Admission deadlines and requirements

We welcome both full, part-time, on campus and distance learning students to apply to our programs. The program has both on-campus and distance formats for many classes. We also offer hybrid courses where distance and campus students are combined. Some distance courses may have synchronous components where students are required to virtually attend a class at a specific time. On-campus students are generally expected to take all courses in an on-campus during their first semester and at least 50% of on-campus courses overall.

Any student applying from out of state should review our NC SARA information regarding licensure in other states (https://online.vcu.edu/policies/)

Deadlines 

MS in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (MS RMH) (both concentrations)

Fall admission - deadline for submission is January 15

Post-Master's Certificate in Professional Counseling (CPM REH)

Spring admission - deadline for submission is October 15, 2024
Summer admission - deadline for submission is March 15, 2025
Fall admission - deadline for submission is June 15, 2025

Requirements 

  • To apply, applicants should have a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; or 3.0 in the last 60 semester hour credits (based upon transcripts provided to the Graduate School) from an accredited college of university.
  • If you want to register for classes and you have been out of the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling or Professional Counseling Certificate Program for one year or more, you must reapply to the program by submitting all new materials to the Graduate Admission Office.
  • Accepted master's students will be required to complete their clinical rotations in the United States.

Application Instructions

    • Complete the online application through the graduate school website including the request for instate tuition rates if applicable
    • VCU Graduate School (application link here)
      • Students applying to the Master's Program should use the major of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and choose a concentration. Students should apply to only one concentration. All applications are evaluated together. If you decide to change concentrations after being accepted into the program, you will be able to do so.
      • Students applying to the Post Master's Certificate Program should use the major of Professional Counseling

For more information on preparing your graduate application, join us for one of our Application Instruction webinars.

Application Requirements for the Master’s Programs

  1. Official Transcripts from ALL schools attended including undergraduate and graduate transcripts; also include any community college or dual enrollment courses where you received college credit. Transcripts should include the following:
    • The name of the college or university
    • The name of the student
    • and for those who have already graduated, the awarding of a degree.
  1. Personal statement where you provide answers to these questions (word.doc upload)
  • What are your professional goals, and how would this program help you achieve these goals?
  • What educational, work, volunteer experiences, and/or lived experiences have led you to seek this career?
  1. Supplemental statements entered in Slate
  • How do you intend to engage in our program (e.g., full-time, part-time, on campus or online/distance learning). 
  • Tell us about a particular lived experience that shapes your personal traits (e.g., resilience, humor, etc.). 
  • How have you pursued your personal growth and development over your life?
  • What else would you like us to know about your application, including any special skills that have not yet been discussed? (e.g., Are you multilingual? Do you have certifications or completed training related to the field?)
  • If your GPA was less than 3.0, please discuss your plan for academic success in graduate school.
  1. Three (3) professional or academic references from your instructors/professors or academic advisor, employers, or supervisors are preferred.
  2. Current resume or curriculum vita

Application requirements for the Certificate Program

  1. Official Transcripts from ALL schools attended including undergraduate and graduate transcripts; also include any community college or dual enrollment courses where you received college credit. Transcripts should include the following:
    • The name of the college or university
    • The name of the student
    • and for those who have already graduated, the awarding of a degree.
  1. Two (2) professional letters of reference
  2. Application Questions Submitted in Slate
  • What are your career goals and how will the certificate program help you reach these goals?
  • What are your professional experiences that lead you to desire a certification or license?
  • Tell us about a particular lived experience that shapes your personal traits (e.g.. resilience, humor, etc.)
  • How have you pursued personal growth and development over your life?
  • Please discuss the role that diversity, equity, and inclusion play in your personal and professional life?
  1. Current curriculum vita or professional resume
  2. If you are applying to the certificate program to obtain courses toward your Virginia LPC, please submit a copy of your transcript to the Board of Counseling for a pre-review. (Only required if you did not graduate with your masters in counseling from VCU). If you have not yet submitted your transcript for a board review, please look for the "pre-review of education toward LPC licensure" on the board's website. By submitting the paperwork, The Board reviewers determine two things: 1) what courses you will need in the certificate program 2) verification that your previous master’s degree is eligible for LPC licensure.

Transfer Credit 

A maximum of 24 hours of graduate credit may be transferred from another VCU graduate program or outside institution if not applied previously to another degree. Only didactic coursework can be transferred. Practicum and internship courses are not eligible for transfer credit. Transfer credits must carry a grade of "B" or higher from an accredited institution. Courses taken as a non-degree seeking graduate student can only be used for a total of six semester hours of transfer credit. The transfer of any credit to be applied to the Master’s in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling degree is contingent upon a syllabus review and approval by the faculty and Chair of the department.

For more information on VCU’s policies related to graduate transfer credit, please see the Graduate Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

For degree requirements, a sample of a full-time program of study, specializations, examination requirements for graduation and time limits for the completion of the degree, visit the rehabilitation counseling section in the online Graduate Programs Bulletin.