Counseling, MS, Clinical Mental Health

Location(s): Online

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is offered through the College of Health Sciences and prepares students to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The program consists of a 60-credit-hour Master of Science degree in Counseling that aligns with current Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (BHEC) requirements and CACREP standards.

This program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to serve as facilitators of change and growth for culturally diverse individuals, groups, and organizations. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of professional settings, including public and private schools, colleges and universities, mental health agencies, community organizations, and private practice.

The curriculum follows a structured cohort model with courses delivered in an online and virtual format. Students progress through foundational, intermediate, and advanced coursework, culminating in practicum experiences that meet state requirements for licensure preparation.

Upon completion of the 60-credit-hour program, graduates are eligible to begin the licensure process as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate) in the state of Texas. This includes successful completion of required examinations and supervised clinical experience as outlined by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC).

Program Requirements

The 60-hour Clinical Mental Health (CMH) track is a program that has adopted CACREP Standards, aligning with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors TAC Codes. This alignment ensures that our program leads to the individual becoming a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), providing a solid foundation for a successful career in counseling. This program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to act as facilitators of change and growth for culturally diverse individuals, groups, and organizations, and to prepare them to work as professional counselors in various settings.

Sul Ross is also a participating university with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), so graduating students can take the National Counselor Exam (NCE) in their final semester of coursework, as required by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council’s (BHEC) Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors as part of the LPC Associate application. By completing the 60-credit hour counseling program at Sul Ross State University, students are eligible to begin the licensing process towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. This license is managed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3183, (512) 834-6658.

After completion of academic and clinical experience, graduates can begin the pathway to LPC licensure. Graduates fromthe Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Sul Ross must complete the application process with the Texas StateBoard of Examiners of Professional Counselors to become an LPC Associate. The pathway toward licensure requires thecompletion of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work under the supervision of an LPC Supervisor.

Required Core Courses: 60 Credit Hours

EDSR 5307 - Graduate Research Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 5313 - Career Counseling Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 5314 - Personality & Counsel Theory Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 5315 - Assessment in Counseling Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 5322 - Behavior Management Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6308 - Adv Human Grow & Dev Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6318 - Multiculturalism and Diveristy Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6320 - Substance Use, Abuse, & Addict Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6321 - Tech Of Counseling I Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6322 - Techniques Of Counseling II Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6323 - Marriage/Family Counseling Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6333 - Ethical, Legal, Prof Iss Coun Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6341 - Adv Psychpthlgy & Psychphrmclg Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6342 - Counsel Crisis,Trauma&Disaster Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 6350 - Counseling & the Neurosciences Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 7302 - Management of Counseling Prog Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 7315 - Group Counseling Credit Hours: 3
EDSR 7316 - Practicum in Counseling Credit Hours: 3
Students must take a total of 6 hours of EDSR 7316.
EDSR 7320 - Prof. Issues & Ethics in Coun Credit Hours: 3

Total Hours: 60

Required hours: 60