Nelson University Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
Nelson University is a private Christian university in Waxahachie, Texas, United States. It offers an online master of education (MEd) program in school counseling, a master of divinity (MDiv) in counseling, and a master of science (MS) program in clinical mental health counseling.
The programs are designed with flexible online study and a clear professional focus. The school counseling program prepares students for PK-12 school settings, while the clinical mental health counseling program prepares students for licensure as a professional counselor and for doctoral study in counseling. The programs include field experience and a strong emphasis on practical training.
The master of education in school counseling is a three-year, 48-credit program. Students study counseling techniques, child development, educational psychology, crisis intervention, and school counseling program development. The program also includes an internship in school counseling and 160 clock hours of field experience in a Texas-accredited school.
Graduates are prepared to work as school counselors in elementary, middle, or high schools. Courses include theories of counseling and psychotherapy; counseling children and adolescents; foundations and ethics of school counseling; crisis intervention; and methods of group counseling.
The master of science in clinical mental health counseling is a 60-credit online program with two on-campus residencies. It includes coursework in human growth and life span development; social and cultural diversity; methods of group counseling; clinical psychopathology; ethical and legal issues in professional practice management; psychological methods and research design; and statistics for the behavioral sciences. The program also includes practicum and internship training, giving students supervised experience in clinical mental health counseling.
The master of divinity in counseling is one specialization available of many, and includes instruction in marriage and family counseling and crisis intervention.
Admission requirements differ by program but include a minimum GPA and several application materials. For school counseling, applicants need a minimum GPA of 2.5, standardized test scores, a personal statement, recommendations from a church or ministry leader, an official transcript, a professional recommendation, an application essay, and an application fee. For clinical mental health counseling, applicants need a GPA of 2.5 or higher, with 3.0 preferred for some students, and must submit a three-page essay.
GRE or MAT scores are not required for applicants with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, but applicants below that GPA must meet test score requirements. The programs also require completed transcripts and additional advice for graduation and fieldwork requirements.
Nelson University is located in Waxahachie, Texas. It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and endorsed by the Assemblies of God USA. Its MS in clinical mental health counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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M.Ed – School Counseling
MDiv – Counseling
MS – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
1200 Sycamore StWaxahachie, Texas
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
48
Fall, Spring, Summer
Complete in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
Yes (Conditional) – GRE required if GPA <2.50
2.5
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
48
$460.00
$22,080.00
$460.00
$22,080.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Spiritual Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
72
Fall, Fall II, Spring, Spring II, Summer
Complete in as few as 3-4 years
Program Admissions
Yes (Conditional) – GRE required if GPA <2.50
2.5
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
72
$430.00
$30,960.00
$430.00
$30,960.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2 – Two on-campus residencies required
60
Fall, Spring, Summer
Complete in as few as 2.5-3 years full-time or 4-5 years part-time
Program Admissions
Yes (Conditional) – GRE required if GPA <2.50
2.5
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$570.00
$34,200.00
$570.00
$34,200.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.