Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. Admission
The CMHC program accepts candidates annually. Cohorts begin Summer Block 1. To be considered for the CMHC program, applicants must submit all application and supporting documents by February 1st of the same calendar year.
Admission Requirements
For consideration and admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, applicants should submit:
- A Completed Graduate Application
A $35 non-refundable application fee is required.
- Official transcripts, reflecting the following:
- A conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Official Transcripts may be sent electronically or by mail, directly from the school of attendance, in a sealed envelope to:
Office of Admissions
320 N Dupont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Any transcripts from institutions outside of the United States require an official course-by-course evaluation by a NACES.org approved agency.
Note: In order to receive financial aid official transcripts must be on file.
- Undergraduate GPA Substantiation
Successful applicants typically have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better. Should any undergraduate transcripts reflect less than an overall/cumulative GPA of 3.0, you will be asked to provide additional information. The form can be accessed and completed in your Admissions Portal.
- A Statement of Goals
Thoughtfully complete your Statement of Goals by answering two Thought Questions. Please submit your Statement of Goals in a word document in your Admissions Portal.
Your answers must be in essay format, typed, and double-spaced. Both the content of your answers and your ability to write are being evaluated, so proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling are important.
Please address the following two thought questions. Each question requires a concise essay of approximately 1 ½ double-spaced pages (8 ½ x 11 inches) typed.
I. Describe your personal timeline for how you decided to pursue the field of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Include your reasons for choosing this profession over other helping professions. How do your personal values relate to the values of the profession of Clinical Mental Health Counseling? What populations or communities are you interested in working with in the future? Explain your reason(s) for this choice.
II. Discuss how your life experiences have shaped you for a career in counseling. How have your personal experiences prepared you to deal with human and social problems? What has been the contribution of your family and your friends to your experiences?
Since we do not require standardized test scores as a criteria for admissions, your responses to these questions will weigh significantly in the initial screening process. Responses must meet the requirement of approximately 1 ½ double-spaced pages per question to be considered. Please give careful attention to the quality of the content, writing mechanics, and organization of thought.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Recommendations should be Academic (Professors/teachers) or Professional (current or past employer/manager/supervisor).
- Non-academic and non-professional recommendations from friends, family, therapist, colleagues or coaches will not be accepted.
- Completed by individual references who can attest to an applicant's aptitude for graduate-level study, openness to self-reflection, and personal and professional self-development.
- Recommendations are to be requested through the Admissions Portal.
- A Current Resume
Please upload a current resume in either a word document or PDF in your Admissions Portal.
- A Retention Statement
Read the Retention Statement, then electronically sign it through your Admissions Portal.
- A CMHC Digital-Hybrid Program Explained Document
Read the CMHC Digital-Hybrid Program Explained document, then electronically sign it through your Admissions Portal.
Make sure to complete the CMHC Digital Delivery Survey in the document above.
- International Students
If you are an international student, please visit International Admissions for additional information.
Admissions Process
The CMHC program has a two-stage admissions process. The first stage consists of an in-depth evaluation of the completed application materials by the CMHC admissions committee.
Applicants who have met the CMHC program standards on all of the admissions application packet materials will then be invited to continue the second stage of the admissions application process by attending on-campus interviews (group and individual) with the admissions committee. Decisions regarding final acceptance are made by the CMHC admissions committee following these interviews.
Successful applicants typically have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, documented work or volunteer experience in a "helping endeavor", excellent references, very good interpersonal awareness and communication skills, and have articulated a compelling interest in the profession of mental health counseling.
The CMHC program adheres to the competitive enrollment standards required by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Before entering the CMHC program, an applicant must complete all steps of the admissions process, receive formal notification of acceptance into the program, submit a signed copy of the CMHC program admissions policies and procedures agreement, and attend a required orientation meeting.
Questions Most Frequently Asked by CMHC Applicants
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