Program Admission
Graduate School Application
After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.
The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.
For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.
Admission Requirements
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.
Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:
- Evidence of academic aptitude for graduate-level study that includes at least one of the following:
- A 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA, or a 3.0 GPA in the second half of the undergraduate degree program.
- A graduate GPA of 3.3 on a previously completed advanced degree.
- GRE scores may be submitted as evidence of academic aptitude; scores may not be more than five years old. The student must score at the 50th percentile or above to be accepted. The applicant must meet the 2.7 minimum GPA required for graduate school admission.
- Applicants not meeting other criteria but having 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 before applying to the Graduate School.
- Students without a valid Michigan teaching certificate may also be required to meet the following additional criteria:
- Experience: Three to five years of documented work experience, most of which involves working with school‐aged (K‐12) children or adolescents. This experience may consist of paid, professional roles or structured volunteer experiences in organized work settings. Activities such as parenting, babysitting, and daycare do not qualify.
- Previous Coursework: Nine semester hours of undergraduate social science coursework, including coursework specific to foundations of education. If this coursework has not been completed before admission to the COUN program, students must complete it within the first 12 hours of the COUN program.
- Personal Statement A statement focusing on the applicant’s motivation and rationale for seeking admission to the specific counseling program and their background and goals related to professional studies.
- Résumé A focused summary of program-relevant educational, career, and/or life experiences. The resume should also document all paid or unpaid work experience with school-aged youth.
- Three Recommendations Request recommendation forms from three professional supervisors and/or supervising professors that address the applicant’s professional work quality. Applicants may request recommendation letters in addition to completing the recommendation form. Applicants are encouraged to ask recommenders to submit a recommendation letter if this could enhance their application materials. Recommendation forms and letters must come directly from your reference.
Admission to the program is selective. The selection process is designed to assess the candidate’s suitability for graduate study and a professional career counseling career. Candidates selected are expected to make major commitments to their graduate training.
Each applicant will receive a rating on the following criteria: academic potential; the quality, and extensiveness, and relevance of career/life/educational experiences relevant to the field of school 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 admission 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 an evaluation of all materials and the interviews, admissions decisions will be made.
The admissions appeal procedure provides each applicant with the opportunity to appeal the admissions decision formally. 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. An 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 School Counseling Program. The advisor will assist the student in developing the program of graduate study that is required for full admission to the school counseling program. Students must meet with their advisor to develop a formal program of study before completing 12 credits towards their degree. The advisor must approve all courses and subsequent changes. 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.
Completed applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
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