Admission to the Counseling Psychology Master's Program is offered  only once annually with an application deadline of March 1 st. ALL application information should be received by this time. Please note that application to graduate programs is a time-consuming and lengthy process - you should plan ahead as incomplete applications cannot be considered. Below you will find specific application requirements as well as information about our application procedure.    
  
Application Materials

Information and application materials for Graduate Studies can be found online at: http://www.usm.edu/graduatestudies/.

The University of Southern Mississippi
Office of Graduate Studies
118 College Drive, #10066
Hattiesburg , MS 39406

1. Application for Graduate Admission (complete online or send two hard copies). Note - please indicate Counseling MS when completing this form
2. Official undergraduate transcripts
3. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
4. Application fee

 In addition, the following should be sent to:

The University of Southern Mississippi
Counseling Master's Program Director
118 College Drive, #5025
Hattiesburg , MS 39406-0001

5. Program application cover sheet (see application brochure)
6. Three letters of recommendation: please refer to the application brochure; letters mailed by the applicant must be sealed and signed across the seal to be accepted
7. Resume´ or curriculum vita
8. Personal statement: Your application should include a 3-5 page, typed statement which addresses your interest in the field of Counseling and the Counseling Master's Program at the University of Southern Mississippi specifically. Your personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate your writing ability as well as speak to your personal and professional goals and fit with our program.

Note: No specific prerequisite classes or degrees are a required component of admission to the program, however students have found it helpful to have some familiarity with the field of psychology. Suggestions for undergraduate courses to take in anticipation of graduate admission may include General Psychology, Counseling Theories, Theories of Personality, Developmental, Testing and Assessment, Research Methods, and Statistics.

Application Review Process

It is to your advantage to submit all application materials directed to the Program in one envelope to ensure prompt processing of your application. Please be sure all correspondence and application materials include your name. Email communication will update you as to the status of your application (whether complete or incomplete) - please be sure to regularly access your email during the application process. Application review will begin promptly on March 1st. Incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the applicant's responsibility toensure that all materials delivered to Graduate Studies are copied and sent to the Counseling Master’s Program Director.

All application material received in the Graduate Studies office will be copied to the Department and forwarded to the Counseling Psychology Master’s Program Director. Applications are reviewed based on a number criteria including review of previous coursework, examination scores, letters of recommendation, resume and personal statement and fit. A three-member committee of Counseling faculty reviews each component of the application and based on this review, a limited number of students are invited for an on-campus interview. Those interviewed will be assessed for professionalism and program fit. Students will be notified both by telephone and in writing of the Program’s admission recommendation – a formal letter of   acceptance comes from Graduate Studies. Some students are placed on an alternate list. In conjunction with  ethical standards, students should not hold more than one admission offer – therefore the Program faculty ask that you notify us immediately if your application should no longer be considered or if your graduate plans change.