Majors and Programs

In order for you to apply to take the TExES School Counseling Certification Exam 152, you must complete the prep course in Certify Teacher at certifyteacher.com. The course is $80, but there is an opportunity for a discount as long as you are enrolled at Sul Ross State University. PROMO CODE DISCOUNTED RATE $35/student. The promo code is LOBOS4728.

You must signup/sign in using their university-given email in order for the promo code to work. Note that promo codes do not apply to Study Guides or bundled products. Discounts can only be applied to the Test Prep Solutions. If you wait until after you graduate, you lose the promo code as your university email will be discontinued.

You must spend at least 6 hours on the prep course and must make an 85% or better in ALL competencies, regardless of what the exam says is passing.

Once you have completed the course, you need to send the Certify Score Report and Certify Teacher Certificate to the Counselor Education Program Coordinator, Ronda Hayes at rhayes@sulross.edu.

Upon receipt of the two documents and verification that six hours was spent on the prep course and an 85% was achieved in all competencies, you will be recommended to the Texas Education Agency to take the School Counseling Certification Exam 152. Matthew Marsh (matthew.marsh@sulross.edu) will be the contact person for the TEA recommendation.

There is no time limit on when you need to take this, but It is not recommended to wait too long after graduation.

By completing a 60-credit hour Master’s in Counselor Education at Sul Ross State University, students are eligible to begin the licensing process towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. This license is managed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3183 (512-834-6658).

After completion of academic and clinical experience, graduates can begin the pathway to LPC licensure. Graduates from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Sul Ross must complete the application process with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors to become an LPC-Associate. The pathway towards licensure requires a completion of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work under the supervision of a LPC-Supervisor. The specific requirements to be granted LPC-Associate status can be found here.

LPC-Associates must (1) submit transcripts of course work to the state LPC board; (2) complete the National Counselors Examination (NCE); (3) pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam; (4) submit application for licensure with appropriate fee.

If a student is planning to move out of state after graduation, please visit here to explore the state licensing requirements of the new state you will reside in.

A few tips for LPC-Associates:

• Here are a few study guide resources that may be helpful while preparing for the National Counselor Examination (please note SRSU does not formally endorse any of these materials).
  • Mastering the National Counselor Examination and the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination, 3rd edition. (Bradley Erford, Danica Hays, Stephanie Crockett).
  • Encyclopedia of Counseling: Master Review and Tutorial for the National Counselor Examination, State Counseling Exams, and the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination. (Howard Rosenthal).

• Upon completing the NCE and the LPC-Associate application process with the state of Texas, you will be asked to find an LPC supervisor. These are experienced professional counselors with special training in counseling supervision, who will provide oversight and guidance while you complete the 3000 hours of clinical work required for full LPC eligibility. You can find information about finding an LPC supervisor here.

• Consider joining the LPC Associates of Texas, this is a group that provides support and resources to individuals pursuing their LPC in Texas.

• Depending on your situation, some workplaces will provide LPC supervision in-house for free. Otherwise, you may be required to find an outside LPC-Supervisor. I strongly suggest that you interview the LPC Supervisor before agreeing to enter into a supervision relationship. Ask them about their counseling and theoretical approach. Discuss with them the expectations they have of those they supervise. This person will become responsible for all of your clinical work and takes on the ethical liability of your work.

• Ensure your LPC Supervisor is organized and understands the licensing process. There are many documents that must be maintained throughout the course of your time as an LPC Associate. Some documentation includes written logs of your hours that requires an LPC Supervisor signature to be recognized by the state.

• Keep copies of ALL of your documentation.

• You want to ensure this LPC supervisor will support your growth as a professional counselors and will provide you the appropriate support you need as you begin this profession.

• Do not ask a friend with an LPC-Supervision credential to supervise you. LPC-Supervisors have a strict ethical code that they must follow and this includes issues of dual relationship as discussed in your ethics courses.

