Explore Premier Master’s Degree in Counseling Programs Near Fort Worth, Texas
The Fort Worth–Arlington metro area sits at the heart of North Texas's booming economy, home to over 2 million residents and anchored by major health systems like Texas Health Resources and Cook Children's Health Care System. Yet despite a robust healthcare infrastructure, the region employed only 1.20 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors per 1,000 jobs in May 2023, far below the national average of 2.90 and just 2.12 educational, guidance, and career counselors per 1,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This shortage underscores an urgent need for highly trained counselors. Master's programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and related specialties provide the depth of training required for licensure, while offering flexible formats and funding options to make graduate education accessible to busy professionals. Prospective students can explore accredited offerings through Counseling Schools in Texas.
2025 Premier Master's Degree in Counseling Programs Near Fort Worth, Texas
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX - Private 4-year - tcu.edu
Master's - Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Campus Based - Visit Website
Texas Christian University's Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a 60-hour, CACREP-accredited program that prepares students for Texas licensure. Emphasizing a strength-based approach, the program focuses on fostering client resilience and personal growth. Through rigorous clinical training, ethical practice, and culturally responsive interventions, students are equipped to serve diverse populations. The curriculum meets high standards for professional counseling, ensuring graduates are ready to excel in various settings and pass state licensing exams. This program is ideal for those seeking a comprehensive education in clinical mental health counseling within a supportive, Christian-affiliated environment.
- 60-hour CACREP-accredited program
- Strength-based counseling approach
- Prepares for Texas licensure
- Focuses on client resiliency
- Comprehensive clinical training
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX - Private 4-year - smu.edu
Master's - Master of Science in Counseling
Concentration: Clinical Mental Health - Campus Based - Visit Website
Southern Methodist University offers a Master of Science in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health, designed for those aiming to become Licensed Professional Counselors in Texas. This campus-based program stands out for its focus on preparing students for licensure, offering specializations in addiction, trauma treatment, child and adolescent counseling, and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy. With a blend of academic rigor and hands-on clinical training, students gain the skills needed to serve diverse populations effectively. The program is military-friendly and does not require an entrance exam, making it accessible to a wide range of aspiring counselors. Highlights include flexibility in elective courses and comprehensive training for real-world practice.
- Texas LPC Licensure Preparation
- Multiple Specialty Concentrations
- Campus-based Counseling Program
- Comprehensive Clinical Training
- Elective Course Flexibility
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX - Public 4-Year - twu.edu
Master's - Master of Science in Counseling and Development
Concentration: Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Campus Based - Visit Website
Texas Woman's University offers a Master of Science in Counseling and Development with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, designed for those aiming to excel in the mental health field. This CACREP-accredited program stands out for its focus on innovative counseling techniques and personalized faculty guidance, preparing students for licensure as professional counselors. With the mental health counseling sector expected to grow by 19%, graduates are well-positioned for careers in diverse settings, including private practices, agencies, and educational institutions. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission but does not mandate an entrance exam, making it accessible to a broad range of applicants.
- CACREP accredited program
- 19% job market growth
- Flexible online/evening classes
- Smaller class sizes
- Mentorship from faculty
- Innovative counseling strategies
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Professional licensure preparation
- Multiple career setting options
University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX - Public 4-Year - untdallas.edu
Master's - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of North Texas at Dallas offers a hybrid Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a 60-hour CACREP-accredited program tailored for future mental health professionals. This program blends online and in-person learning, providing the flexibility needed for students to balance their studies with personal commitments. It meticulously prepares graduates for Texas licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors, equipping them with the skills to thrive in various clinical environments such as mental health centers and private practices. The curriculum is designed to meet state standards and prepare students for national counseling examinations, ensuring a solid foundation for a successful career in counseling without the need for an entrance exam.
