Admission Requirements & Deadlines

Consider the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology if you:

• are interested in obtaining a license to practice counseling at the master's degree level (Counseling Psychology, practitioner track);
• are considering applying to doctoral programs in psychology (Counseling Psychology, research track);
• value training in counseling skills, multiculturalism and diversity, and career and vocational issues;
• are more interested in providing counseling and therapy than conducting standardized assessments and evaluations;
• are interested in the health, strengths, assets and normal development of individuals as well as individuals' distress and dysfunction; and
• want to work in settings like university counseling centers, residential treatment facilities, or community mental health centers.

If one or more of these points does not apply to you, consider the school psychology or the clinical psychology programs.

 

Admission Requirements

• Applicants are not required to have an undergraduate degree in psychology. Students must have taken the following prerequisites (all of which must be completed with a grade of C or better):

1. General Psychology (3)
2. Behavioral Statistics (3)
3. Research Methods (3)
4. Abnormal Psychology (3)

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university**. An undergraduate transcript from each university attended is required.
• An undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 is required for admission. All GPA calculations for admission are based upon the last 60 credits of undergraduate and post-baccalaureate study.
• A completed application for admission is required. Prospective students can apply online.
• Three letters of recommendation, which attest the applicant's potential to succeed in graduate school and strong interpersonal skills, are also required (Email addresses of recommenders must be entered on application).
• Acceptable performance on the GENERAL Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Important information about the GRE, GRE testing centers and test dates can be found here.
• A letter of intent indicating why the applicant is interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology. This letter should be sent directly to the graduate school, along with all other application materials. Applications should be submitted online.
• The highest ranking applicants will be required to interview with the faculty of the Counseling Psychology program. Invitations to interview will be made in February. Interviews will take place in March.
• Resume or Curriculum Vita (CV)
• Completed applications and admission credentials must meet the deadline of January 15th for fall semester admission. Applications are not accepted for spring admission. Admission to the program is granted on a competitive, space-available basis.

Non-immigrant international students: See additional admission information in International Graduate Admissions.

*See Exceptions to Policy in Graduate Admissions.