Professional Counseling Certificate Admission & Application Requirements

Apply and complete your graduate application in October for Spring 2025 enrollment and have your $35 application fee reimbursed!

Deadlines

  • Spring: November 15 (flexible)

Part 1: Graduate Studies Application

Admission Requirement
Instructions
  1. Online graduate application

Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.

  1. $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications

After you complete the Graduate Online Application:

  • Log in to eServices with your StarID.
  • Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.

Note: Upon completion of the application form in step one, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days giving instructions for the remaining steps and completing the program application in Part 2. Please note that the steps below cannot be completed until you receive that email. If you do not receive the email with Self Service Center instructions, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.

  1. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

Contact ALL the colleges and universities you have attended and have your transcripts sent to:

Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563

You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.

Part 2: Graduate Program Application

  1. Master’s degree from an accredited institution

This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.

  1. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits

This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.

Professional Counseling Certificate Application Deadlines

  • Fall: April 1
  • Spring: November 15

Steps to Apply

You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.

  1. Create your account in GradCAS
  2. Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
  3. Complete the three general application sections.
  4. Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
  5. Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
  6. Pay the $50 application fee.

The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.

Professional Counseling Admission Requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • A master's degree in counseling.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.

Professional Counseling Application Requirements

  • GradCAS application
  • A current resume.
  • Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
  • An essay detailing your personal career goals (approximately 350 words).
  • An informational interview is required.

For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@mnstate.edu.

Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.

Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
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