Admission to Master’s Programs in Counseling

Admissions Criteria

Applicants for the Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credentials must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with at least 9 hours in psychology, counseling, or related coursework. This coursework must include at least one statistics course and one human development course (child, adolescent, adulthood, or life span). All applicants must evidence that they possess the intellectual, professional, emotional and social qualities necessary for successful completion of the program requirements.

Additionally, each applicant must meet one of the following three academic requirements:

• An overall 3.00 GPA or greater on a 4.0 scale, or a GPA of 3.25 or greater on a 4.0 scale on last 60 hours attempted;
• An official GRE score report. Recommended achievement of 150 V, 142 Q, and 4.0 Writing;*
• Mental Health casework and/or field experience, evaluated by current resume or vita, including outstanding recommendations by other professionals, may be evaluated for admission. A minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required to be considered on this criterion.

*The GRE is a tool to help illustrate the ability to be successful in graduate coursework. However, a low score does not eliminate applicants from admission, as other criteria are considered.

Required Documentation

• Completed application with application fee by the required deadline. The fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the application is withdrawn or admission is denied;
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended;
• Three letters of recommendation from former professors or former employers/supervisors in the case of counseling related employment;
• Current resume/vita;
• GRE scores, if used as an admission requirement;
• Statement of Purpose: The typed essay should be approximately 1000 words in length and should describe the applicant’s strengths and purpose for pursuing a master’s degree;

Background Check Recommendation

Students with the intent to practice as a therapist or counselor in the state of Texas must complete post-graduate requirements outlined by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (LPC) or Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and a criminal history background check.

If you have concern whether any prior offenses may affect your potential for licensure, you may request an early evaluation by the Texas Board of Examiners before beginning a graduate program in counseling. Visit their site for more information: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/plc.

Admissions Process

After the Office of Graduate Admissions receives a candidate’s required documentation, the Graduate Counseling Department Admission Committee will evaluate the candidate’s documents and will determine whether the candidate is eligible for an interview.

If the candidate is granted an interview the Admission Committee will, after completion of the interview, recommend an admission status for the candidate or deny the candidate’s admission.

All applications and materials for admission should be mailed directly to:

Office of Graduate Admission
Texas Wesleyan University
1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76105-1536

International applicants should refer to the section titled “Admission of International Students” (p. 31) in this catalog and contact the Office of International Programs (817) 531-5868.

Admissions Process Timeline

Admission Deadlines:

Admission Deadlines are subject to change. Contact the Graduate Admissions office for current dates at (817) 531-4930.

Students will be notified of the admission decision by mail.

Explanation of Admission Status

Unconditional - Unconditional admission will be offered to applicants that have satisfactorily completed and met all admission requirements and had a successful interview. The unconditional acceptance status can be postponed up to 1 year without resubmitting an application to the program.

Conditional - Conditional admission may be granted to applicants who show potential for successful graduate work but have low scholastic standing. Conditional admission status will be for 12 credit hours in the program. Conditionally admitted students earning a grade less than a B in any of the courses within the first 12 hours will be dismissed from the program. Conditionally admitted students must request full admission status upon completion of 4 courses by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Counseling Programs. Courses must be completed in no less than 2 semesters, no more than 3 semesters or within one calendar year. Conditionally admitted students are not eligible to participate in study abroad courses.

Provisional - Applicants meeting all admission requirements, but lacking one or more official documents may be admitted provisionally for one semester only. During the semester, provisionally admitted students may enroll in up to nine credit hours. Provisional status may not be extended past the initial semester of enrollment.

Denied - Applicants that do not meet admission requirements or that have a less clearly predicted chance of success according to available information will be denied admission. Any student may be denied admission at the sole discretion of the University.

Applicants will be notified as to their status by mail following the interview. The Graduate Counseling Programs reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant as determined by the Programs faculty. All decisions by this committee are final and not subject to appeal.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

A non-degree-seeking student is defined as a student holding an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 hours, or holding a Master’s degree in counseling or a related field. The student may enroll for only selected courses at Texas Wesleyan University and is not eligible for financial aid. Up to 12 hours of graduate coursework completed under non-degree-seeking status may be applied toward a graduate degree at Texas Wesleyan University. Up to 30 hours of graduate coursework can be completed as preparation for an additional state certification area. A student who wishes to be admitted to the graduate program as a degree-seeking student must reapply through the Office of Graduate Admissions and meet full admissions criteria to continue in the program.

Admissions Process for Non-Degree Seeking Students

Consideration for admission is contingent upon submission of the following items:

• An Application for Admission;
• A non-refundable application fee;
• An official transcript from each institution of higher education attended.

Admissions Committee for Master’s Programs in Counseling

The Admission Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Graduate Advisory Committee.

Readmission to Master’s Programs in Counseling

Any former fully admitted Texas Wesleyan graduate counseling student who has not been enrolled at Texas Wesleyan University for two or more consecutive semesters, is in good standing, and wishes to return should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for information on readmission. Readmitted students should be aware that upon readmission, a new degree plan will need to be created with the advisor.

Students who are withdrawn from the program due to not maintaining academic standards may petition to appeal for readmission. The appeal must be made in writing to the Graduate Counseling Program Faculty within one year of withdrawal from the program. Readmitted students must meet full admission criteria and have the approval of the Graduate Counseling Program Faculty.

Sequence of Events for the Master’s Programs in Counseling

1. Be admitted to the graduate program (refer to admission requirements and procedures);
2. Attend a new student orientation for the graduate program;
3. Develop a graduation plan with their academic advisor;
4. Read and sign an acknowledgement of receiving the code of ethics and agreement to be bound by the ethical standards during and after the Graduate Counseling Program. The completed form must be turned into the student’s academic advisor;
5. Register for graduate work. Meet with the academic advisor before enrolling in classes each semester;
6. For LPC and LMFT only: Apply for Master’s Comprehensive Exam while registered in Pre-Practicum (COU 6314);
7. File application for graduation in the Office of Student Records the semester before graduation;
8. Complete exit interview with academic advisor;
9. Complete any remaining courses; remove all grades of “I” (incomplete);
10. Attend Hooding and Graduation (refer to University Calendar for date, time, and place).