Master of Arts in Counseling

The professional mental health counseling programs at St. Edward’s University educate, train, and prepare highly skilled, ethical, compassionate mental health professionals grounded in humanistic values that focus on prevention, wellness, personal growth, and a commitment to respecting and promoting human dignity.

Our programs emphasize the client-counselor relationship, creative and experiential modalities, and our curriculum reflects multiple and varied theoretical perspectives with guidance to support students in developing their own framework for community and clinical practice.

Our programs create a transformative environment which allows students to enter their field with an understanding of their own social locations and the role of power, privilege, and difference within institutional, social, intimate, and therapeutic relationships. 

St. Edward’s University has a commitment to social justice which is embodied and embraced across the curriculum in content such as counseling with diverse populations, pro-social autonomy across the lifespan, and community/professional advocacy for the populations we serve. These ideals and many more are fostered within a dynamic, multi-modal learning setting in which critical thinking and the creation and integration of knowledge and experience are celebrated. 

St. Edward’s Master of Arts in Counseling graduate programs take pride in creating life-long learners.

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) is typically completed in about three years, with three semesters a year and two classes per semester for 10 semesters. Students can also complete the program in about two years if they elect to take three classes per semester for seven semesters. 

Face-to-face classes meet once per week each week of the semester. Blended classes are typically taught at a ratio of 65–75% face-to-face with the remaining instruction online. 

For detailed degree requirements, please see the Graduate Bulletin or request more information.

Learning Goals

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical foundations of counseling, describe their own professional style and approach, and integrate theory and style into practice
• Demonstrate an understanding of applied ethical standards and the ability to practice counseling using ethical and moral principles
• Demonstrate the skills required for effective client evaluation and assessment, treatment planning, and implementation of appropriate counseling strategies and techniques and appropriate follow-up methods
• Understand the characteristics of various social, cultural and ethnic groups and the impact these characteristics have upon the counselor and counseling profession
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which behavior, attitudes and values, both their own and those of others, impact professional counseling relationships
• Demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, analyze, critique and report research data, studies and abstracts
• Meet the academic requirements to apply for a temporary license from the Texas State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, the Texas State Board of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, or both Students who meet the above requirements will receive a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from St. Edward’s University

Career Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program offers an educational and training experience that prepares students to work as professional counselors or marriage and family therapists in a variety of settings, including hospitals, residential treatment centers, nonprofit agencies, government, for-profit organizations and private practice. As graduates of the program, students may choose to focus on working with children, adolescents, adults, families or couples.

To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), graduates must:

• Pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE) to fulfill the Texas state board requirement to become Licensed Professional Counselors and
• Complete 3,000 hours of supervised field experience with a temporary license (LPC Associate) under a board approved supervisor (LPC-S)

Our Masters of Arts in Counseling program has a 95% passing rate for the National Counselor Exam (NCE).

To become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), graduates must:

• Pass the state AMFRTB examination to fulfill the Texas state board requirement and
• Complete 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised field experience with a temporary license (LMFT-Associate) and a board-approved LMFT supervisor

A graduate's career path could include:

• Working with adults and teens who suffer from addictions, eating disorders or depression
• Counseling distressed couples and families
• Providing counseling services within a nonprofit organization
• Developing his or her own private practice

 The following documents represent an assessment of student learning within the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program:

• CACREP Vital Stats Summary 2021-2022
• 2022-2023 Annual Report
• Archived Reports

Dr. Melissa Alvarado is an associate professor and chair of the department of counseling. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (CACREP- Accredited). Dr. Alvarado is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Approved Supervisor (LPC-S) in Texas. Most of her clinical work has been with adolescent and adult survivors of trauma. She is an active member of many professional counseling associations and regularly presents at national, regional, and state conferences. Her research interests include positive youth development, supervision best practices, yoga and mental health, and counselor self-care.

In 2017, she was awarded the Humanistic Clinician Award by the Association for Humanistic Counseling. This award recognizes a clinician who holds a notable humanistic philosophy of counseling that resulted in an impact on their community or clients.

Dr. Alvarado has taught various classes in the counseling curriculum. Her favorite classes to teach are professional orientation, ethics, and practicum. (CV)

Dr. Bill McHenry is an associate professor of counseling. Dr. McHenry is an LPC in Texas as well as a NCC. He has worked with clients across the spectrum ranging in age from 3 to 96. Dr. McHenry has provided professional counseling in a variety of settings including schools, mental health agencies, community counseling clinics, rehabilitation agencies and college counseling centers. Dr. McHenry is the co-author of six books on counseling and 18 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has presented at the international, national, regional and state levels on numerous different counseling topics.

