Graduate student smiles while speaking in therapy room at Community Counseling clinic in Edinburg

Department of Counseling

Home
College Departments
Department of Counseling

Contact Us

Javier Cavazos, Ph.D.

Chair and Professor

Department of Counseling

EEDUC 1.202A

Norma Sepulveda

Administrative Assistant II

EEDUC 1.202B

Edinburg Location Map

norma.sepulveda@utrgv.edu

coug@utrgv.edu

(956) 665-3449

Mission

The mission of the Master of Education in Counseling program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is to prepare highly competent professionals who can respond to the lifespan mental health needs of a multicultural community. The Master of Education in Counseling offers two specializations: school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. The degree satisfies the requirements to apply for state of Texas licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC) or the School Counselor Certification.

Vision

The vision of the Department of Counseling is to be the catalyst for the education and mental well-being of individuals, families, communities, the region, and our society-at-large through thoughtful, culturally sustaining partnerships with communities, mental health facilities, and schools, thereby demonstrating responsiveness to the mental health needs to the people of the Rio Grande Valley.

Program Objectives

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate knowledge of and use quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as program evaluation to inform evidence-based practice by the time they complete the program

Counseling graduate students will develop a strong professional counseling orientation and identity by the time they complete the program

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate an understanding of development across the lifespan and the impact on normal and abnormal functioning by the time they complete the program

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate and use career development theory to help individuals with career planning and decisions by the time they complete the program

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate and use knowledge and skills of theories and techniques necessary to engage in an effective and therapeutic helping relationship by the time they complete the program.

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate knowledge in group counseling processes and competency in the preparation and facilitation of group counseling by the time they complete the program.

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate and use effective assessment strategies to facilitate treatment planning by the time they complete the program.

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate knowledge of school counseling techniques to enhance their role as a school counselor with children, adolescents, and family members by the time they complete the program.

Counseling graduate students will demonstrate knowledge of clinical mental health counseling issues to enhance their role and function as a clinical mental health counselor when working with specific populations by the time they complete the program.

Academic Programs

Master's

Master's Degree

Counseling (MED)

Master of Education in Counseling

Program Modality: Campus

The master's degree in counseling is a face-to-face/traditional program that prepares highly competent professionals to respond to the mental health needs of a multicultural community. Graduates are committed to advocacy and leadership in the communities they serve. The degree satisfies the requirements to apply for state of Texas licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC) or the School Counselor Certification.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization offers flexibility in class locations, with courses available in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo.

The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Specializations:

Certificate Programs

Primary Care Behavioral Health Certificate (Counseling) (CG)

Degree Program Student Handbooks

Counseling with a Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling MEd

Counseling with a Specialization in School Counseling MEd

Calendar

You can view the School Counseling MEd calendar of activities on the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability website under graduate programs.

Student Organizations

Students enrolled in the Master of Education in Counseling program are encouraged to join our student organizations for professional development, networking, leadership, and more.

Testing

UTRGV facilitates exams for students in the M.Ed. program, including the CPCE, TExES, NCE and Texas Jurisprudence.

Counseling and Training Clinic

The Counseling and Training Clinic at UTRGV is the instructional laboratory of the Master of Education in Counseling Program.

CACREP

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the School Counseling program at UTRGV is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Department of Counseling