Presently, the counselor education programs admits students for the summer and fall terms. Screening of applications is continuous, but preferred deadlines for application are: March 1st for Summer admission; April 1st for Fall admission.

Selection for admission is based on these criteria:

I. Academic achievement. Applicants must first meet the requirements of the Graduate School. The junior and senior years of undergraduate study are particularly crucial. Although all undergraduate majors are considered, students are expected to have courses in the humanities and social sciences. Students admitted without this background may be required to complete additional work in their graduate program.

II. Demonstrated leadership or significant work experience. Candidates are expected to demonstrate leadership and experiential qualities through activities such as student teaching, human service activities, and volunteer work.

III. Examination Score. An acceptable score on either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is required.

IV. Letters of recommendation. Three letters of recommendation should be included in the application. These letters should be from supervisors, former professors, and others who attest to the candidate's ability and potential as a future counselor.

V. Interview and Writing Exercise. Applicants who meet the minimum admissions' standards for the program are invited for an interview and a writing exercise. After the interview and writing sample are completed, a decision on admission is made by the counselor education faculty.

Newly admitted students are asked to complete COAD 5370, Introduction to Counseling and Human Services, and EDUC 6480, Introduction to Educational Research, early in their program or another approved introductory graduate level research course. Student progress is reviewed by counselor education faculty as part of continued matriculation through the program.

The Educational Specialist Degree requires 30 semester hours, consisting of 15 hours of 7000 Counselor Education Courses and 15 hrs in elective courses that are appropriate to the needs and work setting of students. Students must pass a Comprehensive Examination. Selection into the sixth-year program is based on the following criteria:

I. A Master's Degree in Counselor Education or allied field of study (e.g., M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling, M.A. in Counseling Psychology) with at least a 3.25 average.

II. A minimum of at least one year of experience as a practicing counselor or its equivalent.

III. A satisfactory score on either the MAT or GRE. (Applicants who have passed the National Counselor Examination (NCE) may request that score be considered in lieu of an MAT or GRE result.)

IV. Three letters of recommendation.

V. An interview with members of the Counselor Education faculty.

Application for admission to the Graduate School is made on forms furnished by the Graduate School. All applicants for admissions pay a nondeductible, nonrefundable fee. The application form and all supporting documents should be received by the Graduate School, Ragsdale Building, (252) 328-6012. A request for information can be completed online at http://www.ecu.edu/gradschool/.

For the Masters degree in counselor education, preferred deadlines are Feb 1st for summer term, and March 1st for fall semester. For the Educational Specialist degree, applications should be received at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the intended semester or summer term. Applicants are asked to furnish two official transcripts from each institution attended since high school, test scores from the MAT or GRE, and at least three letters of recommendation. Once the application is complete and has been forwarded by the Graduate School to the Counselor Education program, the applicant will be contacted about completing a writing sample and interview.