- 60-hour CACREP-accredited program
- Hybrid learning format
- Meets Texas State License requirements
- Prepares for diverse clinical settings
- Professional counseling pathway
Amberton University
Garland, TX - Private 4-year - amberton.edu
Master's - MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Amberton University offers a hybrid MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling designed for aspiring Licensed Professional Counselors in Texas. This 60-credit program blends online and on-campus learning, ensuring flexibility for students. Priced at $325 per credit, it includes a minimum of 300 practicum hours for hands-on experience. The curriculum focuses on ethical, culturally sensitive counseling across various settings, preparing graduates to work with diverse populations. While the program meets Texas LPC licensure requirements, it does not specify the need for an entrance exam, making it accessible to a broader range of applicants.
- 60 total graduate credit hours
- Hybrid online/on-campus format
- $325 per credit hour
- Minimum 300 practicum hours
- Prepares for Texas LPC licensure
- Work with diverse populations
- Comprehensive counseling skills training
- Ethical counseling practice focus
- Multiple counseling setting preparation
Regional Landscape & Field Education Opportunities
Strong clinical training hinges on immersive, supervised experiences in real-world settings. Fort Worth's premier counseling programs partner with hospital systems, school districts, and community agencies to provide a spectrum of field placements that develop competencies in crisis intervention, group facilitation, and integrated care. These collaborations ensure you accrue the supervised hours required for Texas licensure while honing skills across diverse populations.
- Cook Children's Health Care System offers master's students rotations in pediatric behavioral health units, where they conduct intake assessments, co-lead therapeutic groups, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support children facing chronic illness and trauma.
- The Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) places interns in K–12 schools, providing supervised counseling services for academic planning, social-emotional learning, and crisis response under the guidance of licensed school counselors.
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth supports practicum hours in outpatient counseling clinics, focusing on adult mental health, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring disorders.
- Tarrant County Juvenile Services partners with local universities to provide interns with opportunities to assist with family therapy sessions, risk assessments, and rehabilitation planning for at-risk youth.
These field education sites, coordinated by program advisors, ensure that you build both depth and breadth of clinical experience on your path toward Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling Master's Programs.
Program Spotlights
Selecting a program involves balancing cost, accreditation, and curriculum focus. Below are two flagship master's programs near Fort Worth designed to meet licensure prerequisites while offering financial support:
Texas Christian University (TCU) – M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
TCU's CACREP-accredited program requires 60 credit hours. In-state tuition is approximately $620 per credit hour, with evening classes and limited Saturday intensives. The curriculum emphasizes multicultural counseling, trauma interventions, and research methods. Students complete 100 practicum hours at Cook Children's and FWISD, followed by a 600-hour internship in mental health agencies. Graduate assistantships and merit scholarships can cover up to 40% of tuition.
University of North Texas at Dallas – M.A. in Counseling
UNT Dallas offers a 48-credit CACREP-accredited track focused on school and clinical counseling. In-state tuition runs about $450 per credit hour. The hybrid format combines online lectures with monthly campus seminars. Field placements coordinated with Texas Health and Tarrant County services total 700 supervised hours across school and community settings. UNT Dallas awards "Dean's Fellow" scholarships covering 50% of tuition for top applicants.
Both programs integrate coursework aligned with the Counseling Psychology Master's Degree Guide, ensuring a seamless path to licensure.
Curriculum Highlights: Theory to Application
Before examining specific courses, it's helpful to see how master's curricula scaffold learning from foundational theory to advanced clinical practice. Faculty design each component to reinforce critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and evidence-based interventions through lectures, case studies, and supervised labs.
| Component | Description |
| Counseling Theories & Techniques | In-depth study of person-centered, CBT, Adlerian, and systems models |
| Human Growth & Development | Lifespan developmental frameworks, with a focus on adolescence and aging |
| Group Counseling & Consultation | Designing, facilitating, and evaluating therapeutic and psychoeducational groups |
| Assessment & Diagnosis | Application of DSM-5 criteria, diagnostic interviewing, and culturally responsive planning |
| Ethics & Professional Issues | Texas statutes, confidentiality, and professional self-care practices |
| Practicum & Internship | 100 practicum hours plus 600–700 internship hours in diverse settings |
Typically, theory courses occupy the first year, with practicum-intensive experiences dominating the second year to ensure immediate application of classroom learning to client care.
