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Admissions

Master's Counseling Programs Admission

The Psychology Department offers two graduate counseling programs at the central campus: MS: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), and MS Counseling: College Counseling & Student Services (CCSS). The admission requirements and program policies vary for each program.

Please note the deadline for application to the CCSS program for Fall 2008 semester has been extended until July 1, 2008. We encourage your applications until that time.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

To qualify for admission into either the MS: Marriage and Family Therapy or the MS Counseling: Concentration in College Counseling and Student Services program, applicants must meet certain criteria and submit specific documents. Minimum expectations follow:

  1.  
    1. MFT: For the MFT program, applicants must submit official transcripts showing a bachelor's degree with the following six courses: general psychology; life-span human development; research methods; statistics; abnormal psychology, and one other theory course in Psychology. The preferred degree majors are psychology, sociology, or behavioral science.
    2. CCSS: For the CCSS program, applicants must submit official transcripts showing a bachelor's degree with the following five courses: general psychology, life-span human development, research methods; statistics; and one other psychology theory class.
    An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required, although applicants with lower GPAs may be considered on a provisional admission basis. Undergraduate coursework will be evaluated on an individual basis for recency and appropriateness to the graduate degree program. The bachelor's degree must have been earned at a regionally accredited institution.
  2. Applicants complete a University of La Verne Graduate Studies Admission Form and return it with a non-refundable $50.00 application fee.
  3. Applicants must submit a 5-7 page Statement of Purpose and Autobiography along with a current resume.
  4. Applicants should provide three (3) letters of recommendation from professors and colleagues who are familiar with the applicant's academic and professional abilities, potential, and appropriateness for the counseling profession. At least one letter should be from a professor.
  5. International Student applications must submit verification of English competence (minimum 550 score on TOEFL or two years' college or university study at an institution where instruction is in English), a University of La Verne Financial Support Verification, and a confidential bank statement from the financial sponsor.
  6. Applicants to the MFT program are strongly encouraged to have at least one year of volunteer or paid experience working with families, children, or couples.
  7. After initial screen of all required information, a pool of applicants will be selected to interview with Psychology Department faculty. As part of the application process, applicants will complete a test of written English.

The following deadlines for submitting applications have been established:
Completed applications must be submitted by November 1 for Spring admissions and April 15 for Fall admissions.

Please note the deadline for application to the CCSS program for Fall 2008 semester has been extended until July 1, 2008. We encourage your applications until that time. MFT applicants are encouraged to apply before our next deadline, November 1, 2008, for a Spring 2008 start.

In addition to the requirements noted above, the Department may require other documentation from applicants.

Please also be aware that a student is eligible to enroll in no more than six semester hours prior to being admitted into a Counseling program.

Application Materials

Applicants must complete a University of La Verne Graduate Studies Admission Form and return it with a nonrefundable $50.00 application fee. Three letters of recommendation are also required. Necessary forms can be downloaded below.

Download Application

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All application materials should be forwarded to:

Graduate Admissions,
University of La Verne
1950 3rd Street
La Verne, California 91750

Program Candidacy Status

All Counseling students are admitted into the program under a precandidacy status. After the completion of 12 semester hours, all students become eligible for and are evaluated by the Department for candidacy status. Candidacy is granted to students with a GPA of 3.0 who have a passing score on the PSY 595 (Competency Exam) and have demonstrated personal suitability for the counseling profession.

Continuous Evaluation of Students

During their course work in the program, students continue to be evaluated for demonstrated suitability to the program and the counseling profession. Occasionally, discontinuation of a student from the program may occur, even after the Department confers Full Candidacy, if the student's personal or professional behavior does not continue to meet minimum professional and/or academic standards.