We all know that everything is bigger in Texas. Considering the geographic size and population of Texas (which is the second biggest state in the country by both measures) it’s to be expected that it supports an unusually large number of colleges and universities. Even just counting public universities, there are nearly 40 different institutions all across the state, from Dallas to Corpus Christi, Houston to El Paso. This variety also means that Texas is one of the few U.S. states to earn the distinction of having a separate counseling graduate degree ranking just for Ph.D. programs.
5. Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
Counselor Education and Supervision, Ph.D.
Website
The sheer breadth of coursework at Texas Tech University makes its counseling PhD one of the best graduate degrees in counseling in Texas. Doctoral students can choose from a number of useful elective courses in subjects that don’t usually appear in counseling PhD programs, including Philosophy of Science, Seminar in Minority Relations, and Seminar in Cognition. The opportunity to explore interdisciplinary topics is an important element of many doctoral programs, but TTU has gone a step beyond by developing an initiative to help each student develop her own “Advocacy and Social Justice Leadership Plan.” At the core of this initiative is the belief that to be an adept researcher and counseling practitioner, students must have the opportunity to integrate a cross-departmental education with practical experience.
Tuition & Fees: $10,900/yr
Score: 52
4. Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX
Counselor Education and Supervision, Ph.D.
Website
Students pursuing the accredited PhD in counseling at Sam Houston State University have access to two campus locations — the school’s main campus in Huntsville and The Woodlands Center within The Woodlands. Both locations have their own state-of-the-art clinical training facilities where doctoral students can undertake supervised training in adolescent, family, couples, and play therapy. This convenience continues through the coursework, which is more structured than many of the other programs on this Texas counseling graduate degree ranking. Doctoral students choose a specialization in either School Counseling or Counselor Education and select six hours of cognate electives from a recommended list.
Tuition & Fees: $10,723/yr
Score: 63
3. Texas A & M University-Commerce
Commerce, TX
Counselor Education and Supervision, Ph.D.
Website
Texas A&M University at Commerce prides itself on providing a personalized, flexible education to every student in its affordable PhD in counseling degree program. The school draws on its robust counseling department (which also offers undergraduate and master’s degrees) and its location about an hour from Dallas to provide an impressive level of resources for a relatively small institution. Instructors are active and engaged, providing one-on-one mentoring and involving doctoral students in academic and research opportunities. In addition, the department works hard to find practicums and internships that complement every student’s professional interests.
Tuition & Fees: $9,010/yr
Score: 65
2. Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX
Counselor Education and Supervision, Ph.D.
Website
One of the features that makes Texas A&M Corpus Christi home to one of the best counseling PhDs in Texas is its tight-knit relationship with the local community. The best example of this connection is the Early Childhood Development Center, an elementary school located on the campus of TAMUCC that maintains a close partnership with the College of Education and Human Development. Doctoral students within the college have the unique opportunity to observe student behavior and practice school counseling on the grounds of an actual elementary school — something that none of the other schools on this counseling graduate degree ranking can offer.
Tuition & Fees: $9,674/yr
Score: 73
Featured Programs
1. University of North Texas
Denton, TX
Counselor Education and Supervision, Ph.D.
Website
The affordable graduate degree in counseling at the University of North Texas has been continuously accredited by CACREP since 1981, and over the last 35 years the school has built one of the best PhDs in counseling in the country. Students benefit from two on-campus clinics for practicums and internships, both of which support UNT’s play therapy research program (which is regarded as one of the best in the world). Overall, the school’s low cost yet impressive resources and terrific reputation make it a great choice for anyone hoping to begin a career as a counselor educator.
Tuition & Fees: $10,675/yr
Score: 100
What Can You Do With a PhD in Counseling?
While earning a doctorate is not an easy task, it opens many doors in the work force. Earning a PHD in counseling can lead to many different life changing careers. These careers may include:
-Psychologist
-Marriage and family counselor
-School and career counselor
-Substance abuse counselor
-Behavioral counselor
-Mental Health Counselor
-Post secondary teacher
Related Articles:
What Are the Requirements to Become Licensed as a Family Counselor?
Top 30 Master’s in Educational Counseling Online
Top 30 Public Universities for Master’s Degrees in Counseling
Sources:
College Navigator
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators