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10 Top Value Counseling Master’s Degrees in Texas

Published January 2020

TCS Best Masters DegreesWelcome to our ranking of the ten top master’s degrees in counseling in Texas.

A Ph.D. in counseling offers more extensive opportunities for students who wish to pursue and grow in their careers. While one can start practicing with a master’s degree, a Ph.D. works as an advanced qualification that certifies one’s expertise in the field. Many organizations prefer the knowledge and experience that comes with a doctoral degree in their candidates who bring with them more therapy and treatment options. a Ph.D. in counseling psychology opens up many university positions and where professionals can research new methods for providing treatment.

A counseling Ph.D. in Texas offers students a broader scope of practice as they combine solid theoretical knowledge with practical training that prepares them to help their patients successfully. Students have to complete a master’s and then a doctoral-level program in counseling, which is accredited by CACREP. Leading Ph.D. programs in the state include theory, practicum, research, and even internships in some cases. They cover topics like human development, counseling theories, and social and cultural and family effects caused by human behavior. Once the doctoral program is completed, students need to take the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors exam to receive certification and practice.

Featured Ph.D. programs in Counseling in Texas
Graduate programs offering doctoral degrees require the successful completion of course work, practicum and internship, research, comprehensive exams, and a dissertation. Graduates can choose to become licensed practitioners and work with children, adolescents, individuals, couples, groups, families, government agencies, counseling centers, community mental health clinics, and more.

The programs listed here are accredited and recognized by relevant bodies, regionally and nationally. We have looked at each school’s accreditations and research productivity per the information provided on their websites. We have calculated the annual and semester costs in assessing the value of their degree programs. For the purpose of this ranking, we have considered the average in-state tuition rates; the lower tuition rates earned more points.

Methodology:

Net Price (as reported by the NCES):

  • Under $10,000: 5 points
  • Under $12,000: 4 points
  • Under $14,000: 3 points
  • Under $16,000: 2 points
  • Under $18,000: 1 point

Accreditation: 2 points for regional, 1 point for national

Program recognition or alignment with recognized standards: 1 point for each

#10 University of Texas at Austin-Texas Education

Austin, Texas

Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program

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Points: 7

The University of Texas at Austin-Texas Education offers a Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program that prepares students to become competent psychologists and help patients. They learn to delve deep into both specific and general problems of human behavior in the context of various social issues and life influences. The APA accredited program is based on the scientist-practitioner model. The 94-credit curriculum helps students develop the skills to engage with people of all demographics, belief systems, attitudes, and values. Students become sophisticated researchers and scholars who can critically integrate research literature and design to conduct rigorous empirical studies. Graduates go on to work in varied fields like social science, human service, or social and community endeavors.
Tuition per credit: $1257

#9 University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, Texas

Clinical Psychology PhD

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Points: 8

The University of Texas at Tyler offers a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology that is designed to prepare students for both professional and academic careers in Clinical Psychology. Based on the scientist-practitioner model, the program combines quality academic, research, and clinical training so that students become effective practitioners in the field. They are required to complete specialized coursework and advanced clinical training in one of three specialty areas-veterans and active duty military mental health, rural mental health, or Geropsychology. Spanning about four years, the minimum credit requirement is 99. Students have the option to go in for their clinical training on-campus clinic or work with the school’s partner agencies in the East Texas area.
Tuition per credit: $900

#8 Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Counselor Education-Doctorate of Philosophy

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Points: 9

Sam Houston State University offers a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselor Education in their Woodlands Center. Accredited by CACREP, the doctorate program provides the highest professional degree to students who aspire for leadership positions in counselor education and school counseling. The 69-credit curriculum follows the cohort model, which requires candidates to attend core classes with the same batchmates. Doctoral students develop advanced skills in counseling through a theory cum practical combination curriculum, under the skillful mentoring of doctoral faculty. After completion, candidates are required to sit for a comprehensive exam, which concludes in a dissertation.
Tuition per credit: $777.75

#7 Texas A&M University- Education and Human Development Educational Psychology

College Station, Texas

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

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Points: 9

University of Texas (A&M) offers a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology where students gain in-depth knowledge and, by the end of the program, demonstrate an ability to do broader research in the field. Accredited by the American Psychological Association, the program grooms students for professional success and advanced methods of research. The 75-credit curriculum is designed on the scientist-practitioner model, involving classroom and clinical training to produce competent counseling psychologists. Grounded in the core values of Texas A&M University to attain excellence in academic, research, service, and teaching activities, the program embraces multiculturalism, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Tuition per credit: $719.20

