DGRD_SCEND - School Counseling Certification Endorsement

Content amendment since initial publishing added May 15, 2024

19 TAC §228.35(e)(8)(C)(i): An intern or probationary certificate has been issued to a candidate for a certification class other than classroom teacher who meets the requirements and conditions. 

Individuals who already hold a 48-credit hour master's degree in counseling with a GPA of 3.4 may pursue the School Counseling Certification Endorsement track. To become a certified school counselor in Texas, a student must pass the TExES School Counselor Exam (252) and complete 160 hours of supervised direct counseling hours in a school setting. Individuals seeking certification in other states are urged to contact the relevant state(s) because their requirements may differ. Students pursuing this track must have a completed School Counseling Completion Plan on file in the counseling office prior to enrollment in the first counseling (prefix COUN) course. Although Texas issues only one type of counseling certificate for P-12, the Counseling Program will endorse a graduate only for the track (elementary or secondary) that he or she completed.

The non-degree track is for students who already hold a 48-credit master's degree Counseling. In Texas, certification is required to counsel in the public school. Applicants seeking admission to the School Counseling Program should be aware that Texas State Boards for certification and licensure, as well as credentialing boards of other states and some professional organizations, conduct criminal history checks on all applicants for certification. The applicant with a criminal background who seeks professional credentials should contact the appropriate Board prior to enrollment in the Program to determine eligibility for certification and/or licensure.