Currently, Dr. McHenry is working on his next book in the area of Human Growth and Development along with an article on the neurobiological implications of music therapy on clients brains and clinical implications.

Throughout his career, Dr. McHenry has taught nearly every course in a standard counseling program. Among his favorites are addiction counseling, play therapy, skills and techniques and counseling theories. (CV)

Dr. Kerrie Taylor is an associate professor of counseling and a licensed professional counselor.  She received her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Idaho State University.  She has worked with clients across the life span, while specializing in counseling adults with severe and persistent mental illness who are involved with the criminal justice system and adults with co-occurring disorders.  Dr. Taylor also enjoys collaborating with interdisciplinary professionals for research, education, and advocacy efforts.  She has presented at several national, state, and local conferences on topics including neuroscience, pedagogy, integrating technology with clinical supervision, and frequently facilitates professional trainings.  

Dr. Taylor currently has articles in submission to national journals and is drafting an article regarding ethical gatekeeping practices in counselor education.  Her current research interests include critical pedagogical interventions, gatekeeping practices in counselor education, technology in the classroom and supervision, and ethical decision-making.  Dr. Taylor is an enthusiastic researcher, and is particularly interested in qualitative methodologies and mixed-method studies.  She has experience teaching classes across the mental health core curriculum and particularly enjoys teaching diagnosis, ethics, and techniques.

Dr. Tiffany Bordonada is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of South Carolina (CACREP-Accredited) and is a National Certified Counselor. Most of her clinical experience includes working with adolescent offenders in a residential treatment program, young adults in an outpatient setting, and group work with parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

Dr. Bordonada is an active member of many professional counseling associations and regularly presents at national, regional, and state conferences. Her research interests include caregiver identity, grief and loss, autism, adolescent mental health, and chronic sorrow. 

Dr. Bordonada has taught across the counseling curriculum. Her favorite classes to teach include counseling diverse populations, group counseling, grief and loss, theories, and field experience courses. 

Dr. Alexis L. Croffie is an Assistant Professor in the department of counseling. He earned his
PhD in Counselor Education from Texas Tech University (CACREP-Accredited). He is a
Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. Most of his clinical experience includes
working with survivors of crime, individuals with chronic pain, and LGBTQ+ communities. He
is an active member in many professional organizations including, but not limited to, Texas
Counseling Association, Texas Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors.

Dr. Croffie has a strong enthusiasm for the growth of research in the field. His current research
interests include international students, ethics in counseling, individuals with invisible
disabilities, pop-culture in counseling, and LGBTQ+ populations. He specializes in qualitative
research and enjoys hearing the stories of his research participants.

Dr. Croffie has taught a variety of core courses within the counseling profession. His favorite
courses to teach include ethics, skills and techniques, intro to family systems, and counseling
theories. Through a blend of small group discussions and class lectures, Dr. Croffie hopes to
foster connections between his students to help them grow into strong professional colleagues.

Dr. Marcus Folkes is an assistant professor of counseling, Internship coordinator, Licensed
Mental Health counselor (FL), licensed professional counselor and qualified supervisor. He
received his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bethune Cookman University and
his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Advance Counseling
from University of the Cumberlands. He has worked with clients across life span, while focusing and specializing in counseling with adolescents and young adults with adjustment or traumatic stress who are involved in the child welfare system. Dr. Folkes enjoys advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in collaboration with other professionals. He has presented at many state conferences and local conferences on topics such as Mental Health 101, Resiliency in youth, Trauma-informed Care, Self-Care, Intergenerational and Transgenerational Trauma and Mental Health Stigma.

Dr. Folkes has contributed to scholarly book chapters and newsletters, relating to the counseling field. His current research interest includes creative interventions/modalities in psychotherapy, historical, racial, generational trauma, and utilizing technology and gaming in andragogical and pedagogical educational practice. Dr. Folkes is an enthusiastic practitioner, who finds joy in adding new knowledge and research to develop and enhance the field of counseling. He is particularly interested in Quantitative research modalities. He has experience teaching classes across mental health core courses and particularly enjoys Diagnosing and Treatment planning, Legal Ethical Issues, Human Sexuality, and Psychopharmacology.

