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Department of Sociology

ADMISSION INFORMATION
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COUNSELING AT MESSIAH COLLEGE

 

ADMISSION DECISIONS

Once all application documents are received, admission decisions will be processed on a rolling or continuous basis.


Admission decisions will be made upon review of the application materials, interviews (when applicable), and other relevant information that has been provided.  The decision to admit a student is based upon both quantitative and qualitative criteria that demonstrates that the applicant possesses 1) the academic drive to successfully complete the program 2) the potential to contribute positively to the counseling field, and 3) the desire to grow personally and professionally without impeding the progress of other students.

 

Documents should be submitted to GradPrograms@messiah.edu.

 

Any transcripts or documents that need to be mailed can be sent to:

 

Graduate Admissions
Messiah College
One College Ave Suite 3060
Mechanicsburg PA 17055

 

Questions may be directed to:  GradPrograms@messiah.edu or (717) 796-5061.

 

Due to state regulations, Messiah College is not authorized to admit students who will be residing in the following states while taking online courses: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Messiah College graduate programs will consider applications submitted by US citizens and permanent residents.   Permanent residents will be required to submit a copy of their passport and green card as a part of their application. Due to the hybrid nature of our graduate programs, Messiah College does not currently enroll students on F-1 visas.  Students already in the USA on another type of visa or on a spouse-dependent visa where study is permitted will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Questions?  Contact Dr. Rob Pepper, Director of Graduate Enrollment and Student Services.

 

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Admission Requirements:

 

Degree Seeking Students

(students pursuing a M.A. in Counseling)

 

Non-Degree Seeking Students (without field experience)

(students pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, Act 48 credit only, or a few courses for personal enrichment or transfer purposes AND DO NOT plan to complete a practicum and/or internship)

 

Non-Degree Seeking Students (with field experience)

(students pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, Act 48 credit only, or a few courses for personal enrichment or transfer purposes AND DO plan to complete a practicum and/or internship)

Application:

New Application - for all applicants

Re-Enrollment

 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS - Degree Seeking Students

The following admission requirements apply to applicants pursing the Master of Arts in Counseling.

 

  1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an institution that is regionally accredited by one of the following: Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Western and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

  2. Completed application and $30 application fee (No application fee is required if you have graduated from Messiah College.)

  3. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (The Graduate Program will secure Messiah College transcripts for all Messiah College graduates who sign the release included in this application. Applicants are responsible for securing all other transcripts.)

  4. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above

  5. Personal Statement of Purpose

  6. Two recommendations (professional and/or academic)

  7. Resumé or Curriculum Vita

  8. Counseling specific essays

  9. Successful completion of nine (9) credits of behavioral science courses. (e.g. psychology, human development & family science, sociology, anthropology, early childhood studies, social work, etc).

  10. Completing at least one face-to-face interview – For those applicants who demonstrate potential for success in a program, at least one face-to-face interview (e.g. in person or via webcam, etc.) will be required.

 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS - Non-Degree Seeking Students  (without field experience)

The following admission requirements apply to applicants pursuing Act 48 credit, audit credit, personal enrichment courses (except field experiences), and a CAGS without field experiences.

 

  1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an institution that is regionally accredited by one of the following: Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Western and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

  2. Completed application and application fee (No application fee is required if you have graduated from Messiah College
  3. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (The Graduate Program will secure Messiah College transcripts for all Messiah College graduates who sign the release included in this application. Applicants are responsible for securing all other transcripts.)
  4. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above (Required for CAGS students only)
  5. Personal Statement of Purpose
  6. Any additional requirements specified by the counseling program

 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS - Non-Degree Seeking Students  (with field experience)

The following admission requirements apply to applicants pursuing personal enrichment courses with field experiences or a CAGS that includes field experiences.

 

  1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an institution that is regionally accredited by one of the following: Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Western and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

  2. Completed application and application fee (No application fee is required if you have graduated from Messiah College.)

  3. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (The Graduate Program will secure Messiah College transcripts for all Messiah College graduates who sign the release included in this application. Applicants are responsible for securing all other transcripts.)

  4. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above

  5. Personal Statement of Purpose

  6. Two recommendations (professional and/or academic)

  7. Resumé or Curriculum Vita

  8. Counseling specific essays

  9. Completing at least one face-to-face interview – For those applicants who demonstrate potential for success in a program, at least one face-to-face interview (e.g. in person or via webcam, etc.) will be required. 

  10. Field Experience Proposal, i.e. where and how the field experience will be completed.

  11. Additional requirements specified by the counseling program, for those students who will be doing a field experience.

 

*If the applicant is currently in a master’s program, one of the letters must be from someone in the applicant’s current master’s program and must indicate that the applicant is in good standing and is not on any kind of remediation plan.

 

 

APPLY NOW

Messiah College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color age, disability, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College-administered programs. Messiah College does reserve the right to revoke admission or readmission in the event of an applicant's misrepresentations in any phase of the application process.


Messiah College's Campus Security Report and Safety and Security Information are posted on the Department of Safety Web site at: www.messiah.edu/offices/safety/report.html. Information includes statistics regarding the incidence of campus crime over the past three years, as well as details about our safety and security practices. If you would like additional information, clarification, or a paper copy, please contact the Department of Safety at 717–766–2511, extension 6005.


This serves as notification to current and prospective students that, pursuant to Section 486 of the Higher Education Act, Messiah College's six-year graduation rate and other retention/graduation data are available online. A hard copy will be provided upon request by contacting the Institutional Research Office. To view statistics online, please go to the Messiah College home page—Campus Offices—Institutional Research. Once at the Web site, click on Messiah Stats—Six-Year Graduation Rate (HEA Section 48) or key in: http://www.messiah.edu/offices/research/data/.

 

Personal Statement of Purpose

Your 300-500 word statement should describe your preparations for graduate work, your reasons for applying for this particular graduate program at Messiah College and how this graduate program will help you meet your professional and educational goals.  Send this to Gradprograms@messiah.edu
 

Counseling Program Essay Questions

Counseling students will complete self-evaluations and be evaluated by faculty throughout the program according to the following four critical competencies. Describe yourself (strengths and challenges) in light of these competencies; addressing how you intend to strengthen those areas that may be a challenge for you. (150 words on each competency)

 

  1. Interpersonal and Professional Competence (how you relate to peers, faculty, professionals, the public, and individuals from diverse backgrounds or histories), as well as how you resolve problems or issues that interfere with professional development or function in a satisfactory manner (e.g. by responding constructively to feedback from supervisors or program faculty; by participating in personal therapy in order to resolve problems or issues).

  2. Self-awareness, Self-reflection, and Self-evaluation (e.g., knowledge of the content and potential impact of your own beliefs and values on peers, faculty, professionals, the public, and individuals from diverse backgrounds or histories), as well as an openness to the process of supervision (e.g., the ability and willingness to explore issues that either interfere with the appropriate provision of care or impede professional development or functioning).

  3. Written and Oral Communication (e.g., clearly articulating ideas, thoughts, and concepts at a professional level appropriate to the discipline), as well as knowledge and use of APA style format.

  4. Quality of Work (e.g., timely completion of all work at a satisfactory level, working collaboratively and cooperatively with others, and actively participating in discussion boards, synchronous experiences, and other class-related activities) as well as obtaining knowledge and understanding of content and applicability and application of skills.

 

 

This application must be completed if you were previously enrolled but have not been enrolled in a graduate-level course at Messiah College within the last six months. If it has been more than two years since you last enrolled in a course, you must complete the full graduate application for the program in which you desire to participate.