Counseling Programs offered at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
UTRGV’s counseling programs have a clear mission: they prepare highly skilled professionals who help address mental health needs in multicultural communities. These programs are part of the College of Education and P-16 Integration (CEP). The college educates future leaders and brings innovation to field practices.
Students in UTRGV’s counseling programs benefit from a steadfast dedication to advocacy and leadership growth. They graduate with technical expertise and learn to champion mental health in their professional communities. The university shows this commitment through its counseling office that gives free and private mental health services to all UTRGV students.
The master’s degree program runs as a traditional face-to-face curriculum built for professional excellence. Students get complete instruction and hands-on training that meets requirements for Texas licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) or School Counselor Certification. These two paths create flexible career options for graduates.
Easy access remains the foundation of UTRGV’s educational approach. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization gives students remarkable flexibility with courses in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo. This thoughtful spread helps students from all parts of the region attend classes.
The program’s accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) ensures quality and professional recognition. This prestigious credential shows that UTRGV’s counseling programs meet the rigorous standards needed in the counseling profession. Students can trust they’re getting education that matches industry expectations.
UTRGV’s counseling programs welcome a diverse student body. Current data shows 174 graduate students with 93.1% Hispanic/Latino students. The gender mix includes 81% female and 18% male students. This diversity creates a rich learning environment and helps prepare counselors who understand different cultural points of view.
Program quality gets support from 19 faculty members (13 full-time, 6 part-time). The balanced mix of 11 female and 8 male faculty members gives students diverse professional role models.
UTRGV offers future mental health professionals a program that combines academic excellence with real-world experience. The focus on multicultural competence makes it perfect for today’s counseling professionals.
What counseling programs does University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offer?
UTRGV runs several specialized counseling programs that prepare students to work in mental health and educational settings. Students learn to serve the unique needs of multicultural communities throughout Texas and beyond.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling is the substance of UTRGV’s counseling education programs. You can choose between two distinct specializations that line up with your career goals:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling – This path readies you to work in mental health settings like community agencies, hospitals, private practice, and substance abuse treatment centers. You’ll get the detailed assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning skills you need to work with people facing various mental health challenges.
- School Counseling – This path helps students who want to work in schools. You’ll develop skills to support K-12 students’ academic, career, and social-emotional needs. The program teaches you to create and run school counseling programs that boost student success and well-being.
Both paths have a well-laid-out curriculum that blends theory with hands-on practice. You’ll study counseling theories, group processes, multicultural counseling, assessment techniques, and professional ethics.
UTRGV’s counseling programs give students flexibility. Classes run at multiple locations—Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo. This makes quality counseling education available to students across the Rio Grande Valley region.
The program also meets educational requirements for two valuable credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and School Counselor Certification. These qualifications will substantially boost your career opportunities after graduation.
UTRGV’s counseling programs stand out with their prestigious CACREP accreditation. This recognition confirms the programs meet strict national standards. Your degree will be recognized by employers and licensing boards nationwide.
Internships/Practicum at UT Rio Grande Valley
Field experiences play a vital role in preparing counseling professionals at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The counseling curriculum leads you through three field courses—Practicum, Internship I, and Internship II. These courses help you apply your theoretical knowledge in real-life settings.
You’ll take practicum and internship courses near the end of your program. These courses give you valuable direct client contact in professional environments. Before you can enroll in COUN 6365 (Counseling Practicum), you need to complete several prerequisites. These include counseling theories, counseling methods, and diagnostics. After that, you’ll move on to COUN 6369 (Internship I) and COUN 6370 (Internship II). Each course builds on the previous field experience.
Students gain supervised experience in a variety of settings—schools, community agencies, and the university’s Counseling Center. You’ll develop skills by working with actual clients who have different needs. The Counseling Center serves as an “advanced” practicum site and requires at least 30 weekly hours during standard business hours.
The university’s Counseling Center requires these documents for internship positions:
- Completed training application
- Cover letter and resume
- Unofficial transcript
- Copies of any licensures or certifications
A background check is also required for these positions.
Your field experiences will connect you with clients from different ages, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. You might provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach services, and psychoeducational programs.
Students in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can use these practicum hours to meet requirements for applying for national certification and/or state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. After completion, you’ll be ready to provide counseling services to people of all ages in public and private agencies.
The UTRGV Counseling Center shows its steadfast dedication to advancing mental health by training new professionals. The center focuses on both personal and professional growth throughout your practical experiences.
What sets UT Rio Grande Valley apart?
UTRGV’s counseling programs stand out from other schools in several unique ways. The program’s strength is its accreditation from the prestigious Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Students get an education that meets tough national standards. This CACREP credential gives them a clear path to licensure and opens doors to federal counseling jobs.
Working professionals find UTRGV’s education system fits their needs perfectly. Evening classes and online options let students keep their careers while getting ahead with their education. The program is available to more people through multiple locations—Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo.
UTRGV shines among schools nationwide. It ranks as the #1 Best Public National University in Texas. It also takes the top spot for Lowest Net Cost of Attendance among Public National Universities. So graduates can start their counseling careers with much less student debt.
The university also excels in diversity. With 94% Hispanic student enrollment, the College of Education and P-16 Integration shows UTRGV’s steadfast dedication to serving bilingual and biliterate communities. This makes their counselors especially good at meeting the mental health needs of multicultural communities.
The counseling department helps students grow professionally in many ways. Students join professional counseling organizations and go to workshops, seminars, and conferences that boost their development. The Counseling Student Organization runs events that build both personal growth and professional identity throughout the program.
The faculty makes the program special through their active roles in professional counseling organizations. They hold important credentials like Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, and Certified School Counselor certifications. As UTRGV works toward R1 status, the counseling faculty shows their commitment to quality research and scholarly work in counselor education.
Next steps
Want to get your counseling degree at UTRGV? You can start your application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply by creating an account or logging in.
Make sure you fill out all required fields and submit your application before the deadline. Good news – the Graduate College often provides application fee waivers for most graduate programs.
Students who face admission difficulties can appeal. The process needs a letter of appeal, an essay highlighting your most important life achievements, and an interview with the Counseling Department Appeals Committee.
The Counseling Department requires you to attend their Student Orientation after admission. Your academic performance matters – you need to earn a “B” or better in each course.
Here’s what you need to do after enrollment:
- Activate your UTRGV account
- Review your program of study
- Register for classes
- Review financial aid options
- Pay tuition by the deadline
- Get your V OneCard (student ID)
The M.Ed in Counseling program works around your schedule with online courses and night classes. Your degree will qualify you to apply for licensure as an LPC in Texas.
You can learn more about UTRGV graduate programs on the website or by clicking “Request More Information”.