Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling / Master of Arts in School Counseling

Graduate students in the dual degree program complete both the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Master of Arts in School Counseling. They develop the foundational knowledge and skills to provide effective clinical services and K-12 services to a variety of diverse populations. As a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), our students can look forward to coursework and field experiences that meet the highest training standards of the counseling profession. Successful graduates of our program are eligible for initial licensure as counselors in Kentucky, Ohio, and a number of additional states.

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall minimum 2.75 undergraduate grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Undergraduate coursework must contain 48 semester credits (or equivalent in quarter hours) in the liberal arts.
Submit an online application and application fee to the Office of Graduate Education.
Submit official transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework sent directly from all institutions of higher education previously attended.
Applicants with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.0 must submit official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).This requirement will be waived for those individuals who have already completed a master's degree.
Submit the supplemental application, including a 500-700-word essay demonstrating evidence of one's potential to work effectively with people, reasons for pursuing education to become a professional counselor, any relevant work or volunteer experiences, and professional goals. This essay will be evaluated for clarity, grammar, and structure/organization. Supplemental application is available on the Office of Graduate Education website.
Submit a writing sample. This may be a paper from the applicant's undergraduate/graduate studies that evidences their academic capacities or a new paper (3-5 pages in length) in response to one of the prompts available on the Office of Graduate Education website. Submissions will be evaluated for clarity, grammar, and structure/organization.
Three recommendations from people (former instructors, supervisors, colleagues, etc.) who are qualified to evaluate academic and professional potential in the field of counseling. These must be submitted on counseling recommendation form. Recommendations available on the Office of Graduate Education website.
Submit a professional resume tailored to educational goals, including educational background, employment history, awards, and accomplishments.
A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. For individuals currently employed in the public schools, a copy of their teaching certificate may be submitted in lieu of the background check. Please contact the program at counselored@nku.edu in order to obtain information on getting your background check completed. Any costs associated with background check are the responsibility of the applicant.
Successful completion of an interview with Counseling Program faculty and a positive recommendation from the admission's committee for admission to the program, to ensure the candidate possesses the interpersonal characteristics and personal dispositions to uphold ethical standards of the counseling profession.
Students who are otherwise qualified for this program can be granted conditional admission, pending completion of the American English Language Program. TOEFL: 79 IBT or 550 PBT, IELTS: 6.5 band