Choosing a counseling program in San Antonio means deciding more than where to study: your degree must fit the clients you want to serve, the credential you need, and the cost you can carry. This guide compares local program paths, Texas licensure considerations, training formats, and career prospects. It also features the 2027 Best Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in San Antonio, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in San Antonio
For Texas clinical mental health counseling, compare master's programs against the state's LPC education and supervised-training requirements - not just their position in a ranking (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council).
The U.S. median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; projected employment growth is 18% for 2025-2035. These national figures are context, not a San Antonio salary forecast (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
San Antonio offers distinct clinical mental health, school, marriage-and-family, and doctoral counselor-education paths. The right investment depends on the credential you want, your placement schedule, and your net cost after aid - not tuition alone.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in San Antonio?
A counseling degree prepares students to assess needs, build therapeutic relationships, use evidence-informed interventions, and work within ethical and legal boundaries. The degree title matters: a clinical mental health program is oriented toward therapy with individuals and groups, while school counseling prepares students for an educational setting. Marriage, couple, and family counseling focuses on relationships and family systems. A doctorate in counselor education and supervision serves a different goal - teaching, research, and advanced supervision.
For most prospective licensed counselors, a relevant master's degree is the key academic step, not a general bachelor's degree or a short certificate. Expect coursework, supervised practice, and subsequent credentialing requirements. In San Antonio, compare where programs arrange practica: a placement compatible with your work hours and intended population may be more valuable than a convenient class schedule alone. Texas requirements differ by credential, and graduation does not itself confer a license or school counselor certificate (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; Texas Education Agency).
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in San Antonio?
The intended credential determines where you can practice. Clinical mental health and addiction counselors may work in community mental health, healthcare, substance-use treatment, or private practice when appropriately licensed. School counselors work in educational settings under Texas school counselor certification rules; marriage and family therapists work with couples and families in agencies or private practice under a separate Texas license (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; Texas Education Agency).
Locally, prospective students can investigate placement and hiring pathways at organizations such as University Health, the Center for Health Care Services, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, and area school districts. Their relevance is practical: if you hope to work with children, veterans, or people receiving public behavioral-health services, ask each program whether it can help you secure supervised experience with that population. An employer's presence does not establish an available internship or job.
Pay depends on occupation, license, experience, and employer. The following national medians use May 2025 wages, while growth figures cover projected U.S. employment from 2025 to 2035. They compare career directions; they are not starting salaries or San Antonio-specific offers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections).
Career direction
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
Projected U.S. growth, 2025-2035
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
18%
School counseling
$64,330
3%
Marriage, couple, and family counseling
$66,940
14%
The differences make specialization worth considering, but they do not establish that one degree pays for itself faster. Compare realistic local job postings, expected hours, benefits, and time spent obtaining a license against your total education cost. Avoid treating a national occupational median as what a newly graduated counselor will earn.
San Antonio's options are more useful to compare by credential target than by a single claim of quality. These program-level distinctions show who may benefit from each path; verify current course plans, accreditation status, and placement arrangements directly before applying (University of Texas at San Antonio program pages; Texas A&M University-San Antonio program pages and graduate catalog; St. Mary's University program page).
University of Texas at San Antonio - clinical mental health counseling master's: Its explicit clinical mental health focus makes it a direct option for students pursuing therapy-oriented work. Compare its current degree plan and fieldwork against Texas LPC requirements before choosing it over a broader counseling degree.
University of Texas at San Antonio - school counseling master's: This is the education-setting alternative to UTSA's clinical mental health program. It fits applicants who intend to pursue Texas school counselor certification rather than assume a school-focused degree provides the same route to clinical licensure.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio - counseling and guidance, school counseling M.A.: The graduate catalog identifies a school counseling route within its counseling and guidance offerings. Students comparing it with UTSA's school counseling program should request both degree plans and ask how each program supports certification and school placements.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio - marriage, couple, and family counseling M.A.: Its named relationship-and-family focus distinguishes it from the school and general clinical options in this group. It is especially relevant if your intended credential and clinical interests center on work with couples and families.
St. Mary's University - master's in counseling: This private-university option gives applicants a different institutional and financial-aid package to compare with San Antonio's public universities. Request its current track-specific curriculum and net-price estimate before deciding whether its structure warrants any additional cost.
University of Texas at San Antonio - counselor education and supervision doctorate: This is the doctoral option in the group, aimed at advanced counselor education and supervision rather than serving as the usual first degree for clinical licensure. It is most relevant to applicants pursuing faculty, research, or supervisory work who can assess the additional time and funding required.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio - clinical mental health counseling M.A.: Its named clinical mental health route provides another local master's option for therapy-focused applicants. Compare its supervised-training plan, scheduling, and current total cost with UTSA's clinical program rather than assuming similar titles mean identical experiences.
