Frequently Asked Questions

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• I am interested in becoming a counselor. Why should I go to East Tennessee State University?

  Great question. We are proud of our counseling program and hope you will check out our site and see what we have to offer. Also, check out our "advantages" page. We think you will agree, we have a lot to offer.
• I'm interested in applying for your master's degree, what do I need to do?

  Great! We review applications once a year in the spring and admit people for the summer or fall of that year. The application deadline is February 1st. We require an application, transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and a personal statement/essay. The GRE is not required for admission into our counseling program unless your GPA is lower than a 3.0.  For more details visit our Admissions page. You are also encouraged to check out the Graduate School website.
• I'm a prospective international student. What are some things I need to know?

  Q: I’d like more information about the program.

  A: Please first review the information provided on the website, which includes an overview of our program, details about our concentrations, faculty bios, admissions criteria, community counseling clinic, and frequently asked questions. If you have questions after reviewing this information, we welcome you to register for one of our virtual information sessions (see below). You may also contact us with specific questions.

  Q: What kind of funding opportunities do you offer and am I eligible for them?

  A: ETSU has many Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions in departments across campus. We do not have positions that we can offer upon admission. Rather, students apply for open GA positions after they have been given an offer of admission. The positions vary greatly so the eligibility criteria and application process is specific to each position. We encourage people who have been admitted to our program to apply to all open GA positions at ETSU, since we have a limited number of positions within our department and most of our students get hired in other departments across campus. You can learn more about GA positions here  and here. 

  Q: Can you waive the application fee?

  A: The ETSU Graduate School sets the application fee. They do not waive application fees for international students. This and other international student FAQs can be found here.

  Q: What is the application deadline and do I need to take the GRE?

  A: Please see our program webpage with information about admissions criteria and the General International Student Admission Requirements page for information about GPA conversion.

  On that page you will also find a link to the ETSU Graduate School page where you can complete an application, access answers to frequently asked questions, and see a step-by-step guide to applying: Application Instructions.  You can also find information and links to resources on the ETSU Office of International Enrollment and Services website.

  Q: Can I upload my unofficial transcript now and submit the official transcripts after the admission decision has been made? 

  A: Yes. You can find this and related information here.

  Q: Do I need to provide an English Proficiency Test Result?

  A: This is determined by the ETSU Graduate School. You can find English Proficiency information here. If you have additional questions, please email gradadmissions@etsu.edu.  

  Q: What are the research opportunities in your program?

  A: Our program is thesis optional, meaning you can choose to either complete a thesis or choose to take an elective course. Some students have chosen to complete a thesis, although many do not. Instead, students who are interested in research experience tend to seek opportunities to partner with faculty on research projects. Our program is more practitioner focused, so if you are interested in a highly research-oriented career, you might not find what you are looking for in our program.

  Q: Do I need to have a supervisor before I apply?

  A: No, you do not need to have any connection with a faculty member in order to apply.

  Q: I have more questions and/or I would like to talk with someone.

  A: We typically host 2-3 virtual information sessions each semester. During these sessions, a counseling program representative provides information on the frequently asked questions about our program, followed by time for attendees to ask questions. There will also be a representative from the ETSU Graduate School who can answer questions.

  You can find the schedule for these virtual information sessions and register to attend here. If you do not see information sessions scheduled for the counseling program, then they are most likely in the process of being scheduled and added to the webpage, so please check back in a couple of weeks.

• Is your program offered in a fully online format?

  Although we do offer some courses online, our program is primarily on ground, on campus in Johnson City, TN. At this time, we are not offering any courses through Sevierville or other satellite campuses.
• Do you have tuition assistance?

  Yes! There are many opportunities for you to get help with the cost of your graduate education!  At ETSU, we have a number of options that may assist students in keeping the costs of graduate education as minimal as possible. We encourage our students to consider applying for Graduate Assistantships in addition to other forms of federal financial aid. Also, take a look at scholarships and grants that are offered. More information can be found at the Graduate School website.
• Is the GRE required for admission?

  The GRE is not required for admission into our Master's degree program as long as your GPA is a 3.0 or above. A GPA below 3.0 does require taking the GRE.
• I am interested in becoming a professional counselor, but I'm not sure about concentration? Do I have to decide before I apply?

