Registration for Winter 2025 is Open!  Classes Start Saturday, December 7th!  View the Winter 2025 Schedule of Classes and Syllabi.

Program Highlights

Build the skills needed to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups in community, social service, religious, and private practice settings.

The curriculum is comprised of sixty (60) graduate hours and includes a minimum of 300 practicum hours. 

The program can be completed through a combination of online and on-campus courses.

Career Impact

Students who complete the program meet the academic requirements for becoming Licensed Professional Counselors (L.P.C.) in the State of Texas. 

The degree prepares graduates to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups in community, social service, religious, and private practice settings. 

No student may enroll in a practicum course without completing all other degree requirements. 

Earning Your Degree

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Degree Plan Requirements

3hrs

Required Graduate Studies

54hrs

Major Requirements

3hrs

Counseling Elective

The mission of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (formerly Professional Counseling) is to prepare competent, ethical, and culturally skilled counselors by educating students in concepts, knowledge, techniques, and skills of professional counseling. Graduates will demonstrate leadership and character reflective of the standards of the counseling profession. The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (formerly Professional Counseling) is designed for persons interested in becoming Licensed Professional Counselors (L.P.C.) in the State of Texas. The degree prepares graduates to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups in community, social service, religious, and private practice settings. The curriculum is comprised of sixty (60) graduate hours and includes a minimum of 300 practicum hours. No student may enroll in a pre-practicum or practicum course without passing the CPCE exam and completing all other degree requirements.  The program is offered on-campus; however, some classes are offered online.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who complete the Amberton University Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (formerly Professional Counseling) meet the academic requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas. Students should carefully review the current state requirements for changes and updates. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors provides clear guidelines and requirements to apply for new licensure. Questions regarding licensure should be directed to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, https://www.bhec.texas.gov/index.html.

A graduate with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (formerly Professional Counseling) will be able to:

  • Analyze and apply knowledge of the functional area of professional counseling.
  • Develop and apply a framework for counseling diverse client populations.
  • Identify relevant ethical issues in mental health and related settings.
  • Conduct relevant research appropriate to the discipline.
  • Evaluate clients’ biological, psychological, and social functioning using appropriate assessment procedures.
  • Identify clients affected by inequities and advocate for them as appropriate.
RequirementsHours
I. Required Graduate Studies3 hours
RGS Theory & Application of Research Methods3 hours
II. Major Requirements54 hours
CSL6740 Counseling Ethics3 hours
CSL6780 Professional Counseling Orientation3 hours
CSL6782 Theories & Methods of Counseling3 hours
CSL6765 Crisis Counseling3 hours
CSL6801 Life Span Development3 hours
CSL6796 Adult/Geriatric Psychopathology & Treatment3 hours
CSL6803 Career Counseling & Guidance3 hours
CSL6800 Counseling Assessment Techniques3 hours
CSL6798 Child/Adolescent Psychopathology & Treatment3 hours
CSL6805 Group Counseling3 hours
CSL6825 Marriage & Family Therapy3 hours
CSL6770 Advanced Counseling Ethics3 hours
CSL6832 Multicultural Counseling3 hours
CSL6760 Addiction Counseling3 hours
CSL6830 Advanced Counseling Skills & Techniques3 hours
CSL6839 Pre-Practicum3 hours
CSL6840 Practicum I3 hours
CSL6845 Practicum II3 hours
III. Counseling Electives3 hours
Selected courses from the Counseling (CSL) department
Total60 hours

The minimum requirements for a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (formerly Professional Counseling) are:

  • 48 semester hours applicable to the degree must be completed at Amberton University.
  • 60 semester hours for a degree.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 is required.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Handbook

Counseling Practicum Application & Agreement

Texas BHEC LPC Practicum Documentation Form

CPCE Exam Information

 

Degree Plan Requirements

3hrs

Required Graduate Studies

54hrs

Major Requirements

3hrs

Counseling Elective

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"Going to Amberton for graduate school really does set you up for success in so many different areas of life. I don't think I would be as confident, as competent, as ready to tackle the real world. It's an amazing program."

Caroline B.

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Master Of Arts - Professional Counseling

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