Best Counseling Programs in Texas (2026)
Top CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs in Texas for 2026, with in-state tuition, LPC licensure requirements, salary data by metro, and the supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Key Takeaways
- Texas has more than 20 CACREP-accredited counseling programs, with strong public university options at Sam Houston State, Texas State, UT San Antonio, UT Tyler, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, plus a growing list of online options at private schools like Liberty and Houston Christian.
- Becoming an LPC in Texas takes a 60-credit master's plus 3,000 supervised post-graduate hours (1,500 of them direct client contact), passing the NCE or NCMHCE, and passing the Texas Jurisprudence exam within six months of applying.
- In-state tuition runs roughly $290/credit at Liberty's online MA and $271/credit at Texas A&M Corpus Christi on the low end, up to $895+/credit at private programs. Most public university programs fall between $400 and $650 per credit for Texas residents.
- Texas has no state income tax, so an LPC earning around $60,000 takes home meaningfully more than an LPC earning the same in California or New York. Texas-licensed counselors had a median hourly wage of roughly $29 in 2024 per BLS Texas OEWS estimates.
- The Texas Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program offers LPCs up to $160,000 for serving Medicaid and CHIP clients in a designated mental health shortage area, with extra incentives for bilingual practitioners and rural counties under 150,000 population.
- The LPC-Associate clock is unforgiving. You have 60 months to complete your 3,000 hours, and the license cannot be renewed. If you run out of time, you reapply from scratch. Plan supervision and caseload carefully.
- Texas has not joined the Counseling Compact. If you're licensed in another state, you'll apply through BHEC's out-of-state pathway (a provisional license is available while your application is processed) and you'll still need to pass the Texas Jurisprudence exam regardless of how long you've practiced elsewhere.
If you want to become a counselor in Texas, the math is friendly. The state has more CACREP-accredited counseling programs than almost any other, an LPC scope of practice that lets you diagnose and treat independently, no state income tax eating into your paycheck, and a mental health workforce shortage so persistent that nearly every region of the state qualifies for federal loan repayment dollars. Demand is real, and it isn't going away.
What is unforgiving is the LPC-Associate clock. Texas gives you 60 months to finish 3,000 supervised hours under a board-approved LPC-S, and the associate license cannot be renewed. Programs differ in how aggressively they help you line up post-graduate supervision sites, and that detail matters more than tuition for most students. The well-known programs at Sam Houston State, Texas State, and UT San Antonio have built strong relationships with community mental health centers and group practices statewide. Smaller programs at UT Tyler, UT Permian Basin, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi serve their regions specifically and tend to place graduates right back into the communities they came from.
The licensing path itself is straightforward but Texas-specific. You finish your 60-credit CACREP master's, apply for LPC-Associate status with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors under BHEC, accumulate 3,000 supervised hours over at least 18 months, and pass either the NCE or NCMHCE plus the Texas Jurisprudence exam. The jurisprudence exam isn't a one-and-done either. You retake it every renewal cycle, so the state's ethics and statute material stays current in your head whether you want it to or not.
CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs in Texas
All 10 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas at San Antonio | ~$487/credit (College of Education and Human Development) | On-campus | |
| 2 | Texas State University (San Marcos / Round Rock) | ~$540/credit (~$11,135/year @ 9 credits) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Sam Houston State University | ~$443 to $547/credit (~$3,987 to $4,917/semester at 9 credits) | Hybrid | |
| 4 | Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi | ~$271/credit (on-campus); ~$410/credit (online) | On-campus and online | |
| 5 | University of Texas at Tyler | ~$438/credit (~$26,250 total in-state) | Primarily on-campus | |
| 6 | Texas Tech University | ~$465/credit | On-campus | |
| 7 | University of North Texas at Dallas | ~$450/credit | On-campus | |
| 8 | Houston Christian University | $620/semester credit hour (private, flat rate) | Online with required on-campus residencies | |
| 9 | Liberty University (online, serves Texas students) | ~$290/credit (online flat rate, 2025-26) | Fully online with two in-person intensive weekends | |
| 10 | Dallas Baptist University | ~$745/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus |
University of Texas at San Antonio
In-State
~$487/credit (College of Education and Human Development)
Out-of-State
~$1,090/credit
Length
2 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship; 240 direct client hours)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited 60-credit MS designed to meet Texas LPC educational requirements in full
- Downtown San Antonio location with placements at the Center for Health Care Services, Clarity Child Guidance Center, and JBSA military behavioral health
- Bilingual counseling concentration option available given San Antonio demographics
- Texas residents pay roughly $30,000 total tuition for the full 60-credit program
- Strong supervisor network in San Antonio for post-graduate LPC-Associate hours
Texas State University (San Marcos / Round Rock)
In-State
~$540/credit (~$11,135/year @ 9 credits)
Out-of-State
~$1,094/credit (~$22,559/year)
Length
3 years (60 non-thesis / 66 thesis)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP re-accredited through October 2032, one of the longest accreditation horizons in the state
- Two campuses give you access to placements in both the Austin and San Antonio metros
- Three CACREP-accredited tracks under one program: CMHC, School, and MCFC
- Strong feeder pipeline into the Austin behavioral health workforce
- Cohort-based admission with start dates in fall and spring
Sam Houston State University
In-State
~$443 to $547/credit (~$3,987 to $4,917/semester at 9 credits)
Out-of-State
~$8,667 to $9,597/semester
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- Hybrid CACREP-accredited program with mostly online coursework plus required in-person residencies
- Houston campus location (The Woodlands) gives access to the Texas Medical Center for placements
- Among the larger CMHC programs in Texas by enrollment
- CACREP accreditation through October 2031 with a clean compliance record
- Counseling Center clinic on campus serves as one practicum site for early students
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
In-State
~$271/credit (on-campus); ~$410/credit (online)
Out-of-State
~$683/credit (on-campus); ~$410/credit (online flat rate)
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 total clinical hours
Concentrations
- One of the most affordable CACREP CMHC programs in Texas at $271/credit for in-state residents
- Online track charges $410/credit as a flat rate regardless of residency, making it competitive nationally
- Coastal Bend region focus with placements at Christus Spohn, Driscoll Children's, and South Texas VA
- Bilingual practice emphasis given Corpus Christi demographics
- Master of Science in Professional Counseling with separate concentrations for CMHC and school
University of Texas at Tyler
In-State
~$438/credit (~$26,250 total in-state)
Out-of-State
~$893/credit
Length
2.5 to 3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- Total in-state tuition runs about $26,250 for the full 60-credit MA, one of the lower price tags among East Texas programs
- Strong placement pipeline with UT Health East Texas Behavioral Health Center
- Smaller cohort sizes (around 25-30 per year) for closer faculty mentoring
- Faculty hold active LPC-S credentials and supervise students into LPC-Associate roles after graduation
- Serves the East Texas region with placements throughout Smith, Gregg, and Cherokee counties
Texas Tech University
In-State
~$465/credit
Out-of-State
~$905/credit
Length
2.5 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited M.Ed. in Counselor Education with separate CMHC, school, and addictions concentrations
- Strong focus on rural and underserved practice given West Texas location
- Addictions counseling concentration is rarer in CACREP programs and aligns with TX LCDC pathway
- Located near UMC Health System and Covenant Health for healthcare placements
- Affordable public university tuition with low cost of living in Lubbock
University of North Texas at Dallas
In-State
~$450/credit
Out-of-State
~$890/credit
Length
3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited MS designed for the DFW workforce, with placements across Parkland, Metrocare Services, and major group practices
- Evening and weekend course schedules built around working adults
- Lower per-credit tuition than UTA or UT Dallas for comparable accreditation
- Bilingual practice emphasis given the demographics of southern Dallas County
- Newer program with growing alumni network across North Texas
Houston Christian University
In-State
$620/semester credit hour (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$620/semester credit hour (private, flat rate)
Length
3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- CACREP-accredited online program with flat $620/credit pricing regardless of residency
- Faith-integrated curriculum without requiring religious affiliation from students
- Required in-person residencies preserve clinical skill development that fully asynchronous programs sacrifice
