Admission Requirements:
EMU will admit a maximum of 20 students per year to this advanced certificate program. Applicants will be considered on a competitive basis, with the following criteria representing minimum requirements for admission. All admission materials, both graduate school and certificate program, are submitted through the Graduate Admissions Office. To be considered for admission, candidates must provide evidence of each of the following criteria:
- Applicants must have graduated from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a master’s degree in a helping field or be currently enrolled in such a graduate program.
- Evidence of academic aptitude for continued graduate-level study as evidenced by a minimum graduate grade-point average of 3.3 on their current or previously completed advanced degree.
- International students must meet one or more of the following additional criteria: An official score report from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Test System (IELTS), or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) must be sent by the testing service directly to the University. Student score reports, faxes or photocopies will not be considered official. Minimum scores for admission is 550 (Paper-based Test), or 79 (Internet-based Test) for the TOEFL; 77 on MELAB; or 6.5 (or higher) on the IELTS. If the TOEFL is taken, the Test of Written English (TWE) is also required. A conditional admission may be available to those students falling just below the minimum score requirements.
- Personal Statement: A one-page narrative statement focusing on the applicant’s motivation and rationale for seeking admission to the program as well as his or her relevant background, preparation and goals related to working with diverse populations.
- Experience: Documented work experience in the form of a resume of the applicant’s experience as a helping professional, the majority of which involves working with diverse populations. This experience may consist of paid, professional roles or structured volunteer experiences in organized work settings.
- Two Recommendations: Letters of reference that speak to the applicant’s commitment, interest, and potential in working with diverse populations.
Admission applications are processed in order for candidates to begin studies in the Winter, Summer, and Fall. To be considered for the admission process, a completed application including transcripts, personal statement, resume, and recommendations must be submitted to the Graduate School by May 15 for Fall admission, October 15 for Winter admission, and by March 15 for Summer admission. Applicants submitted to the Graduate School office after each semester’s deadline will be considered in the next semester’s admissions cycle.
Each applicant will receive a rating on the following criteria: academic potential based on grade-point average, the quality, extensiveness and relevance of career/life/educational experiences and professional goals/objectives. Based on these ratings, applicants may move to the second phase of the process.
Applicants admitted to the second phase of the selection process will be invited to campus to participate in a personal interview. Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials at this time. Based on evaluation of all materials and the interviews, admissions decisions will be made.
A program advisor will be assigned after students have been admitted to the Certificate program. If the student is already completing a graduate program in counseling at Eastern Michigan University, the same faculty advisor will serve. If the student is not doing so, the Graduate Coordinator of the Certificate Program will serve as the advisor. The advisor will assist the student in developing the individualized program of study which is required for full admission to the advanced certificate program. All courses and subsequent changes must be approved by the advisor. Transfer credit can be used only if it has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor and is within Graduate School guidelines. The certificate program must be completed within a three-year period.
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