MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) IN COUNSELING
Our Master’s of Science program in Counseling prepares students with a high level of evidence-based, ethical, and culturally responsive skill set to serving diverse client populations. We emphasize knowledge and hands-on skills practice in courses such as motivational interviewing, dialectic behavior therapy, substance use counseling, counseling diverse populations, and trauma, crisis, and disaster. Our students gain real-world experience through internships in a variety of settings, including K-12 schools, college counseling and support services, community agencies and other outpatient settings, hospitals and integrated care facilities, inpatient treatment centers, private practice, and more. They provide clinical and supportive services for clients such as children, couples and families, immigrants and refugees, trauma survivors, sexual minorities, individuals with addictions, individuals with chronic illnesses, and underserved populations.
To be a strong, impactful counselor – regardless of setting – clinical competence is necessary. At UNC Greensboro, students gain the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for clinical competence through intentional instruction from the beginning of their educational experience. Through supportive, in-depth clinical supervision, they build their clinical skills as well as their confidence and efficacy. At graduation, they are prepared to serve, advocate, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of their clients.
CACREP has conferred accreditation to the following academic program areas within the Department of Counseling and Educational Development at UNC Greensboro:
School Counseling
Gain knowledge, skills and experience to attend to the academic, career, and personal/social development in order to meet the needs of all students in K-12 settings.
Clinical Mental Health
Acquire the skills and experience needed to assess, diagnose, and counsel persons with diverse backgrounds in individual, group, and family counseling in mental health and behavioral health settings.
Couple and Family Counseling
Learn how to assess, diagnose, and counsel diverse couples and family structures, working through a systems perspective.
The entry-level program is a full-time, two-year program, that consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours, leading to the Master’s of Science (M.S.) degree in counseling. We offer concentrations in clinical mental health, couple and family, and school counseling. At graduation, students are eligible to pursue state licensure and national certification.
Our program provides continuous experiential learning through clinical practicum and internships, as well as practica for many courses that allow for immediate hands-on application of content learned in the classroom. Many hands-on experiences occur through supervised clinical practice inside our Nicholas A Vacc Counseling and Consulting Clinic.
Graduate from CED with a strong professional identity, a network of renowned alumni, and the skills you need to make an impact in the field of counseling.
Ready to Apply?
If the Department of Counseling and Educational Development (CED) sounds like the kind of counseling program you are looking for, we are ready to guide you through the application process and help you make an informed decision about your graduate education.
For more information, see the detailed information below about our admissions process, financial assistance, and other frequently asked questions. Contact our CED Admissions Office to schedule a visit, tour the Vacc Clinic, and meet current students and faculty.
Admissions Office
The Admissions Office in the Department of Counseling and Educational Development handles the various duties associated with admissions to the Department’s programs. It is staffed by current doctoral and master’s-level students in the program whose sole purpose is to facilitate the admissions process of prospective students. The Admissions Office staff conducts informal question and answer sessions, gives tours of the program facilities, introduces applicants to professors, and handles all requests related to program admissions.
To speak with an Admissions staff member or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Admissions Office directly:
Phone: 336.334.3434
Email: ced@uncg.edu
Mail:
CED Admissions Office
Department of Counseling and Educational Development
School of Education
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
PO Box 26170
228 Curry Building
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Admissions Process
ALL APPLICANTS: DOCTORAL AND MASTER’S-LEVEL
APPLICATION DEADLINES AND START DATE
Applications that are not complete by the respective deadlines are not reviewed. Please contact the Graduate School to confirm all required information has been received there. Admission is for the fall semester only.
The deadline to apply for the Doctoral program is October 1st
The deadline to apply for the Master’s program is November 15th
COHORT SIZE
Each year, 6-8 doctoral students and 32-36 master’s students are recommended for admission into the full-time/day-time counseling program by an Admissions Committee made up of program faculty.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Criteria for selection includes:
- Complete online graduate school application
- GRE scores from a test taken within the past 5 years
- Three letters of recommendation (at least one of which should be an academic reference)
- Resume or curriculum vitae detailing work experience, volunteer experience, and research background
- Personal statement that outlines professional goals (see below for a description)
- Undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate transcripts (required for all doctoral applicants)
Personal Statement
The personal statement is an essay that is generally 2-4 pages long (in 12pt font and double spaced), in which students provide information regarding their reasons for pursuing the counseling profession, any relevant experience, personal career goals, and why UNC Greensboro would be a good fit for their educational aspirations. The essay should not simply restate your resume, but instead provide the admissions committee the opportunity to get to know more about you.
Transcripts
Applicants may either (1) upload official transcripts that have been issued by their institution’s Registrar’s Office onto their online application or (2) order official transcripts that should be mailed to the Graduate School at the following address:
The Graduate School
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
241 Mossman Building
1202 Spring Garden Street
Greensboro, NC 27412
Online Application
We use a completely electronic application process.
All applicants should include the following as attachments to their online application:
- Supplemental Documents A: Personal Statement
- Supplemental Documents B: Resume or Curriculum Vitae
INTERVIEWS
The admissions committee will begin reviewing applications after the application deadline. Selected applicants will be invited to campus for an interview early in the spring semester. Participation in the interview process is mandatory for selected students; however, international students may interview via Skype if travel is cost-prohibitive.
Applicants are notified of their admission status usually within two-four weeks after all interviews are completed; typically, students receive notification no later than April 15th.
Financial Assistance
A variety of financial aid is available to students including graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and tuition waivers. All admitted students may apply for graduate assistantships. Students needing other financial aid should complete the forms obtained through the Financial Aid Office. You may contact the Financial Aid Office at 336.334.5702 or email: finaid@uncg.edu.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Once admitted, new master’s students are sent a Graduate Assistantship Application Form. Those who return completed applications are considered for assistantships within the Department and throughout the University. Graduate assistantships require full-time enrollment. After arriving on campus, students who are diligent in their search for an assistantship are usually successful. Students are free to investigate assistantships in any department or office at UNCG; openings are listed in the Career and Professional Development Office. Stipends for graduate assistantships (20 hours per week) in CED range upward from $7,500 for the academic year. Master’s level assistants may be funded for up to two years, on a semester or yearly basis. Reappointments to assistantships are contingent on a student’s satisfactory academic progress and satisfactory performance of assistantship responsibilities. Master’s students appointed to Departmental assistantships provide valuable supportive functions for the program.
TUITION WAIVERS
Tuition waivers are sometimes available for master’s-level Graduate Assistants. When available, tuition waivers are awarded for a particular semester or academic year.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Fellowships and scholarships are awarded by the Graduate School to exceptionally qualified students who meet the particular requirements of the award. As a prospective student, no action needs to be taken on your part related to these, as they require nominations by the Department.
The Department assists all out-of-state students in applying for in-state residency by the second year in the program; however, no guarantees can be made that out-of-state students will be reclassified as in-state.
RESIDENCE HALL STAFF POSITIONS
A limited number of residence hall staff positions are offered to qualified graduate students. Address inquiries to Director of Residence Life, UNCG, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402-6170, Phone (336) 334-5636, hrl.uncg.edu.
Additional information is available at the UNCG Financial Aid Website