Master of Science in Counseling

1. Graduate application:  Submit a graduate application (with non-refundable fee of $40). Apply now
2. Transcripts:  Submit official college and university transcripts. Many institutions subscribe to the convenient transcript-request service at National Student Clearinghouse, or you may also contact your institution directly. Have your transcripts sent to Melodie Lopez in the Graduate Studies office (malopez@southern.edu). If you earned your prerequisite degree at Southern, you do not need to complete this step.
3. Recommendations:  Submit three letters of reference along with the required recommendation forms (completed by work supervisors or professors). The forms should be distributed as part of the online application process.  Alternatively, you may manually distribute the forms to your recommenders. Download form  ?
4. Statement: Submit a statement of purpose. View guidelines
5. Resumé:  Submit your current resumé through your Application Status Page.
6. Background check:  Successfully complete an approved background check. (Alternatively, verification may be submitted by your current employer.) Download form
7. Criminal/sex-offender statement:  Submit the Criminal-Record Statement. Your signature on this form gives the School of Education and Psychology permission to retain your criminal-history record and affirms that you are not a registered sex-offender.  Download form
8. Interview:  After submitting items 1—7, schedule an interview with the faculty from your Application Status Page.
9. Personality test:  Complete the MMPI personality test. This test must be completed on campus; please plan for approximately 45—50 minutes following your scheduled interview time to complete the MMPI.

Application deadlines

International students

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered international students and must meet additional requirements for admission.

• View international-student admission requirements »

  1. Applicants from non-English institutions must submit certified English translations and evaluations of official university records, including demonstration of the equivalency of a bachelor's degree.
     Transcript evaluations must be submitted directly to Southern from one of the following agencies:
  • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.: ece.org »
  • Foreign Credits: foreigncredits.com »
  • World Education Services: wes.org »
    
    
  2. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate English proficiency.
     Unless an applicant is a native English speaker or received the college/university degree from an English-medium institution, s/he must have a minimum TOEFL score of 100. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Learn more at ets.org/toefl »
     
     
  3. Submit Declaration of Finances.
     International students must have financial resources sufficient to support themselves for the calendar year, in addition to an international-student deposit of $3,000 (USD). Download Form

  • • To be issued an I-20 Form, students must also provide a letter from financial sponsors (including their name and address), as well as copies of bank statements for the last three months showing the balance history for the student's account or the financial sponsor's account.

International students who will be coming to Southern's campus need some additional information about travel documents and living on campus.

More Information

Faculty