Admission Procedures and Criteria

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Andrews University’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling seeks to recruit applicants that will enter the program with strong academic backgrounds, and a desire to learn both clinical skills and how to integrate scientific research into their practice.  Applicants must also demonstrate an emotional maturity consistent with the role of a master’s student entering a rigorous program requiring commitment not only to coursework, but also clinical training.

The program typically accepts between 10-12 new students each year.  Though the fall semester is the preferred start date in order to finish within 6 semesters, students are able to start the program during any semester. 

The Application Process

Students begin the admission process by applying online at www.andrews.edu/apply. Once an application is completed, the file is forwarded to the Master’s Admission Committee for review. If the faculty members believe an applicant would make a strong candidate in the program, they are contacted for an interview.

During the interview, applicants will typically meet with the Program Coordinator during which they are evaluated with respect to professional behavior, oral communication, understanding of and commitment to the profession, recognition of the challenges in working with culturally and linguistically diverse clients, and understanding of the whole person. The committee votes on each applicant, with the graduate file, as well as the interview used to make a decision as to an applicant’s fit in the program based on their overall profile.

Minimum admission requirements are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Official transcripts: From institutions where all post-secondary coursework was taken.
• Recommendations: Two recommendations are required from professionals—such as advisors, major professors, and employers—excluding relatives. At least one recommendation should be academic.
• Resume or professional history: Information about employment, research, or special projects.
• Minimum GPA of 2.60 on undergraduate degrees.
• Statement of Purpose: A 500-word essay explaining objectives in seeking a graduate degree at Andrews University. Include a description of personal, professional, and academic goals; philosophical perspective; and what applicant hopes to accomplish professionally in ten years following the completion of degree.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action

Andrews University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.

Reports of discrimination or harassment based on any of the above mentioned categories should be directed to the Office of Diversity.  Contact information can be found here. 

Transfer Credit Policy

Andrews University may grant credit for courses completed at a university that is either regionally accredited or a recognized candidate for accreditation according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition, credits from a foreign post-secondary institution that is recognized and approved by the local Ministry of Education as a degree-granting institution may be accepted.

Transfer courses will be accepted for up to 20% of the program-required credits, only after evaluation by the Registrar, the Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling, and the School of Graduate Studies. Courses considered for transfer are subject to the following conditions: 1) Evaluation of proposed transfer credits is completed on a course-by-course basis; 2) Transfer credits are evaluated only from an official transcript and official course syllabus from the semester the course was taken. The award of transfer credits for international students may require the submission of the course syllabus and/or course-by-course evaluation by an approved international credential evaluation service; 3) Transfer credit can only be awarded for courses with final grades posted on an official transcript; 4) All information on the official transcript must match the Transfer Credit Petition Form; 5) Any course considered for transfer must have a grade of ‘B’ or above (3.0 on a 4.0 scale); 6) Courses listed with a ‘P’ or “Pass” grade are not eligible for transfer, 7) Practicum and internship credits are not eligible for transfer.  All fieldwork (practicum and internship) must be completed at Andrews University; 8) The course grade for a transferred course is not calculated into a student’s Andrews University Grade Point Average; and, 9) There must be an 80% overlap in course content between the proposed transfer course and the Andrews course.

Students must follow the procedure outlined below. Once accepted into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, students may begin the process of submitting documentation for review.  It is recommended that the student meet with their academic advisor and do a preliminary review of any prior graduate level coursework.  If it is determined that prior coursework should be reviewed for equivalency, the student should ask the department for a School of Education Transfer of Credits Petition Form.  The petition form must be submitted with the official course syllabus of the course the student wishes to transfer.  The Andrews’ professor who teaches the course will review the syllabus.  The professor considers whether the transfer course aligns with their course syllabus relative to course content. There must be at least 80% course content overlap between the proposed transfer course and the Andrews’ course.
In order for the Registrar's Office to be able to conduct a thorough evaluation of transfer credits, information about institutional accreditation, level of course work, grading scales, and the institution's credit system (quarter, ECTS, semester) must be available. Generally, this information is included on the transcript key of an official transcript. However, in the event that some or all of this information is not printed on the transcript, students may be contacted for additional clarification or documentation.

Andrews University Graduate Admissions

269-471-6321
graduate@andrews.edu

Department of Graduate Psychology & Counseling
4195 Administration Drive – Bell Hall 167
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
Phone: 269-471-3473
gpc@andrews.edu