Counseling Careers and Internships

School Counselor

Mean Annual Wage in Texas: $58,000

Job Outlook: Projected to grow 8% from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Mean Annual Wage in Texas: $58,000

What they do:

• Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments, interviews, and individual planning
• Identify issues that impact school performance, such as poor classroom attendance rates
• Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral problems through classroom guidance lessons and counseling
• Counsel individuals and small groups on the basis of student and school needs
• Work with students to develop skills, such as organizational and time management abilities and effective study habits
• Help students create a plan to achieve academic and career goals
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed
• Teach students and school staff about certain topics, such as bullying, drug abuse, and planning for college or careers after graduation
• Report possible cases of neglect or abuse and refer students and parents to resources outside the school for additional support

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016-17). U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm (visited July 08, 2017).

Certification in Texas: Certified School Counselor

Education Requirements in Texas: Master’s Degree in School Counseling, Teaching Certification, and other field practical experience.

Source: Texas Education Agency: School Guidance and Counseling. Retrieved from http://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Learning_Support_and_Programs/School_Guidance_and_Counseling/School_Guidance_and_Counseling/

Contact: MSCounProg@uhcl.edu

Professional (Mental Health) Counselors

Mean Annual Wage in Texas: $46,000

Job Outlook: Projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

What they do:

• Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression
• Encourage clients to discuss their emotions and experiences
• Help clients process their reactions and adjust to difficult changes in their life, such as divorce and layoffs
• Guide clients through the process of making decisions about their future
• Help clients develop strategies and skills to change their behavior and to cope with difficult situations
• Refer clients to other resources or services in the community, such as support groups or inpatient treatment facilities

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016-17). U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm (visited July 08, 2017).

License in Texas: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Education Requirements in Texas: Master’s Degree (60 credit hours from August 1, 2017) in Counseling or Counseling-related field & other field practical experience.

Source: Texas Department of State Health Services (n.d.). Texas Administrative Code. Retrieved from http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=30&ch=681&rl=81

Contact: MSCounProg@uhcl.edu