Initial Admission Requirements

Full Acceptance Requirements

Degree Requirements

Program Options

Counselor Education Program Handbook (PDF)

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Initial Admission Requirements*

• Bachelor's degree from accredited institution (minimum 2.75 GPA).
• Completed application for graduate study and fee.

*Applications are accepted and processed throughout the year, but Graduate and Professional Studies recommends that prospective students in Counselor Education submit their applications and supporting materials well in in advance of the traditional Admission Deadlines. The recommended dates occur after the opening of registration so students wishing to have the greatest choice of courses should submit their applications earlier.

Full Acceptance Requirements

• The grading matrix from CED 500 paper.
• Three recent letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty or employers (on the required form).
• Acceptable grades (B- or better) in Orientation to Counseling (CED 500) Introduction to Counseling (CED 501) and Introduction to Research Methodology (ED 550), and any additional courses taken.
• A satisfactory individual evaluation completed by the instructor of CED 501.
• Approval from advisor.

• A minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework from Graduate & Professional Studies.

Degree Requirements

• 48 semester hours for Community Mental Health
• 48 semester hours for School Guidance Counseling
• Minimum 3.0 GPA, limit of one course at or below "C"
• Successful completion of original research (thesis option) or the written comprehensive examination (non-thesis option).

Program Options

School Guidance Counseling
The program meets or exceeds requirements for school certification by the Maryland State Department of Education and strives to keep pace with requirements in Pennsylvania.

Community Mental Health Counseling (Licensed Professional Counselor)
Students complete the 48 credit MS degree and additional coursework (total of 60 credits) under a coordinator-approved plan to establish certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Maryland or Pennsylvania.

National Certification (Full Credentialing)
Students who complete the MS and additional coursework (48 credits total) are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Full credentialing is achieved by successfully passing the exam and two years (at least part time) supervised work in counseling.