Master of Arts in Counseling

 

Department of Counseling 491B Pawley Hall  (map) (248) 370-4179 • Fax (248) 370-4141 http://www.oakland.edu/counseling/

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Coordinator:
Lisa D. Hawley
435F Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2841
hawley@oakland.edu
 

Program description

The Department of Counseling offers a Master of Arts in counseling degree for individuals who wish to work in professional counseling roles with children, youth, adults and families in school or community settings. The program can accommodate both full-time and part-time students.

Accreditation

The Master of Arts in counseling degree program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in two areas: Community Counseling and School Counseling. Graduates are prepared for state counseling licensure.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

• April 15 for fall semester
• October 1 for winter semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.

Special Graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.  Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Students may request special graduate classification beginning with the dates below.

• August 1 for fall semester
• December 1 for winter semester
• April 1 for summer semester

Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Online Application for Admission to Graduate Study         
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
  (Note: Some programs require more than two recommendation forms. Refer to the program application requirements listed below for the total number of recommendations and specific requirements for the recommendations.)                         
• Proof of English language proficiency
• International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Program application requirements

• Supplemental program form   
• All applicants must submit a written statement of purpose that explains reasons for entering the counseling program and employment goals. Applicants should describe experiences and accomplishments in working with children, youth and adults.
• Requirements for recommendations
  Recommendations are important to the application procedure. The two required references must be from professionals, professors, or employers who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability and effective interaction with youth and adults.
• All applicants must successfully complete a group interpersonal skills interview with the Department of Counseling. 
• Credentials, including transcripts and recommendations, providing clear evidence of academic distinction.
• Grade-point average of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework is ordinarily considered the minimum standard for admission.
• Applicants must have completed a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate or graduate credits in the behavioral sciences such as psychology and sociology before admission to the program (this requirement is evaluated by the admissions committee).

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Admission to the Master of Arts in counseling degree program is selective; meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program. In addition to graduate admission general requirements, applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements established by the academic program.

Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 with the appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation may be considered for admission with limited standing. Applicants who qualify for this admission status must complete a minimum of 16 credits of graduate-level work, with a GPA of 3.0 or above within the first year of their program, to be advanced to full admission.