Admission Requirements & Application Strategies
A strong application demonstrates academic readiness, clinical potential, and alignment with program values. Fort Worth master's programs in Mental Health Counseling Degrees commonly require:
- A bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Official transcripts showing prerequisite coursework in abnormal psychology, statistics, and lifespan development.
- GRE scores, when required (many programs have waived or made optional).
- Two to three letters of recommendation from academic or clinical supervisors attesting to your counseling aptitude.
- A personal statement articulating your professional goals, counseling philosophy, and commitment to serving Texas communities.
- A resume/CV outlining relevant volunteer, internship, or employment experiences in human services.
- Interview or writing sample to evaluate clinical reasoning and reflective capacity.
Pro Tip: Attend virtual information sessions hosted by program coordinators to clarify application timelines, funding deadlines, and cohort start dates.
Financing Your Master's Education
Graduate tuition can be a significant investment, but Fort Worth students can minimize debt by layering funding sources:
- Graduate Assistantships at TCU and UNT Dallas offer 25–50% tuition waivers, along with stipends for teaching or research support.
- North Texas Higher Education Grants offer need-based aid to graduate students in high-demand fields, such as counseling.
- Federal Aid (FAFSA) unlocks Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans, as well as Federal Work-Study positions in university counseling centers.
- State Loan Repayment Programs (SLRPs) forgive educational loans for counselors who commit to practicing in underserved Texas counties for five years.
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement from Texas Health and FWISD allows employees to recoup part or all of tuition costs.
Combining these options can reduce net tuition expenses by up to 70%, making premier programs financially attainable.
Career Paths & Outlook for Counselors
Graduates of master's counseling programs in Fort Worth can pursue licensure as LPCs or school counselors, with specializations in clinical mental health, school counseling, or addiction. According to the BLS, Texas projects a 25% increase in positions for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by 2032, well above national growth, driven by expanded telehealth services and integrated care initiatives Bureau of Labor Statistics. Potential roles include:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice or community mental health centers.
- School Counselor in FWISD or surrounding districts, focusing on academic planning and social-emotional support.
- Addiction Specialist in outpatient clinics, hospitals, or recovery centers.
- Integrated Care Counselor collaborating with primary-care physicians in hospital-based clinics.
- Clinical Supervisor or Program Director overseeing counseling teams and designing program evaluations.
Fort Worth's robust network of healthcare and educational institutions ensures a dynamic job market for well-qualified counseling graduates.
Professional Development & Networking
Ongoing learning and strong professional communities are critical for sustained career growth. Fort Worth offers multiple avenues to stay connected and current:
Meaningful networking fosters mentorship, referrals, and collaborative opportunities that enrich your practice:
- The Texas Counseling Association (TCA) annual conference and regional workshops offer CE credits and legislative updates tailored explicitly to Texas counselors.
- North Texas Counseling Network’s monthly meetups connect peers for case consultation and best-practice discussions.
- TCU Counselor Education Speaker Series features nationally recognized experts presenting on topics from trauma-informed care to multicultural competence.
- UNT Dallas Alumni Mentorship Program pairs recent graduates with experienced LPCs for career guidance, supervision referrals, and professional development.
Active participation in these groups enhances clinical skills, expands professional networks, and opens doors to leadership roles.
How to Choose the Right Master's Program
Selecting the best program involves a systematic comparison of key factors. Use these five criteria to guide your decision:
- Accreditation: Confirm CACREP status for national standards compliance and licensure portability.
- Program Format: Evaluate hybrid, evening, and online delivery models against your work-life balance needs.
- Field Placement Quality: Verify partnerships with agencies like Cook Children's, FWISD, and Texas Health for comprehensive practicum experiences.
- Graduate Outcomes: Review licensure pass rates, employment statistics, and alumni testimonials as indicators of program effectiveness.
- Cost vs. ROI: Balance per-credit tuition, available funding, and projected starting salaries to assess long-term value.
By weighing these factors against your professional objectives, you can identify the premier, budget-friendly master's counseling program near Fort Worth.
Sources
- BLS – Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX OEWS May 2023: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS – Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors National Outlook Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
- Cook Children's Health Care System
- Fort Worth Independent School District
