Counseling & Development
Awareness of mental health issues is increasing, and with that comes a growing need for services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects careers in mental health counseling to grow 19 percent through 2024, much faster than average.
Our program offers professional training and development leading to a master’s degree (M.S.) in counseling and development. Graduates of the counseling and development program are eligible to become certified school counselors in the public school system for grades K-12 and licensed professional counselors in the state of Texas. With this credential, many graduates serve as mental health or career counselors in agencies, private practice, colleges or universities or government settings.
Why choose our program?
- CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accreditation for both concentrations (community counseling and school counseling)
- Opportunities to collaborate with students, including many nontraditional/returning students
- Smaller class sizes, with more individualized attention and focus by faculty members
- Online and evening classes offered to better accommodate schedules of working students
- Faculty mentoring and advising
- Innovative and creative counseling strategies, including play therapy
- The opportunity to participate in the department’s providing counseling services to the Denton area
Degree plans and certification
Our degree programs in community counseling and school counseling are accredited by CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Offers
- Emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Emphasis in Professional School Counseling*
* School counseling applicants must have completed two years of teaching in a public or Texas Education Agency (TEA)-accredited private school.
Admission requirements
Admission to the Counseling and Development Graduate Programs
Program Contact
Joel H. Muro, Ph.D.
940-898-2705
jmuro@twu.edu
Application Deadlines*
Fall – February 15
Spring – September 15
*All transcripts must be received prior to the application deadline.
Admission Requirements
- Hold an earned bachelor’s degree.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate study and a minimum of 3.0 GPA for all prior graduate work.
- Individuals applying for the Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling must hold a master’s degree in Counseling, hold a Texas teaching certificate, and a minimum of 2 years as the teacher of record in a public or accredited private school in Texas.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
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Submit the following to HDFSC@twu.edu:
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Letter of intent, including the following information:
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Reason for pursuing the degree
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Experiences/relevant achievements that relate to educational and/or professional goals
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Why you would be a good fit for the program
- Professional letter of recommendation submitted directly by the person writing the recommendation.
- Applicants moved forward to the interview round will be invited to participate in an interview day with program faculty.
Current student information
Information and Resources for Current Students
Outcome data
Annual Outcome Data Report [PDF]
Vital Statistics Report [PDF]
The MS in Counseling and Development with an emphasis in Professional School Counseling prepares educator candidates for the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) exam (State Board for Educator Certification through the Texas Education Agency). If you are a resident of another state, contact the Office of Educator Preparation Services to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to take the certification exam in your home state.
The MS in Counseling and Development with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares graduates to take the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam (Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors). If you are a resident of another state, contact our department to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to take the licensure exam in your home state.
For more information
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Joel Muro, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT, NCC
Program Coordinator
WH 104-E
940-898-2705
jmuro@twu.edu
Page last updated 4:45 PM, May 3, 2023