- Marriage, Couples, and Family concentration available for students pursuing LMFT alongside LPC
- Field placements coordinated in students' local communities through a dedicated placement coordinator
Liberty University (online, serves Texas students)
In-State
~$290/credit (online flat rate, 2025-26)
Out-of-State
~$290/credit (online flat rate)
Length
3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- Among the most affordable CACREP-accredited online MA programs serving Texas residents at $290/credit
- Two required in-person residencies in Lynchburg, VA preserve clinical skill assessment
- Texas students complete practicum and internship in their local communities through a national placement network
- Multiple concentrations including Addictions and Recovery, Marriage and Family, and CMHC
- Verify Texas LPC eligibility for graduates of out-of-state programs with BHEC before enrolling
Dallas Baptist University
In-State
~$745/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
~$745/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
3 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
700 (100 practicum + 600 internship)
Concentrations
- Flexible delivery with mixed in-person, hybrid, and online course options
- Faith-integrated counselor education program rooted in DFW
- CACREP-accredited CMHC and School Counseling tracks
- Strong relationships with DFW area church-based counseling centers and private practices for placements
- Generous merit scholarships reduce effective tuition for many students
LPC Licensure Requirements in Texas
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (under BHEC)
(800) 821-3205
Texas regulates Licensed Professional Counselors through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, one of four member boards under the umbrella Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). The other three are Psychologists, Social Worker Examiners, and Marriage and Family Therapists. LPC and LMFT are separate boards with separate requirements, so dual licensure is possible but each track is processed independently.
You'll move through three license stages in Texas. First, the LPC-Associate, which authorizes supervised post-graduate practice for up to 60 months. Second, the full LPC, which lets you practice independently and diagnose. Third, optionally, the LPC-Supervisor (LPC-S), which qualifies you to supervise the next generation of associates. Most Texas counselors stop at LPC unless they plan to teach, run a group practice, or supervise.
The LPC-Associate timer is the part everyone underestimates. You have 60 months to complete 3,000 hours, and the associate license cannot be renewed. If you take a parental leave, change careers temporarily, or simply struggle to find consistent supervision, that clock keeps running. Plan supervision before you graduate.
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Provisional license; counseling practice under board-approved LPC-S supervision. 60-month maximum, non-renewable.
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: NCE or NCMHCE + Texas Jurisprudence
Licensed Professional Counselor
Independent clinical practice, mental health diagnosis and treatment, private practice, third-party billing
Hours
3,000
Duration
18 months
Exam: NCE or NCMHCE + Texas Jurisprudence
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
All LPC scope plus authority to supervise LPC-Associates accumulating hours toward full licensure
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: No additional exam beyond Texas Jurisprudence
Texas does not have reciprocity, licensure by endorsement, or temporary licensure for out-of-state counselors. Texas has also not joined the Counseling Compact as of 2026. If you're licensed in another state and moving to Texas, you apply through BHEC's out-of-state pathway. A provisional license ($221 fee as of January 2023) is available while your full application is processed, which lets you start working under supervision in Texas while paperwork moves. All applicants must pass the Texas Jurisprudence exam regardless of how long you've practiced elsewhere. Processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Practice jurisdiction is based on the client's physical location, so telehealth into Texas requires Texas licensure even if the provider lives elsewhere.
Counselor Salary in Texas
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Texas counselor salaries track close to but slightly below the national median for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. The BLS May 2024 OEWS estimates put Texas employment at roughly 18,840 across the combined occupation, the fifth-highest state employment in the country. The state's lack of income tax tilts the real take-home picture more favorably. A Texas LPC earning $58,000 keeps every dollar of that from state taxation, while a counselor earning the same in California or New York loses 6 to 10 percent to state income tax before the paycheck hits.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National median: $59,190
Top metro: $66,890 (Laredo, TX)
Mental Health Counselors (excluding substance abuse)
National median: $59,610
Top metro: $62,310 (Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown)
Marriage and Family Therapists
National median: $63,780
Top metro: $71,150 (Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors (School Counselors)
National median: $64,210
Top metro: $71,520 (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington)
Texas Counseling Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Texas has one of the most severe mental health workforce shortages in the country. According to HRSA HPSA data, roughly 211 of Texas's 254 counties are designated as full or partial mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas, meaning more than 80 percent of the state lacks adequate mental health provider coverage. The shortage is most severe in rural West Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, and the Panhandle, where some counties have zero licensed mental health practitioners at all.
