Admission to a Graduate Certification Program
1. Application: Completed on-line application for graduate admission. Complete online at ApplyTexas.
2. Official transcripts of all non-UHV coursework and degrees conferred. Send transcripts directly to:
University of Houston-Victoria
Attn: Admissions Processing
3007 N. Ben Wilson St.
Victoria, TX 77901
Transcripts can also be emailed to admissions@uhv.edu
3. Completion of a background check. The Graduate Professional Counseling Criminal Background Check Form should be completed and mailed to:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 15999
Austin, Texas 78761
4. The statement of purpose must be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-pt font. The length of the statement should be 1-2 pages maximum (250-500 words) and should address the following criteria:
1. Your professional goals and the reason you are pursuing education and training in professional counseling, rather than in another mental health discipline (such as psychology, social work, or counseling psychology). Header: “Professional Goals”
a. Describe any significant life events and how they have contributed to the development of your professional goals.
2. Your major strengths and weaknesses with respect to being admitted into this program. Header: “Strengths & Weaknesses”
3. Your perspective on diversity including a) how would you contribute to and benefit from the richness of our Professional Counseling Program, and b) how would you increase inclusion of diversity in the counseling profession. Header: “Diversity”
Applicants must email their statement of purpose (in PDF format) to the School of Education at EduCertAnalyst@uhv.edu Applicants should include their full name, UHV student ID (which will be received a few days after the Apply Texas application is completed) on the statement of purpose and in the subject line of the email. Applicants should also include inthe body of the email an explanation for what they are submitting so that the College of Education & Health Professions can match it with the applicant’s admissions file.
5. Recommendation Forms/Letters: Submission of (3) three different recommendation forms and corresponding letters are required. Each of the three recommendation forms must have an accompanying recommendation letter that addresses your potential for success in the profession and your ability to complete a graduate program. Each form must be completed it its’ entirety, and each letter must provide clear evidence that addresses the candidate’s potential which will enable the individual to become a counselor. Forms and their corresponding letters of recommendation should be from an academic source, preferably a professor or academic official who is familiar with your academic history and achievement. If you have been out of school for several years, recommendations may come from your employer or supervisor.
Send Counselor Recommendation Form and Letter directly to:
University of Houston-Victoria
Attn: College of Education & Health Professions
3007 N. Ben Wilson St.
Victoria, TX 77901
Recommendation Forms/Letters can also be emailed to EduCertAnalyst@uhv.edu
6. Program Interview: Aprogram interview with UHV graduate faculty in professional counseling. The purpose of the interview is:
(1) to assess personal qualities useful for graduate and eventual professional work as a counselor; (2) to clarify questions that the committee may have about applicant’s admissions materials; (3) determine whether the applicant’s professional goals are in alignment with the objectives of the program; and (4) to share more information about the program with applicants.
If application materials are deemed satisfactory, applicants will be invited to interview with the admissions interview committee.
All applications must be complete to be considered for admission into the Professional Counseling program. All students must gain entry to the Professional School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree specialization track before school counseling certification can be added to a degree. Graduate admission to UHV does not ensure students will be admitted to the Professional Counseling Program.
Program Application and Interview Schedule:
- Term of Admission: Fall
- Application Deadline: January 31
• Program Interviews: March
Due to adherence to faculty-to-student ratios, applicants may be accepted and waitlisted for spring or summer admission. Registration timelines are set by the UHV Registrar’s Office and are subject to change. We encourage you to explore our web site. You may contact any of our faculty to inquire about the M.S. in Professional Counseling.
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