Dynetta Clark is a clinical assistant professor of counseling and the director of the SEU Community Counseling Clinic. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). Professor Clark has provided individual, group, and crisis counseling services to individuals and families across the lifespan in various settings, including schools, home-based services, residential services, college counseling centers, and community mental health settings. She also has nearly fifteen years of providing clinical and administrative supervision. 

Professor Clark is a member of several professional counseling associations. Her research interests include supervision, counselor preparation, and trauma. She enjoys teaching experiential courses like skills, practicum, and internship. 

Dr. Jessenia Garcia is an assistant professor of counseling. She is a first gen student and daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants. She is a proud roadrunner as she completed her masters and doctoral degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is also a licensed professional counselor. Dr. Garcia’s clinical experiences include working in eating disorder treatment centers, college counseling centers, adolescent transitional living, and private practice. Her research interests include bilingual counseling, Latinx mental health concerns, first-generation wellness, professional identity development, and eating disorders. She is a 2022-2023 American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) Faculty Fellow, a former graduate fellow of Texas Chicanos in Higher Education, (TACHE) and holds several leadership positions in state professional organizations.

​Dr. Sarah Agarwal is an Assistant Professor in the department of counseling. She earned her
PhD in Counseling from the University of North Texas and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and a Registered Play Therapist. Dr. Agarwal is also a Certified Sandtray Therapist and certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapist Supervisor. Most of her clinical experience includes working with children, teens, parents, and families across various settings including community agencies, residential treatment centers, and private practice. She is also a member of many professional counseling associations and regularly presents at national, regional, and state conferences.

Dr. Agarwal is active in research scholarship. Her research interests include working with
children through play therapy, providing training to parents and teachers, integrating sandtray
therapy into practice, and effectiveness of counseling interventions. She has research
experience utilizing qualitative and quantitative research methods, but enjoys quantitative
research paradigms to investigate effectiveness of various counseling approaches.

Dr. Agarwal was taught courses in the counseling curriculum and her favorite classes to teach
are play therapy, ethics, counseling theories, and experiential courses including practicum and internship.

Dr. Quinn Smelser is an assistant professor in the department of counseling. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling from The George Washington University (CACREP- Accredited). Dr. Smelser is a Licensed Professional Counselor (TX/DC/VA), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (MD), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and a board approved supervisor. Dr. Smelser’s clinical work is primarily focused on helping children and adolescents experiencing trauma and gender identity exploration as well as working to empower caregivers and parents to better understand themselves in order to care for their children. She has worked in urban, rural, and suburban communities, under government funded grants, and in homes, schools, and residential treatment.

Dr. Smelser is an active member of many professional counseling and play therapy associations and regularly presents at national, regional, and state conferences. Her research interests include attachment in child-caregiver dyads and the counseling process, trauma-informed care in play therapy, grief and loss, and gender identity in children and adolescents. She has published many scholarly book chapters and peer-reviewed research articles on grief and loss, spirituality, play therapy, family therapy, trauma-informed best practices, and LGBTQ issues such as gender identity exploration. (CV)

She has taught across the counseling curriculum. Her favorite classes to teach are counseling children and adolescents, grief and loss, and field experience courses.

Crystal Morris M.Ed., LPC-S, NCC, CSC- Visiting Assistant Professor

Crystal is an educator, counselor, and mentor inspiring youth and people of all ages. She has been in the education field for over twelve years, working with at-risk youth, young adults, military service members, veterans, and families. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified School Counselor (CSC), owner, and clinical director at Butterflies Prospering Wellness Co.

She has worked as a professional school counselor, educator, graduate research assistant, military family life counselor, and private practice therapist. In addition, she is the author of The Butterfly Affect: Living the Single Life Through God's Eyes, 21 Days of Positive Living, and the soon coming book, The Butterfly Affect: Establishing Healthy Relationships in the series. Crystal is a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. Counselor, Education, and Supervision program at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Crystal’s research interests focus on mindfulness-based strengths practices, character strengths, and positive psychology as interventions to explore relationship satisfaction in female survivors of military sexual trauma. Also, her research interest focus on holistic wellness, mental health in the Black, African American communities, multicultural competent and social justice advocacy in counseling, ethics in counseling,relationships (couples), sexual abuse/trauma in women, and PTSD/trauma.

To apply for the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program, applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Review application steps and requirements for the program as well as key dates:

Application Deadlines & Checklist

Questions? Request information or call 512.326.7501 to learn more.