Admission deadlines and requirements

We welcome both full and part-time students to apply to our programs. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

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 September 15
Summer admission - deadline for submission is April 1
Fall admission - deadline for submission is January 15

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.

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 applying to the Post Master's Certificate Program should use the major of Professional Counseling

Applicants are required to submit:

  1. Personal statement where you provide answers to these questions:
    • 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?
  2. Three supplemental statements:
    • Tell us about a challenge you've faced in your life, and how it has impacted you. Please provide an example of what you have done to work through this challenge.
    • How have you committed yourself to understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in your professional and/or personal life? Please provide an example.
    • What else would you like us to know about your application? (For example, if your GPA is less than 3.0, what would you like us to know about your academic potential?)
  3. 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.
  4. Three references from academics (your instructors/professors or academic advisor), employers, or supervisors are preferred.
  5. Current resume or curriculum vita
  6. For certificate program applicants only: 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 masters degree is eligible for LPC licensure.

As part of the admissions review process, applicants will have an individual interview with faculty members via Zoom.

Transfer Credit 

A maximum of 12 hours of graduate credit may be transferred from another VCU graduate program or outside institution if not applied previously to another degree. Transfer credits must carry a grade of "B" or higher from an accredited institution. Transfer credits earned as a nondegree-seeking graduate student are limited to six semester hours of credit. Credits earned as deficiency hours or to demonstrate the ability to compete at the graduate level, though transferable, may not be applied to the 48-credit program of study.

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.