Applying to Mental Health Counseling Program

Mental Health Counseling accepts admission applications only for Fall and Spring semesters.

Mental Health Counseling Admission Deadlines: 

Important: A complete application must include all the required documents listed below. Only complete applications submitted by the deadlines will be reviewed for admission. Applications missing any required document or information will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.

Admissions Requirements:  A minimum 3.0 GPA on cumulative undergraduate record (or previous 60 hours completed as evaluated by the counseling admission committee) prior to admission. Applications are screened, reviewed, and assessed by the counseling program admissions committee based on the completion and quality of the requirements and potential for the student’s success in the program. Students must include the following required documents in their application (all documents must be in English):

1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume 
2. Three Statements: The statements of intent, diversity, and interpersonal relationships must be written separately and address the questions in each statement. The statements will be evaluated based on the quality of the applicant’s responses to the specific questions of each statement. Each statement should be well-written and thoroughly edited to remove spelling and grammatical errors; and in English, APA 7^th edition format. The length should be no more than 4 pages and no less than 1 page.
   • Statement of intent: Write a statement clearly stating the reasons you would like to become a school or mental health counselor. Please make sure you write this statement in reference to the specific program you are applying to (i.e., school counseling; mental health counseling).
   • Statement of interpersonal relationships: Briefly describe (1) an experience in which you acted in a helping role. (2) What qualities you possess that you believe will make an effective mental health counselor or school counselor, and (3) what skills do you think you need to develop in your ability to help others? Please make sure you address these questions in reference to the specific program you are applying to (i.e., mental health counseling, school counseling).
   • Statement of diversity: is an important value of our programs. Think about your experiences with various diverse groups and describe some of your experiences that show your commitment to diversity. How have these experiences helped you challenge various stereotypes? Address any personal assumptions, values or biases that could potentially provide difficulty for serving culturally diverse clients. Please make sure you address these questions in reference to the specific program you are applying to (i.e., school counseling; mental health counseling).

3. Three professional letters of recommendation(in English language):

• • Recommendations must be completed by references who know you well and have direct knowledge about your performance at work or school (e.g. your former/current supervisor, employer, professor, instructor, or academic advisor who know your strengths and potential as a graduate student in the counseling program).
  • Letters should include how they know you and why they think you should be accepted to the program.
  • Recommendation letters must be in English.
  • Recommendation letters are preferred to be on organization letterhead.
  • Recommenders must be registered through your Graduate School application by name and email.
  • Recommendation letters are accepted ONLY through the Graduate School online application, no paper copies or email letters will be accepted.
  • Waiving your rights to view the recommendation letter:
    • If you check the box to waive your rights, you cannot upload the letters yourself, and they MUST come directly from the recommender. Even if you only upload one of the three letters, you cannot check the box to waive your rights. (Preferred option)
    • If you do not check the box to waive your rights, you can upload your own copy of the recommendation letter instead of having the recommender directly upload through their email.
  • The professional letters of reference should be professional letters from your former/current supervisor, employer, professor, instructor, or academic advisor who know your strengths and potential as a graduate student in the counseling program. Please ask your reference to write and submit their letters in English language.
  • Please see further information regarding how to get a recommendation letter: https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/april-2018/how-to-ask-for-recommendations.html

4. Official transcripts(from each of the colleges or universities the applicant previously attended).
   • A minimum 3.0 GPA on cumulative undergraduate record (or previous 60 hours completed as evaluated by the counseling admission committee) prior to admission.
   • For international applicants and applicants who graduated from a foreign institution, please note that all transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation prepared by the educational institution, an American Consulate, or a certified English translator. All documents submitted to the University for admission purposes including transcripts, become part of the official files of the University and cannot be released or returned to the student or to another institution. Please see further information on Graduate School: http://catalog.utep.edu/admissions/graduate/graduate-student/

English Test

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET): An international applicants’ official TOEFL / IELTS / DET test scores must be sent to and received by the Graduate School (school code is 6829) prior to the application deadline. 

• Minimum TOEFL Paper Based score: 550
• Minimum TOEFL Internet Based score: 79
• Minimum IELTS score: 6.5
• Minimum Duolingo score: 105

An English proficiency test is not required if international applicants received a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited English-speaking country. (List of Exempt Countries). TOEFL / IELTS / DET scores older than two years are expired and will not be accepted. However, scores previously filed with UTEP’s Graduate School before the two-year expiration may be used for one more year if the application was deferred. Applicants with expired test scores as defined above or who have never taken it before must then take one of these English proficiency tests.

In general, it takes about three-to-four weeks for UTEP to receive the official scores depending on whether scores were mailed or sent electronically. The test should be taken at least a month before the deadline to avoid delays. The TOEFL test and DET are offered at UTEP's Student Assessment and Testing Office, 915-747-5009, testing@utep.edu, and academics.utep.edu/testing. Official test scores are provided on the same day. The TOEFL test is also offered by the Thompson Prometric Testing Center, 8550 Boeing Drive, Suite 200, 915-881-8359, www.prometric.com. Another testing center for the TOEFL test is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Practice exams and tutorials for the TOEFL are available at www.toefl.org. Applicants can learn and find out more about the IELTS at www.ielts.org. Applicants can learn more about the DET at www.englishtest.duolingo.com/

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FAQ

1. Is there any prerequisite to apply for the UTEP Mental Health Counseling program?

No, there is no prerequisite course.

2. Is the UTEP Mental Health Counseling program online?

No. UTEP Mental health program is a Face-to-Face program. Students are required to attend classes on campus in El Paso, Texas. Although there are few courses offered online and hybrid, students are required to come to campus to take courses and complete the program.

3. What time are classes offered?

Most of our courses are offered after 5pm.

4. Is GRE required?

No, GRE is not required to apply for the UTEP Mental Health Counseling program.

5. Does my application need to be completed in English?

The application and all supporting documents must be in English.

6. What happens if my application is not complete?

It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

7. My reference is unable to provide their reference letter before the deadline. Will you accept their reference after the deadline?

No, applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the deadline. You are encouraged to ask another reference to write the letter and submit it on time.

8. Can I submit my application after the deadline date?

Applications completed and submitted after the deadline will be considered for the next cycle of admission. For example, if you complete or submit your application 1 day after the Fall deadline, your application will be considered for Spring Admission.

9. I am still confused with those three statements. Can you explain further in detail?

Yes.  You are going to submit one PDF file for each statement: Statement of Intent, Statement of Diversity, and Statement of Interpersonal relationship. Please read the specific instruction and questions listed on each statement and make sure answer and address ALL questions on each statement. Your statements will be evaluated based on the quality of your responses to the specific questions of each statement and the quality of the writing. Each statement should be written in English, APA 7^th edition format, and the length should be no more than 4 pages and no less than 1 page.

10. I am a student in a counseling program at another institution, can I transfer credits?

Transfer of graduate credits from a CACREP accredited program within a regionally accredited institution* is limited to 9 hours for the master's degree. All transfer credit must have been completed with a grade of “B” or better, completed within the last six years, and approved by the Counseling program faculty and the University of Texas at El Paso. Transfer credits should be evaluated and approved by program faculty during the student's first semester. The course being transferred into a degree program should be a direct equivalent to the course within the certification/degree program. Students should work with their advisors to have courses evaluated for transfer. Transfer credit is not guaranteed and is subject to Counseling faculty review and approval. Previous work experience is not accepted as transfer credit into the program.

 *Recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

11. I submitted my application, when should I hear about the admission decisions?

Thank you for submitting your application. The admission decision email will be sent by the Department in July (for fall semester admission) and in December (for spring semester admission). We appreciate your patience, thank you!