a distinct advantage due to the program’s CACREP accreditation. This becomes vital since federal law requires VA facilities to hire only counselors from CACREP-accredited programs. UHV is the only institution offering these accredited programs in Victoria and Greater Houston regions, which creates ideal post-graduation employment opportunities.
Practicum and internship experiences bring theoretical learning to life. Students apply classroom knowledge in supervised clinical settings under experienced professionals’ guidance. This process ended up transforming students from learners to practitioners.
What sets University of Houston-Victoria apart?
The University of Houston-Victoria’s counseling education programs shine through several distinctive features. Expert faculty members bring their practical experience to the classroom and combine academic expertise with hands-on counseling knowledge. Students receive education that’s both theoretically sound and ready to apply in professional settings.
UHV’s location creates unique advantages. It is the only institution with CACREP-accredited counseling programs in both the Coastal Bend and Greater Houston areas, filling an essential educational gap in these regions. This strategic position helps students build valuable networks and connect with potential employers throughout these growing communities.
Small class sizes set UHV apart from larger institutions. Students benefit from individual mentorship and guidance throughout their educational experience. Faculty members often stay connected with alumni after graduation and provide continued professional support.
The program offers flexible course delivery options that showcase UHV’s commitment to accessibility. Students can balance their education with personal and professional commitments easily. This flexibility strengthens the program’s student-centered approach without compromising quality.
Cultural competence takes center stage at UHV. The program goes beyond standard diversity training by weaving cultural awareness throughout the curriculum. This integrated approach prepares students to serve diverse client populations and represents progressive thinking in counselor education.
UHV’s counseling programs deliver exceptional value. Students get prestigious CACREP accreditation, quality instruction, and competitive tuition rates – creating an outstanding return on their educational investment. The program’s direct path to professional licensure and employment makes this value even more compelling.
These distinctive qualities have made UHV a top choice for aspiring counseling professionals who seek excellent education with practical skills they can use immediately.
Next steps
Ready to take your next step in your counseling career? You’ll need to gather all materials before the submission deadlines to apply for University of Houston-Victoria’s counseling program. Submit your application by February 15 to be considered for fall admission.
Your application needs several essential items. You must send official transcripts that show a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for graduate coursework or 2.6 for undergraduate studies. You’ll also need to write a 1-2 page essay about why you want to join the program and your career goals. The program asks for recommendation forms from qualified references too.
The application fees depend on your status. Domestic applicants pay $50, international applicants pay $80, and certificate-based programs cost $25. Some students might qualify for fee waivers.
The program’s switch to a Master of Science designation helps recent graduates. This change started with May 2023 graduates and brings great professional advantages. A student shared their thoughts: “This change is exciting, not just for me, but for all future counseling students. It will have an immediate impact on how we are received as professionals”.
UHV’s counseling psychology program stands out to international students because of its high graduate employability rate. This degree helps you become a creative, independent researcher with strong career prospects in this essential field.