School Counseling Master of Science

The School Counseling MS degree requires at least 60 semester hours, including completion of all MS requirements and a passing score on the comprehensive examination (written, oral or both) administered during student enrollment in internship COUN 5720 or COUN 5721.  School counseling is set up in a cohort model with all courses planned by the program coordinator.  Students must earn grades of A or B on all degree plan course work. Students must file a degree plan during their first term/semester of graduate study. The school counseling master’s degree program requires off-site practicum (COUN 5690) and internships (COUN 5720 & COUN 5721) in lieu of a thesis. Placement for the practicum and internship sites are selected in cooperation with the supervisor/program coordinator and must be approved by the program. 

The K-12 school counseling track meets the educational requirements for certification as a public-school counselor in Texas. In addition, for the School Counseling Certification, the State of Texas requires a passing grade on the TExES Counselor Exam. This program also meets the educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas.   

All program areas are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Beginning Summer 2025 all school counseling courses will be held at the Denton Campus only. 

Thank you for your interest in the UNT Counseling Program.  Our CACREP accredited Program has consistently ranked #1 in Texas and has frequently ranked among the top 20 Counseling programs in the nation.  Based on that standing, the program has highly competitive entrance requirements. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average (overall OR for the last sixty hours) of a 3.0 on a four-point scale.  Counseling courses at both the Master’s and Doctoral level require in-person attendance.   

Program Application Deadline 

February 15- for admission to the School Counseling Cohort starting in the Summer 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. 

 All application materials must be complete and processed by 5:00 p.m. (CST) on the day of the deadline or your application will not be considered for admission. 

Application Materials:

• Transcripts.  You must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended.  These can be ordered through the GradCAS application.
• Three Letters of Reference.  At this time, GradCAS requires three letters of reference.  This is different from the three reference evaluation forms.  Your evaluators will receive a link from GradCAS to complete this portion of the 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; 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 5:00 PM (CST) of the application deadline. 

INTERVIEW 

Applicants invited to the interview are required to attend a group interview held a couple weeks after the application deadline. You must contact the Counseling Program Main Office upon receiving the invitation and confirm your intention to attend. Persons needing ADA assistance should so indicate at that time. 

Following the interview, you will receive notification granting or denying provisional admission to the Graduate Program in Counseling. Students granted provisional admission will receive additional guidance for completing a background check and first semester registration.

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.

School Counseling Courses You Will Take

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Career Development and Information Resources

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

Counseling Adolescents

• Counseling adolescents requires unique knowledge and skill.  Course prepares counselors to work with young people ages 12-21.  Focus on the nature and needs of adolescence along with effective strategies in counseling are explored.

Professional School Counseling

• Principles and practice of individual counseling, group counseling, counseling core curriculum, and consultation in elementary and secondary schools as part of the overall comprehensive developmental professional school counseling program.

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.

 

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