Admissions Workshop and Interview Evaluation Processes

Master’s

Applicants satisfying the master’s credential screening process are notified by mail and invited to participate in a Master’s Admission Workshop (spring or summer) with other applicants who have applied for admission during the same semester.

The purpose of the workshop is threefold:

1. for faculty and students to get acquainted,
2. to inform students about the counseling programs, and
3. to determine student interpersonal and writing skills which are assessed through group activities and a writing sample.

This process will address CACREP Standard 6.A3.

Doctoral

The doctoral program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Once the materials included in the doctoral credential evaluation process are received, they will be reviewed by the Department of Counseling doctoral program faculty. After a satisfactory review of application materials, the doctoral applicant will be contacted to schedule an online interview with department faculty to further review their materials and discuss their qualifications for the program.

Doctoral program admission criteria include:

• academic aptitude for doctoral-level study
• previous professional experience
• fitness for the profession, including self-awareness and emotional stability
• oral and written communication skills
• cultural sensitivity and awareness
• potential for scholarship, professional leadership, and advocacy

Master’s and Doctoral Admission Decisions

Admissions recommendations for the master’s-level program are made by the Department of Counseling faculty after each workshop, and admissions recommendations for the doctoral program are made by Department of Counseling faculty after a comprehensive review of submitted materials and collected interview data. These recommendations are then forwarded to the Graduate School which, in turn, contacts all applicants in writing, informing them of their admission status. Newly admitted students receive a “pre-candidacy” letter with the name of their advisor, whom they should contact immediately to discuss program plans and course selection for the coming semester.