Procedure for Admission to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Admissions criteria for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are consistent with those required in other master's degree level programs at South University. As the admissions process also takes into consideration the characteristics deemed essential to becoming a professional counselor, material is also required which will enable a determination to be made of the applicant's personal integrity, maturity, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively. The criteria used in determining admission to the graduate program include:

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. A grade point average of at least 2.7 (on an Admissions scale of 4.0) for the last 60 semester hours/90 quarter hours of coursework (including relevant graduate work), or, an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. A minimum score on a South University preapproved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose "first" language is not English as specified in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
4. Interview with the Clinical Mental Health department chair/program director or designated faculty member.
5. Approval of the campus program admissions committee.
6. Completion of an application for admission and submission of a $50 application fee.
7. Submission of a personal/professional statement addressing the applicant's interest in counseling, professional goals, along with a self-appraisal of academic and professional qualifications.
8. Submission (within 10 weeks of class start dates) of official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
9. Current résumé (or career summary).
10. Background Check

All required admissions documentation and criteria will be reviewed and evaluated. Applicants will be notified regarding acceptance. Applicants should review the published general graduate requirements listed in the South University catalog. Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States should also refer to the section in the South University catalog entitled Admission of International Students.