Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, M.Ed.

Counseling Program Admission and Application Requirements

Program Admission

The graduate Counseling program has two admission cycles each year for the fall and spring semesters. The admission process is competitive based on admission criteria related to previous academic performance, an essay, related work, internship or volunteer experience in a related service setting, two letters of reference, and an interview. When a cohort has filled, interested candidates may be offered the option to apply for subsequent admission terms. 

Application Requirements

• An undergraduate bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• A recommended undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 or higher
• A successful interview with program faculty
• A professional essay
• Two letters of reference from an academic supporter and/or someone who has observed the applicant’s work at a job, internship, or volunteer site. Letters should be on letterhead and submitted by the referring individual
• Evidence of a clear criminal background check

As noted in the above admission requirements for graduate study, applicants to the Counseling program must submit a professional essay. This essay should be four to six paragraphs in length and contain a brief statement of long-range professional goals in counseling. The applicant’s name and preferred major should be included at the top of the essay. This essay will be used by the Programs Admission Committee in selecting applicants for the program, and no application will be reviewed without the essay. In addition, an interview with the counseling faculty will be required. Applicants will be contacted regarding the scheduling of this interview after all other application materials have been received. A candidate must also present evidence of a clear criminal background check.

Program Retention

Students enrolled in clinical mental health track are required to maintain a minimum of a 3.00 grade point average for retention and completion. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.00, then the student will be placed on academic warning status. 

The minimum passing grade for a graduate course is C. Once a semester, the counseling faculty reviews all student files to evaluate student performance of Program Objectives and Program Professional Dispositions. Students receive notifications of the outcome of reviews regarding their progress in the program through letters of satisfactory progress, letters of exceptional progress, or letters of concern. Behaviors of concern include, but are not limited to, excessive tardiness or absenteeism; academic problems; disrespectful behaviors toward other students, faculty, staff, guest speakers, and clinical supervisors; impairments such as signs of substance abuse; unprofessional behavior; and violations of ethical standards or making statements inconsistent with the ethical standards of the American Counseling Association.

Completion Requirements

The track selected will determine the specific courses as well as the practicum and internship placement. All students must earn a satisfactory score on a comprehensive examination, the Counseling Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE), covering the eight content areas required by CACREP. Students who do not pass the CPCE in three attempts or less will be required to complete remediation determined by the program faculty prior to a subsequent attempt. Each subsequent attempt will require additional remediation. A passing score must be achieved within the 6-year limit for degree completion. The passing score is 80 + Standard Error of Measurement S for the test administration. Students will be required to enroll in EDC 502  and EDC 515  concurrently during their first semester in the program unless otherwise specified by their faculty adviser. Students must earn a minimum grade of B in EDC 541  (Practicum) in order to enroll in the Internship (EDC 581 , EDC 582  or EDC 586 ). A grade of B or better is required in EDC 581  and students must also earn a C or better in all other course work attempted.

Curriculum Outline (60 credit hours required)