Our online application is available for browsing and starting at any time. The application walks you through each of the admission requirements which can help with your planning. You can return throughout the process to update as you go.
Please request a detailed information packet for full instructions on each of the following requirements. We look forward to supporting you through the process.
- Personal Statement of Intent: (3-4 pages, double-spaced). Question prompts are included both in the application and in the information packet.
- Official transcripts (one set) from all colleges and universities you attended, including community colleges. A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or international equivalency) is required for all graduate degree programs.
- GPA Requirement Generally speaking, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required. Candidates who do not meet the minimum GPA of 3.0 will be contacted by the Admissions office to complete the “Request for Exception to the GPA Requirement Form" once they have applied, along with an accompanying statement, to add as a component in the review and evaluation of your application.
- Two letters of recommendation from recent professors, employers, or professional supervisors that address your academic ability and counseling career aptitude. (Please do not request recommendations from relatives, family church clergy, etc.) The application will request the name, title, and email address of each recommender. A confidential link will be then be sent directly to each of your recommender's.
All program candidates are required to submit proof of completing the Certificate of Clearance process in the application (or, for out-of-state applicants, of initiating the COC process).
- Certificate of Clearance (all MA, LPCC, and PPS programs) - upload proof of receiving your Certificate of Clearance (a screenshot from CTC will suffice), or for out-of-state residents, upload proof of initiating the COC process with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. For out-of-state applicants, a scanned copy of the official CTC page listing your application date is acceptable.
Candidates pursuing the M.A. in School Counseling and M.A. in Counseling with School Counseling Specialization with the PPS Credential for School Counseling are also required to provide Basic Skills verification as part of the application process. Your Graduate Admission Counselor will provide further guidance on this requirement as well.
- California Basic Skills Requirement for California PPS Credential Program Applicants only. In the application, you are asked to answer the question regarding a "plan" on how you intend to meet the three Basic Skills (reading, writing, and math). Many applicants are able to meet the requirement in each skill area via degree applicable coursework they completed as an undergraduate student with a grade of B- or better. Your Graduate Admission Counselor will automatically review your previous undergraduate coursework to see if you are able to meet all three categories (Reading, Writing, Math) via coursework. The various requirement opportunities are listed at the official CTC Basic Skills link. In addition to undergraduate coursework, another common method is via SAT or ACT scores. Some candidates may need to take one or more skill areas from the CBEST exam. California residents may receive an exam fee waiver.