SRSU Counselor Education Faculty and Staff

Ronda Hayes began her career with Sul Ross State University as an adjunct in 2008. In the fall of 2019, she was hired to be the Counselor Education Program Coordinator, a full-time position. She has over 29 years of working as a counselor. She spent the last 20 years of her 29-year public education career as a school counselor in elementary and secondary schools. She also has her Licensed Professional Counselor License and has had a private practice in San Angelo since 2005. She is completing her Ph.D. in Counselor Education (ABD) at Texas Tech Univ.
Contact Information
Ronda Hayes, MEd, CSC, LPC-Supervisor
SRSU Box C-115, Alpine, TX 79832
Office: 432.837.8391
Email: rhayes@sulross.edu

Glenn D. Short earned a master’s degree in Counseling Education from Sul Ross State Univ., holds an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) plus is a National Certified counselor (NCC) and is certified in Emotional Intelligence through EI Learning Systems – Texas A&M Kingsville.

Glenn has over 27 years of experience working in the mental health field coming from both State agency and private practice.
Contact Information
Glenn Short, MEd, LPC, NCC, CEI
SRSU Box C-115, Alpine, TX 79832
Office: 432.837.8170
glenn.short@sulross.edu

Dr. (Tamara) Olive is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a certified school counselor, and a nationally certified counselor (NCC). She earned a master’s degree in education in counseling and a Ph.D. in psychology. She has worked as a university counselor and in private practice counseling children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has taught in the Education Department at Sul Ross since 2006. She currently works as an adjunct faculty member teaching online graduate courses in counseling.
Contact Information
Tamara Olive, PhD, CSC, LPC, NCC
SRSU Box C-115, Alpine, TX 79832
Office: 432.837.8170
tolive@sulross.edu

Dear Dr. Tucker & Professor Hayes,
I wanted to tell you that I got the counseling position at my campus!  I have to personally thank Professor Hayes….I remembered you telling us that our four components paper, calendar and resources etc…would be in a binder and good to take to interviews to show what all we could accomplish as a school counselor.

I have to tell you, that binder was awesome!  The interview questions were almost designed from that binder:   What new activities would you bring to our campus?  How would you handle a busy schedule?  How would you help a struggling student?

The answers to all of their questions were right out of my binder and it helped so much that I also had demographics for my campus with the mission statement.  They even asked to keep my binder to review when I left the interview.  My principal whispered in my ear that he was so happy I brought it to show.

Thank you so much….I won’t lie that I hated every minute of the blood sweat and tears that I put into that “Whale” and thought I would die trying to write it and get it finished!!!  But anything worthwhile is never easy!

So, I begin Monday and am very excited and a bit nervous, however, I know I have the tools to start and that I can call on you all if I have questions.

Sincerely,
S.R. (2015)

Dear Professor Hayes,
I just wanted to Thank you for all your support throughout ED 7302. It was everything you said it was going to be and I learned so much from this course. I will definitely utilize it as you advised, and take it with me to my interviews. Hopefully I will be as fortunate as your former students were and send you an email telling you I was hired as a counselor. Once again, Thank you!!!

Respectfully,
Bonnie Sermeno (2021)

Professor Hayes,
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for sending this email and going step by step explaining the process.  I am a student at heart and enjoy learning and growing professionally, but I have to admit this has been one of the toughest classes I’ve taken.  It seems as though every time I think “I’ve got it”, well I don’t have it at all.  Ha ha! I’m really working out that old brain of mine.  Thanks again for the guidance and also the extra time to submit.  I had gone and stocked up on coffee because I missed the last part of the email that said you had allowed for an extension. Truly appreciated.

Amanda Flores (2020)

Professor Hayes,
Thank you for fielding my panicked phone call earlier today! I was hyped up and nervous about the exam so when the technological issues hit, I wasn’t my best! But I so appreciate your calm response and calling Dr. Tucker and finding another option for me to take the exam. Luckily, a good stress cry and deep breaths and I was able to sort out the technology issue and had plenty of time to take the test.

But I just wanted to say thank you again for being supportive!

Best,
Austin (2021)

I wanted you to know I have so appreciated your loving and kindhearted guidance over the last few years and especially in this last semester. You always keep the standard/expectation high but support the growing process for each of us as well. I have truly valued that! I also really appreciated getting to see a counselor of faith share her balance of being authentic to her belief while also always holding space for others without judgment. I hope to embody that in my career ahead as well.

Best,
Julie  (2021)

Counseling Comprehensive Exam Review Guides

• Review Guide – Appendix F

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Total Credit Hours Required for Master of Education in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health: 60