Masters in School Counseling Admissions Applications

Application to the School Counseling Concentration

Download a current School Counselor Education Program Guide.
Masters in School Counseling. M. Ed. Counselor Education
To be considered for admission in the Fall Term, a completed application must be filed with the graduate school before January 15. Apply as early as possible before the deadline to allow receipt of all your materials. KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT. You may call the Graduate Admissions office at 413-545-0722 to see if your file is complete. You can also check this on-line at www.umass.edu. Please note, there are no spring semester admissions but interested students may take 1 or 2 classes as non-degree students before officially applying to the program of study.

Informational Sessions Our program director, Richard Lapan, will be holding two fall informational sessions for prospective students. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, get information, and learn more about our program. All informational sesssions will be held from 4-6pm in room 356 Hills South.

Fall 2008 Information Sessions:
November 3
December 9

Based on all the elements of your application, we will evaluate your fit with our program of study, looking at your writing and thinking style, and evidence of your ability to do graduate level work. All applicants should include a resume and a detailed personal statement (3-5 pages) with their admissions application. In your personal statement, write clearly and concisely about why you want to enter the program of study, how the program of study fits into your career goals, and how your previous work and life experience relate to your professional development and readiness for graduate study. If you do not believe your undergraduate transcripts reflect your current academic abilities, please explain why there is a gap.

One of our clear program of study priorities and strengths is the promotion of school counseling for diverse populations. In your personal statement, clearly describe your experiences with one or more current social issues (e.g. race, ethnicity, class, gender, ability, religion, immigrant status, or sexual orentation). Also, please indicate your current level of technology competence (see below).

Remember, your personal statement is the primary way we evaluate your knowledge of school counseling, your commitment to the field, and your fit with our program of study goals. We look carefully at both the content and the writing of your personal statement.

Your admissions application should include three letters of reference (mailed separately). At least one of these should be from someone qualified to comment on your academic potential.Admissions decisions are finalized in March and successful applicants are usually notified by mid-March by phone, email, and/or letter. If your address, email address, or phone number changes, please be sure to notify the admissions office of the best way to reach you.

Technology Competencies The School Counselor's role requires a high level of technological competence. While technological competence is developed in the program, a baseline level of competence is expected for all incoming students so that they can benefit from the technology-supported instruction and communication within the program. Before beginning study, all students are expected to be able to: 1) use internet search engines (e.g. Google); 2) navigate the web; 3) use word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word) to write a paper; 4) use e-mail effectively; 5) send and receive attachments via e-mail; 6) download Word, PDF, and PPT files from a website; 7) participate in a list serve; 8) participate in a chat room discussion; 9) use a database to organize information (e.g. Microsoft Excel); 10) conduct electronic library searches; 11) evaluate the quality of internet information; 12) install and uninstall new programs on a computer; 13) create a PowerPoint presentation; 14) Use software to create charts, tables and graphs; and, 15) copy files to a CD.

Admissions Interviews In late February or early March, a selected group of applicants will be invited to campus for a half-day of group interviews. This offers an opportunity for applicants to ask questions of the faculty and current students. This also gives faculty a chance to observe applicants' interpersonal skills. Applicants who are invited to these interviews are encouraged to attend, if at all possible.

Spring Orientation Admitted applicants are expected to attend an orientation in late May or early June. In this orientation students will learn how to apply for on-campus assistantships, plan course work, and obtain local housing. The orientation provides an important opportunity to build the school counseling community. New students are strongly encouraged to attend.


	School Counselor Education
Welcome Mission News and Events Admission Applications Academic Program Faculty Students and Alums National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research School Counselor Resources Campus Resources Contact Us	Application to the School Counseling Concentration Download a current School Counselor Education Program Guide. Masters in School Counseling. M. Ed. Counselor Education To be considered for admission in the Fall Term, a completed application must be filed with the graduate school before January 15. Apply as early as possible before the deadline to allow receipt of all your materials. KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT. You may call the Graduate Admissions office at 413-545-0722 to see if your file is complete. You can also check this on-line at www.umass.edu. Please note, there are no spring semester admissions but interested students may take 1 or 2 classes as non-degree students before officially applying to the program of study. Informational Sessions Our program director, Richard Lapan, will be holding two fall informational sessions for prospective students. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, get information, and learn more about our program. All informational sesssions will be held from 4-6pm in room 356 Hills South. Fall 2008 Information Sessions: November 3 December 9 Based on all the elements of your application, we will evaluate your fit with our program of study, looking at your writing and thinking style, and evidence of your ability to do graduate level work. All applicants should include a resume and a detailed personal statement (3-5 pages) with their admissions application. In your personal statement, write clearly and concisely about why you want to enter the program of study, how the program of study fits into your career goals, and how your previous work and life experience relate to your professional development and readiness for graduate study. If you do not believe your undergraduate transcripts reflect your current academic abilities, please explain why there is a gap. One of our clear program of study priorities and strengths is the promotion of school counseling for diverse populations. In your personal statement, clearly describe your experiences with one or more current social issues (e.g. race, ethnicity, class, gender, ability, religion, immigrant status, or sexual orentation). Also, please indicate your current level of technology competence (see below). Remember, your personal statement is the primary way we evaluate your knowledge of school counseling, your commitment to the field, and your fit with our program of study goals. We look carefully at both the content and the writing of your personal statement. Your admissions application should include three letters of reference (mailed separately). At least one of these should be from someone qualified to comment on your academic potential.Admissions decisions are finalized in March and successful applicants are usually notified by mid-March by phone, email, and/or letter. If your address, email address, or phone number changes, please be sure to notify the admissions office of the best way to reach you. Technology Competencies The School Counselor's role requires a high level of technological competence. While technological competence is developed in the program, a baseline level of competence is expected for all incoming students so that they can benefit from the technology-supported instruction and communication within the program. Before beginning study, all students are expected to be able to: 1) use internet search engines (e.g. Google); 2) navigate the web; 3) use word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word) to write a paper; 4) use e-mail effectively; 5) send and receive attachments via e-mail; 6) download Word, PDF, and PPT files from a website; 7) participate in a list serve; 8) participate in a chat room discussion; 9) use a database to organize information (e.g. Microsoft Excel); 10) conduct electronic library searches; 11) evaluate the quality of internet information; 12) install and uninstall new programs on a computer; 13) create a PowerPoint presentation; 14) Use software to create charts, tables and graphs; and, 15) copy files to a CD. Admissions Interviews In late February or early March, a selected group of applicants will be invited to campus for a half-day of group interviews. This offers an opportunity for applicants to ask questions of the faculty and current students. This also gives faculty a chance to observe applicants' interpersonal skills. Applicants who are invited to these interviews are encouraged to attend, if at all possible. Spring Orientation Admitted applicants are expected to attend an orientation in late May or early June. In this orientation students will learn how to apply for on-campus assistantships, plan course work, and obtain local housing. The orientation provides an important opportunity to build the school counseling community. New students are strongly encouraged to attend.