Home / Clinical Mental Health Counseling / Apply: Master of Education in Counseling

Apply: Master of Education in Counseling

Congratulations on your decision to pursue the next step in your professional development. We are happy to work with you to make the process as easy and streamlined as possible.

Program Delivery

The Stephens College Counseling program delivers courses using in-person/synchronous (i.e., in-class,
face-to-face) and digital/synchronous (i.e., zoom/face-to-face at a dedicated date/time). Course delivery
types are noted in the 3-year course rotation document. All in-class/synchronous courses are taught on the
Stephens College main campus in Columbia, MO. Faculty advisors will also highlight course delivery
methods during advising meetings.

Program Admission

The counseling program admits new cohorts during each Fall semester, with the deadline for Fall
admission set at February 1st of the previous spring semester. The program may admit new students up to
the beginning of the Fall semester and at the beginning of the spring semester based on availability.

Application Requirements

 Here are some quick links to our application process and financial aid office. 

Online Application Portal: Stephens College  

Financial Aid Office: Graduate Financial Aid | Financial Aid Eligibility (stephens.edu)  

When you apply to the Stephens College M.Ed. in Counseling program, you’ll be expected to provide:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 (strongly preferred). For applicants whose GPA is lower than 3.0, consideration may be given if your last 60 credit hours are at a 3.0 or above.
• Current resume
• Three recommendations by professional or academic references (completed through application portal)
• Statement of purpose: Describe in no more than 2 pages (double-spaced) your decision to apply for a counseling program, why Stephens College’s counseling program in particular, and your career goals
• $50 application fee Pay application fee
• A background check through Family Care Safety Registry
• Official transcripts for bachelor’s degree and any previous graduate credits earned. To be deemed official, transcripts must be sent to Stephens College directly from your institution.
  • If your past institution can submit electronic transcripts, they may be emailed to admissions@stephens.edu.
  • Paper transcripts should be mailed to:

Stephens College Office of Admissions
1200 E. Broadway, Campus Box 2121
Columbia, MO 65215

Note: A transcript submitted from a student will NOT be deemed official unless it arrives to Stephens College in a sealed envelope with the institution’s stamp across the flap.

Non-native international students are required to complete and submit official TOEFL or IELTS examination scores. TOEFL score must be a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test or 79-80 on the Internet based test. IELTS score must be a minimum of 6.5 with no individual band score below 6.0. Stephens College may also accept the completion of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-based, regionally accredited institution, as proof of English proficiency.

Selection Process

• Selection of students will involve a two-step process including review of applications and an interview (in-person or virtual as directed by the College). Initial evaluation of applications will be conducted by members of the Admissions Committee. The criteria described above will be used to select candidates for acceptance.
• Acceptance Decisions
  • Offers of acceptance into the program are made throughout the entire interview process. If a student is offered a seat in the program, the program director will email the applicant directly with an official notice of acceptance and formal offer for admission.
• Candidates will be divided into the following categories:
  • Accepted: The candidate is accepted to enter with their defined start term.
  • Waitlisted: Candidates will be informed of their waitlist status. At any point up until the start of classes, if a spot becomes available in the cohort, the candidate will be contacted with an offer of admission.
  • Denied: The candidate is not accepted for entrance into the program.
• An on-campus orientation and completed Intent to Enroll form are required for all accepted students who intend to begin the program.

Admission Interview

An in-person admission interview is required for admission and generally occurs in mid to late February. Admission interviews are generally set up as dyads or triads, are one hour in length, and are conducted on campus in Walter Hall. A completed application is required for admission consideration/interview consideration. Applicants selected for an in-person interview will be notified by the program’s graduate assistant via email, with follow-up by phone as needed. Following formal notification, the program’s graduate assistant will communicate with applicants to set up an interview time. If significant geographical distance or health-related issues prevent an applicant from attending the in-person interview, the applicant may formally request a zoom interview from the program director.

Admission Deferral

Deferments are not allowed. If a student is admitted and chooses not to attend, the individual must reapply for admission.

Need more direction?

How to Apply Schedule a visit Info for Prospective Students