Policy Regarding Applicants with a Previous Master’s Degree

Graduate Catalog:  If students have a master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field to their area of study, they may use this in place of the GRE General Test. Each department has the discretion to approve this exception to the GRE requirement.

Committee for consideration of this exception to the GRE requirement:  This committee is made up of the program coordinators of the programs of school counseling, mental health counseling, and student affairs. Currently this committee includes Dr. Donald R. Nims (chair) and Dr. Cynthia Mason.

Criteria for determining the exception to the GRE requirement:

1. Student must apply to Graduate Studies with the appropriate application forms and transcripts forwarded to Graduate Studies.
    
2. Student must have a master’s degree from an accredited institution.
    
3. This master’s degree must be in a field related to the area of study such as counselor-education, social work, psychology, etc.
    
4. The student submits a letter of application; i.e., a Personal Statement that describes prior academic experience, professional experience, and goals for the program.
    
5. The student will submit 2 letters-of-recommendation from individuals who can speak to the student’s work ethic, character, professional experience, and academic potential in the degree program to which the student is applying.

Procedure for evaluating application materials for deciding to exempt the GRE requirement:

1. Student applies to Graduate Studies for admission to the counseling programs under the waiver of the GRE requirement due to a prior master’s degree.
    
2. As part of the application process, the student provides Graduate Studies with:
   1. A letter of application; i.e., a Personal Statement that describes prior academic experience, professional experience, and goals for the program, and
   2. Two letters-of-recommendation from individuals who can speak to the student’s work ethic, character, professional experience, and academic potential in the degree program to which the student is applying.
       
3. The departmental admissions committee receives the required materials from Graduate Studies.
    
4. The student meets for a personal interview with the departmental admissions committee.
    
5. The committee meets to evaluate the information from the written documentation and the personal interview and makes a decision to recommend or not recommend the exception to the GRE requirement.
    
6. This recommendation, with a clear rationale for the decision, is forwarded in writing to the department head for his/her recommendation.
    
7. The recommendation is then forwarded to the Dean of the College of Education and Behaviors Sciences for his/her consideration and recommendation to Graduate Studies.

Approved: November 27, 2007