Vision
The UNT Counseling Program aspires to create a student-centered program that models healthy relationships and pursues a collective purpose based on the values of diversity, transparency, integrity, and community engagement. Through maintaining and building on current program strengths, our program will cultivate leaders who positively impact clients, students, and the counseling profession; and thereby, all humanity.
Mission

The Counseling Program promotes human development through education, research, and service that advance the profession of, and scholarship in, counseling.

  • Through education, the Program prepares highly competent counseling professionals – including counseling associates, entry and advanced level counselors, counselor educators, counselor supervisors, counseling researchers, and counseling administrators – for work in schools, communities, colleges, business, and industry.
  • Through research, the Program creates, applies, and disseminates innovative knowledge, especially in the area of counseling for holistic wellness with at-risk and diverse populations.
  • Through service, the Program provides humanitarian assistance to academic, professional, and public communities, including volunteer counseling services to the public.

Thank you for your interest in the University of North Texas Counseling Program.  Our CACREP-accredited programs have consistently ranked #1 in Texas and has frequently ranked among the top 20 Counseling programs nationwide.  Because of this strong reputation, admission to the program is highly competitive.

The UNT Clinical Mental Health Counseling program meets all the educational requirements for licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. 

The Clinical Mental Health (CMHC) program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).  This accreditation means we meet or exceed strict academic standards for excellence.

The 60 credit-hour Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires a passing score for the master's comprehensive exam (written, oral or both) administered during student enrollment in Internship.

Students select an area of emphasis at the beginning of the program.  We offer four tracks:

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • College  

Employment Opportunities

This program prepares students for counseling positions in college and university mental health centers, community mental health agencies, substance use treatment facilities, child protective services, child counseling clinics, family counseling centers, pastoral counseling settings and private practice.   

Examples of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Courses You Will Take

Career Development and Information Resources

  • Survey of career development and counseling with emphasis on the occupational, career and educational information service.

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Counseling

  • Principles of culturally sensitive biopsychosocial assessment and case conceptualization leading to appropriate counseling treatment plans or referral within a managed care framework.  Diagnosis according to the most recent edition of the DSM and evidence-based treatment planning are studied.

Addiction Counseling

  • Etiology and principles of addiction as well as counseling practices relevant to substance abuse and addiction counseling.

Practicum in Counseling

  • Provides actual counseling experience with a variety of clients and problems.  Requires a minimum of 100 total hours in counseling-related activities including a minimum of 40 direct client hours.

Group Counseling Theories and Procedures

  • Group dynamics and major approaches to group counseling with emphasis on how to start a group counseling program, how to counsel effectively with groups and how to evaluate results.  Development of skills of group membership, leadership and working with groups are stressed.

 

Apply Now!  Visit UNT Graduate Admissions for more information.

 

Program Application Deadlines: 

February 1st- for admission to the following Fall Semester 

October 1st- for admission to the following Spring Semester 

For more information on the application process, please visit the Graduate Admissions Page.  For any enrollment-related questions, please reach out via Scrappy Says for assistance.   For any department-related questions, you can email the front office at coe-counseling@unt.edu. 

All application materials must be completed and processed by 11:59 p.m. CST on the day of the deadline or your application will not be considered for admission. 

 

Admissions Requirement

The requirements for Graduate Admissions include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and an expected 3.00 GPA on a four-point scale in the undergraduate degree.

 

Application Materials: 

  • Official Transcripts. You must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended.  These can be ordered through the GradCAS application.
  • Three Reference Evaluations. These should be completed by current or recent professor(s), employer(s), colleagues, or other individuals who are professionally acquainted with your work.  Your evaluators will receive a link from GradCAS to complete this portion of the application.  
  • A one-page typewritten writing sample addressing the following:
  1. Your aspirations related to the field of counseling; 
  2. One or more significant life events that contributed to the development of these aspirations; 
  3. The single greatest personal asset that will serve you in realizing your aspirations; 
  4. The one personal characteristic or quality that you most need to modify, improve, or change in order to realize these aspirations; 
  5. Activities demonstrating your commitment to the field of counseling; 
  6. Evidence if you have fluency in both English and another language (if applicable); and 
  7. (optional) Any other information that you think would be helpful in evaluating your potential for success in the program and as a counselor. 
  • You may change the line spacing, margins, and font but do not exceed one page. 
  • Writing samples that exceed one page will not be considered. 

You are responsible for ensuring that all application materials are submitted by the application deadline. 

 

INTERVIEW

Selected applicants will be asked to attend an orientation meeting and complete a group interview.  The Master's Admissions Committee conducts a holistic review of all complete applications.  Applicants will receive an email about their admissions decision within one month of the group interview. 

 

CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK 

Individuals granted provisional admission must complete a Criminal History Background Check.  Information on background checks will be provided in your provisional admissions notification.  Provisional admission is pending until receipt of a satisfactory background check.

 

Funding

Estimate tuition and fees by using the Tuition Calculators. For more information about tuition plan options, fees, and tuition, see Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid

UNT offers a variety of options to help finance your education. Visit financialaid.unt.edu to find out more about the application and award process.

UNT has been named one of America's 100 Best College Buys© for 25 consecutive years and offers the quality of a private university at an affordable cost.

Applying for financial aid

  1. Apply for financial aid online at fafsa.gov. The application is required for all types of financial aid, including Pell and other federal grants, state grants and loans. The FAFSA and Renewal FAFSA are available annually.
  2. You must enroll in 6 hours (over one or two online sessions) in order to be eligible for financial aid.
  3. Financial aid awards will be disbursed 10 days prior to the first day of class. Awards will not disburse if you are enrolled in only 3 credit hours.
  4. Contact Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 940-565-2302 or by visiting online at financialaid.unt.edu

Our program fosters personal growth while helping students to develop a strong identity as a professional counselor.

Many of our faculty members are renowned experts in the field.  They’ve earned recognition from the American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), Texas Counseling Association (TCA), The Association for Play Therapy (APT), and Chis Sigma Iota international honor society for students, professional counselors and counselor educators (CSI).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Is there a minimum GPA requirement to apply?
Yes, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  The graduate admissions office calculates the GPA from all official transcripts.
Are GRE scores required to apply?
No, GRE scores are not required to apply.
Is this an online program?
No.  The Counseling Program is an in-person program based at the Denton campus.
When are classes typically offered?
Classes are typically offered afternoons and evenings, Monday-Thursday, meeting once a week.
What is a typical class size?
Non-clinical classes can be as large as 25 students and clinic classes range in size from 10 to 15 students.
Does the Counseling Program offer Graduate Assistantships for Master's Students?
No.  The counseling program does not offer graduate assistantships for master's students.
What are some examples of internship opportunities?
Internship opportunities range from private practices, community clinics, and in-patient settings.
Does this program prepare me to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)?
Yes, our program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas.