Admissions Requirements

Matriculation Requirements

Degree Requirements

Program Options

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from accredited institution (minimum 2.75 GPA)
• Three recent letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty or employers (on the required form)
• Written statement describing personal and professional goals relative to the program of study (on the required form)
• Completed application for graduate study and fee

Matriculation Requirements

• Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate courses taken at other institutions
• Successful completion of CED:500, CED:501, EDU:550
• Minimum 3.0 GPA; limit one grade at or below "C"
• Evaluation from CE:501 instructor
• Advisor meeting for program approval and signed program plan

Degree Requirements

• 42 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"
• 3-credit Lab Practicum
• 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 42 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.