Online Counseling Programs in Texas
People often need a little extra help from time to time — whether they are struggling with a mental health disorder or having trouble coping with a major transition in life. Mental health counselors are professionals who can help individuals develop stronger coping skills, nurture relationships, cultivate resilience and navigate life’s many obstacles. If you feel called to help empower others through counseling services, Grand Canyon University invites you to explore our online1 counseling programs in Texas.
Available in Texas and beyond, our online degree programs in counseling are designed to prepare graduates to counsel clients with confidence. As a private Christian university, all our counseling programs offer faith-integrated courses with a focus on professional ethics and Christian servant leadership.
In This Article:
Experience the Convenience of an Online Education
You don’t have to choose between relocating for school or settling for a college within driving distance. With GCU’s online counseling programs in Texas, you can access a quality Christian education from almost anywhere with an internet connection. Enjoy the flexibility of online classes, allowing you to tailor your schedule to fit your commitments and personal life.
Online students at GCU receive the same quality education as our on-campus students in Phoenix, Arizona. You will log into our Learning Management System to attend classes, access your coursework and submit assignments. You will participate in academically stimulating discussions on the class forums and be able to chat one-on-one with instructors when you need extra help.
It’s also important to note that some online counseling degree programs may require internship and/or practicum hours to be completed in person locally. It’s important to understand the program requirements prior to enrollment.
A Typical Counseling Career Pathway in Texas
Texas requires clinical mental health counselors to obtain a state-issued license.2 In Texas, there are two main categories of counselors: licensed professional counselor (LPC) associate and full LPC. The associate license is for new counselors who must obtain supervised field experience to practice independently, whereas the full LPC license is for counselors who have fulfilled the field experience requirements and can practice without supervision.2
To obtain an LPC associate license, you must fulfill these requirements:1
Obtain a graduate degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited university
Obtain a passing score on either the National Counseling Exam or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam
Take the LPC Jurisprudence Exam
Complete a fingerprint background check
After obtaining the associate license, you may be able to work under supervision.2 To upgrade to the full LPC, you need at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience. It's important to note that these licensing requirements can change and if you plan to work outside Texas, be sure to research the requirements for your destination state.3 All students are responsible for knowing the licensure/certification requirements for the state in which they plan to work as a counselor.
Our Online Counseling Programs in Texas and Beyond
GCU is pleased to offer online counseling programs in Texas and elsewhere to students who are interested in pursuing a career that can make a positive difference in the lives of others. You can choose from counseling (and similar) degrees at the bachelor’s and graduate degree levels.
Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling
If you’re just beginning your journey in higher education, you can build an academic foundation at GCU. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse degree. Even if you aren’t planning to specialize in substance use disorders as a professional counselor, this counseling degree can be a good choice to gain fundamental principles and practices of counseling.
Alternatively, GCU has several bachelor’s degrees that are closely related to counseling. While they may not always lead directly to counseling roles, they offer valuable skills for various related fields. Here are some related online degrees you may want to explore:
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Trauma
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Family Dynamics
View all Bachelor's Degrees in Counseling
Master’s Degrees in Counseling
The state of Texas requires a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school.2 As an institutionally accredited university, GCU is pleased to offer a wide range of counseling master’s degrees across various specialties. These include:
Master of Science in Christian Counseling of Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Christian Counseling
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Trauma
View all Master's Degrees in Counseling
Doctoral Degrees in Counseling
If you already hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in counseling and would like to take your education further, consider applying to a doctoral program at GCU. Apply for enrollment in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision, both quantitative and qualitative research. You will conduct your own original research while exploring an area of professional interest to you.
GCU’s counseling doctoral programs are designed for experienced practitioners interested in positioning themselves to pursue career advancement. Coursework and research for our doctoral programs can largely be completed remotely. However, all doctoral programs require residencies, which must be completed in person on or near our campus in Phoenix, Arizona.
Certificate Programs Online
Interested in potentially sharpening your counseling skills and exploring a specialty area but not ready to commit to a full degree program? GCU offers several graduate certificate options to students, including the Graduate Certificate of Completion in Christian Counseling program for those interested in bringing the Christian perspective to their counseling practice.
If you already have a master’s degree in counseling, you might consider applying to a Post-Master of Science in Counseling program with one of the following emphases:
View all Certificates in Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions for Online Students
Prospective online students may have a few questions before submitting an application. The following responses may be helpful for you:
Is it possible to earn a counseling degree online in Texas?
It’s entirely possible to earn a counseling degree online in Texas or elsewhere. You will be able to attend classes and work through the coursework from anywhere that offers a stable internet connection. However, you should be aware that some counseling programs may require in-person internship or practicum hours. These field experiences offer essential hands-on experience to future counselors.
It's important to understand the requirements for any degree program you're thinking of applying to.3 If you have any questions about the requirements — or how to meet them — a university counselor at GCU is available to assist you.
What can you do with an online counseling degree?
If you earn an online counseling degree and meet all necessary certification/licensure requirements for your intended career path, there is a variety of specializations you might pursue, such as:4,5
Clinical mental health counseling
Addiction and substance use counseling
Marriage, couple and family counseling
School counseling
College counseling
Residential counseling
Counselor education and supervision
Note that some of these specializations may require additional credentials other than those described in the general career pathway for Texas mentioned above. Students are responsible for understanding the training and licensure requirements for their intended career path.
Are online counseling programs in Texas respected?
Before you enroll in any degree program — whether online or in person — it’s a good idea to ensure the university is accredited. This is an indicator of academic quality and a sign that your degree will be valued, regardless of whether they were earned online or in person. GCU is an institutionally accredited university that has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968.
Earn Your Counseling Degree in Texas Online at GCU
At GCU, you will be immersed within a supportive Christian learning community that values personal and professional growth. Explore our wide range of online counseling programs in Texas and beyond, as well as our selection of online degrees and certificate programs in other fields.
1 Online courses exclude programs with residencies and field experience.
2 Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. (n.d.). Applying for a License. Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2024.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 9, 2024.
4 Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. (n.d.). Counseling Specialties. Retrieved Nov. 5, 2024.
5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 9, 2024.
Approved and verified accurate by the CMHC program chair of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Jan. 3, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
