COURSE CURRICULUM

The School Counseling track within the Master of Science in Counseling at the University of North Texas is a highly regarded graduate program that prepares students to become effective professional school counselors serving children from preschool through 12th grade. The program is frequently ranked among the top counselor preparation programs in the United States and is considered one of the strongest in Texas, reflecting its strong academic quality and professional reputation. It is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), ensuring that it meets or exceeds rigorous national standards for counselor education and training. Students benefit from learning under faculty members who are nationally and internationally recognized experts in the counseling field and who have received honors from major professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the Texas Counseling Association, and Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society. The program also enhances learning through annual conferences where leading national speakers share current research, trends, and best practices in counseling. A major feature of the program is the UNT Center for Play Therapy, which supports children’s emotional and developmental growth through play-based counseling approaches and provides training, research opportunities, publications, clinical services, scholarships, and access to specialized literature in the field. The program is designed to support both professional and personal growth, helping students develop a strong identity as ethical and effective school counselors. Graduates are prepared for careers in school counseling settings where they support students’ academic achievement, emotional well-being, social development, and career planning. Coursework includes subjects such as program development, leadership and ethics in school counseling, group counseling theories and procedures, career development and information resources, ethical and legal issues in counseling practice, diagnosis and treatment planning, and addiction counseling, all of which equip students with the skills needed to work effectively in diverse school environments and support student success across all grade levels.