Program Admission
The Professional Counseling Program within the College of Education and Health Professions follows specific admission procedures for the Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Master of Science degree in Professional School Counseling.
The GRE is not required.
Admissions Requirements
1. Application: Complete online at Apply Texas before or on March 15, 2024. Only the following applications will be accepted for the Professional Counseling Program at UHV:
- EDU Clin Mental Hlth Counseling MS-Professional Counselor (LPC)
- EDU Clin Mental Hlth Counseling MS-Marriage/Fam Therapist (MFT)
- EDU Clin Mental Hlth Counseling MS-Prof School Counselor (PSC)
- EDU Prof Counseling (Post Grad) Professional Counselor (LPC)
- EDU Prof Counseling (Post Grad) Prof School Counselor (PSC)
2. Official Transcripts: Official transcripts of all non-UHV coursework and degrees conferred. Send transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions at gradadmissions@uhv.edu.
3. Criminal Background Check: Completion of a background check via the Texas Department of Public Safety. Please see submission instructions below.
4. Statement of Purpose: The must be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-pt font. The length of the statement should be 1-2 pages maximum (250-500 words) and should address the following criteria:
1. Applicants should include their full name, UHV student ID (which will be received a few days after the Apply Texas application is completed) on the statement of purpose.
2. Your professional goals and the reason you are pursuing education and training in professional counseling, rather than in another mental health discipline (such as psychology, social work, or counseling psychology). Header: “Professional Goals”
A. Describe any significant life events and how they have contributed to the development of your professional goals.
3. Your major strengths and weaknesses with respect to being admitted into this program. Header: “Strengths & Weaknesses”
4. Your perspective on diversity including a) how would you contribute to and benefit from the richness of our Professional Counseling Program, and b) how would you increase inclusion of diversity in the counseling profession. Header: “Diversity”.
5. Recommendation Forms/Letters: Submission of (3) recommendation forms are required. Each of the three recommendation forms must address your potential for success in the profession and your ability to complete a graduate program. Each form must be completed it its’ entirety. Forms should be from an academic source, preferably a professor or academic official who is familiar with your academic history and achievement. If you have been out of school for several years, recommendations may come from your employer or supervisor. Recommendations forms are allowed to be signed digitally and MUST be submitted by the applicant.
6. Program Interview: A program interview with UHV graduate faculty in professional counseling. The purpose of the interview is:
(1) to assess personal qualities useful for graduate and eventual professional work as a counselor; (2) to clarify questions that the committee may have about applicant’s admissions materials; (3) determine whether the applicant’s professional goals are in alignment with the objectives of the program; and (4) to share more information about the program with applicants.
If application materials are deemed satisfactory, applicants will be invited to interview with the admissions interview committee.
All applications must be complete to be considered for admission. All students must gain entry to the Professional Counseling program, School Counseling and/or Clinical Mental Health Counseling, through the admission procedures listed above. Graduate admission to UHV does not ensure students will be admitted to the Professional Counseling Program.
Submission Instructions for Admission Materials
Once you have applied through Apply Texas, we are asking that all applicants utilize their my UHV self service account to upload the required documents : click here myUHV .
Directions for uploading documents: click here: Grad Document Upload Functionality: Student Guide
The following items must be submitted via this upload form for further processing:
- Statement of Purpose
- Recommendation Form #1
- Recommendation Form #2
- Recommendation Form #3
- Criminal Background Check Verification (Instant self-reports are now being accepted)
Important: All applicants utilizing the upload form to submit admission documents for admission into the Professional Counseling Program MUST have completed an institutional application through ApplyTexas. Additionally, applicants MUST have an active UHV ID number to complete this form. UHV IDs are issued to applicant after successful complete of the ApplyTexas application. If you do not know your UHV ID, please contact admissions@uhv.edu.
Regarding Transcripts: Your official transcripts must be sent to gradadmissions@uhv.edu for processing. Transcripts are not needed for interview eligibility, however, are required for full admission to the program. If transcripts are not received by January 15, then a conditional admission may be granted if admitted to the professional counseling program.
Program Application and Interview Schedule
- Term of Admission: Fall 2025
- Apply Texas Application Deadline: December 31, 2024
- Admission Material Submission Deadline: January 15, 2025
- Program Interviews: Mid-February through Mid-March
- Admissions Notifications: April
- Fall Registration Opens: April
Due to adherence to faculty-to-student ratios, applicants may be accepted and wait-listed for spring or summer admission. Registration timelines are set by the UHV Registrar's Office and are subject to change. We encourage you to explore our web site. You may contact any of our faculty to inquire about the M.S. in Professional Counseling.
If you have already applied for admission and have questions about the status of your admission materials, send your inquiry to smithwd@uhv.edu and include your full name and UHV ID in your email.
Professional Counseling Faculty
