Admission Requirements Specific to Graduate Programs in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS)

Master of Counselling – British Columbia, Canada

All applicants for admission to the Master of Counselling program in BC who do not have undergraduate degrees with coursework showing fundamental knowledge of any or all of the following foundational modalities - personality, cognition, learning, and human development , or who through examination procedures do not demonstrate competencies in any or all of these four foundational areas, will be required to complete one or more of the following courses from the University’s Bachelor of Applied Psychology program, or equivalents from a recognized post-secondary institution:

Master of Counselling – Alberta, Canada

All applicants for admission to the Master of Counselling program in Alberta who do not have undergraduate degrees with coursework showing fundamental knowledge of any or all of the following foundational modalities - personality, learning, and human development , or who through examination procedures do not demonstrate competencies in any or all of these three foundational areas, will be required to complete one or more of the following courses from the University’s Bachelor of Applied Psychology program, or equivalents from a recognized post-secondary institution:

In addition all USA and Canadian students in the Master of Arts in Counseling/Master of Counselling must also meet the following:

  • A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in undergraduate degree program.
  • Three (3) confidential letters of professional reference.
  • A writing sample defining professional goals and addressing past and current experience relevant to becoming a counselor. Guidelines for writing the sample paper will be sent from the academic advising office. The writing sample will be used to determine whether minimum qualifications have been met for admission to the program.
  • CV/resume.
  • Completed, signed background information form, with a history free of convictions for criminal misdemeanors and felonies. Applicants who have such a history may be denied a professional credential at the state level (see RCW 18.130 for US program). The background information form must be submitted prior to the interview process.
  • Interview with the program director/coordinator or designee. The interview will be used to determine whether minimum qualifications have been met for admission to the program.
  • Master of Counselling (Canada) - A minimum of 50 hours of community social service volunteer experience, if the applicant has no counselling experience, is recommended.

Graduate Certificates

No additional requirements are needed beyond the University’s general admission requirements.

Exceptions to this policy may be made by the school dean.