Program names and institutional offerings do not establish current programmatic accreditation or individual eligibility for a Texas credential. Confirm both with the relevant accreditor and Texas authority before paying a deposit.
A counseling bachelor's degree typically takes about four years of full-time study; a licensure-oriented master's commonly takes roughly two to three years, depending on course load and when supervised placements are available. Part-time study can take longer, and a counselor education doctorate generally adds several years after graduate study. These are planning ranges, not published completion promises for the San Antonio programs above.
Ask for a term-by-term plan showing when practicum and internship occur. An accelerated classroom schedule may save little time if required courses or placements are offered only in particular terms. Working students should also check whether field hours can be completed outside normal business hours before relying on an advertised completion timeline.
Online study can reduce commuting and make scheduled coursework easier to fit around a job. Campus study may simplify in-person skills practice and connections with nearby placement sites. Neither format removes supervised clinical requirements, and an online program based outside Texas is not automatically aligned with Texas licensure or certification rules (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; Texas Education Agency).
For a San Antonio resident, the decisive question is often where supervised hours can be completed. Before enrolling online, get written answers about approved Texas placements, live attendance requirements, supervision, and whether the curriculum is designed for your specific Texas credential. A campus program is not automatically preferable if its required field schedule conflicts with your employment.
There is no single reliable average that describes the total price of San Antonio counseling degrees: public and private tuition, residency status, program length, fees, and aid can differ substantially. NCES IPEDS reports institutional graduate tuition and fees, but those figures do not necessarily equal the cost of a particular counseling program or include living expenses (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS).
Request each school's current per-term estimate covering tuition, mandatory fees, books, placement-related costs, and any travel. Texas residents should check eligibility for resident tuition at public universities; applicants considering St. Mary's should compare its actual aid offer, not its published price alone. The most affordable counseling programs can help build a cost shortlist, but your best comparison is the amount you would pay to complete the degree.
Start with each university's graduate scholarships, assistantships, and payment options, then submit the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal aid. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans may be available to eligible graduate students; loan eligibility, limits, and terms must be confirmed for the academic year in which you enroll (Federal Student Aid). Employer tuition assistance may also matter for students already working in schools or healthcare.
Ask whether an assistantship covers tuition, pays a stipend, or requires work hours that conflict with clinical placements. Compare grants and scholarships separately from loans: borrowing lowers the amount due now but increases the eventual cost. If you are considering a federal graduate loan beyond Direct Unsubsidized borrowing, check current eligibility and program rules with the financial-aid office rather than assuming an older financing option remains available to new borrowers (Federal Student Aid).
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by U.S. state - Mental Health Counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
State
Value
AK
80,770
AL
47,310
AR
51,580
AZ
65,300
CA
59,250
CO
62,390
CT
63,590
DC
60,450
DE
56,020
FL
56,790
GA
58,960
HI
60,090
IA
60,880
ID
63,360
IL
60,730
IN
53,760
KS
59,470
KY
54,190
LA
37,910
MA
59,890
MD
59,530
ME
59,970
MI
61,690
MN
58,780
MO
56,910
MS
46,990
MT
59,000
NC
55,490
ND
68,630
NE
63,770
NH
54,840
NJ
62,820
NM
74,100
NV
57,210
NY
59,450
OH
58,360
OK
59,350
OR
74,590
PA
52,010
PR
46,790
RI
65,120
SC
52,370
SD
53,650
TN
49,580
TX
62,630
UT
63,890
VA
59,880
VT
61,810
WA
68,910
WI
62,220
WV
49,430
WY
62,980
Master's applicants generally need a completed bachelor's degree and must meet the specific school's application requirements, which may include transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. Programs may evaluate preparation for graduate study and fit for supervised client work; check current admissions pages rather than assuming that every San Antonio school requires the same undergraduate major. Doctoral counselor education applicants should expect a substantially different review of prior graduate preparation and professional goals (University of Texas at San Antonio; Texas A&M University-San Antonio; St. Mary's University).
Before applying, separate admission from credential eligibility. Ask whether the exact program and track satisfy the educational requirements for your intended Texas license or school counselor certificate, what supervised experience follows graduation, and whether any examination is required. Texas LPC and marriage-and-family-therapy licensure are administered through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; school counselor certification follows Texas Education Agency rules. An admission offer is not approval for any of those credentials.
