Admission Procedures

Application materials are available from the Graduate Counseling Program Manager's office. Admission to the program is competitive and students are advised to follow the directions carefully. Detailed instructions and suggestions are provided on the application form. Applications will not be reviewed until all parts of the application are complete with all items listed below.

• A completed application for admission
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• A typed, well-written essay in which applicants describe career goals and reasons for applying to a graduate professional counseling program with a Christian faith-based foundation
• Submission of Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test scores.
• Three professional recommendations from academic or employer references, not related to the applicant, who are able to address the applicant's academic and work-related ability, performance, and potential
• A resume of education and professional experiences, particularly if the applicant has a work history. In the section that deals with education, applicants should list courses in psychology, the social sciences, and statistics
• A minimum of 12 undergraduate credits in psychology. Provisional admission to the program is possible pending completion of this requirement

Admission Process

Applications for fall admissions will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Admissions decisions are based on multiple criteria against each other. A decision to admit a student is based on the belief of program faculty that the applicant has the potential to contribute to the counseling field and to succeed in the program, promoting their own growth and not impeding progress of other students.

School Counseling Program Admission

Transcripts will be evaluated by the school counseling program coordinator to determine whether students have completed two math courses and two English courses as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The PDE requires that all students have completed these courses prior to being recommended by the college for certification. Courses needed to respond to any deficiencies become required hours in the student's planned program. All course work in English, composition and literature, and mathematics must be completed before candidates are eligible for certification.

Statistics Competency

Basic statistics competency is a prerequisite for CNS 505 Testing and Appraisal and CNS 512 Research Methods and Program Evaluation, both of which are required courses for students in the master's in counseling program. This competency can be met in one of three ways:

• Successfully completing CNS 504 Statistics as a student in the master's in counseling program
• Providing evidence of having earned a grade of B- or better in an approved undergraduate statistics class in the last five years
• Testing out by earning a score of 80 percent or better in the final exam of Geneva's undergraduate psychological statistics class

Students should note that both general statics knowledge and applied statistical practices, such as program evaluation, research methods, and psychometrics, constitute 25 percent of the content of the National Counselors Exam, which is required for licensure. Students who satisfy either the second or third point above and who do not take CNS 504 will take another 3 credit elective course in order to meet the 60-hour requirement.

Clearances: Students applying to the master's in counseling program should be aware that, prior to their practicum and internship, they will be required to complete Pennsylvania state police or FBI records checks to determine whether they have felony convictions or there exists any record of child abuse. These are referred to as Act 33 and 34 clearances.