Supplemental materials required by the online Master of Counseling program
Personal statement
Applicants are required to submit a two-to-three-page personal statement (12pt.Times New Roman font with 1” margin, double-spaced) that indicates their qualifications (e.g., professional experiences and personal attributes) and interest in ASU’s online Master of Counseling program.
Specifically, applicants are asked to describe how their education and training, as well as volunteer and professional experiences, inform why they want to pursue the online Master of Counseling degree. Applicants should also outline how our program will help them meet their future career goals. Applicants are expected to discuss their ability to work with and be sensitive to the needs of a multicultural and diverse society, including (but not limited to), members of diverse racial and ethnic groups and sexual minority individuals.
If an applicant's cumulative GPA is lower than 3.50 (on the 4.00 grading scale), we recommend the applicant explain within the personal statement how their prior academic difficulties would be avoided or overcome in graduate school.
Letters of Recommendation
The online Master of Counseling program application requires at least two, and at most three, written and personalized Letters of Recommendation. The recommenders must also complete the Letter of Recommendation form, as we cannot accept any Letters of Recommendation that have been submitted without the form. It is important that applicants contact their recommenders directly and inform them that they are applying to a graduate program. Applicants will need to provide their recommender ample time so they have enough time to prepare the letter and the form.
Written and personalized Letter of Recommendation:
Written on a personal letterhead and requires to be uploaded by the recommender.
Letter of Recommendation Form:
A form prepared by ASU Graduate Admission Services with a set of questions the recommender will need to complete.
Letters of Recommendation should come from professional sources who can speak to the applicant's academics, personal characteristics, professionalism, multicultural competency, aptitude for success in graduate school, etc. If a supervisor is able to speak to some or all of these pieces then they may be a good choice. Applicants are discouraged from asking for recommendations from individuals or acquaintances who have not overseen their academic, professional or volunteer work.
As part of the online graduate admission application process, applicants will need to provide the names and email addresses for each recommender. Upon submission of the application, recommenders will receive an email from ASU Graduate Admission Services. The email will include a link to upload the written and personalized Letter of Recommendation and complete Letter of Recommendation form. Do not email, mail or fax any application materials.
Applicants should confirm with their recommenders that both the written and personalized Letter of Recommendation and the Letter of Recommendation form have been uploaded by the application deadline. If a written and personalized Letter of Recommendation and/or the Letter of Recommendation form has not uploaded, the application will be considered incomplete.
Applicants will be asked if they do or do not waive the right to review the recommendation sent on your behalf. Each recommender will be informed of the decision via email.
Official transcripts
The online Master of Counseling program requires one (1) official transcript as part of the application process for each of the applicant’s undergraduate degree(s). In addition, if the applicant has obtained a graduate degree, an official transcript for each graduate degree is also required as part of the application process.
Official transcripts from every college and university from which you earned a bachelor's degree or higher must be sent directly to ASU Admission Services from the issuing institution's records office either by mail or through a secured electronic transcript service. For transcripts sent through a secured transcript service, please select Arizona State University from the vendor's dropdown list to ensure the transcript is routed to the correct place. If an email address is requested you can route to gradtranscripts@asu.edu. ASU accepts unofficial transcripts as part of the application. This is the only way we will accept unofficial transcripts. Emailed transcripts are not acceptable.
If you are admitted to ASU, you will be required to send official transcripts to the university. Official transcripts are original academic credentials issued by the registrar of the institution attended, bearing the original raised or colored seal of the institution and the signature of your institution's registrar, academic official or recognized international organization. If you attended ASU, you do not need to request ASU transcripts to be sent.
More about transcripts
Proof of English proficiency
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. You must meet one of the following English language proficiency requirements. See English Proficiency for International Graduate Students. The online Master of Counseling program requires a TOEFL score of at least 600 (pBT) or 100 (iBT).
GRE score report
The GRE General Test is not required as it is not a factor in the decision-making process.
However, if you choose to submit GRE scores, please have your GRE Score Report sent separately to ASU Graduate Admission Services. Use University Code 4007 for reporting. Counseling does not have a department code. Use 0000 if prompted to enter a department code. Test scores must be received directly from the agency administering the test. Photocopies and faxes are not acceptable. GRE scores must be taken within five years of the start date of the semester to which the student applies.
Academic potential
Recruitment activities and admissions recommendations are program-based. All students must be graduates of accredited higher education institutions.
