M.Ed. in Counseling and Development Online
The M.Ed. in Counseling and Development is a 60-hour degree with two concentrations. Each concentration uniquely prepares you for careers in the field of school, community, or marriage, couple and family counseling. At the time of application, you will select one of the following concentrations:
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling
The Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling concentration integrates throughout the program a systems perspective (e.g., family, school, work, spiritual, etc.) for work with children, adolescents, families and integrated care with community school partnerships. This concentration meets the coursework requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Marriage, Couple and Family Therapist in Texas and other states. This program requires one five-week hybrid (online and face-to-face) course that requires candidates to attend a five-day residency.
In addition, the concentration in MCFC prepares you for multiple credentials, with a focus on child and family issues. The coursework aligns with national and state credentials for:
- National Certified Counselor
- Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas (and other non-Counseling and Related Educational Programs states)
It is important to note that the M.Ed. in Counseling and Development is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of CACREP. The CACREP accreditation is not a requirement in the state of Texas, or for the above referenced credentials (NCC and CCMHC). The counseling programs are regionally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Out-of-state students should check their respective states for the requirements relating to CACREP.
Learn more about the profession, occupational outlook, and median salary.
Professional School Counselor
The Professional School Counselor concentration provides coursework to become a Certified School Counselor and a licensed professional counselor in Texas and other states.
Candidates opting for this concentration must have:
- at least two years of full-time teaching experience
- access to complete fieldwork at a Texas Education Agency- approved campus, if residing in Texas
If you are an out-of-state student, you are responsible to research and understand your state requirements for certification requirements before enrolling in the program.
This concentration places a major emphasis on Coordinated School Health Model in Texas and the American School Counseling Association National Model for school counseling inclusive of mental health promotion and positive youth development, early mental health intervention and development, substance abuse prevention and intervention and suicide prevention in the school setting. The coursework aligns with national and TEA credentials. This concentration also provides the coursework requirements for LPC in Texas and other states.
Coursework includes high-impact educational practices such as:
- Faculty mentorship for professional leadership and research opportunities
- Community-based learning through advocacy in the school and community
- Early internship experiences for a strong professional identity
- Integrated technology skills through e-portfolios and video-conferencing
- Learning communities focused on equity, access and advocacy for closing student gaps in schools
School Counselor Certification: TExES and State of Texas
The Online School Counseling Program coursework is offered in an accelerated five-week online course format, affording you flexibility in hours and balance for work and family time. A requirement of the Online School Counseling Program is a face-to-face residency course on the LU campus, where you will directly interact with faculty for developing counseling skills through experiential learning.
You must have two years’ teaching experience as a certified educator in the K - 12 setting, and be employed at a state-approved site. Aligned with these criteria is the field experience work that applies course to become leaders in both the school and in the community.
It is important to us that our candidates are highly prepared with skills and knowledge for the workforce. For additional information relating to jobs as a school counseling in Texas, please see the Texas Workforce Commission website. For specific job opportunities, see the WORKinTEXAS website.