  The short answer is "yes." We admit people into one concentration, so you will need to choose a concentration when you apply. However, it is possible to change concentrations after you are admitted, with the assistance of your advisor. In addition, although we do not offer dual concentrations (i.e., you can only graduate with one counseling concentration on your transcript), it is possible to take courses that are associated with multiple concentrations and specialty areas. Students can choose to meet the educational requirements for both school and clinical mental health licensure. Students can also use their free electives to take courses in specialty areas like child, adolescent, couple, and family counseling; nature based therapy; substance use and recovery; college counseling and higher education; and other topics of interest.   
• Can I apply to both school and clinical mental health concentrations?

  No, applicants may only submit one application to the program and therefore must choose to apply to either the school counseling or the clinical mental health counseling concentration. If you are interested in pursing both types of licensure (i.e., both school counseling licensure and licensure as a professional counselor), you may do so. In order to pursue licensure as a school counselor and as a professional counselor, you must apply to the school counseling concentration (you must be in the school counseling concentration to get an endorsement for school counseling licensure at the conclusion of the program). If you do not intend to pursue licensure in both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling, then choose the concentration that you wish to pursue. Because enrollment in the school counseling concentration is required in order to pursue both school and clinical licensure, students who are admitted to the clinical mental health concentration may change to the school counseling concentration. However, students who are admitted to the school concentration are not permitted to change to the clinical mental health concentration and instead must reapply for admission to the clinical mental health concentration.
• I already have a Master's Degree in Teaching (or Administration), which courses are required to be licensed as a school counselor?

  A Master's degree in School Counseling is required to be a School Counselor (there is not an add-on option in Tennessee). You are welcome to apply to our program and petition to earn a 2nd Master's degree. The curriculum for school counselors is very different than that of teachers or administrators.
• Is a school counselor the same as a guidance counselor?

  Technically, yes. the term "guidance counselor" is outdated although it is not uncommon to hear individuals use the term. It is also common to have positions and job descriptions listed as "Guidance Counselor" even today. The professionally appropriate term is "Professional School Counselor" or "School Counselor" and we continue to advocate for its use today. In fact, in the state of Tennessee there is a regulation that passed in 1999 that the official term be known as "School Counselor."
• I have a Master's degree in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Heath counseling. What would it take to become a school counselor?

  For individuals with a Master's degree in counseling or a related mental health field, you may be able to take the some of the required courses toward a school counselor license. The first step is to look at Tennessee State School Counselor License regulations. You are welcome to contact us for more information.
• If I earn my School Counseling degree at ETSU, can I become a School Counselor in another state?

  It's possible. Upon graduation and application for licensure, our students receive an initial license as a school counselor in TN. Regardless of where you hope to work, this path is recommended because many states have reciprocity with other states so that licenses my "transfer" if requirements are needed. Graduates from the School Counseling program at ETSU are in a good position as we meet or exceed many state requirements including CACREP accreditation, 2 required education courses for any person who does not have a teaching degree/certification, and the requirement to pass the PRAXIS II exam in School Counseling. However, be sure to check with the states in which you are interested to be sure of their requirements. We cannot "guarantee" licensure any other states. Check out the American School Counselor Association for information on School Counselor License requirements for each state.
• I am really interested in working in a higher education setting, but I'm not sure I want to work in a counseling center. Is the clinical mental health concentration with elective coursework in college counseling/student affairs an option for me?

  Yes, it is. Although individuals who go through our program are educated to be professional counselors and hold a counseling identity, counseling knowledge and skills are transferable to many areas of higher education. Examples include career services, TRiO programs, residence life, disability services, campus diversity and multicultural programs, and other student support services. If you have a stronger interest in working in student personal offices (e.g., student activities or financial aid), you may want to look at the graduate degree options in the ETSU Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) or the MS in Individual, Family, and Community Sciences in Department of Counseling and Human Services, to determine which program is a better fit for your interests.
• I am a recent graduate who is applying for state licensure as a professional counselor. Who do I contact to get copies of my practicum and internship documents and/or request a form to be completed?

  Recent graduates have access to documentation via your Tevera account. To set up your alumni Tevera account, see the instructions on this FAQ page. For those who used paper documentation during the program, please be aware that paper records are purged seven years post-graduation. Therefore, we may not be able to complete licensure application paperwork if you cannot provide necessary documentation (e.g., former supervisor information, records of hours, etc.). For assistance with licensure paperwork, email our Director of Field Instruction at  shubertk@etsu.edu.