Bachelor’s/Master’s Early-Entry Option

The early-entry program, an option available only to undergraduate psychology majors at Valparaiso University, allows qualified students to apply for early entry into the M.A. clinical mental health counseling program and complete up to 9 credits of graduate coursework toward the degree during their senior year.

Prior to March 1 of their junior year, psychology majors with a 3.3 grade point average or higher may apply for early admission to the M.A. clinical mental health counseling program. Only students who have completed general psychology, statistics, research methods, abnormal psychology, and one experimental psychology course by the end of their junior year are eligible to apply. In addition to evidence of strong academic performance, applicants must submit a detailed essay and present two strong letters of recommendation.

Students accepted into the program may take up to 9 credits during their senior year that may apply to both their undergraduate educational requirements and their graduate counseling degree. These credits are beyond the minimum 27 required for the bachelors degree and include three courses selected from COUN 530, COUN 532, COUN 535, COUN 545, COUN 550, COUN 570, COUN 575, COUN 591, PSY 550, PSY 560, PSY 565, PSY 575, and PSY 590.

Commitment to pursuing a graduate counseling degree at Valpo must be made prior to January 1 of the student’s senior year, and by this date the student must have completed 100 credits. Furthermore, all requirements for entry into the program, including a final transcript and evidence of continuing strong academic performance (3.3 grade point average), must be met before final admission is granted.

M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Valparaiso University serves as an ethical and professional point of entry for individuals from diverse populations interested in acquiring the requisite skills associated with becoming a licensed professional counselor. More about the M.A. in CMHC »