Work Toward a Master's Degree in Counseling on Saturdays
Meet the growing need for counselors in the state of Texas by beginning your master’s degree in counseling at our Dallas location through Weekend College Dallas! A master’s degree in counseling from A&M-Commerce will help you prepare for a variety of counseling careers, including school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and family therapy. Get started by filling out the form below.
What is Weekend College Dallas?
Weekend College Dallas is designed for students who find it difficult to attend classes during the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. Courses for our Master of Science in Counseling degree program are offered each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the standard 16-week semester from our Dallas location at 8750 North Central Expressway. Through Weekend College Dallas, you can complete one to three classes per semester by attending class just one day a week!
Counseling Weekend Program (MS) :: Depart Counsel copied
SEE YOURSELF SUCCEED WITH A master’s DEGREE IN Counseling
Career Readiness
Participate in excellence-driven programs that empower you with knowledge of mental health, student affairs and therapeutic strategies.
Accomplished Faculty
Enjoy the opportunity to learn at our new Dallas location with guidance and mentorship from our world-class faculty.
Education Success
Join the ranks of A&M-Commerce graduates who have gone on to become school counselors, licensed professional counselors and members of student services at colleges and universities.
Hands-on Training
Whether it’s a full year in the classroom, practicum or internships, you’ll engage in real-world learning experiences that build your confidence and skills.
Guidance You Need
Located in the Frank Young Education North building, our Mentor Center provides the information and support you need to reach your career goals.
Counseling Weekend Program (MS) :: Majors and emphases copied
Focus Your Passion
The Department of Counseling offers four tracks toward earning your master’s degree in counseling. Explore which option works best for your career interest and lifestyle. All tracks are non-thesis.
Student Affairs (MED)
Gain employment in the university setting through our Student Affairs track. Counseling provides the foundation needed to interact with college students on a daily basis. Graduates often find employment in career services, academic affairs, recruiting and admissions. (Total Hours: 36)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
Do you want to work in a hospital or private practice? Guide others to better lives with our Clinical Mental Health Counseling track. Our program will help you prepare to work as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. You’ll serve clientele who have a variety of mental, emotional and behavioral difficulties. With this track, you can also become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. (Total Hours: 60)
School Counseling (MS)
Make a difference in local schools through our School Counseling track. Learn how to provide guidance and counseling to students of all ages. You must hold a valid teaching certificate and two years of full-time teaching experience to qualify for this program. When you graduate, you’ll be certified as a Professional School Counselor. (Total Hours: 51)
School Counseling with LPC (MS)
Are you interested in helping your school and community? You can become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with this track. Learn the importance of group dynamics, family therapies and diverse assessments through our comprehensive program. (Total Hours: 60)
Earn a certificate or licensure as part of your graduate curriculum. These recognitions provide career benefits like higher salaries and job opportunities.
A master’s degree in counseling from A&M-Commerce helps prepare you to work in community agencies, schools, student affairs and more. Our graduates are quick to transition when job opportunities present themselves.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
Marriage and Family Therapist
$50,090
Postsecondary Education Administrators
$94,340
School and Career Counselors
$56,310
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
$44,630
Rehabilitation Counselors
$35,630
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018
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Featured Courses
Introduction to Play TherapyCOUN 539
Develop an effective philosophy of and approach to play therapy and an increased understanding of children and of children’s world views. You will learn to communicate with children at an affective level, to promote children’s self-exploration and understanding, and to increase children’s sympathy and acceptance of others.
Marriage and Family Counseling COUN 611
A survey of the historical development and principal conceptualizations of marital and family counseling/therapy. Goals include an initial examination and comparison of various theories currently employed in the field with an emphasis on interview techniques. Subject areas to be covered include the various schools of family counseling/therapy, along with current trends and issues in marriage and family counseling/therapy.
The Contemporary College StudentCOUN 607
Examines characteristics of present and future college students. Presented as a seminar to identify and examine salient issues facing college students. It includes sources of motivation, learning styles, development of values, relationship development, psychosocial development and issues related to gender, health, and intercultural concerns.
Counseling Weekend Program (MS) :: Course Delivery and Resources copied
Course Delivery
Earning your degree from A&M-Commerce just got easier.
Courses for our Master of Science in Counseling degree program are offered each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the standard 16-week semester from our Dallas location at 8750 North Central Expressway. Through Weekend College Dallas, you can complete one to three classes per semester by attending classes just one day a week!
Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
Select “Counseling, MS or Counseling, MED ” as your “Major.”
Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
Postal Alternative
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce Attn: Graduate School PO Box 3011 Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
Three Letters of Recommendation
Request three signed letters of recommendation through the department of counseling recommendation form, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.
Submit a statement of self-exploration and personal and professional self-development.
Explain why these qualities are especially important for counselors-in-training and what you would do, if admitted to our master’s degree program, to facilitate your own openness in these areas. Reference your answer to your own specific career goals.
Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Test Scores
You do not need to submit GRE scores if you have:
a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.0 GPA overall or higher
a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.0 GPA overall or higher
Request that your GRE®scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
Interview
The Department of Counseling will contact you to schedule your interview.
Note: MED in Counseling with an Emphasis in Student Affairs applicants are not required to complete an interview.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Admission to the Certification Office is required if you are seeking school counseling certification as part of your M.S. degree.
After submitting a complete application to the Graduate School, immediately submit your School Counselor Certification Program Application using TK20. You must submit a TK20 application prior to your interview date with the Department of Counseling to avoid delays in processing admissions.
You will need to have the following documents ready for upload in order to submit the application:
Certification fee receipt
TEA Assessment fee receipt
Teaching service record
A minimum of one year of experience is required for admission to the master’s degree-seeking path for school counselor. If you are currently completing your first year of service, please submit a letter from your human resources department. The application will not submit if this required attachment is missing.
Standard Texas Teaching Certificate
Note: Candidates on emergency permits, intern or probationary certificates will not be admitted.
Official transcripts from the Graduate Office will be reviewed by the certification office.
Official transcripts from all institutions must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to satisfy TEA certification admission requirements.
Applicants must meet one of the following GPA requirements for certification admission:
Minimum 2.75 overall GPA; or
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a conferred master’s degree; or
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of a conferred bachelor’s degree
Please note that certification admission requirements may differ from those of the Graduate School and are separate requirements.
If applicable:
TEA Transfers
If you have previously been admitted to another educator preparation program for school counseling certification.
Contact the certification office for any questions about TEA requirements for transcripts from outside the United States.
If your official transcripts are from institutions outside the United States and the country of origin is not exempt by TEA, send the following documentation to the A&M-Commerce certification office:
Minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Please note that TOEFL scores are only valid for a period of two years. Required minimum scores are 24 for Speaking, 22 for Listening, 22 for Reading and 21 for Writing.
As of 3/4/2022, a valid standard Texas educator certificate will be accepted in lieu of TOEFL iBT scores.
Upload documents by clicking on the “+ Select File(s)” button for the item you are uploading.
Once you have completed all fields in the application, click the “Submit” button.
Look for an email from TK20 confirming your submission.
Check Your Application Status
To check your application status:
Log in to your TK20 Student Admissions account
On the “Home” tab, locate your application under “Recent Messages”
Click on the application.
If you are admitted, the message will indicate your application was “Admitted”
If you lack admission requirements, the message will indicate “Denied.”
Click on “Review Document” to view your deficiencies and reason(s) for denial.
Interview
Once both the Graduate School and Certification Program Applications are complete, the Department of Counseling will reach out to schedule an interview. Interview days are typically scheduled on a monthly basis.
Sign the Letter of Invitation
Once accepted, please sign and return the “letter of invitation.”
Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
Select “Counseling, MS or Counseling, MED” as your “Major.”
Pay the $75 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to: Texas A&M University-Commerce Attn: Graduate School 2600 S. Neal St. Commerce, Texas 75428
Three Letters of Recommendation
Request three signed recommendations, on department form, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.
Submit a statement of self-exploration and personal and professional self-development.Essay information.
Explain why these qualities are especially important for counselors-in-training and what you would do, if admitted to our master’s degree program, to facilitate your own openness in these areas. Reference your answer to your own specific career goals.
Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Test Scores (if required)
Submit official General Test GRE scores
You are not required to submit a GRE if:
Hold an awarded bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher or
Hold an awarded master’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Request that your GRE®scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
Interview
The Department of Counseling will contact you to schedule your interview.
Note: MED in Counseling with an Emphasis in Student Affairs applicants are not required to complete an interview.
English Proficiency
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:
TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Official Sponsor Documents
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
Official sponsor statement
Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
Review the Application Packet for more information.
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