Initial application to this program is made through the Office of Graduate Studies by submitting the following:

1. Form A (Application for Admission to the Graduate Studies Office). If your undergraduate degree was not obtained at Western Kentucky University, a copy of your official transcript must be sent to Graduate Studies. Students must meet the minimum requirements for graduate studies in the university.
   
2. In addition to the Graduate Studies requirements, counseling unit requirements must be met. A student must have either a score of no less than 1350 on the Graduate Record Examination General Test OR a minimum GPA of 2.9 on the last 30 hours of undergraduate degree work. If these requirements are not met, a student may submit a waiver petition in writing and then meet in person with the counseling faculty. When all departmental requirements are met, a student is provisionally admitted to the program.
   
3. Full admission to the mental health counseling program requires the approval of the Counseling Programs Admissions Committee. This approval will be based upon:
   1. Completion of the initial 6 hours of course work. This should include CNS 560 (Professional Studies in Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy) and one additional counseling course.
   2. Student submission of a departmental admission packet to the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs. The packet includes a picture, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a signed affidavit. The admission packet must be submitted before Form D is signed by your advisor.
      
   3. Demonstration of potential for developing effective relationships with counselees, clients, subordinates and peers, and a knowledge of self. This potential will be determined through a program of self-evaluation by the candidate and an evaluation of the student by the Counseling Faculty. Some counseling courses may require learning which focuses on self-understanding and self-disclosure. Specific activities and experiences provided in the introductory course (CNS 550) will play a key role in this determination process. In addition, the faculty reserve the right to secure information from other sources such as employers, supervisors, graduate instructors and others as needed.

Admission to the counseling program does not guarantee successful graduation from the program.

See: Applying for Admission