Counseling Graduate Certificate (Licensure)

For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.

* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.

All application materials must be submitted through Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below. Please review the FAQ page for more information.

To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:

• Graduate application and fee
• Essay Prompt responses (see below)
• Current resume
• Two letters of recommendation: Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation form directly to their recommender. Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
• Transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions information page for specific requirements regarding uploading unofficial transcripts.
• Applicants with transcripts from outside of the U.S. could have additional requirements. Please refer to the How To Apply page for specific requirements about submitting international transcripts, evaluations, and English language proficiency. 

Please submit responses to the following three questions in place of a personal goals statement. Please upload your responses in the online application. Responses are capped at 250 words each. 

• What drew you to want to become a counselor? What do you hope to do when you complete your certificate concentrating in either School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
• Our program’s mission focuses on multiculturalism, social justice, and advocacy. Read more about our program mission and objectives here. Reflect on the mission of our counseling program and share what stands out to you. How will our mission inform you to further develop as a counselor in our certificate program?
• As you continue on your journey as a counselor in the certificate program, you will be asked to further explore your own personal biases, identify personal strengths and growth areas, and develop your interpersonal skills. Describe an area of interpersonal or intra-personal growth for you and give an example of how it may limit your ability to be an effective counselor. (Note: please think more deeply than challenges like time management or study skills.) 

• An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts. Expectation of an earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the student is applying will also meet this requirement. See the admissions policy here for information.
• A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs. The university, at its discretion, may, in evaluating the meeting of this requirement, additionally consider the difficulty of the baccalaureate degree, relevant work experience, any/or other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study.
• International students should reference Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
• Applicants must have an earned Master’s in Counseling with a primary focus in Community Agency/Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling; other applicable areas of counseling considered upon review.

Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.

*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $150.25

**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.

Each student is responsible for knowing Mason’s rules, regulations, requirements, administrative policies, and academic policies. The University Catalog, your program advisors, and the staff in the Student and Academic Affairs Office are key resources to assist you as you work toward completion of your degree requirements. It is highly recommended that you meet with your advisor at least once per semester to review degree progress and plan for future semesters.

You Have the Keys to Success:

Be an Informed Student

It is your responsibility to monitor your progress in completing your requirements. Your advisor is a resource to assist you. If you choose not to meet with your advisor, you may miss key information and opportunities to make your experience at Mason a more valuable one.

Read your Mason Email

Students are responsible for reading university communications sent to their Mason email account (@gmu.edu) and are required to activate that account and check it regularly. If you wish to forward your @gmu.edu emails to a personal account, please do so as soon as possible once admitted to avoid missing key communications from various university offices.

Know and Use your Resources

Friends and other CEHD students are great, but they are not reliable sources of information for your individual degree requirements and progress. A reliable resource is the paid Mason employee who is the subject matter expert on the question at hand (e.g. licensure, endorsements, advising, career services, admissions, registrar, and IT support). When in doubt, ask your advisor!

• Program Highlights
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• Student and Alumni Awards and Recognitions
• Chi Sigma Iota
• Social Justice Conference