Master of Science with a major in mental health counseling (MS)

The Master of Science degree with a Major in Mental Health Counseling is a designed to prepare individuals to function as counselors in mental health centers, community agencies, governmental agencies, employee assistance programs, prisons, psychiatric hospitals, drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs, college and university counseling centers, religious settings, and private practice.

• Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation (COPA).
• Although no specific undergraduate major is required for admission, students with backgrounds in related fields such as psychology, education, sociology, criminal justice, Spanish, biology, and nursing are best prepared to enter the program.
• $250 per semester hour tuition, in-state, plus fees.
• Designed to allow individuals to progress through at their own rate.
• Courses are offered late afternoons and evenings.
• Applications are accepted for spring and fall terms.

Graduate Admissions Procedures

• Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions or from the North Georgia downloadable forms.
• When all application materials required to make an admission decision have been received by the Office of Graduate Admission, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program.
• On campus interviews are a final step in the application process.  After review of application materials submitted, an email from the Counseling program will be sent to the applicant with interview details.
• Notification from the Counseling program will be mailed to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.

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Regular Admission Requirements

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. North Georgia Certificate of Immunization, in accordance with Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
4. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended.  Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.
   Baccalaureate from a regionally accredited 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admission procedures is required.
   International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Evaluations certifying that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 are required.
5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of at least 800 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or 290 on the GRE (v&q combined) taken on or after August 1, 2011.  Only those scores that are less than 6 years old will be considered.
6. Resume.
7. 3 recommendation forms from persons who are able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
8. Personal statement (email to grads@northgeorgia.edu or mail to the Office of Graduate Admissions) 3-5 pages, double-spaced, that is autobiographical in nature that addresses the following:
   a. Brief personal history
   b. Why you want to become a counselor
   c. Attributes you possess which would contribute to your effectiveness as a counselor
   d. Personal characteristics which may inhibit your relationships with clients and what you are doing to resolve those issues
9. Group interview with Counseling faculty.
10. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

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Provisional Admission Requirements

1. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning previously attended.  Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.
   Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admission procedures.  International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Evaluations certifying that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 are required.
2. Official scores on the GRE of at least 700 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or 285 on the GRE (v&q combined) taken on or after August 1, 2011.  Only those scores that are less than 6 years old will be considered.
3. Meet all other regular program admission requirements as stated above.

• Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a total of 6 hours of graduate credit for 1 semester.
• Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of 6 hours.
• Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate counseling course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the program.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the Counseling program coordinator after a period of 1 year from the date the student was removed.
• Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

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Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate counseling courses, but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student.

• Individuals must receive pre-approval from the Counseling program coordinator before enrolling in courses.
• Individuals may register for no more than a total of 6 hours of graduate counseling coursework.

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Application Checklist for Non-Degree Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3.  North Georgia Certificate of Immunization, in accordance with Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to new documentation.
4. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended or transcripts certifying a master's degree from a regionally-accredited institution.  Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation  an independent evaluation service that is a member of NACES. Evaluations certifying that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or certification of a master's degree is required.
5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of at least 700 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or 285 on the GRE (v&q combined) taken on or after August 1, 2011.  Only those scores that are less than 6 years old will be considered.
6. Resume.
7. 3 completed recommendation forms from persons who are able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
8. Personal statement (email to grads@northgeorgia.edu or mail) 3-5 pages, double-spaced, that is autobiographical in nature that addresses the following:
   a. Brief personal history
   b. Why you want to become a counselor.
   c. Attributes you possess which would contribute to your effectiveness as a counselor
   d. Personal characteristics which may inhibit your relationships with clients and what you are doing to resolve those issues
9. Approval of Coordinator.
10. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

• No more than 6 hours of graduate credit earned while holding a non-degree status may subsequently be applied toward meeting the requirements of the Master of Science with a major in Mental Health Counseling degree.
• All credit to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the program coordinator.
• Non-degree students wishing to apply for regular admission to the counseling degree program must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application, and meet all program admission requirements.
• Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate counseling course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue to enroll in counseling coursework.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the Counseling program coordinator after a period of 1 year from the date the student was removed.
• Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

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Transient Admission

• Individuals currently enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university as graduate students in good standing may apply to North Georgia as a transient students.
• Individuals must receive pre-approval from the counseling program coordinator before enrolling in courses.
• Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

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Application Checklist for Transient Admission

• Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
• $40 application fee.
• North Georgia Certificate of Immunization, in accordance with Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
• If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
• Letter of good standing or transient permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his or her home institution.
   
  
  • Letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is allowed to take at North Georgia.
  • Counseling program coordinator may require the applicant to submit a transcript of his or her previous college work in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
  • Transient admission is for 1 semester term only.
  • Individuals who wish to return to North Georgia as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply to North Georgia.
   

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Appeal of Graduate Admission

When the minimum criteria for GPA (2.50) or GRE (700 v&q combined) are not met, students will be denied admission to the Counseling program. If the applicant feels there may be extenuating circumstances, he or she may appeal.

1. Letter of appeal must be submitted to the Coordinator of the Counseling program addressing the unmet criteria.
2. Applicants must submit the full application by the deadline including the letter of appeal in order to be considered for the upcoming term. Materials submitted after that time will be considered for the subsequent term.
3. Students will be asked to attend the group interview or may have an individual meeting with the coordinator/admissions committee based on availability of faculty members.
4. Admissions committee will make recommendations to the Dean of the School of Arts & Letters.
5. For denial of admittance other than GPA or GRE, a letter of appeal may be submitted to the Dean of the School of Arts & Letters.

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