Apply to the Masters Program
In order to be admitted, applicants are required to complete the interview process with the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee. Generally, preference for interviews is given to prospective students who meet all of the requirements. Interviews are on-campus but student may request other accommodations under extraordinary circumstances. The Admissions Committee will make the final decisions regarding admission. This decision will be based on grade point average as well as the committee's impression of the applicant's interpersonal style and compatibility of personality with the program's training philosophy and written statement.
To apply to the program, go to Graduate School and click on Graduate Application. The application materials for the Master in Counseling program's preferred application date is January 15 to be considered for admission for the following academic year.
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Complete the ISU Graduate School online application.
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Attach a maximum two-page statement of purpose.
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Submit the contact emails for three (3) letters of recommendation. The letters can be from anyone except a relative.
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Have all university transcripts submitted to Graduate School
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Complete an on-campus interview with the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee.
Application Schedule
Master's of Counseling Program applications will be accepted through January 15. A secondary admissions process may be conducted if the program has not filled all available seats with high quality applicants.
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August 15- January 15 (preferred application date) |
Apply to the Graduate School and Department of Counseling. |
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January 15- February 1 |
Applications reviewed by Department of Counseling Admission Committee. |
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Early February |
Candidates selected for on-campus interviews notified. Interview conducted Mid-February (ISU Pocatello). Interview conducted Early February (ISU-Meridian). |
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Late February |
Applicants notified of admission decisions. |
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April 15 |
Secondary admissions process may be conducted. |
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May/June/July |
Notify alternates of admission (if applicable). New Graduate Student Surveys Sent/Returned. Advisor Assignment Letter Sent. Registration for Fall Semester Courses. |
Requirements for Admission
1. Applicant must have a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited in the United States or its equivalent from a school in another country. (Must complete degree before onset of classes in the fall semester in year of acceptance.)
2. Admission into the counseling program is competitive. A preset number of students will be admitted according to faculty resources. All applicants admitted into the counseling program will require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
NOTE: The method of calculating an Admission GPA is based on the last 60± semester undergraduate credits (90±quarter credits), using complete semesters (quarters). In the case of those students who have not completed the baccalaureate degree, the grade point average will be calculated on the last 60 credits at the time of application. If the applicant does not meet both GPA and percentile requirements, but meets one of the parameters, they can be admitted with performance requirements.
3. Only applicants who have submitted all materials on or before the preferred application date will have their material reviewed by the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee to determine status as a competitive, qualified applicant. Due to the competition for limited seats in the Master of Counseling program, satisfactory completion of the entry level requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
4. Applicants are required to complete an interview with the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee. Usually, these interviews will be in person, but students may request other accommodations under extraordinary circumstances. The Admissions Committee will make the final decisions regarding admission. This decision will be based on grade point and test score rankings as well as the committee's impression of the applicant's interpersonal style and compatibility of personality with the program's training philosophy and written statement.
PLEASE NOTE: The Department of Counseling interviews applicants, and admits students yearly during the spring semester for course work beginning the next fall semester.
Changing a Master Degree Program
Graduate students in the Master of Counseling degree program can change tracks, and may do so for a variety of reasons. Examples include, but are not limited to: changes in career interests, or shifts in circumstances. The goal of these procedures is to ensure that when students propose such a change, that the process a) is consistent with the requirements of the university’s graduate school and with the requirements for entry into the Master of Counseling degree as they are applied to program applicants in general, b) results in fair, consistent and timely decisions, and c) contributes to maintenance of high standards of performance for Counseling graduate students and helps ensure student success.
To change specialty, a new application will need to be submitted to Graduate School at a reduced fee. A reduced fee waiver code may be obtained from the Department of Counseling Administrative Assistants. Only the application is required. All transcripts, letters of recommendation and test scores will be transferred from your initial application.
Program Costs
Program costs are subject to change without notice.
Application Fees Total - $95
ISU Graduate School - $65
ISU Department of Counseling - $30
Liability Insurance - $15/year
Program/Professional Fee - $843/fall and spring semesters
Additional costs include, but are not necessarily limited to: books/learning materials, graduation fees, and registration fees to attend professional conferences.
Scholarships
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
The Department of Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program was awarded a 5-year $1,000,000 Rehabilitation Training grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The grant includes a limited number of scholarships available to students, called scholars, for tuition and fees, stipends toward cost of attendance (i.e., books and supplies, etc.) and costs for attending professional conference or related professional development course. If awarded the scholarship, the scholar agrees to complete an internship at Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, and work for a State VR Agency (e.g., IDVR) or other approved related-rehabilitation agency for two years upon graduation for every year of funding a scholar receives. For information, contact Project Director, Dr. Ngonidzashe (Ngoni) Mpofu at ngonidzashempofu@isu.edu or (208) 282-2413.
Western Region Graduate Program
The Department of Counseling is part of the Western Region Graduate Programs (WRGP). The WRGP is a consortium of states that agree to substantially discount out of state tuition for graduate students from these states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for consideration. More information on the qualification requirements can be found on the WGRP page of Funding and Support.
To be considered for the WRGP tuition rate, students simply apply directly to the department of the enrolling institution and identify themselves as WICHE WRGP applicants. Contact information for each participating program is listed in the WRGP online directory. WRGP students must fulfill all the usual requirements of the department and institution concerned, and meet all admission deadlines.