PLEASE READ LETTER TO POTENTIAL STUDENTS BEFORE APPLYING.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER AND FALL IS FEBRUARY 15. The dates on the graduate school application are not correct. If you are planning to apply for consideration during the spring Pre-Admission Workshop, you should plan to take the GRE in early January to assure that the results will be sent in ample time. We changed the dates for the department to allow newly admitted students more time to meet with their academic advisor.
Please read the letter to potential students very carefully. There are three reference forms that come to the department and two that go to the Graduate School. You can have two people send forms to both.
The process to apply to the M.S.Ed. in Counseling Program requires that you submit material to both the Graduate School and the Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education separately. Applicants to the M.S.Ed. in Counseling should submit:
To the Graduate School:
Application for Admission to the Graduate School. Applicants to the Counseling Program should fully complete the Application for Admission to the Graduate School. Please see the Graduate School Website to complete the application online or download and print a copy. Note: On this Application, you should indicate your Intended Degree as MS.Ed., Major Department as Counseling, Adult and Higher Education, and Major Department Code as 120 for Counseling.
A Written Statement of Goals. Applicants should complete a written statement of career goals as it relates to pursuing an advanced degree. This statement should be submitted with the Application for Admission to the Graduate School above.
Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and request that the GRE Score be sent to the NIU Graduate School. Information about the GRE Test can be obtained from the Graduate School Prospective Students Page, under Graduate Admission. (Note: If you already have a masters degree in a related area, GRE scores might be waived. Please contact the Counseling Program to determine if this is applicable. If you have a masters, but do not contact us, you still will need to submit GRE scores.
Submit Two Letters of Recommendation to the Graduate School. Letters of recommendation should come from professors or supervisors who can provide supportive evidence of an applicant’s professional qualifications and potential for success in graduate study. Applicants should download the Letter of Recommendation, and request the individuals complete and return the recommendation letter directly to the Graduate School.
Request Official Transcripts be sent from all of the Applicant’s Undergraduate and Graduate Institutions directly to the Graduate School. Note: Copies of transcripts delivered by the student are not accepted by the Graduate School. They must be Official Transcripts sent directly from the Institution(s). Transcripts should be sent from all post-secondary institutions in which the student attended.
To The Counseling Program:
Department Masters in Counseling Application. Please complete this application, and include typed responses to the questions.
Three letters of recommendation on the Counseling Program forms. These letters should come from people who have known you in a professional capacity and are able to evaluate your potential for success in a graduate counseling program, such as professors, administrators, and supervisors.
The Application: Area of Emphasis Form. Once your application is complete, you will receive a letter inviting you to the Pre-Admission Workshop (PAW). Upon receiving the invitation, RSVP to the department office at 753-1448.
Potential Full-Time Counseling Students who are interested in Graduate Assistantships in the Division of Student Affairs should register for and plan to attend the Graduate Student Recruitment and Placement Weekend, held in the Spring each year.
Attend the PAW. Information will be forwarded to students, as appropriate, about the Pre-Admission Workshop.
Please note that all applicants are responsible for making sure that their materials have been received by the Graduate School and the Counseling Program. We will not contact you to tell you that we are missing, for example, letters of recommendation or GRE scores.