Applicants who submit their applications by the deadlines listed below, will receive priority. However, the Counseling program will accept applications on a rolling basis, as long as seats remain in courses. The Counseling program is currently accepting applications for the next academic year.
Arcadia’s Graduate Program in Counseling is committed to recruiting and retaining students who represent various multicultural identities and intersectionalities, particularly individuals who identify as members of multicultural groups that have experienced histories of prejudice, discrimination, oppression, violence, and trauma. Our program is dedicated to training all students to become multiculturally competent and to embody the principles of social justice in their counseling careers.
Applying for Admission
To apply for admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC), the following requirements must be met:
- A graduate application, including personal statements, to be completed online on our Graduate Application page.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a recommended GPA of 3.0 or better.
- One official transcript from each college, university, or professional school attended. Transfer credits included on a transcript must include grades earned; if not, an official transcript from the original school must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school in a sealed envelope and contain the appropriate signatures and seals.
- Completion of at least three Psychology courses (must include Introductory Psychology), with grades of “B” or better in each.
- Three letters of recommendation. The letters must be of a professional, not personal nature. For students who have been out of school for five years or less, at least one letter must come from a professor. Of note, Arcadia’s Psychology majors (current students and alums) are only required to submit two letters.
- An in-person interview with administrators and faculty in the program (by invitation only).
- International applicants should visit our International page for detailed information on admission requirements and application procedures. Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS are required for all students for whom English is a second language except for non-native speakers of English who hold degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand). A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required.
Of note, the admissions requirements for other programs (dual degrees, advanced study options, and the early entry program) differ slightly from the requirements above. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for the specific requirements of these programs.
Application Deadlines
Regular Decision: Applicants seeking regular admission for the fall semester should complete their applications by January 15. Applicants seeking regular admission for the spring semester should complete their applications by November 1. If seats are still available in courses, the Counseling program will accept applications after these deadlines. Prospective students can contact the Associate Director to inquire whether applications are still being accepted.
Early Decision: Early decision is designed for applicants who hope to secure a seat in the GPC for the fall semester, in advance of the regular decision admission process. Applicants seeking early admission for the fall semester should complete applications by November 1.
Early Entry: The Early Entry MA Counseling Program allows students in their junior year of undergraduate studies (across all majors) to apply to take up to three graduate counseling courses during their senior year. Applicants seeking early entry should complete applications during their junior undergraduate year by January 15.
Tuition and Financing
Scholarships
The Counseling program offers a limited number of scholarships ($1,000 to $5,000) based on applicants’ merit and commitment to multiculturalism in counseling. Prospective students can apply for scholarships by completing an optional scholarship essay within the online application.
Graduate Assistantships
The Counseling program offers several paid Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions each year, pending the availability of funding and open positions. Prospective students are encouraged to share their interest in pursuing GA positions during in-person interviews. Decisions about GA positions are based on merit (e.g., academic record and previous work experiences), as well as students’ interests.
Graduate Student Employment
Other forms of employment may be also available to graduate students across the University. Students may apply for employment upon acceptance and registration. Questions regarding graduate employment should be directed to Graduate Student Employment.
Federal Loans
Graduate students are eligible to borrow through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan programs provided they are taking at least 6 credits per semester (in the summer, 6 credits overall summer sessions combined satisfies this requirement). For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.
