Admission
Admissions Deadlines
Applications are accepted during the fall and spring, with deadlines of October 1 and February 1, respectively. The October deadline is provided for students who would like to make plans early for the coming year. If admitted into the program, students have the option of starting the program in the following summer or fall semester.
For more details, we encourage all potential applicants to attend an information session
Admissions Criteria
Students with a variety of backgrounds are welcome to apply to our program. We do not require the GRE for admission to the program. The minimum requirements include:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a four-point scale*
*Applicants to clinical mental health emphasis with an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.75 can apply for an exception. Applicants should submit a letter requesting an exception clearly identifying reasons that justify this exception. In this letter, applicants may wish to provide information supportive of this exception (e.g., additional references, Graduate Record Exam scores, life experiences, etc.). This exception does not apply to school counseling applicants because of Department of Public Instruction licensure rules.
- Sufficient background** in the behavioral sciences including coursework in the following:
- Human Development (e.g. Lifespan development, child development, etc.)
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
**Applicants may be admitted to the program with "deficiencies" if they have do not have sufficient background in behavioral sciences. These courses must be taken within the first nine (9) credits of graduate coursework and will not count toward the Master’s degree requirements. Some applicants choose to take these courses prior to enrolling in the program.
Admission to the program is a competitive process based on the following criteria:
- Academic preparation [Please note: the GRE is NOT required]
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Experience in counseling or related positions
- Demonstrated commitment to the counseling field
- Dispositions
Application Process
Application to the UW-Whitewater School of Graduate Studies (Apply Online Now)
Official transcripts from every college you’ve attended sent electronically directly by the university to gradtranscript@uww.edu
- Deadline - October 1 or February 1 (both deadlines are for either a summer or fall start)
- The application and $56.00 application fee must be submitted by the deadline.
Application materials required by the UW-Whitewater Counselor Education Department:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Personal Statement containing the following four sections:
- Section 1 — Autobiography: Tell us about the life events that are bringing you to the counseling profession
- Section 2 — Future Career Goals: Tell us about your future career goals in the counseling field and how the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Counselor Education program can support you in meeting these goals
- Section 3 — Ability to cope with ambiguity: Reflect on a time when you experienced uncertainty in your life, how did you cope, what was that like for you (address all three areas)
- Section 4 — Ability to cope with transitions and change: Reflect on a time when you had to cope with a significant change and/or transition in your life. What were your strengths and what were your challenges (address all three areas)
- Two Letters of Recommendation. Please select persons knowledgeable about your potential to do graduate work and function successfully as a counselor.
All documents must be submitted through the Graduate School application portal by the admissions due date for consideration in the current admissions process. When the due date falls on the weekend, the next business day becomes the effective due date.
For more information, please contact the School of Graduate Studies at 262-472-1006 or gradschl@uww.edu and Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator Ola Bamgbose at bamgboso@uww.edu or (262) 472-1035.
Program Interview
Individuals who submit all application materials by the due date will have applications reviewed. After that time, you will be notified by email how to schedule your interview. Our fall 2024 Interview Day is Friday, October 25, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.. Our February 2025 Interview Days are February 14 and February 21.
We look forward to meeting you and learning more about you through the application process! If you have questions about the admissions process, please contact Associate Professor and Program Coordinator Ola Bamgbose at bamgboso@uww.edu or 262-472-1035.