SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM ADMISSION Requirements
To obtain information/application packets, applicants should download the forms below or contact the Counseling and School Psychology Department office at:
-
phone: (203) 392-5910
Candidates for the program must:
- have a minimum undergraduate quality point ratio of 3.0
- take the following pre-requisites
- Introduction to Psychology
- Statistics in Psychology (or Research Methods)
- Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology
- Introduction to Exceptional Children (a list of acceptable courses is available at the CT State Department of Education's website)
- submit a 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the School Counseling program and their desire to enter the profession.
- submit a resume.
- submit a minimum of three recommendations attesting to their professional promise and academic ability. Most of those providing recommendations also include a personal letter about the applicant.
- pass the PRAXIS - I exam, an essential skills test which is administered by the Educational Testing Service. For complete information on taking this test, see the CT State Department of Education website.
- Students can waive the exam if they have achieved high scores on any of the following tests: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), American College Testing (ACT) or the Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA)/ESLAT/TOEFL. The passing scores necessary for waiving the exam are listed on the CT State Department of Education website.
- Students can waive the exam if they have achieved high scores on any of the following tests: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), American College Testing (ACT) or the Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA)/ESLAT/TOEFL. The passing scores necessary for waiving the exam are listed on the CT State Department of Education website.
- meet with the School Counseling Faculty members for an admissions interview.
Application Procedures
1) SCSU Graduate School application form and fee.
2) Transcripts with official seal.
3) Copy of your PRAXIS-I scores or your PRAXIS-I waiver letter or a copy of your current Connecticut Teaching Certificate.
If you plan to use other test scores to waive taking the PRAXIS exam, complete the ED-192 Form (Link on previous page) from the CT State Dept. of Education.
4) Important - send #1, #2, and #3 directly to:
School of Graduate Studies - Engleman B-110
Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
5) Current resume.
6) Three completed recommendation forms. At least one recommendation should be from someone who can speak to your intellectual and academic skills.
7) Personal essay: Write your reasons for wanting to enroll in the school counseling program. This typed essay should be approximately 500 words in length. You can download the cover letter off of the website and send it to the address provided below.
8) Copies of your Transcripts and PRAXIS-1 scores or your PRAXIS-I waiver letter or a copy of your current Connecticut Teaching Certificate.
9) Important - Send #5, #6, #7 and #8 directly to:
Admissions Committee, School Counseling Program
Davis Hall - Room 126
Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
When all the above have been received, the admissions committee will screen your application. Candidates selected will be contacted for a personal interview.
We strongly recommend that you contact our office at (203) 392-5910 to be sure that all your application material has been received. Critical parts of your application materials may be lost in the mail; references may not be received; applications and/or transcripts sometimes get misdirected. Please contact us if you have questions about our program or the admissions procedure.
ADMISSION DEADLINE
All application material must be received by January 15. Interviews typically occur in February and March. Admissions to the program occur only once a year for the fall semester.

