Admission to the Program: Criteria and Process

The Counselor Education Program faculty seeks to admit only those who are personally and academically prepared to complete the Master's degree in community or school counseling successfully. Within these parameters, the faculty is committed to admitting students who represent diverse backgrounds and/or who have special abilities (i.e. bilingual competence) to serve a diverse population as school or community counselors.

Admission to the program is competitive and is based on the criteria listed below. Students may take no more than two (2) courses before they have matriculated:

1. Evidence of academic ability and potential for graduate?level study; cumulative undergraduate GPA 2.8, or higher, nine credits in psychology. If candidate does not meet the 2.8 GPA, the Miller 's Analogy Test score, under advisement from the graduate office, will provide an alternative route for admittance.
2. Must have completed an undergraduate program which includes a general education distribution of courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and behavioral sciences, foreign language and fine arts.
3. Proficiency in English as demonstrated in a letter of application setting forth the reasons for wanting to enroll in a counselor education program, and emphasizing relevant experiences.
4. Three letters of recommendation testifying to suitability as a prospective counselor.
5. Interview with the program's school or community counseling track advisor to prepare a planned program of study.
6. Potential for forming effective interpersonal relationships in individual and small group contexts
7. Appropriate vocational goals and objectives and their relevance to the Program
8. Openness to self?examination and personal and professional self?development
9. Paid or volunteer experience indicative of an interest in the helping profession
10. Ability to communicate effectively

Orientation Meetings
Orientation meetings for new students are held each semester. When ED 585,
Introduction to School and Community Counseling, is offered, the orientation meeting will
occur during one class period. Otherwise, a meeting will be scheduled separate from course
times. Announcements of orientation meetings, as well as announcements of all other
information for students, will be communicated through the bulletin board located on
the fifth floor of the Westside Campus Building. Students are advised to check this
bulletin board regularly for information that is pertinent to them.

Course Waivers
Conforming to CACREP standards, the Graduate Counselor Education Program accepts
only graduate level courses that meet Program curriculum requirements. Course waivers are
limited in number and done under careful advisement.

Additional School Track Admission Requirements

1. Pass the state-mandated skills examination (Praxis PPST) in mathematics, reading, and writing, or present a combined score of 1000 on the SAT with a score of at least 400 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections from any test administration prior to March 31, 1995; or present a combined score of 1100 on the SAT with a score of at least 450 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections from any test administration on or after April 1,1995; or present a composite score if 24 or more on the American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT), with no less than 22 on the English subtest and no less than 19 on the math subtest from test administration on or after October 1989. Call the department secretary at (203) 837-8510 for information about the Praxis exam.
2. Completion of an introductory course in special education.

School Counseling Certification Only Student
Students holding earned Master's degrees from other graduate level counseling programs may apply to the School Counseling program as "Certification Only" students. They must meet all entrance requirements (including Praxis PPST & a survey course in special education) and follow a planned program in school counseling services developed with the school counseling track program advisor. Students who are not certified teachers with three years of teaching experience who are seeking certification in Connecticut must complete a full-time, 10 month internship (in addition to practicum). This 10 month internship must involve at least 700 hours in a school setting. Certification regulations in New York State differ from those currently in effect in Connecticut. Students seeking certification in New York State are advised to contact the New York State Department of Education in Albany for information about these requirements. Required practica and internships must be completed in the state in which certification is sought.