Educational Psychology

Licensure Plan
Guidance and Counseling Program
Educational Psychology Department
University of Texas-Pan American

Admissions Criteria

Students interested in becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor have two options in which they can complete the coursework required in the LPC Track. Option A lists the criteria required if you have completed a Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling and have decided to pursue an LPC. Option B lists the criteria required if a student has decided to pursue the LPC Track right after completing their Undergraduate degree.

Option A

Students pursuing an LPC after completing a Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling must meet the following requirements:

a. Application for the Licensure Plan
b. Three Letters of Recommendation
c. Official Transcript
d. Current Vitae
e. Statement of Purpose
f. Graduate Grade Point Average of at least 3.75

Option B

Students pursuing a Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling along with the LPC Licensure track after completing their Undergraduate work must meet the following requirements:

g. Application for the Guidance and Counseling Program with the Licensure Plan
h. Three Letters of Recommendation
i. Official Transcript
j. Current Vitae
k. Statement of Purpose
l. Undergraduate Grade Point Average of at least 3.00
m. GRE Scores

If students are currently under the old thirty-nine (39) school counseling program they must complete the thirty nine hours before applying for the Licensure program. If they are accepted into the LPC program they must complete nine (9) additional hours of coursework in the following sequence:

EPSY 6100-6101---6102---(a three hour course) DSM-IV or Psy 6305---Advanced Studies in Psychopathology
EPSY 6393---Marriage and Family
EPSY 6392---Practicum III

The application/admissions process also includes an interview with a team of Guidance and Counseling program faculty. During the interview the individuals will respond to a series of questions asked of all applicants and will complete a writing sample at the time of the interview. The applicants will be notifed by phone of the decision and the LPC Coordinator will follow up with an official letter.

Starting in the Fall semester of 2007, the Guidance and Counselng Program will offer only a forty-eight (48) hours degree. Students under the 48 hour Guidance and Counseling Program and pursuing an LPC must complete the 48 hours and the additional nine (9) hours required for the licensure plan in the sequence listed above.

State Requirements for Licensure in Texas

a. A Master’s Degree in Counseling or related field on at least master’s level
b. A planned graduate program in counseling or related field of at least 48 semester hours
c. Applicant’s must also have a supervised practicum experience that is primarily professional counseling in nature of at least 300 clock-hours which were a part of the required planned graduate program.
d. Successful completion of the National Counselor’s Exam (NCE).
e. Successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam.
f. Completion of 3000 hours of supervised experience after the completion of the required coursework, the NCE, and the Jurisprudence exam.
g. Completion of UTPA coursework that satisfy the Board Examination Curriculum areas, as follows:
1. Normal and Human Growth Development
2. Abnormal Human Behavior
3. Appraisal or Assessment Techniques
4. Counseling Theories
5. Counseling Methods and Techniques
6. Group Dynamics---Theories and Techniques
7. Research
8. Life Style and Career Development
9. Social, Culture, and Family Issues
10. Professional Orientation
11. Practicum (300 clock-hours)

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the LPC Program Coordinator, Dr. Santiago Silva at 956-292-7264 or at his email address ssilva@panam.edu.

For current regulations governing LPC requirements, consult the State Board at: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/plc/default.shtm.