Admission Information for Counseling Psychology Specialization

APPLICATION DEADLINE

January 15th

Introduction

The Doctoral Program in Urban Education seeks applications for the specialization in Counseling Psychology from individuals who have a master’s degree in counseling or clinical psychology or a closely related field, research experience, experience in an applied setting, a strong academic record, good communication skills, and strong letters of recommendation (including letters from graduate faculty). An undergraduate GPA of 2.85, and a graduate GPA of 3.5 are preferred. GRE scores are optional. Admission decisions also are influenced by space limitations, students’ evidence of commitment and interest in urban multicultural issues, aptitude for research, and a match between student interests and faculty expertise. Approximately five Counseling Psychology doctoral students will be admitted each year.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Graduate Application
• Curriculum Vita
• Personal Statement
• Official copies of all academic transcripts
• 3 Letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a faculty member from previous graduate work)
• GRE scores are optional

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A personal statement regarding your professional interests and goals should be included with your application. This statement should not exceed 3 pages single spaced. We are interested in knowing what attracted you to the field of counseling psychology and to doctoral program at Cleveland State University. Describe your experiences in applied settings (e. g., hotline experience, residential treatment staff, field placements) and your research experiences (e. g., assisting with a faculty member’s research, professional presentations, publications, or master’s thesis). Applicants should describe their experiences and skills with quantitative research methods and statistics in their personal statements. In addition, applicants should address the personal characteristics that will enable them to succeed in a doctoral program that requires a minimum of three courses in quantitative research and statistics. Please describe your goals for graduate study, as well as your goals for your professional career. Be specific in describing your interests in research and practice, particularly as they relate to diverse urban populations.

PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION

Applicants to the counseling psychology specialization must have a master’s degree in counseling or clinical psychology, or a closely related field. In addition, the following master’s level prerequisite courses or their equivalents are required and may be completed either prior to beginning doctoral study or concurrently with doctoral studies. Please refer to the section on course descriptions in this catalog.

• CNS 504 - Cultural & Social Foundations in Counseling  
• CNS 505 - Appraisal Counseling   
• CNS 517 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling   
• CNS 620 - Laboratory in Counseling Techniques   
• CNS 622 - Individual Counseling: Theory & Process   
• CNS 623 - Group Process and Practice  
• CNS 524 - Career Development & Information Services  
• CNS 706 - Psychopathology and Diagnosis for Counselors  
• EDB 601 - Research in Education and Human Services  

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

Applications will be reviewed by the Counseling Psychology Core Faculty who will select the top candidates to invite to campus for an interview. Invitations for interviews will be made by February 1st of each year. Interviews will be conducted by 4-5 counseling psychology core faculty members who will then make recommendations for admission, and then submit to the doctoral studies committee of the College of Public Affairs and Education for final approval.

Offers of Admission will be made by March 15th of each year.

Students must accept or decline offers in writing by April 15th of each year.

Admission Information for Other Specializations

The Doctoral Program admits a class of twenty students each year that proceeds as a cohort. Applicants must submit:

1. A completed admission application form
2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended
3. Official GRE test scores are optional
4. A current curriculum vita
5. A personal statement as noted below
6. Two letters of recommendation. At least one should be from a college professor familiar with the applicant’s graduate-level academic ability.

A personal statement regarding your professional interests and goals should be included with your application. This statement should not exceed 3 pages single spaced. We are interested in knowing what attracted you to the field of urban education, to the particular specialization that you are applying for, and to the doctoral program at Cleveland State University. Describe your experiences in applied settings (e.g., professional positions, volunteer activities) and your research experiences (e.g., assisting with a faculty member’s research, professional presentations, publications, or master’s thesis).  Applicants should describe their experiences and skills with quantitative research methods and statistics in their personal statements. In addition, applicants should address the personal characteristics that will enable them to succeed in a doctoral program that requires a minimum of three courses in quantitative research and statistics. Please describe your goals for graduate study, as well as your goals for your professional career. Be specific in describing your interests in research and practice, particularly as they relate to diverse urban populations.

Based on completed applications, a pool of candidates is invited to participate in further screening through an interview process with three members of the graduate faculty. To be invited for an interview, the applicant must have a minimum master’s grade-point average of 3.25 and meet two of the following four criteria:

1. Demonstrated research experience through a thesis or research project at the master’s level or an authored publication in a refereed research journal;
2. Successful completion of at least one graduate research course and one graduate statistics course with a grade of B or better, prior to admission to the doctoral program
3. Sustained and significant professional and/or volunteer experience and success with urban economic, social, political, and/or educational issues as evidenced by the candidate’s CV, personal statement and/or references. This can include evidence of extensive and successful leadership, policy or pedagogy innovations, teaching, or therapeutic performance. Applicants may submit additional supporting materials to document urban experience.
4. GRE scores on each section (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytic Writing) above the 50th percentile

If a candidate has taken only one graduate research or statistics course with a B or better, the committee may decide to admit a student with the requirement that they complete an additional graduate research or statistics course with a B or better to be fully admitted prior to beginning the doctoral program.

The application deadline for priority admissions is the first Monday in February. Application materials for any remaining slots will be accepted through March 15. Submit application materials online.

The Doctoral Studies Committee makes an admission recommendation based on the applicant’s ability to meet the screening criteria stated above and the results of the interview. The admission action and supporting materials are transmitted to the applicant.

Apply Now: https://grad.engagecsu.com/

School Administration

The School Administration specialization requires as a prerequisite a master’s degree in administration and leads to a state license for various administrative positions.

Adult, Continuing and Higher Education

The Adult, Continuing and Higher Education specialization accepts applicants from a broader range of master’s study and prepares them for administrative roles in higher education and adult education, including human resource development and community agencies.

Pre-Requisite:

• ALD 607 - Adult Education in a Changing Society

Counseling Psychology

Counseling Psychology requires prior Master’s study in counseling, psychology, or a closely related field. This specialization trains counseling psychologists who have the requisite knowledge base and therapeutic skills for entry into the practice of professional psychology and competent practice within a multicultural diverse urban society, and will contribute to and/or apply the scientific knowledge base of psychology using skills in research methods. This curriculum meets academic prerequisites for eligibility for licensing as a psychologist in the State of Ohio.

Learning and Development

The Learning and Development specialization accepts applicants interested in the improvement of instruction through understanding individual differences in learners and learning environments with an emerging emphasis on technology. Graduates pursue teaching and instructional leadership roles in K-12, teacher, higher education, and adult education settings.

Policy Studies

Policy Studies accepts applicants with a broader range of master’s-level study and prepares them for policy-leadership and school-reform roles in a variety of educational settings.

Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

The Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language specialization accepts applicants who are fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English, and prepares them to teach and support teachers whose specialty is or will be teaching Chinese to students with a first language other than Chinese, and/or decision-makers charged with administration of such a program. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or higher in order to apply for admission; teaching certification in the field of Chinese is recommended but not required. This specialization includes required coursework delivered at a distance by Chinese institutions of higher education.