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 may be distributed as part of the online application process, or you may manually distribute the forms to your recommenders. Download form  ?
4. Statement: Submit a statement of purpose. View guidelines
5. Resumé:  Submit your resumé by email to malopez@southern.edu.
6. Background check:  Successfully complete an approved background check. (Alternatively, verification may be submitted by your current employer.) Download form
7. Personality test:  Complete the 16 PF Personality Test results. Email Mikhaile at maspence@southern.edu for instructions.
8. 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
9. Interview:  Schedule an interview with the faculty (after all other steps are completed) by emailing Mikhaile at maspence@southern.edu.

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.

• View more information for international applicants

  • Form I-20:  After all qualifying documentation is received, Southern Adventist University issues a letter of acceptance and the Form I-20. The letter and form must be presented to the U.S. consular officer when applying for a student visa. Only students approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service for attendance at Southern may enroll.
  • On campus:  International students are encouraged to arrive on campus two weeks prior to the beginning of classes. They should contact the international student adviser as soon as they arrive. Graduate Studies must be notified if there is any change in the arrival date after admission has been granted. Individuals with student visas are required to be enrolled in a full course study (a minimum of nine graduate credit hours) during the school year.
  • Employment:  International students with an F-1 Student Visa may work on campus, provided that employment is available and provided that the student is enrolled in a full course of study and is making progress to the completion of a degree. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and 40 hours per week during university vacation days.
  • When you are ready to travel: International students should not leave their homeland until they have in their possession:
    1. An admission letter of acceptance from Southern Adventist University
    2. Form I-20 issued by Southern Adventist University
    3. A valid passport
    4. A valid F-1 Student Visa to travel to the United States
    5. Sufficient funds for the first year at Southern Adventist University

Faculty

Ileanna Freeman

Professor
ileanaf@southern.edu
423.236.2960

Tami Navalon

Assistant Professor
tnavalon@southern.edu
423.236.2647

Liane de Souza

Associate Professor
ldesouza@southern.edu
423.236.2023

Tron Wilder

Professor
thwilder@southern.edu
423.236.2937