School Counselor Certification Preparation Courses

School Counselor Certification Preparation Overview

With the vast majority of Texas school districts facing critical staffing gaps, the state’s five million K-12 students need dedicated support now more than ever. Texas school counselors don’t just sit behind a desk; they are on the front lines driving student achievement, mental wellness, and college preparedness under the state’s comprehensive counseling model.

If you are ready to answer the call, our School Counseling Certification Preparation courses provide a streamlined pathway for students enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

Built around Texas-specific standards, our coursework prepares you to master the core domains of the TExES 252 exam and step seamlessly into Texas classrooms as a certified leader. Don’t just watch the shortage happen—become the solution Texas students need.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the School Counselor Certification Preparation coursework, graduate students will be able to…

• Design, implement, and evaluate a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program that aligns with the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs and complies with state mandates, including the SB7 operational time rule (KPI 1.1 & 1.2).
• Demonstrate mastery of the core counseling domains, ethical standards, and cultural competencies required to successfully pass the TExES 252 examination and effectively advocate for diverse K-12 student populations (KPI 2.1 & 2.2).

TEA Accredited School Counseling Certification Preparation

The School Counselor Certification Preparation coursework, in partnership with community, school districts, colleges, and universities, prepares culturally competent professional school counselors through high-quality, innovative educational practices and leadership experiences, grounded in The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. 

School Counselors-in-training are prepared to guide all PreK-12th-grade students to success in personal, social, educational, and career development. Students are prepared to collaborate with others in and beyond their school communities to ensure opportunities for meaningful student engagement and commit to lifelong professional development in support of program, department, college, and university missions.

School Counselor Certification Preparation

To enroll in School Counselor Certification Preparation coursework, 
you can apply for admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program.

The following admission requirements apply:

• Bachelor’s degree from a fully accredited institution. 
• Graduate School admission.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 hours to include the semester where 60th hour occurred.
• Completed Counseling and Psychology Department application.
• School Counselor application with essay, which includes a separate application process from the Graduate School and the CMHC program 
• Letter of Intent to pursue certification, which is part of the School Counselor Certification Preparation application
• Interview with program faculty
  

By enrolling in both the CMHC program and School Counselor Certification Preparation, you will be prepared to test for licensure as a Professional Counselor and certification as a School Counselor upon graduation. 

What if I have no teaching experience?

No problem! In September 2023, the state of Texas approved certification of counselors with no teaching experience. So, you do not have to be in education or have taught before to become a school counselor! 

If you are interested in School Counselor Certification Preparation, please contact the advisor, Dr. Jenn Moore.

Contact