Graduate Program of Study in Counseling
Admission to the Community Counseling Program
Student Requirements & Responsibilities: Application & Admissions
Students seeking the Master of Science degree in Counseling may, depending on their career goals, select degree plans that meet the academic requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) or certification as a Louisiana Elementary or Secondary School Counselor. Some students may pursue both licensure and certification. See Appendix I, "Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor," for information about requirements. See Appendix II, "Requirements for Elementary and Secondary Counselor Certification."
Licensed Professional Counselor Licensure. Students who wish to become Licensed Professional Counselors must obtain a master's degree in counseling, with a minimum of 48 graduate hours of coursework in specified areas, document 3000 clock hours of post-master's board approved supervised counseling experience and pass the state licensing board examination.
School Counseling. The master's program leading toward the Louisiana Elementary or Secondary School Counselor Certification requires a minimum of 48 hours. To be eligible for the professional certificate, students must possess a valid Louisiana teaching certificate and three years of successful teaching experience. The level of the teaching certificate will determine the level allowed for the counseling endorsement (i.e. Elementary Certified Teachers can only be certified as Elementary School Counselors). Effective the fall of 2000, students who have obtained the LPC and who have completed an internship/practicum in a school setting are also eligible for Louisiana School Counselor Certification. Appendix I contains the Louisiana State Bulletin 996 information governing Elementary and Secondary School Counselor Certification. Students who already possess the master's degree in a related educational area may elect to pursue elementary or secondary school counselor certification only. Certification, without a second master's degree, requires the completion of all required courses listed in Bulletin 996.
Application Requirements
Admission for Loyola University’s M.S. Program in Counseling requires that students submit all of the application materials listed below. Deadlines for receipt of all application materials are August 1, December 1 and May 1. Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Education and Counseling Department Office, Mercy 210. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to any member of the counseling faculty at (504) 864-7840 and/or the Admissions Office at (504) 864-7840. Online Admissions Application
Completed application materials include:
- A completed application form.
- A brief resume outlining relevant degrees and course work, paid or volunteer work experiences, any honors, presentations, papers, and other life experiences.
- Official results of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), with a recommended score of at least the 50th percentile, or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), with an equivalent combined score. GRE/MAT scores must be less than 5 years in age. Students with scores below the 50th percentile on either test may be considered for probationary admission to graduate study if their application materials exhibit other evidence of potential for success in the program.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended sent directly to the Loyola Graduate Admissions Office.
- Official transcripts showing the last degree conferred and the last 60 semester hours of course work completed. These transcripts will be used to calculate the grade point average (GPA) for the last 60 hours. Applicants must have earned a 3.0 or higher GPA in the last 60 hours of course work. Students with GPAs below 3.0 may be considered for probationary admission if their application materials exhibit other evidence of potential for success in the program.
- Three completed recommendation forms. Applicants should obtain recommendations from individuals who are in a position to comment about the applicant’s:
- Ability to complete a rigorous course of graduate study
- Ability to act professionally and ethically
- Sensitivity to the needs of others
- Potential contributions to the graduate program
- Commitment to the counseling profession
Note: All of the aforementioned must be submitted to the Admissions Office. (Please do not submit materials to the Education and Counseling Department.). Once the application packet is complete it will be forwarded to the Education and Counseling Department for review. Admission materials are not forwarded to the department until all materials are received.
Additional application requirements
- Writing Sample (Schedule the writing sample by contacting the Education and Counseling Department office once the application materials are submitted.)
- Structured Personal Interview (Applicants will receive a written reminder to schedule the interview.)
- Deadlines for submitting applications are August 1, December 1 and May 1. In the event that the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted the following working day, on or before the close of business on that day. Late applications will not be accepted. Students who submit incomplete applications will not be considered for admission to the program. Applicants who submit properly completed applications will need to be interviewed and complete a writing sample. Once the application packet is submitted applicants should contact the Education and Counseling Department office to schedule a time to complete the writing sample and the interview. The admissions committee will make one of three decisions. Students may be admitted, admitted on probation (conditionally) or they may be denied admission to the program.