Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Counseling Program offers a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling. This 60-hour track prepares graduates to counsel in clinical mental health
settings such as mental health centers, private counseling agencies, drug abuse treatment
centers, centers for counseling older adults, child protective services, child counseling
clinics, family counseling centers, pastoral counseling settings, private practice,
and business and industry.
Students completing the entire sequence of course work will meet the educational requirements
for the Texas State License in Professional Counseling. However, the State of Texas
stipulates additional requirements such as passing the national counseling exam and
obtaining 3,000 clock hours of supervised clinical experience after the Masters degree
has been obtained.
The UNT Dallas Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP accredited
Our alumni meet the educational requirements to apply as a Licensed Professional Counselor – Associate with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Meets Rigorous Standards
The MS program in Clinical School Counseling is designed to meet the rigorous standards of CACREP.
In keeping with CACREP standards, we have provided the following reports.
The MEd program is designed to comply with existing Texas Education Agency standards for professional certification.
Students take the TEA Certification Exam for School Counseling during their Internship course as well as a comprehensive examination. Internships are completed in an elementary or secondary school and are supervised by a Texas Certified School Counselor.
These program areas meet the educational requirement for Certification as a School Counselor in Texas; however, candidates must also have two years of teaching experience as teacher of record (not as a substitute teacher) and pass the TExES-Counselor examination to be eligible for School Counseling Certification in Texas. Individuals seeking certification in other states are urged to contact the appropriate state(s) because their requirements may differ.
The MS program in Clinical School Counseling is designed to comply with existing Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council standards.
Students complete an internship in a community counseling setting and are supervised by a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor. Students take the National Counselor Exam during their Internship course.
To obtain a License in Professional Counseling, the State of Texas stipulates applicants pass the National Counselor Exam and then complete 3,000 clock hours of supervised clinical experience after the Master’s degree has been completed. Individuals seeking certification in other states are urged to contact the appropriate state(s) because their requirements may differ.
Program Delivery Format
The UNT Dallas Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical School Counseling programs are delivered in a hybrid format in which some courses are face-to-face, some courses are part online and part face-to-face, and some courses are 100% online. All face-to-face courses and classes are conducted at the UNT Dallas campus with a few classes at service learning or internship sites. Students cannot complete the entire program remotely/online.
Our Faculty
Dr. Samuel Bore, Chair of Counseling, Associate Professor, LPC-S
Dr. Jennifer Baggerly, Professor, LPC-S, RPT-S
Dr. Deborah Feguson Cain, Lecturer, LPC-S
Dr. Yu-fen Lin, Associate Professor, LPC-S
Dr. Joy Oliveira, Lecturer, LPC Associate
Dr. Erica Pouncie, LPC-S, LCDC, NCC, CBT