Program Description

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Instructions

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 how you will 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.) 

English Proficiency Requirements

All Mason students must have a full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. Click here to view the requirements.

International Transcript Requirements

All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Mason Office of Admissions. Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts, however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Because of volume, more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation. You should submit your application 6 weeks prior to the deadline if you plan to utilize Mason’s free evaluation service. For expedited service, students may submit their documents to any NACES member organization at their own expense. If you decide to use an external evaluation service or if your program requires an outside evaluation, GPA and Degree equivalences must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. Mason evaluations are used for internal purposes and are not released to applicants. For information on international transcript requirements, go here.