Community College & Higher Education Counseling Concentration

The Counselor Education specialization offers two concentrations: Community College and Higher Education Counseling and School Counseling.

The Community College and Higher Education Counseling concentration prepares graduates to enter the dynamic world of student affairs and higher education in a pluralistic society.  Counselors in higher education settings can contribute to the academic, social and emotional growth of students across campus through many different roles. Examples of these roles for promoting intellectual and personal growth include but are not limited to:

• Transition counselors in programs to help high school students prepare for college.
• Academic advisors for programs or colleges.
• Counselors in a college counseling center.
• Career counselors helping students explore the connection between education and the world
  of work.
• Counselors or supervisors for residential life.
• Counselors in special retention programs through the dean’s office.
• Teachers of first year seminars to facilitate first year students’ transitions.
• Instructors in community colleges.
• Counselors for international students.
• Counselors in study abroad programs.
• Internship coordinators to facilitate matching students with internships
• Counselors for services for students with disabilities.
• Educators to promote activities and seminars to promote student adjustment and growth.
• Counselors in student judicial services.
• Diversity advocates and consultants.
• Orientation coordinators.
• Program specialists to address issues facing college students including topics such as relationships, substance abuse and sexuality.

Our students gain an understanding of human development that informs their interventions for both students who are emerging adults or non-traditional students. We also provide students with the awareness, knowledge and skills for understanding dynamics of multiculturalism to work with administrative systems, small groups and individuals to foster an environment that embraces diversity. Students will gain skills in both prevention and intervention to reach the vast number of students on a college campus. They will examine their role as a consultant and evaluator of services. While studying at UT, our students have employment and practicum placements at UT. Historically our students do practicum in other colleges in the metropolitan area including Austin Community College, St. Edward’s University, Texas State University and Huston-Tillotson University.

For many of the roles in higher education, neither licensure nor certification is required.  We encourage our graduates to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.  Professional identity is maintained through association with professional organizations such as American Counselor Association, American College Counseling Association and the American College Personnel Association.