Counseling (MED, Multiple Specializations)
Mission
The mission of the Counseling M.Ed. program is to prepare highly competent professionals who can respond to the lifespan mental health needs of a multicultural community. The Master of Education in Counseling offers two programs: community counseling and school counseling. Graduates of the UTRGV Counseling program are committed to advocacy and leadership in the communities they serve.
Upon completion, the professional school counselor is prepared to be an integral part of the academic services in P‐16 schools, trained to facilitate the growth and learning of students by providing services in guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning and systems support. The professional school counselor also provides direct services to students and coordinates services with programs and agencies within the school and in the community.
The community counselor receives instruction in the required professional content areas, and practicum hours to apply for national and/or state Licensure. Upon licensure, the counselor is prepared to provide services across the lifespan in the areas of individual and group counseling in public, private, state and/or federal agencies.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in counseling, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours. If applicant does not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA criterion of 3.0, GRE general test with minimum scores of 150 Verbal, 141 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical are required for conditional admission
- Three letters of recommendation at least one of which must be from a former professor.
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Resume including educational background and work experience.
- Personal interview (Upon completing application).
- Cleared Criminal background check
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Appeal Process for Students Denied Admission
Students who are denied admission for any reason may appeal to the Counseling Department Appeals Committee in the following manner:
- File a letter of appeal to the committee for consideration in the next regular semester.
- Provide an essay that details significant life events, with an emphasis on achievements and responsibilities that would indicate an ability to undertake graduate work and a probability for success in the field of counseling.
- Complete an interview by the Counseling Department Appeals committee. The Appeals committee may accept the appeal, deny the appeal or accept the appeal with conditions, e.g., additional academic work, personal counseling, and/or similar experiences.
Program Requirements
Required Courses - 57 Hours
| COUN 6301 | Introduction to Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6304 | Human Growth and Development for Counseling Professionals | 3 |
| COUN 6310 | Professional Orienation to Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6311 | Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6313 | Personal/Social Development of the Counselor | 3 |
| COUN 6314 | Assessment and Appraisal Techniques in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6327 | Counseling Theories, Methods & Techniques I | 3 |
| COUN 6328 | Counseling Theories, Methods & Techniques II | 3 |
| COUN 6340 | Abnormal Human Behavior | 3 |
| COUN 6345 | Career Development Theories | 3 |
| COUN 6347 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6349 | Child and Adolescent Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6351 | Treatment Planning and Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| COUN 6361 | Couples and Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6364 | Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6365 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 6368 | Group Counseling Theories and Methods | 3 |
| COUN 6369 | Counseling Internship I | 3 |
| COUN 6370 | Counseling Internship II | 3 |
Choose one of the following options:
School Counseling Specialization - 3 Hours
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization - 3 Hours
Capstone Requirement
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)
Total Credit Hours: 60
Admitted students are required to attend the Counseling Department Student Orientation. Students are expected to abide by all counseling-related ethical codes and legal statutes, including but not limited to those set forth by the American Counseling Association, the American School Counseling Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, the Association for Specialists in Group Work, the Texas State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, as well as any others associated with the type of counseling intervention being provided. Failure to comply with ethical standards will result in consequences deemed appropriate by the Counseling program faculty, including dismissal from the program.
A student must earn a ‘B’ or better in every course. In the event that a student does not meet the aforementioned requirement, the student must seek advisement to schedule the course repeat.
Students earning more than two Cs during the program may be exited from the program.
Counseling candidates must successfully complete five benchmarks to ensure progress through the program. Benchmarks include:
- A grade of ‘B’ or better on the theoretical orientation paper in COUN 6328
- A grade of ‘B’ or better on counseling videos assessing counseling skills in COUN 6365
- A satisfactory rating on goodness-of-fit to practice conducted each semester by faculty team meeting (students who receive unsatisfactory ratings will be placed on a growth plan with recommendations to successfully improve in the program; see the program website for the full text of this policy)
- Successful completion of the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) as determined by one (1) standard deviation below the national mean
Exit Requirements
- Completion of all course requirements with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
- Satisfactory completion of all benchmarks.