A master's curriculum commonly combines counseling theories, helping skills, ethics, assessment, human development, multicultural counseling, research, and supervised practicum or internship. Clinical mental health study places greater emphasis on assessment and treatment in behavioral-health settings; school counseling applies counseling skills to students and school systems; marriage and family study examines relationships and family systems.
Course titles alone are a weak comparison. Request the current degree plan and identify which courses and supervised experiences support the Texas credential you want. If you may move after graduation, also ask how the curriculum documents training for another state's review; licensure requirements are state-specific.
The clearest local choices represented by the programs above are clinical mental health, school counseling, and marriage, couple, and family counseling. Counselor education and supervision is a doctoral direction for applicants pursuing advanced teaching, research, or supervision. Addiction counseling may appear within clinical training or as a separate credential path; do not infer a formal addiction concentration from a single course title.
Choose by intended workplace and credential first, then by preferred client population. Someone seeking to counsel students in a school should investigate certification-focused programs; someone aiming for independent clinical practice should investigate the applicable Texas clinical license. Readers still exploring demand can compare the most popular counseling programs, but popularity is not evidence that a track matches a particular career goal.
The best investment is the program you can finish, afford, and use toward your intended credential. A lower-cost public option may be attractive, while a private program's aid package or a better-fitting schedule may change the comparison. Institution type alone does not determine value.
Use the same questions with every program on your shortlist so that attractive marketing claims do not obscure a credential or cost mismatch:
Identify your target Texas license, certification, or doctoral career, and ask the relevant Texas authority what education and training it requires.
Verify institutional accreditation, any programmatic accreditation you need, and the exact track's current credential alignment with the program and relevant accreditor or board.
Request the degree plan, expected completion schedule, supervised-fieldwork arrangements, and written guidance on placements compatible with your work hours.
Compare total net cost, likely borrowing, lost earnings while studying, and realistic post-degree opportunities - not tuition or median salary in isolation.
Ask for current program-level completion, licensure-exam, and placement information, including the reporting period and how each outcome is defined.
For a fuller financial comparison, the most valuable counseling programs offer another starting point. Your own return-on-investment estimate should still account for aid, debt, time to completion, forgone income, the chance of completing the program, earnings before and after the degree, and how long you expect to work in the field.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by counseling career path (U.S., BLS May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Psychologists
99,110
Postsecondary Teachers
85,330
Marriage & Family Therapists
66,940
School & Career Counselors
64,330
Mental Health Counselors
59,350
Rehabilitation Counselors
46,850
A relevant master's can begin a path toward licensed professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, or school counselor certification, depending on the program and additional Texas requirements. Graduates may also consider agency roles whose duties and credential requirements differ from independent practice. A doctorate may support counselor educator or supervisory roles, but it is not a substitute for checking any license required for clinical work (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; Texas Education Agency).
If you are changing careers, map the path backward from the job description: identify its required credential, then confirm the degree, supervised experience, and examinations. A certificate or general psychology degree can be useful for a different goal, but it should not be treated as interchangeable with a qualifying counseling master's for a regulated role.
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
84-85
1
86-87
1
88-89
0
90-91
0
92-93
3
94-95
1
96-97
1
National projections signal demand for some counseling occupations, particularly substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling, but they do not measure vacancies in San Antonio (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025-2035 Employment Projections). Local opportunities span healthcare, community behavioral health, schools, and family services; each sector can require a different credential, schedule, or client-care experience.
To test the market before committing, review recent openings from San Antonio-area employers and record their license requirements, supervision provisions, pay ranges, and preferred experience. Compare those requirements with each program's field placements. That check is more useful than assuming national growth will translate directly into a job offer after graduation.
2027 Best Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in San Antonio
Investing in a counseling degree is an important decision, especially when program cost and professional eligibility can affect your options for years. Research.com developed its ranking to help readers compare programs using documented outcomes and credentials rather than reputation alone. The team reviews and checks the underlying information for quality, credibility, and accuracy.
The Best ranking first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), licensure exam pass rates where applicable (20%), CACREP programmatic accreditation where applicable (16%), and institutional eligibility for federal Title IV aid (4%). Shares are renormalized when a measure does not apply. Program cost then contributes about 7% of the final score. On-campus and online programs use the same method; other Research.com counseling rankings order programs by the dimension named in each ranking.
The ranking draws on these data sources, which readers can also use to investigate individual schools:
IPEDS database: institutional enrollment, completion, and cost information.
The ranking can narrow your shortlist, but it cannot replace checking the current curriculum, placement arrangements, and Texas credential requirements for your intended role. Read more about the approach on the Research.com methodology page.
# 1 position
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Master
Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
96.27
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5-3.5 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
88% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Spring 2027: October 1; Fall 2027: March 1; Spring 2028: October 1. All deadlines at 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time; summer admission unavailable.