Texas employs roughly 18,840 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (BLS May 2024), with the highest concentrations in the major metros: Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. The biggest employers include Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), community mental health centers like Metrocare Services in Dallas and Harris Center in Houston, major hospital systems like Baylor Scott & White and Memorial Hermann, the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, and a growing private group-practice sector. Texas also has 15 military installations including Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, and Joint Base San Antonio, creating consistent demand for counselors serving service members, veterans, and military families.
The state is investing in closing the gap. The Texas Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program is one of the most generous in the country, and the 2025-26 cycle includes bonuses for bilingual practitioners and counselors serving counties under 150,000 residents.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Texas Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program (MHPLRP): Up to $160,000 for LPCs who provide direct care to Medicaid or CHIP enrollees in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area for a minimum of 3 years. Additional $5,000 bonus for bilingual practitioners and $10,000 bonus for those serving counties with populations under 150,000. The 2025-26 application deadline is July 31, 2026.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Federal program. LPCs are eligible. Up to $50,000 for 2 years full-time service at an NHSC-approved site in a HPSA, or up to $25,000 for half-time. Texas has hundreds of approved NHSC sites concentrated in community mental health centers and federally qualified health centers.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): LPCs employed at state agencies (HHSC, juvenile justice), VA hospitals, county mental health authorities, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose a Counseling Program in Texas
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
With more than 20 CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Texas, the decision can feel paralyzing. Most students get tripped up optimizing for the wrong factors. Cost matters less than supervision pipeline. Format matters less than placement support. Here's how to actually narrow it down.
If you need maximum flexibility: Sam Houston State (hybrid with weekend residencies), Texas A&M Corpus Christi (online at $410/credit flat rate), Houston Christian University ($620/credit fully online), and Liberty University ($290/credit fully online) all let you keep your current job through the program.
If cost is the deciding factor: Texas A&M Corpus Christi at $271/credit in-state and Liberty's online MA at $290/credit are the cheapest CACREP-accredited options serving Texas students. Total tuition runs roughly $16,000 to $17,500 for a 60-credit program.
If you want the strongest DFW metro pipeline: UNT Dallas, Dallas Baptist, and Sam Houston State (Woodlands campus) all have deep relationships with Parkland, Metrocare Services, Baylor Scott & White, and the major DFW group practices.
If you want the strongest Houston/Texas Medical Center pipeline: Sam Houston State (Woodlands), Houston Christian, and any program with practicum coordinators in TMC give you direct access to Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson, Texas Children's, and the Harris Center community mental health network.
If you want bilingual practice training: UT San Antonio, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and UT Permian Basin all explicitly emphasize Spanish-language counseling and border region practice. UT San Antonio in particular has built specific course content around bilingual case conceptualization.
If addictions counseling is your specialty interest: Texas Tech is one of the few CACREP programs in Texas with a dedicated Addictions Counseling concentration, which aligns with the Texas LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) pathway if you want dual credentials.
If you have a clear plan to pursue LPC-Supervisor (LPC-S) later: Look for programs whose faculty are actively practicing LPC-S clinicians, not just academics. UT San Antonio, Sam Houston State, and Texas State all have faculty who continue to supervise associates in private practice, which can shortcut your supervision search later.
If you plan to leave Texas after graduating: Stick with CACREP-accredited programs without exception. Most states either require CACREP outright or process applications faster for CACREP graduates. The Texas LPC alone has no reciprocity, but CACREP travels.
Related Pages
Best Online Counseling Programs
National ranking of the top CACREP-accredited online counseling programs
Best Online Master's in Psychology
If you're still weighing psychology vs counseling at the master's level
Counselor Career Guide
What LPCs and LMHCs actually do day-to-day
MSW Programs in Texas
If you're weighing the social work pathway instead
ABA Programs in Texas
For students considering behavior analysis as an alternative path
Sources
- CACREP, Directory of Accredited Programs
- Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (BHEC)
- BHEC, Applying for an LPC License
- BHEC, Renewing an LPC License
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Texas Estimates (May 2024)
- NBCC, National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program
- Texas DSHS, Health Professional Shortage Area Designations