Admission Requirements:

Admission to all programs is selective. The selection process is designed to assess the candidate’s suitability for graduate study and for a professional career in counseling. Candidates who are selected for these programs are expected to make major commitments to their graduate training.

Applicants must have:

1. A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Evidence of academic aptitude for graduate-level study, that includes at least one of the following: a. A 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA, or a 3.0 GPA in the second half of the undergraduate degree program. b. A graduate GPA of a 3.3 on a previously completed advanced degree. c. The GRE scores may not be more than five years old. The student must score at the 50 percentile or above to be accepted. d. Applicants not meeting other criteria, but having an acquired knowledge of the counseling field based on five years of related experience, may be eligible. Students applying under this provision must contact the coordinator of advising for specific procedures prior to applying to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
3. English language proficiency: International students must meet at least one of the following additional criteria:
4. 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.
5. Personal Statement: A one-page narrative statement focusing on the applicant’s motivation and rationale for seeking admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program as well as his or her background and goals related to professional studies, and goals for working in the mental health field.
6. Experience: Relevant experiences in helping that may consist of paid professional work or structured volunteer experiences, that provides evidence of the applicant’s commitment and understanding of the mental health field. These experiences may be referenced in the above Statement of Intent, and must be documented in the resume.
7. Résumé: A focused, summary of program-relevant educational, career and/or life experiences.
8. Three recommendations: These must be completed on recommendation forms available from the department. They should be completed by professionals with knowledge of the applicant’s suitability for graduate work (e.g., supervisors, undergraduate professors) in helping professions.

Each applicant will receive a rating on the following criteria: academic potential based on grade-point average and/or GRE scores; the quality, extensiveness and relevance of career/life/educational experiences to the field of clinical mental health counseling; professional goals/objectives; and recommendations. 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. They will also receive information about programs of study, faculty expectations, and related topics such as professional counselor licensure. 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. Denied applicants who wish to reapply may do so after a consultation with the coordinator of advising to understand the basis of their denial.

The admissions appeal procedure provides each applicant with the opportunity to formally appeal the admissions decision. Appeals must be based on an applicant’s perception that his/her due process rights were violated during the admissions process. The procedure is not intended for applicants who do not meet minimum standards for admission as outlined above. Appeal must begin within five working days of the start of the semester following the admissions decision. Applicants wishing to appeal must contact the Coordinator of Advising to obtain written information regarding the appeal procedure.

Program advisors will be assigned after students have been admitted to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. The advisor will assist the student in developing the program of graduate study that is required for full admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. All courses and subsequent changes must be approved by the advisor. Transfer credit can be used toward graduation only if it has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor and is within Graduate School guidelines. The master’s degree program must be completed within a six-year period.

Department Information:

Leadership & Counseling - College of Education

Advisor Information:

Degree Requirements: 60 hours

The following outline describes the general program requirements leading to a minimum of 60 hours of graduate study for those students seeking the master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Additional Program Information:

For more information about the program, admissions, etc., contact the department head or visit www.emich.edu/coe/lc