Admission Requirements & Deadlines

Psychology — Counseling Concentration (M.A.)

Application Deadline

Students are admitted to the Psychology - Counseling Concentration (M.A.) for the fall term only:

  • Final Deadline: Jan. 15

Admission Criteria

  • No GRE scores are required. 
  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants are not required to have an undergraduate degree in psychology.
  • An undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 is required for full admission. GPA calculations may be based upon the cumulative units or the last 60 units of the degree. See graduate admission policies for more information and exceptions.
  • The most competitive applicants will be invited for an interview with faculty and students. This interview is a compulsory part of the application process.

prerequisites

  • Students must have taken the following prerequisites (all of which must be completed with a grade of C or better):
    • General Psychology (3)
    • Behavioral Statistics (3)
    • Research Methods (3)
    • Psychopathology (formerly "Abnormal" Psychology) (3 credits)

Application Requirements

Submit an online application, application fee and official transcripts, along with:

  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation, which attest the applicant's potential to succeed in graduate school and strong interpersonal skills, are required (Email addresses of recommenders must be entered on application).
  • Letter of Intent: One letter of intent addressing both topics: 
    • In approximately 500 words, please tell us about your professional goals and how obtaining an MA degree from Towson University’s Counseling Psychology program will help you obtain those goals. You should describe how Counseling Psychology, in contrast to other mental health fields, is aligned with your professional goals. 
    • In approximately 300 words, describe what cultural responsiveness means to you and how it fits with your career aspirations. You may include a brief discussion of any personal experiences or identities that helped shape your view. 
  • Resume or CV: A copy of your most recent resume or curriculum vita (CV) highlighting clinical, teaching, research or related professional experience.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

U.S. Immigration requires F1 and J1 students to be enrolled full-time with the majority of their classes taken in-person and on campus. For a list of TU programs that comply as well as information on required credential evaluations and English-language proficiency, please see admission requirements for international students.

Application Timeline

The graduate program in counseling psychology is a small, selective program. We receive 100 to 150 applications each year. Those students who meet the initial screening criteria will subsequently be evaluated based upon the strengths and other relevant information they present in their application portfolio. 

Except for the above mentioned January 15 deadline, the following dates are approximate:

  • Early to Mid-February: Invitations extended to top 40 candidates to attend compulsory in-person interview.
  • Mid-February to Early-March: In-person interviews.
  • Mid-March to Mid-April: Applicants notified of admission decision.
  • April 15: Deadline by which admitted applicants must notify Towson University of their decision.