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Admission to the Program
Western Illinois University Quad Cities

Admission to the Program

Admission to the Counselor Education Department involves:

  • application and acceptance by the WIU School of Graduate Studies
  • completion of a Counselor Education Department application packet
  • participation in a screening interview.

Admissions Requirements (effective for anyone screening after FALL 2009): These requirements are included in the 2009-2010 WIU Graduate Catalog.

  • Applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree (undergraduate course work) in any field from a regionally accredited university.

  • Applicants must submit official GRE general test scores (no more than five years old).  Applicants must have a minimum score of 850 across the Verbal and Quantitative Sections (a minimum of 400 in each section is required) and a minimum score of 3 is required on the Written Analytic Section. GRE scores need to be sent to the Graduate Office - the WIU code is 1900. Please see the website below for information:
    http://www.eduers.com/gre/Test_Centers_Iowa.htm

  • Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or 3.25 for the last two years. Any student failing to meet the minimum requirements may be admitted on probation with a cumulative GPA of 2.75-2.99. Probationary students must petition for full admission after completing nine graduate hours which must include CN 542, CN 545, and CN 552 with a minimum GPA of 3.25 before screening.

  • Students who are denied admission and not allowed to screen due to low GPA (below 2.75), but who have a GPA of 2.6-2.74, may request consideration for a probationary admission for the next regularly scheduled admission cycle by submitting an additional portfolio to the Counselor Education Selection and Retention Committee. The additional material included in the portfolio is intended to assist the Selection and Retention Committee’s evaluation of the applicant’s potential success as a graduate student in the Counselor Education Department.  Contact the Department for portfolio requirements. 

  • Applicants not meeting the above requirements may request consideration based upon exceptional circumstances. Applicants will need to contact the Chair of the Counselor Education Department for further information.

  • Students will be required to complete a criminal background check prior to enrolling in clinical coursework. (Not required as part of the initial screening/application process).

There are two separate application processes:

1. Apply to the School of Graduate Studies for Admission to WIU.

  • There is a $30 non-refundable fee required. Seewww.wiu.edu/grad/and click on Apply Online. (This fee is sent to the Graduate Office - not the Counselor Education Department!)
  • Apply to the School of Graduate Studies at least one month prior to the CNED deadline.
  • As a part of the Grad School application, you will be asked to request your transcripts which can take several weeks to be received by WIU.
  • After the School of Graduate Studies processes your transcripts, they are then forwarded to our Department.
  • Please do not have your transcripts sent directly to the Counselor Education Department - they must be official transcripts sent directly to the Macomb campus.
  • The application for Graduate Assistantship is included in the online Graduate Studies application.
  • **For your Assistantship application, you must have three separate formal letters of recommendation sent to the School of Graduate Studies. The reference forms used for your admission to the Counselor Education Department cannot be used for your Assistantship recommendations!**

2. Apply to the Counselor Education Department: Print off, complete, and return the Counselor Education Department Application and Reference Forms found below if you are interested in:

  • Community Counseling
  • School Counseling and ARE Teacher-Certified
  • School Counseling, but ARE NOT Teacher-Certified
    **PLEASE NOTE: Students pursuing a school counseling masters degree but are NOT Teacher-Certified must complete the 3 courses listed below in addition to the regular school counseling degree requirements:

    --EIS 536 Seminar In Cognition (2 credits)
    --EIS 405G - Classroom Management (2 credits)
    --SPED 510 - Exceptional Learner (3 credits)
    TOTAL: 7 additional hours

  • Directions:
    • Complete the Counselor Education Department application and reference forms
    • Send completed written application and reference forms (with formal letter of reference attached) directly to the Counselor Education Department. The address is indicated on the forms.
  • Deadlines:
    • All application materials (both online and mailed) must be received by the Counselor Education Department by the following deadlines:
      • Fall Screening: September 1st
      • Spring Screening: February 1st

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    For students who are not seeking a degree, but already hold a Master's degree and wish to pursue Alternative Certification in School Counseling, please click on the link below:

  • Alternative Certification in School Counseling information

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Application Timeline:

  1. Once the School of Graduate Studies has processed the online application and the Counselor Education Department has received all of the appropriate materials, a screening interview with the Department Selection and Retention Committee will be scheduled. This committee determines admissibility. Screenings occur twice yearly.
  2. Students must be screened prior to completing nine semester hours of counselor education courses at WIU.
  3. The Selection and Retention Committee will assess the candidate in several areas. Of primary concern is whether the applicant will be comfortable and competent in academic endeavors. Second, a professional judgment about the applicant's personal awareness will be made. The counselor education curriculum requires students to be aware of their own affective and cognitive development and be willing to take risks and present themselves in an open manner. Third, the candidate's awareness of the needs of others and acceptance of human rights will be assessed. These personal characteristics are necessary for the student to be successful in the department.
  4. If admitted, students recieve a letter detailing their advisor, as well as the date and time for the mandatory New Student Orientation.


Admissions Materials

The following forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.05 or higher. Click the graphic below to download the free application.

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