Clinical Mental Health Counseling Application Information

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a recommended minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grade scale.
• Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (or currently attending) for initial admission. Official transcripts must be sent prior to enrollment if admitted to the program.

  • All transcripts from non-U.S.-based institutions must be course-by-course evaluated by a NACES or AICE academic credential evaluation company to obtain equivalency information on courses, grades, and degrees earned. Upload a copy of this course-by-course evaluation to serve as your unofficial transcript from that institution. Please note: If choosing to upload an unofficial evaluation, please contact the evaluating agency to ensure the same official version can be sent at a later date. Unofficial and official evaluations must be conducted by the same evaluation company to ensure consistency.

• Three letters of recommendation that indicate applicant’s ability to participate in the rigors of graduate school as well as the traits applicants possess to be a future allied health practitioner. At least one faculty letter of recommendation is preferred.

• Essay (1-2 pages) addressing one of the following two prompts:

  1. Reflect on your cultural worldview and personal motivations for becoming a counselor and elaborate on specific background experiences that affirmed your career choice. Highlight your opinion on continual self-growth and how a counseling graduate degree facilitates your professional goals to compassionately serve diverse clients.

  OR

  2. Envision yourself as a seasoned counselor 10 years post-graduation: What specialty areas and diverse client populations do you hope your counseling practice will serve? What contributions do you aim to make to the community? How will you actively prevent projecting cultural biases onto clients and continue building essential multicultural skills?

• Students that meet academic requirements will be invited to participate in an interview.

Prior to enrolling, admitted applicants will be required to complete state and federal background checks, obtain personal liability insurance from the start of the program, and will be required to adhere to immunization and vaccination policies of Shenandoah’s School of Health Professions and individual practicum and internship sites. 

The Office of Graduate Admissions offers campus visits, program-specific webinars and information sessions throughout the year. These events include time to speak with graduate admissions representatives and program faculty or deans.