Admissions and Information Sessions

Application Deadline

The Department of Counseling reviews applications once each year. The deadline for Master's applications is OCTOBER 15 to apply to begin coursework in Summer or Fall 2024. Students cannot begin their program of study in the Spring semester.

Please note that the October 15 deadline is final. Applicants must have all application materials (application, references, transcripts, résumé,and fee) submitted by October 15 to be considered for admission. Applications submitted or completed after October 15 are not guaranteed review by the admissions committee. Admission to the UNC Charlotte counseling program is competitive, and applicants are highly encouraged to have all application materials submitted by the October 15 deadline.

Program Information Sessions

Each year, Department of Counseling faculty host information sessions for prospective students. 

The current schedule of sessions is listed below. Please be sure to register for each session you would like to attend by clicking on the Zoom link provided.

Virtual Program Information Session - (ET)

Please register to attend the September session via Zoom here:

https://charlotte-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrde2rpzIrHtI4VB5K70Zxpao5Q8M4mpTv

*If you cannot a program information session, please email claremerlin@uncc.edu after the session and request a recording.

Admissions Process

Admission into UNC Charlotte's Master's in Counseling program is competitive. In the 2022 application cycle, 29% of counseling program applicants were accepted into the program. Faculty seek students from a variety of backgrounds who are passionate about becoming counselors. Criteria for admission into the Master's counseling program include an applicant’s potential success in forming effective interpersonal relationships in individual and small-group contexts, aptitude for graduate level study, relevant career goals, openness to self-examination, and potential for personal and professional self-development. Students are not required to have an undergraduate major in any particular field to enter the counseling program. Applications are reviewed holistically by a committee of faculty in the Department of Counseling.

All applications must be submitted electronically through the UNC Charlotte Graduate School. Please note:

  • Applications must include a statement of purpose explaining the applicant's interest in UNC Charlotte's counseling program. Statements of purpose should be 1-2 pages in length and fully address all components of the prompt.
  • Applications also must include three professional references, transcripts from all universities attended, a résumé, and a completed application. 
  • Entrace exam scores from the GRE or MAT are not required for admission. Applicants who have taken the GRE or MAT may choose to submit scores, but they are not required.
  • All application materials, including transcripts and recommendations, must be received by UNC Charlotte by October 15 to be considered. Any applications that are submitted but incomplete by this deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed. Late applications will only be reviewed for admission if space and time allow.

Click here to apply to the Master's Counseling Program!

Application Timeline

Applications are reviewed once per year in October for admission the subsequent Summer or Fall semester.  Select applicants are invited to a group interview in January. Applicants are typically notified of admissions decisions in February.