#6 Texas A&M University-Commerce

Commerce, Texas

Counseling Ph.D. Program

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Points:10

Texas A&M University-Commerce offers a Counseling Ph.D. program that equips students to become competent educators and researchers. Accredited by CACREP, the curriculum provides students with advanced clinical training and supervision as well as scholarly activity in the field of counseling. The program is designed for students who are seeking advanced clinical training to become private practitioners or directors of clinical agencies. Training in supervision during the practicum enables future licensed professional counselors to become board-approved supervisors. The pre-requisites for the program include a minimum of 3.0 GPA if the candidate is holding a bachelor’s degree and 3.4 GPA if he is holding a master’s degree in a similar field or a relevant one. The program requires a minimum of 72 semester hours.
Tuition per credit: $634.44

#5 Houston Baptist University

Houston, Texas

Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services

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Points: 10

Houston Baptist University or HBU offers a Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services degree that prepares graduates to serve in mental health services management roles. Students learn how to help individuals in various communities and in institutional settings. The 63-credit hour doctoral program includes clinical, academic, and spiritual ideologies. The 100% online program accepts students who meet the academic requirements for the EdD degree program and who possess personal qualities and professional experiences that suggest a strong potential for success as doctoral candidates. The Christian faith foundation of the program encourages students to explore healing and wholeness when it comes to mental health solutions, especially for cases involving crisis and trauma.
Tuition per credit: $625

#4 University of Houston

Houston, Texas

Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program

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Points: 11

The University of Houston offers a doctoral program in Counseling Psychology that prepares students to practice as effective health service psychologists and psychological researchers. Accredited by the American Psychological Association, the counseling psychology doctoral program also allows students to add Health psychology Emphasis to their doctoral training. The 130-credit program prepares students to help others as change agents with the knowledge and training they receive. Students also enjoy a unique research opportunity in multiculturalism behavioral health and social justice. Graduates go on to work in settings like hospitals, colleges, and university psychology departments, university and college counseling centers, community agencies, clinics, private practices, and K-12 schools.
Tuition per credit: $386

#3 Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Ph.D. in Counselor Education

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Points: 12

Texas Tech University offers a Ph.D. program in Counselor Education, which has been nationally accredited by CACREP and taught an outstanding faculty who come from various regional, state, and national professional counseling organizations. The program requires 93 hours for completion and prepares students to excel as faculty members, supervisors, consultants, among other similar professions. The doctoral students are also required to finish a residency requirement comprising two consecutive semesters of 12 hours. They need to complete 9 hours in Foundations, 15 hours in research, 15-18 hours in Minor area, and a minimum of 12 hours in Dissertation. The curriculum involves advanced theory and techniques, advanced ethics, and legal issues in counseling, among other subjects.
Tuition per credit: $303

#2 Texas Woman’s University

Denton, Texas

Doctoral Program-Counseling Psychology

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Points: 12

Texas Woman’s University offers a Doctoral Program-Counselling Psychology, which is unique since it’s the only one with an explicitly feminist orientation. 106-credit curriculum involves mastering cognitive, vocational, and objective psychological measures. TWU students develop a strong understanding of individuals within their gendered and sociocultural contexts. Social justice and advocacy are highly valued and practiced for the course. Graduates go on to work as mental health practitioners, professional leaders, and researchers, social justice advocates. Following the practitioner-scientist model, advanced training in psychotherapy and psychological assessment are the central focus of the course. Accredited by the APA, subjects covered include women and western religion, the psychology of adjustment, ethics, bioethics, ethics, and feminism.
Tuition per credit: $276.3

Featured Programs

#1 University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

Counseling Psychology-PhD

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Points: 14

The doctoral Counseling Psychology program at the University of North Texas focuses on developing well-rounded and competent psychologists in an inclusive and student-oriented community. The program prepares candidates to work as an independent professional in research, academic, or applied settings. Following the scientist-practitioner model, the curriculum involves helping individuals in identifying and resolving problems in life. They also learn to promote growth and help patients enhance their sense of self, relationships, performance, and general well-being. The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association’s Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation. The degree requires a minimum of 104 credit hours, which is divided between general core psychology courses, research core courses, practicum training, and elective cluster. It also requires a one-year, pre-doctoral internship.
Tuition per credit: $252.79

This concludes our ranking of the best graduate degrees in counseling in Texas. If you’re looking for doctoral degrees in counseling, Texas has plenty of those, too!

Sources:

College Navigator
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

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