Applicants to East Tennessee State University's graduate program in Counseling must be a graduate of a regionally accredited college or university. In addition to submitting an application and an official transcript of all academic work previously completed, applicants must submit three letters of reference and their general aptitude scores (verbal-V, quantitative-Q, & analytical-A) from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)—or general aptitude scores on the V and Q plus the new writing examination. After a review of the application materials, applicants whose documents indicate a potential for success will be invited for an interview with the counseling program faculty.

Students are admitted into the counseling program once a year to begin classes in either the Summer or Fall semesters. To be considered for Summer or Fall enrollment, the early admission deadline is February 15^th, and the regular admission deadline is April 1^st. Interviews will be scheduled during the following months. Candidates for consideration are defined as those obtaining a minimum total of 2500 points based on the following formula: First we attain the sum of the Verbal and Quantitative GRE general aptitude scores plus the Essay component score after it has been converted to a comparable scale. To this sum we add 400 times the applicant's undergraduate grade point average (UGGPA). (The conversion for the Essay component is to add one to the score and then multiple by 100.) This total should be at least 2500. Stated mathematically the formula would be: (Verbal + Quantitative + ((Essay + 1) X 100)) + (UGGPA x 400) > 2500. Because of the importance of interpersonal characteristics in the field of counseling, the interview is a significant component of the admission process for the Counseling Program. After interviews, candidates will receive a letter regarding admission.

In some instances, additional factors may also be considered in the decision process. Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria based upon the GRE/GPA formula but who present other evidence of potential for success in graduate study may apply to the counseling admissions committee for further review. After review of the relevant documentation, the committee may then request an interview. If the results of the interview with the admissions committee are positive, the candidate may be admitted as an exception to the entry standards.

The counseling program does not condone or engage in discrimination based on age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status.

TIME LIMITS - 6 YEARS:

As stated in the graduate school guidelines in the graduate catalog (see button at Counseling Webpage), the time limit for the use of credit for a course toward the master's degree is six years from the date of enrollment in the earliest course applied toward the degree. This time limit also includes any courses which are transferred into a program of study.

Click here for an online application.