Admission Requirements for Counseling Advanced Certificates
In addition to meeting criteria for the general Counseling master’s program admission procedures, you must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical psychology, counseling, social work or a closely related clinical discipline.
Test scores are not required.
Arcadia’s Graduate Program in Counseling is committed to welcoming students who represent various identities and intersectionalities. Our program is dedicated to training all students to become multiculturally competent and to embody the principles of social justice in their counseling careers.
Applying for Admission
According to the GPC’s accrediting body (MPCAC), “Entrance requirements should reflect the responsibility that the program has to the public. Admitted students have demonstrated a level of preparedness deemed appropriate for the program’s mission and objectives.”
Application and entrance requirements:
- Applicants must complete all parts of our Graduate Application online.
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (with a recommended GPA of 3.0 or better) is required before admitted students can begin their graduate coursework in the program.
- Students admitted into the Early Entry program may begin their coursework during their senior year prior to completion of their undergraduate degree.
- Applicants to our Advanced Study options must have a Masters or Doctoral degree in counseling or closely related profession from an accredited college or university, or professional school.
- Applicants must submit one official transcript from each college, university, or professional school attended. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school electronically or by mail and contain the appropriate signatures and seals.
- Completion of a Psychology major is not required; however, all applicants must have completed at least three Psychology courses (including Introductory Psychology) with grades of “B” or better.
- Of note, applications will be accepted for individuals who are in the process of completing their remaining Psychology courses, and these courses must be completed before admitted students can begin their graduate coursework in the program.
- Applicants’ experience working with others (e.g., jobs, volunteer positions, internships, etc.) is considered. Applicants are encouraged to discuss these experiences in their essay (see #6) or upload a resume with their application. Resumes are optional but encouraged.
- As part of the application, completion of two brief essays is required. Applicants can also complete an optional scholarship essay if they wish to be considered for a financial award. Each essay should be no longer than 250 words. The required essays are reviewed to assess applicants’ written communication skills, as well as their self-awareness.
- Three letters of recommendation are required from writers who have professional (not personal) relationships with the applicant. Multiple letters are encouraged from professors, and at least one letter must come from a professor.
- Of note, Arcadia’s Psychology majors (current students and alums) are only required to submit two letters of recommendation.
- Applicants must attend an interview with several program administrators and faculty. Interviews are by invitation only and typically take place virtually.
- International applicants should visit our International page for detailed information on admission requirements and application procedures. Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS are required for all students for whom English is a second language except for non-native speakers of English who hold degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand). A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required.
Of note, the admissions requirements for other programs (dual degrees, advanced study options, and the early entry program) differ slightly from the requirements above. Please refer to the program page for the specific requirements of these programs.
Application Deadlines
Applicants who submit their applications by the deadlines listed below, will receive priority. However, the Counseling program will accept applications on a rolling basis, as long as seats remain in courses. The Counseling program is currently accepting applications for the next academic year.
Regular Decision: Applicants seeking regular admission for the fall semester should complete their applications by January 15. Applicants seeking regular admission for the spring semester should complete their applications by November 1.
Early Decision: Early decision is designed for applicants who hope to secure a seat in the GPC for the fall semester, in advance of the regular decision admission process. Applicants seeking early admission for the fall semester should complete applications by November 1.
Early Entry: The Early Entry MA Counseling Program allows students in their junior year of undergraduate studies (across all majors) to apply to take up to three graduate counseling courses during their senior year. Applicants seeking early entry should complete applications during their junior undergraduate year by January 15.
Tuition and Financing
Scholarships
The Counseling program offers a limited number of scholarships ($1,000 to $5,000) based on applicants’ merit and commitment to multiculturalism in counseling. Prospective students can apply for scholarships by completing an optional scholarship essay within the online application.
One-Course Discount for Arcadia Alums
A one-course discount is offered to all individuals admitted to the MAC program who previously earned an undergraduate or graduate degree conferred by Arcadia University. Specifically, payment for one 3-credit course is waived during the first semester as a matriculated student in the Counseling program.
Graduate Assistantships
The Counseling program offers several paid Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions each year, pending the availability of funding and open positions. Prospective students are encouraged to share their interest in pursuing GA positions during in-person interviews. Decisions about GA positions are based on merit (e.g., academic record and previous work experiences), as well as students’ interests.
Graduate Student Employment
Other forms of employment may be also available to graduate students across the University. Students may apply for employment upon acceptance and registration. Questions regarding graduate employment should be directed to Graduate Student Employment.
Federal Loans
Graduate students are eligible to borrow through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan programs provided they are taking at least 6 credits per semester (in the summer, 6 credits overall summer sessions combined satisfies this requirement). For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.
