University of North Texas 
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 School Counseling 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 School Counseling requires a passing score for the master's comprehensive exam (written, oral or both) administered during student enrollment in Internship.
Certifications/Licensure Opportunities
The completion of this track meets the educational requirements for certification as a school counselor in the state of Texas. To become certified, the State of Texas also requires a passing score on the TExES Counselor Exam.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
With the completion of one additional course, this track meets the educational requirements for licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas.
Cohort Model
The School Counseling program follows a cohort model, designed to provide structure, support, and a strong sense of community among students progressing through the program together.
Students enroll in two courses each semester—summer, fall, and spring—for the duration of the program.
All courses in the cohort sequence are selected and assigned by the Program Coordinator
Examples of School 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.
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.
Program Application Deadline:
February 1st- for admission to the following 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. For any department-related questions, you can email the front office at coe-counseling@unt.edu.
All application materials must be complete 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:
- Your aspirations related to the field of counseling;
- One or more significant life events that contributed to the development of these aspirations;
- The single greatest personal asset that will serve you in realizing your aspirations;
- The one personal characteristic or quality that you most need to modify, improve, or change in order to realize these aspirations;
- Activities demonstrating your commitment to the field of counseling;
- Evidence if you have fluency in both English and another language (if applicable); and
- (optional) Any other information that you think would be helpful in evaluating your potential for success in the program and as a counselor.
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- You may change the line spacing, margins, and font but do not exceed one page.
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- 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
- 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.
- You must enroll in 6 hours (over one or two online sessions) in order to be eligible for financial aid.
- 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.
- 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).