Class size
146
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent foreign training; adequate preparatory coursework (no specific courses listed). Minimum 3.0 GPA; the department may consider the last 60 semester credit hours.
Additional requirements
Graduate application and fee, transcripts, three recommendation/rating forms, and narrative statement (2027-28: a video of up to five minutes). English proficiency where applicable: TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7, or Duolingo 130.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Texas at San Antonio earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 96.27/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 88% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 2 position
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Master
M.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
94.38
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
99% (2021-22)
Licensure exam pass rate
87.5% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: March 1; Spring: October 1
Class size
22
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution; adequate coursework as preparation for the program
Additional requirements
Bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, transcripts, credential evaluation (if foreign institution), English proficiency scores (if applicable), Narrative Statement (written or video), 3 Letters of Recommendation/Applicant Rating Forms.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Texas at San Antonio earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 94.38/100, supported by 87.5% licensure exam pass rate and 100% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 3 position
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Master
M.A. in Counseling & Guidance: School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
93.68
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2021-22)
Application deadline
Fall: March 15
Application process
GradCAS
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited bachelor's with 2.75-2.99 cumulative GPA or 3.00+ on last 60 credits; preparatory coursework may be needed; School Counseling full admission requires a teaching service record and SBEC/TEA requirements.
Additional requirements
GradCAS application, official transcripts, resume/CV, three-page Statement of Purpose, group interview; School Counseling also needs teaching service record, oral interview, vision statement, and criminal record check before practicum.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas A&M University-San Antonio earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.68/100, with 100% licensure exam pass rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 4 position
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Master
M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
93.68
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00 (undergraduate cumulative), or 3.00 - 4.00 for last 60 hours
Application deadline
Fall: March 15; Spring: November 15
Application process
GradCAS
GRE
no
Prerequisites
No specific undergraduate major required; applicants without an appropriate background may be required to complete additional preparatory coursework as determined by the Associate Chair
Additional requirements
GradCAS application, official transcripts, a three-page written Statement of Purpose, an in-person group interview with the Counseling Admissions Committee; international applicants need TOEFL (79 iBT/213 CBT/550 PBT) or IELTS 6.0
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas A&M University-San Antonio earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 93.68/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 5 position
St. Mary's University
Master
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
92.02
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
94% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
94% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Additional requirements
Application, written statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, official college transcripts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
St. Mary's University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 92.02/100, supported by 94% licensure exam pass rate and 94% program completion rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 6 position
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
86.02
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years full-time (estimated completion time)
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
69 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
67% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: February 1 (priority/international)
Class size
15
Application process
UT San Antonio Graduate Application (Liaison/CAS)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution; adequate completed credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program.
Additional requirements
Transcripts from all institutions attended, credential evaluation (if foreign credit), English language proficiency scores (if applicable), Purpose Statement, Resume, 2 letters of recommendation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Texas at San Antonio earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.02/100, supported by 67% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 7 position
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Master
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
84.98
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Average completion: 3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
55% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: March 15; Spring: November 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
2.75 cumulative GPA (or 3.0 last 60 CH); Department may examine prerequisites, accept equivalent hours, or require additional work.
Additional requirements
Graduate application; official transcripts; personal statement (3 pages) on reasons for applying, career goals and research interests; curriculum vitae or resume; interview with Counseling faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Texas A&M University-San Antonio earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 84.98/100, with 55% employment or doctoral admission rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in San Antonio
Do I need a master's degree to become a counselor in Texas?
For Texas LPC licensure and school counselor certification, a qualifying graduate education is part of the pathway. The relevant curriculum, supervised experience, and other requirements depend on the credential; check the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council or Texas Education Agency before choosing a program.
Does a counseling degree automatically qualify me for a Texas license?
No. The degree is only one part of eligibility. Texas may also require specified coursework, supervised experience, examinations, and an application, depending on the credential (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council).
Can I complete a San Antonio counseling degree online?
Availability and delivery vary by program. Even when coursework is online, supervised practice requires an approved setting. Confirm current format, live-session requirements, and Texas placement support with the school.
Which is better: school counseling or clinical mental health counseling?
Choose school counseling if your target role is within a school and you intend to pursue the relevant Texas certification. Choose a clinical mental health route if your goal is therapy-oriented work under the applicable clinical license. Neither track should be assumed to satisfy the other credential's requirements.
How should I compare counseling program prices?
Ask for the estimated cost through graduation after grants and scholarships, including fees and placement-related expenses. Then weigh borrowing and time away from work against the program's fit for your intended credential and schedule.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Counseling
