Entrance Requirements - Master of Counselling
To be admitted to the Master of Counselling program, students will require
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in the last 10 full-course equivalents (60 credits). Please check the GCAP Conversions for equivalent grades on 9-point and percent scales.
- An undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree, normally a 4-year academic degree (defined as 120 credits or 20 full-course equivalents). Please see the Criteria for Applicants Without a 4-Year Academic Degree if you do not meet this entrance requirement.
- A minimum of three senior undergraduate or graduate half courses (9 credits) in psychology or educational psychology, including the following. Please note a senior course is identified with a 300 or 400 number on your transcript. Courses with 200 level numbers will not be accepted, even if they appear in the transfer credit guide as equivalent to a 300 level course.
- a course in developmental psychology (3 credits)
- a course in learning psychology (3 credits)
- a course in counselling theories or personality theories (3 credits)
- Demonstrated proficiency in the English language. If English is not your first language, there are several ways in which English Language Proficiency can be demonstrated.
- Preference is given to applicants who have 2 years or more of full-time experience in counselling or a related field or 2 years or more of full-time teaching experience PLUS related volunteer or part-time counselling experience.
Occasionally, students who apply to the Master of Counselling program may be granted admission to the certificate program because their GPA falls below 3.0. They may then apply to ladder into the Masters program upon successful completion of the certificate.
Please check out the Approved Prerequisites Listing to ensure that courses you have taken in these areas are acceptable alternatives. If you are missing prerequisites, there are a number of Recommended Prerequisite Course Options available through Athabasca University.
Note: Transcripts documenting completion of prerequisite courses must be received prior to the March 1st application deadline to ensure that your application is reviewed. In exceptional cases, applicants may be considered for conditional admission if confirmation of registration (by a transcript or course registration receipt) in the approved prerequisite course(s) is provided by the March 1 application deadline. Official transcripts documenting successful completion of prerequisite courses must then be received prior to June 1. The minimum acceptable grade for prerequisite courses completed after the March 1 application deadline is 3.0 (B).
Please Note:
For some areas of specialization within the program, additional background courses are either strongly recommended or required. Please pay particular attention to background courses for the following areas of specialization:
Successful applicants are required to participate in a five-week online Orientation prior to the start of the program. Failure to successfully complete the orientation may result in withdrawal of the offer of admission.
Page last updated: May 7, 2010 @ 04:56:12 PM
