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College of Education
Dept of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education & School Psychology

School Counseling Certificate (SCC) Concentration

Highlights – Why Texas State?

1. We offer more than the typical amount of clinical training, so that school counselors are prepared to address children’s significant mental health issues.

2. School counselors who take our 60 hour credit track will have completed all coursework necessary to become a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate after graduation.

3. The positive reputation of the TXST School Counseling program will assist you in obtaining a job. We often receive requests from school districts wishing to hire our graduates.

The School Counselor Track prepares graduate counseling students to work with students (EC to grade 12) in schools, as well as consult with teachers and parents.

Clinical Settings for SCs

School counselors typically work in public, private, or charter schools with populations in Early Childhood through grade 12.

School Counselor (Grades EC to 12) Texas Certificate (48 credit hours) Degree Plan

Foundational Courses

  • COUN 5328 - Professional Orientation in School Counseling: Leadership, Advocacy, and Accountability
  • COUN 5305 - Assessment in Counseling
  • COUN 5307 - Theories of Counseling & Personality
  • COUN 5316 - Counseling Diverse Populations
  • COUN 5355 - Career Counseling
  • COUN 5368 - Developmental Issues in Counseling
  • COUN 5391 - Research Methods

Intermediate Courses

  • COUN 5354 - Basic Skills in Counseling
  • COUN 5358 - Dynamics & Processes in Group Counseling
  • COUN 5369 - Child & Adolescent Counseling

Clinical Courses

  • COUN 5338 - Advanced Issues School Counseling: Counseling, Consultation, and Coordination of Services
  • COUN 5370 - Intermediate Methods in Counseling Adolescents
  • COUN 5373 - Intermediate Methods in Play Therapy
  • COUN 5689 - Clinical Practicum (6-credit hour course)
  • COUN 5389 - Site-Based Internship
Expand FAQ List

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • If attending full-time (i.e., 3 classes in the Fall and Spring, 2 classes in the Summer), you can complete the program in approximately 2.5 years.

    • School Counselors are always needed and make a difference in the lives of children and families. Approximately 20% of school age children can be diagnosed with mental illness and only about 20% of them receive mental health support.  School Counselors can bridge that gap as well as provide preventive services. 

    • For decades in Texas, this has been true. Until 8/31/23, you need to have two years of teaching experience in a K-12 setting to become certified as a school counselor in Texas.

      On 6/2/23, the Governor signed Senate Bill 798, amending the Texas Education Code effective September 1, 2023:  Sec. 21.0462. The qualifications for certification as a school counselor may not include a requirement that a candidate for certification have experience as a classroom teacher.

      Prior to January 1, 2024, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) will still need to promulgate the rules necessary to implement the change to Section 21.0462. 

      School Counseling faculty will update students and applicants as SBEC finalizes these changes to the School Counselor Certification process.

Licensure

The School Counselor 48-hour degree plan does not allow students to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate after graduation. The School Counseling 60-hour degree plan does allow for that.

School Counseling Faculty

The School Counseling faculty want to support you in the School Counseling degree track! Please contact your advisor to set up a time to discuss your degree plan. If you don't know who your advisor is, contact our wonderful admin, Jacqui Todd.   

Dr. Jennifer Greene-Rooks, Ph.D., SC Track Coordinator

Dr. Sarah Blalock, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S, CSC

 

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