Admission Requirements - MSCC 

The purpose of having an admissions policy is to carefully screen all applicants to the clinical counseling program to select those applicants with the best chance of success in the program and who are the best fit for the field of counseling. The MSCC Program has an admissions committee that reviews all applications to the clinical counseling program. The MSCC Admissions Committee will carefully evaluate all applicant materials. Based on established criteria, the committee will determine whether an applicant may be admitted, admitted conditionally, or not admitted. The university’s conditional admission policy for graduate students is as follows, “With permission of the Director of Graduate Studies, students who do not yet meet the requirements for regular admission may be conditionally admitted and may enroll in one (1) semester (including the summer term) of coursework up to a maximum of nine (9) hours of graduate credit. At that point, continuation in the degree program requires full admission status.”

Students wishing to be admitted to the Master of Clinical Counseling program must meet the following criteria:

1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
2. 18 or more hours of coursework in psychology, counseling, social work or a closely related field
3. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. Exception: Applicants with undergraduate GPAs lower than 3.0 will be considered for conditional admission based upon consideration of multiple factors (for example: competitiveness of undergraduate institution, GPA in psychology courses and GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study). Students admitted conditionally will be moved to regular status if they achieve a 3.0 GPA in the first semester of study. If they do not, the student will be disenrolled from the program.
4. Criminal background check deemed acceptable by the MSCC Admissions Committee in consultation with the Missouri Division of Professional Registration
5. Demonstration of adequate written communication skills
6. Demonstration of appropriate interest and aptitude for counseling profession
7. Demonstration of aptitude for graduate-level study in a digitally-delivered learning environment

Application Process

1. Apply online.
2. Send official transcripts showing a conferred baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
3. Student-submitted transcripts or letters of recommendation are not accepted. Please direct your transcript request(s) and recommendation authors to send the documents directly to cges@centralmethodist.edu.
4. Complete a criminal record check. You must have already completed the application to the program. To initiate this process, applicants must first complete the criminal record check waiver and privacy form and return it to the MSCC Program by email (tkeown@centralmethodist.edu). You may also send it to admissions at cges@centralmethodist.edu. Upon receipt of the waiver, you will be provided the instructions needed to complete a criminal record check; the approximate cost to the applicant is $53.
5. Submit a double-spaced, one-page written statement on each of the following three topics:
   1. Describe personal and professional experiences and interests that have brought you to pursue a career in counseling.
   2. After you obtain a master’s degree in counseling, what are your professional career goals?
   3. Culture is our “way of being” and how we perceive the world. Cultural diversity refers to the shared language, beliefs, values, norms, and behaviors that are experienced across generations (Schaefer, 2006). Examples of cultural diversity may include one’s language, race, sexual orientation, identity, gender, religion, age, ability, and ethnicity. Provide an explanation of your personal understanding of cultural diversity and include experiences you have had with diversity and what you learned about yourself. (addresses required 2024 CACREP Standard 1.J.3)
6. Submit two reference letters from either clinical or academic professionals.
   1. These letters MUST ADDRESS both a) your future potential as a graduate student in a digitally-delivered learning environment and b) your future potential as a clinician.
   2. Authors of the recommendation letters may include, but are not limited to, undergraduate professors, academic advisors, and clinical supervisors. Letters submitted by personal friends or acquaintances will not be accepted. Authors professional title should be included in the letter.
      
      
7. Deadlines and Process
   
   1. February 1^st Priority deadline: all completed applications received by this date will receive a competitive review and will be notified about their acceptance into the next year's cohort.
   2. May 1^st Final deadline: All remaining completed applications will receive a competitive review and at this time only open slots into the next year’s cohort will be filled. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability.
   3. Upon receipt and review of all information and supporting documents by the MSCC Admissions Committee, applicants will be notified of their admission status. The University reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone who does not meet the identified standards for admission.

Items 2, 3, 5 and 6, above should be emailed to: cges@centralmethodist.edu or mailed to CGES Admissions Office, Central Methodist University, 411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248.