Admission Requirements

Admission requirements differ for the various programs within the Department of Counseling and Family Therapy. The following information describes the different program requirements.

School Counseling, Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling, and Student Development in Higher E ducation

The School Counseling, Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling, and Student Development in Higher Education programs admit students only one time per year. The department will begin reviewing applications on March 1 and will schedule personal interviews in April and in May. The deadline for receiving all admissions materials, including official transcripts, is May 1 for fall admission. Admissions decisions will be made on the basis of the following factors:

  1. Grade point average for all undergraduate courses. Minimum requirement is a 2.70 grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.00 point scale where A is 4.00. Official transcripts must be mailed to CCSU by the college or university the applicant attended and must be received by May
  2. Three recommendations from individuals able to testify to the student’s suitability as a prospective counselor. Copies of the recommendation forms can be obtained by clicking on the following link: Recommendation Forms.
  3. A 2–3 page typewritten (double spaced) essay describing the following:
    • Reasons for entering the counseling profession.
    • Personal and professional experiences that influenced you to pursue the counseling profession.
    • Personal characteristics you believe will contribute to your success as a counselor.
  4. A personal interview by the program’s faculty admissions committee. The committee will assess the student’s personal attributes and life experiences that might contribute to the student’s potential for success as a professional counselor.

Additional Requirements for School Counseling

Documentation that the applicant has successfully passed all three parts of the Praxis I PPST Test or qualifies for a waiver. More information about the PRAXIS I PPST tests may be obtained by calling (609) 771-7395 or by accessing the PRAXIS Website: www.teachingandlearning.org. Applications for the PRAXIS I PPST tests and information about the waiver are usually available outside of the Office of the Dean, School of Education and Professional Studies, in Henry Barnard Hall.

At least one of the following prerequisite courses taken at either the undergraduate or graduate level with a grade of B or better.

Students who believe that they may have taken equivalent courses at the undergraduate level may submit copies of the course descriptions from the college catalog that was in print at the time they took the course.

Note: While only one prerequisite course is needed to qualify for admission, all three prerequisite courses must be completed prior to being admitted into degree candidacy.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAM

The decision to admit the student into pre-candidacy status for the MFT program is based strictly on the student’s grade point average. The admission standard for this program requires a minimum of 2.70 grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.00 point scale where A is 4.00. Students with a grade point average between 2.40 and 2.69 may appeal their denial for admission and request a conditional admission. The conditional admission program is a non-degree arrangement that allows students to demonstrate the ability to perform successfully in a graduate degree program. It is afforded on a space-available basis to students who are able to demonstrate their potential through additional coursework, relevant life experiences, and/or recommendations from individuals qualified to testify to the student’s suitability to be a prospective counselor. All students who are accepted into the department are granted pre-candidacy status and are assigned an academic advisor. The advisor will orient the student regarding prerequisites, course scheduling, potential course transfers and substitutions, and the planned program of study.

All students are accepted into the Department of Counseling & Family Therapy aspire-candidates. Pre-candidacy status allows the student to begin taking classes. During the advising process, students will be informed of the specific steps they will need to take to apply for full candidacy into their program.