One day I would like to play trombone professionally.I live in the Houston area and was wondering what some good music schools were around this area.Also,how many years do you have to go to college to be a professionaly trombone?

Thanks

A degree is not required to play trombone professionally. All that matters is, can you play? But admittedly, a degree doesn't hurt. Some audition comittees want to see the degree on your resume before inviting you to audition.
Since you're in Texas, the University of North Texas has an fantastic music program.

awesome dude i want to go pro as well

Yeah I would definitely put UNT right up near the top if you are going for jazz.

Also in Texas are University of Houston and Rice, both great nationally renowned music schools.

Oh...so people in symphonies...some dont go to music school?They just try out?

It would be rare, for sure. But some players win jobs before they even graduate (Carol Jansch from Philly comes to mind) My point is this... (and to be fair, you didn't specify orchestral playing, just professional)...
The degree is not the be-all end-all. I've heard players with degrees who couldn't play very well. I've heard players without degrees who play exceptionally well.
At audition time, usually it is a blind audition. The only thing that matters is how well you play.
That said, some symphony auditions require an invitation, while others do not. Some may not invite you for lack of a degree, others may want to hear a recording first.
I'm not knocking a degree at all. As a matter of fact, I'm getting out of the Navy this coming year and going back to school to get mine. Just keep in mind though, that at the end of the day, it's not the piece of paper that wins you the job, it's how well you play.

Sorry, my post my have been a bit vague.

I meant, UNT is a great school for majoring in jazz studies. One of, if not the best jazz school in the country. Their classical performance side is good, but not a renowned as the jazz side.

University of Houston and Rice both have excellent classical departments.

Thats great because i was thinking more of the classical kind of thing...And i live in Houston so that works perfectly.