Consideration for admission to graduate study in Counseling will occur in the fall and spring semesters. The completed application packet must be received by the Counseling Program from the Graduate School by the dates shown for each program on the School of Education Graduate Admissions page.

NOTE: Applicants to the Marriage, Couples and Family (MCF) or Clinical Mental Health (CMH) certificate program are not required to submit all document listed below. Instead, applicants for the MCF or CMH certificate submit an abbreviated application via the UAB Graduate School website. See the MCF or CMH certificate pages for more information.

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Applications for Master’s Degree in Counseling

Admission to graduate study in Counseling is initiated through the Graduate School and all required materials are to be submitted per specified instructions delineated by the Graduate School.

Each applicant seeking admission to a Counseling program concentration must include with the other required materials, a typewritten statement of professional purpose that reflects the applicant’s background, development, pertinent work-related experience, professional career objectives and specified ways that completion of this program will contribute to his/her goal for becoming a professional counselor. Standardized Test Scores and GPA Requirements

Undergraduate GPA: (2.75 or better)

Per the 2016 Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) Standards, admission decisions must include consideration of each applicant’s (1) career goals, (2) aptitude for graduate-level study, (3) potential success in forming effective counseling relationships, and (4) respect for cultural differences.

Given these requirements, the admission committee considers multiple sources of information when making decisions. The admissions committee considers previous/current grade point average, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. 

In addition, applicants deemed to have acceptable GPA, strong references, and appropriate statement of purposes will be invited for an interview that will include a series of small group interviews, a group experience, and a possible writing sample with the Counseling faculty. Applicants should not infer they have been admitted into the program if granted an admissions interview.

The Counseling faculty will make admission decisions after reviewing the applicant's credentials in their entirety, and some candidates meeting minimum requirements may not be admitted. Further, the faculty reserves the right to make subjective decisions about a candidate’s ability to appropriately complete graduate work which may influence the decision to admit. Candidates participating in the interview may be given one of two decisions: a) admit, b) denied. Students are notified of their admission status following the interview.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Potential students may take classes prior to admission to the Counseling Program as "non-degree seeking" students. However, non-degree seeking students are limited to 12 hours of coursework that may be transferred into the Counseling Program. Non-degree seeking students may enroll in elective courses with the permission of the instructor. It would be important for non-degree seeking students to make an advising appointment with a Counseling faculty member prior to enrolling in courses. Non-degree seeking students are not permitted to take courses not designated as open to non-degree seeking students. It is also important to note that students taking coursework as a non-degree seeking student do so at their own risk. Enrolling and passing non-degree seeking coursework does not guarantee admission into the program as admission criteria (e.g., undergraduate GPA and interview) are the primary factors considered when reviewing student suitability for the program.