The Counseling and Development program of the Department of Family Sciences is an exciting and dynamic area that offers professional training and development leading to a Master's Degree in Counseling and Development (MS).  Students may choose to focus on community counseling, professional school counseling, or a dual degree in counseling and music therapy.  This degree will prepare students to be eligible to receive licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and/or certification as a professional school counselor.  Upon completion of three extra elective courses, students are also eligible to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT).

Why TWU?

• CACREP (Council for Accreditation and Related Educational Programs) accreditation for all areas of the program.
• The strength of collaborating with students, including many nontraditional/returning students.
• Smaller class sizes, with more individualized attention and focus by faculty members.
• Evening and weekend classes to better accommodate working students.
• A focus on faculty mentoring and advising.
• Innovative teaching strategies, including conference-based courses.
• Professional school counseling certification from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Focus on innovative and creative counseling strategies, including music therapy, play therapy, and marriage/family therapy.
• Onsite community-based clinic providing counseling services to the Denton, Texas area at a reduced/free rate.

What our current and former students say about this program

Tina Arnold
Bianca Harvey

C&D Announcements

• Procedures for taking the NCE before graduation [PDF]

Degree Plans/Guidelines/Handbooks

• M.S. Counseling & Development: Community Counseling degree plan information [PDF]
• C&D Master’s Degree Plan – Community Counseling [word]
• M.S. Counseling & Development: School Counseling degree plan information [PDF]
• C&D Master’s Degree Plan – School Counseling [word]
• M.S. Counseling & Development: Duel M.A. in Music degree plan information [PDF]  
• Deficiency Plan (for applicants who already have a Master’s degree) [PDF]
• Portfolio Guidelines [PDF]
• Approved Clinical Mental Health Practicum & Internship Site List [excel]
• Counseling & Development Practicum Internship Clinical Handbook [PDF]
• Master’s Student Handbook: Program in Counselor Education [PDF]

Professional Associations/Organizations

• American Counseling Association           
• American School Counselor Association
• APA Style Assistance
• Association for Play Therapy
• CACREP (Council for Accreditation and Related Educational Programs)
• Chi Sigma Iota
• National Board of Certified Counselors
• Texas Association of Play Therapists
• Texas Counseling Association
• Texas Licensed Professional Counselor
• TeXes/Excet