Department of Counseling

Department Chair: Dr. Belinda Lopez

Location: Education Building 105

Phone: (409) 880-8978

Counseling Program Coordinators

Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Dr. Shannon McFarlin

Counseling and Development: Professional School Counseling -  Dr. Kimberly McGough

Counseling and Development: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling: Dr. Valerie Handley

Graduate Faculty Counseling

Rebecca Weinbaum, Associate Dean and Associate Professor

Patricia Harris, Clinical Instructor

Mohammad K. Hamza, Professor

Wendy Greenidge, Associate Professor

Belinda Lopez, Interim Chair and Associate Professor

Shannon McFarlin, Assistant Professor

Kimberly McGough, Assistant Professor

Anna Nguyen, Clinical Instructor

Joy Snook, Assistant Professor

Lisa Wines, Associate Professor

Graduate Faculty Online Counseling Program

Robert Carlisle, Distance Clinical Professor

Brande Flamez, Distance Clinical Professor

Robika Mylroie, Distance Clinical Professor

Graduate Counseling Programs and Certificates

The Department of Counseling offers graduate programs leading to a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a M.Ed. in Counseling and Development with concentrations in Professional School Counseling, and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. 

Admissions to the Master’s Degree Programs

Admission to a master’s degree program is required of all students taking courses in the Counseling graduate-level programs. A maximum of nine semester hours may be taken prior to admission. For on-campus applicants, transferred hours from another university must be approved in the department before registering for courses. For online applicants, transfer hours from other universities are not accepted.  

Admissions Requirements to 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Graduate College

  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (institutional or last 60-hour count) or undergraduate GPA of 2.5-2.99 GPA (institutional or last 60 hours) or higher with corresponding GRE. Students who do not have a 3.0 GPA (institutional or last 60 hours) must have a qualifying GRE score within the first 9 credit hours. Admission score will be developed with the formula GPA x 50 + GRE (composite of Verbal and Quantitative)> or =428
  • Applicants who do not have a 3.0 GPA (cumulative or last 60 hours) must have a qualifying GRE score within the first 9 credit hours
    • For full admission, these candidates must apply for Admission to Degree Candidacy by completing applications with the department. Students are notified of full admission within 30 days after submitting the application.
  • Departmental Essay
  • Professional Reference

Step-by-Step Procedures for Admissions to the Master Degree Programs in Counseling

  • Complete the Application Form here through ApplyTexas and pay a one-time application fee of $25.
  • Complete and submit the Departmental Essay and Informed Consent following the instructions provided via ApplyTexas.org.
  • Applicants must provide the name of a professional reference, who will receive a Professional Reference Form from the department. This form must be submitted by the professional reference for the applicant to be admitted.
  • Send official transcripts of all college and university course work following the instructions given in the ApplyTexas.org Application.
  • Upon notification of acceptance, return the agreement letter to the address provided.

Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (institutional or last 60-hour count) or undergraduate GPA of 2.5-2.99 GPA (institutional or last 60 hours) or higher with corresponding GRE. Students who do not have a 3.0 GPA (institutional or last 60 hours) must have a qualifying GRE score within the first 9 credit hours. Admission score will be developed with the formula GPA x 50 + GRE (composite of Verbal and Quantitative)> or =428

Applicants who do not have a 3.0 GPA (cumulative or last 60 hours) must have a qualifying GRE score within the first 9 credit hours

Additional Requirements for Application to Professional School Counseling Programs

  • Applicants most hold a valid state-issued teaching certificate upon enrolling in the program.
  • Applicants must have at least two years of teaching experience in a K-12 setting and be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident.
    • Waivers of any experience or certification requirements will be initiated by 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Admissions staff as necessary in instances such as applications from states that do not require certification for professional practice.
    • Incomplete department applications will not be reviewed or considered for admission. Applicants who do not complete all application components within a one-semester term must reapply to the program. 
    • Upon admissions to the selected master’s-level program, candidates will be required to sign a formal acceptance of the invitation before or within their first course.

** Out-of-state applicants must determine whether the program will meet state credentialing requirements by contacting their respective state Department of Education.

General admissions questions can be directed to Counseling Admissions using the following email: cospadmissions@lamar.edu

Program Descriptions and Coursework

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master's Degree in Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare professionals to provide clinical counseling services to a broad population of clients in a range of professional settings (e.g., clinics, hospitals, school-based mental health programs, and private practice) and to be eligible to seek professional licensure. 

The Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is a 60-credit hour program consisting of the following courses:

  • CNDV 5301 HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
  • CNDV 5302 FOUNDATIONS OF CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5310 COUNSELING SKILLS
  • CNDV 5311 INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES
  • CNDV 5312 GROUP COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES
  • CNDV 5320 MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5322 PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS, AND THE LAW
  • CNDV 5323 CAREER DEVELOPMENT
  • CNDV 5324 SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5334 MEASUREMENT AND ASSESSMENT  
  • CNDV 5350 ABNORMAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR
  • CNDV 5327 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BASIC PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
  • CNDV 5352 CRISIS PREVENTION & INTERVENTION
  • CNDV 5353 RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION
  • CNDV 5380 SEMINAR 1 RESIDENCY (REQUIRES FACE-TO-FACE WEEK ON CAMPUS)
  • CNDV 5380 SEMINAR 2 RESIDENCY (REQUIRES FACE-TO-FACE WEEK ON CAMPUS)
  • CNDV 5381 MARRIAGE, COUPLE, AND FAMILY COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5392 PRACTICUM (3 CREDIT HOURS AND 100 FIELD HOURS)
  • CNDV 5394A INTERNSHIP 1 (3 CREDIT HOURS AND 300 FIELD HOURS)
  • CNDV 5394B INTERNSHIP 2 (3 CREDIT HOURS AND 300 FIELD HOURS)

Beginning Summer 2019, all applicants to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program will be required to submit a GRE score (regardless of completion of a previous advanced degree). Official scores must be reported directly to the Office of Admissions by testing agencies; an official copy must be received before a final offer of admission can be made. The 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ School code for admission testing is 6360. An undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and a group interview are also requirements for admission to the CMHC Program. .

Professional School Counseling

The Master’s Degree in Education in Counseling and Development with a concentration in Professional School Counseling is designed to prepare educators to provide professional school counseling services. This master’s degree program is specifically for certified teachers who possess at least a bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming part of a school’s professional support services team. This non-thesis program is designed to prepare educators to meet the requirements of School Counselor credentialing articulated by national and state standards and the Texas State Board for Educator Certification standards. Students complete 60 hours of coursework that leads to school counseling certification and licensure (LPC) in Texas. Out-of-state students are responsible to verify state requirements for each of these credentials.

The Master of Education in Counseling and Development in School Counseling degree is a 60-credit hour program consisting of the following courses:

  • CNDV 5301 HUMAN GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT 
  • CNDV 5304 FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5310 COUNSELING SKILLS
  • CNDV 5306 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5311 INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING THEORY/TECHNIQUES 
  • CNDV 5312 GROUP COUNSELING THEORIES/TECHNIQUES
  • CNDV 5320 MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING 
  • CNDV 5322 PROFESSIONALISM ETHICS & LAW 
  • CNDV 5323 CAREER DEVELOPMENT
  • CNDV 5326 ADDICTIONS COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5327 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BASIC PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
  • CNDV 5330 DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5334 MEASUREMENT & ASSESSMENT 
  • CNDV 5352 CRISIS PREVENTION INTERVENTION 
  • CNDV 5353 RESEARCH & PROGRAM EVALUATION 
  • CNDV 5380 SEMINAR 1 (RESIDENCY REQUIRES FACE-TO-FACE WEEK ON CAMPUS)
  • CNDV 5381 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5390 SCHOOL COUNSELING PRACTICUM (3 CREDIT HOURS)
  • CNDV 5394C INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING (3 CREDIT HOURS AND 300 FIELD HOURS)
  • CNDV 5394D INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING (3 CREDIT HOURS AND 300 FIELD HOURS)

Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

The Master's Degree in Education with a concentration in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling is designed to prepare professionals to provide clinical counseling services using a systems approach in a range of professional settings (e.g., clinics, hospitals, school-based mental health programs, and private practice) and to be eligible to seek professional licensure. 

The Master of Education in Counseling and Development in Marriage, Couple and Family degree is a 60-credit hour program consisting of the following courses:

  • CNDV 5301 HUMAN GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
  • CNDV 5304 FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5305 COUNSELING SKILLS IN SCHOOLS
  • CNDV 5311 INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING THEORY/TECHNIQUES 
  • CNDV 5312 GROUP COUNSELING THEORIES/TECHNIQUES
  • CNDV 5320 MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING 
  • CNDV 5322 PROFESSIONALISM ETHICS & LAW 
  • CNDV 5307 CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN SCHOOLS
  • CNDV 5326 ADDICTIONS COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5327 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BASIC PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
  • CNDV 5329 ASSESSMENT IN MARRIAGE, COUPLE AND FAMILY COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5334 MEASUREMENT & ASSESSMENT 
  • CNDV 5333 HUMAN SEXUALITY AND COUNSELING APPLICATIONS
  • CNDV 5350 ABNORMAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
  • CNDV 5353 RESEARCH & PROGRAM EVALUATION 
  • CNDV 5380 SEMINAR 1 (RESIDENCY REQUIRES FACE-TO-FACE WEEK ON CAMPUS)
  • CNDV 5381 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING
  • CNDV 5393 COMMUNITY COUNSELING PRACTICUM (3 CREDIT HOURS)
  • CNDV 5394C INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING (3 CREDIT HOURS AND 300 FIELD HOURS)
  • CNDV 5394D INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING (3 CREDIT HOURS AND 300 FIELD HOURS)