TAKE ON A
Fulfilling Purpose
Earn your master’s degree in counseling at St. Edward’s.
TAKE ON
A profession that changes lives.
If you’re exploring the field of counseling, you know it’s more than a career — it’s a vocation. The path to achieving licensure is demanding, and so is the profession, but it’s one of the most meaningful routes you can take. And St. Edward’s will prepare and support you every step of the way.
Our Master of Arts in Counseling program is taught by a highly accomplished faculty of mental health practitioners. Their vast knowledge underpins an experiential curriculum and innovative coursework that trains you to be a skilled and confident therapist, ready to help clients navigate life’s challenges.
Why St. Edward’s?
Our rigorous academics, flexible program format and personalized approach equip you to succeed in a career that aligns with your purpose.
LEARN FROM EXPERTS who are all practicing clinicians, consultants and mentors, and who teach from real-life cases.
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS in counseling scenarios with classmates, and analyze your sessions in our counselor training lab.
TAP INTO CAMPUS RESOURCES such as our library and fitness center that help you balance work, family and studies.
BROADEN YOUR NETWORK in small, discussion-based classes with like-minded peers and professors who are well-connected in the field.
APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN in class to your work with real clients during your supervised practicum and internship experiences.
GAIN LIFELONG SUPPORT from our career services staff, and connect with our 35,000-strong alumni global network.
job growth is projected for mental health counselors from 2019–2029, twice the average for all occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) 25%
Master of Arts in Counseling
This program prepares you to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) or Marriage, Couple and Family Counselor (MCFC), and meets the educational requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
How does the MAC program develop extraordinary counselors?
It begins with our compassionate and supportive culture at St. Edward’s. This mindset, shaped by the high educational standards and relevance of our program, leads to well-equipped graduates.
Take on many aspects of counseling to find your calling.
In our clinically based program, you’ll find that each of your courses ties neatly into a portfolio of approaches tailored to the area of counseling you want to pursue.
STUDY a range of specialty areas, from trauma and crisis management to human sexuality to addictions counseling and group therapy.
EXPLORE innovative topics, such as art therapy, mindfulness and coping with PTSD.
CONNECT to opportunities for your practicum and internships through our partnerships with organizations in Austin.
APPLY textbook theory to your work with actual clients, and bring your cases into the classroom to evaluate techniques. You’ll graduate with a broad knowledge base, practical experience from simulated and real counseling sessions, and the versatility to stay viable in a fast-growing profession.
MAC Degree Timeline
60 credit hours total (3 credit hours per course)
3 semesters per year
Choose between:
2 courses per semester (finish in 3 years) - or3 courses per semester (finish in 2 years)
“
What I learned in class was transformative. The program goes in-depth to bring counseling and counseling theory to life to prepare you for the work you’ll be doing.”
CEDRIC DUNMORE MAC ’17 — LCDC, CIP Private Practice
passing rate for the National Counselor Exam (NCE). (National Board of Certified Counselors 2019) 95%
Prepared to Make a Difference
ILYSE KENNEDY MAC ’17 – LPC, LMFT
Previous job: Journalism and Music Marketing
Current job: Private Practice
St. Edward’s provided me with a strong, supportive and diverse community, which is critical in the counseling field. I’m still in touch with my peers and professors — some on a daily basis.
One of my favorite courses helped inspire the direction of my practice. It opened my eyes to the forms of attachment we develop
beginning in infancy and completely shifted how I understood parenting. I now lead workshops for new moms where I share what I learned in that class.
My practicum was with a program for girls whose mothers are incarcerated. I used the concepts from my trauma class to improve my work with them. The experience has really informed my counseling approach and led to me taking further trauma training after graduation.
On-Campus Counseling Clinic
Supports Austin and MAC Program
The need for mental health services is growing rapidly in Austin, and our Community Counseling Clinic at St. Edward’s is answering the call. The clinic offers lowcost counseling for the Austin community and handson training with clients for MAC students. In sessions monitored by faculty via video, students provide general counseling services in person or online, including individual, family and marriage counseling, and receive feedback on their skills.
The Community Counseling Clinic Prepares You for Your Career
The clinic is the ideal place to complete your practicum — your first 40 hours of supervised clinical experience — while offering an invaluable service to the community.
“ The clinic allows us to observe students during early stages of training prior to their practicum or internships in the community, which is a best practice.”
KERRIE TAYLOR, LPC Assistant Professor of Counseling
Apply to St. Edward’s
Take the next steps to a more fulfilling career and future.
A MAC degree from St. Edward’s is a rewarding investment. It can raise your annual salary over a bachelor’s degree and lead to life-changing growth in your professional and personal life.
Get answers to your questions.
Talk to our admission counselors. stedwards.edu/admission/ admission-counselors
Sign up for an on-campus information session or webinar. stedwards.edu/visit
Tuition*
$96,600 ($1,610 per credit hour)
*Based on 2024–2025 academic year
Explore financial aid options.
Contact our financial services advisors to learn about aid and loan opportunities and develop a payment plan. stedwards.edu/apply
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have the results sent to us using our Federal School Code, 003621. studentaid.gov
1 Spring Priority Application
NOV. 15 Spring Final Application Deadline FEB. 15 Fall Priority Application Deadline APR. 15 Fall Final Application Deadline
