Admission Requirements
Regular Admission: February 1
An applicant’s file is to be completed, with all application materials, including reference letters, transcripts, standardized test scores, a personal statement, and resume, by February 1 to receive priority consideration for the fall term.
Secondary Admission: July 1
Applications completed after February 1 and by July 1 will be reviewed on a periodic basis. Admission will be granted subject to the availability of space in a program.
Academic and Non-Academic Standards Required for Admission
Admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program will be granted, as space allows, to those applicants who satisfy the basic qualifications and show high promise of success as a professional counselor. Applicants are required to submit the following to the University Graduate Admissions Office:
- MA Application for Admission with $25 fee (waived if completed online)
- Official transcripts of all college or university work (in a sealed envelope from the issuing Institution)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from academic or professional individuals able to comment on the applicant’s level of personal maturity, academic abilities, and potential success as a professional counselor. One letter of recommendation must be from a current or former professor.
- Up-to-date resume
- Personal statement (as outlined in the application for admission)
- GRE or MAT scores (if required)
In general, an admission decision will be based on the following criteria:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum quality point average of 2.5 based on a 4-point scale. Those with a GPA under 3.0 are required to take either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and achieve a verbal score of 149 and a quantitative score of 144, or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and achieve a minimum score of 395.
- The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program accepts applicants who have a variety of undergraduate degrees. Course work in psychology, human services, human development, and statistics is recommended, though not required. However, the admissions committee reserves the right to ask applicants to complete coursework as a pre-requisite for admission.
- A personal statement in which the applicant explains why he or she wants to become a counselor.
- Favorable recommendations from three recommenders that meet program standards, one of which is a recommendation from a current or former professor.
- A résumé or curriculum vitae.
- Completed Graduate Admission Application.
- Determination by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the candidate's potential to be an effective and responsible professional counselor.
- Prior to admission, a phone or personal interview may be required.
Admission Requirements through the Accelerated BA/MA Track
Admission to the CMHC Program through the BA/MA accelerated track is available to undergraduate psychology students at Franciscan University. Second semester juniors who are majoring in psychology have the option of applying for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and, if accepted, begin taking classes in the Program in the fall of their senior year. Students are expected to submit an application for admission and all other required admissions documents (see above). Minimum GPA for acceptance into the program through the BA/MA track is 3.3. Applications for admission must be received by February 1 for priority consideration.
Transfer Credit
Students requesting transfer of graduate credit(s) (up to 9 semester hours) may do so, either before or after enrolling in Franciscan University, through a formal written letter to the director of the program that includes the course number, title, and grade for the course already taken along with the name and number of the relevant program course. Only courses in which the student has earned a "B" or better will be transferable. Enclosures should include a photocopy of the course description from the graduate catalog of the school where the course was taken or will be taken, the course syllabus, listing text(s) used for the course, and at the discretion of the program director, topics covered and graded assignments may also be required. An official transcript showing successful completion of the course must be provided to the University Registrar in order for the grade to transfer.
It should be noted that if a student wished to transfer a course taken at a different school worth quarter hour credits for a program course rather than semester credits, the course will be accepted for transfer, providing it meets the conditions described above, but only for two thirds (2/3) the credit as a semester hour course.