Graduate School of Counseling and Psychology: FAQs
How long will it take to finish the program?
Courses are scheduled for a calendar year so that students can take nine hours in the fall semester, nine hours in the spring semester, and nine hours in the summer semester, which is one long semester just as the fall and spring semesters are. This enables students to finish any specialization in a timely fashion.
The Community Counseling Program is a 48 hour program which takes two years to complete if you are a full-time student. A full-time student is one who is taking nine hours per semester. However, you can take up to five years to complete this degree.
The School Psychology Program, for those wanting to become Licensed Specialists in School Psychology, is a 60 hour program. It usually takes two and a half to three years to complete this program.
The Professional School Counselor Program for those wanting to become Certified Public School Counselors is a 36 hour program. This program can be completed in four semesters (one calendar year).
Can I work and go to school too?
Yes. Our program is designed for people who work. All of the classes are at night, Monday through Thursday. Ninety-five percent (95%) of our students work during the day.
How much is the tuition for graduate classes?
Graduate tuition is $495 per semester hour. In addition the University charges a few other fees. This information can be found in the graduate catalog under Financial Information.
Can I work on my degree part time?
Yes, as long as you complete it in five years.
How do I apply?
You can complete the Graduate School application online and then mail a check for the application processing fee to the UMHB Admissions Office. You need to have official copies of all your transcripts as well as official GRE scores sent to the Admissions Office. The address is:
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Admissions Office
900 College Street
Belton, TX 76513
Three letters of reference should be emailed to rstatz@umhb.edu or sent via regular mail.
Once all documents are received, you will be contacted by the Graduate Counseling and Psychology Department to schedule an interview.
Can I apply before I take the GRE?
You can make application before taking the GRE; however, the GRE must be taken before an interview can be scheduled.
What does my GRE score have to be for admission to the program?
For regular admission, we require a combined score of 900 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE and 3.5 on the analytical writing section. However, we take into account all of the information you have submitted (GRE scores, grade point average and letters of recommendation), and your interview presentation and responses in making our final decision regarding admission to the program. For example, if you make 850 on the GRE but have a high GPA, excellent recommendations, and a good interview, we will look at all of that information---not just the GRE score.
What does my GPA (grade point average) have to be for admission?
For regular admission, we require a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework taken.
Will the courses I take for my master's degree count toward a doctor's degree?
This really depends on the university to which you will be transferring. There are some universities, particularly those that are CACREP accredited, that accept all of our courses in transfer, while others do not. You will need to contact the university where you plan to get your doctorate to be certain.
Is there an opportunity to do research?
Yes, we encourage our students to do research. Some students work on their own research projects with faculty supervision, while others work on research projects that faculty are engaged in. We will help any student who conducts research to get the study submitted for publication. In addition, we like for our students to present their research at professional conferences. If your research is accepted for presentation at a professional conference, the department pays for travel and conference registration.
What king of jobs can I get with a master's degree in counseling and psychology?
Our graduates live across the U.S. and work in a variety of capacities from community private practice to organizational consulting to community agencies to educational institutions.
How much money can I make with a master's degree in counseling and psychology?
Twenty-one percent of our graduates make over $40,000 per year, and fifty-eight percent earn $50,000 and more per year. Some earn in the triple digits!