Since 1955, Midwestern State University has offered the Master of Education in Counseling, now referred to as Clinical Mental Health, one of the oldest graduate programs on campus. For the first time in the program’s 65-year history, the degree is nationally accredited. The master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, offered through the Gordon T. & Ellen West College of Education, has met the accreditation requirements from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Dr. Matthew Capps, Dean of the West College, said he could not overstate the importance of the accreditation. “Students in Texas can’t take the Licensed Professional Counselor licensing exam unless they’ve graduated from a CACREP-accredited institution, an important distinction for MSU graduates.” The accreditation covers the hybrid and fully online deliveries.

The CACREP board based the accreditation decision on an extensive review of self-study documents, the site visit team’s report, and the West College’s response to the site visit team’s report. The program received the maximum term given – accreditation through October 31, 2028.

“Programs receiving accreditation for an eight-year period deserve to be commended for the work completed throughout the accreditation process. This is indeed a worthy achievement,” stated M. Sylvia Fernandez, CACREP President and CEO, in the decision notification letter.