Admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling
Admission to the School of Nursing and Health Professions
Trinity seeks students who have academic potential for its graduate programs, a record of scholastic achievement at the undergraduate level, and promise of success in the professional area in which they are applying. Students are admitted without regard to race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged.
Admission Requirements for Degree-Seeking Graduate Students
- General Entrance Requirements
- Application Procedure
- Admission Status
- Interviews
- Application Deadline
- Transfer Credits for Degree Programs
General Entrance Requirements
All candidates for admission to the Counseling graduate degree programs must meet the following entrance requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation (“institutional accreditors”).
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
Application Procedure
Candidates for admission to the Counseling graduate degree programs must submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions:
- Complete the online application for admission.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended at the undergraduate and graduate level, sent directly to Trinity from the issuing institution(s). Transcripts submitted directly from an applicant are considered unofficial unless received in the original, unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application testifying to the applicant’s aptitude for graduate education and potential for professional growth and development. One letter of recommendation should be written by supervisory personnel such as a principal or department chair.
- For the counseling faculty to become better acquainted with the applicant, the applicant should submit a one-to-two page statement describing their interest in the counseling field and why they are applying to the program. In a self-appraisal, they should identify their strengths and how these strengths will serve as assets to the clinical mental health or school counseling program. Additionally, they should identify and address any areas of weakness they hope to strengthen throughout their course of study. Finally, they should discuss what personal characteristics set them apart from others that will help them achieve success as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Applicants for whom English is not their first language and who have received degrees from institutions outside of the United States: Official scores of 550 or higher (written format), 213 or higher (computer format) or 79-80 or higher (internet format) from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be submitted prior to admission. The TOEFL is administered by the Education Testing Service (ETS). NOTE: Students who have completed the equivalent of an ENGL 107 course (College Composition) at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education and earned a grade of “C’ or better may be waived from the English testing requirement.
All supporting materials may be sent via any of the following options:
- Uploading supporting documentation to the online application portal
- Send documentation electronically via email to admissions@trinitydc.edu
- Send documentation via postal mail to:
Office of Admissions
Trinity Washington University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all required documentation is submitted to Trinity in one package for an admission decision to be made. Applications are reviewed and evaluated in the order in which they are received. Admissions decisions will be communicated in writing to applicants as soon as possible after a decision is made.
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate and/or graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will be the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the Admissions Office to applicants or third parties.
Falsification or alteration of any documents submitted for admission will result in actions up to, and including, revocation of acceptance to Trinity and the School of Nursing and Health Professions and/or dismissal from Trinity.
Admission Status
Degree-Seeking Students
Applicants who intend to obtain a degree through the Counseling graduate program and meet all admissions requirements to their program are admitted as degree-seeking students.
Provisional Admission
At the discretion of the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, graduate applicants to the Counseling programs who do not meet the standard admission requirements but who demonstrate potential may be admitted on a provisional basis and may take up to six (6) credits of graduate course work during their first semester to demonstrate academic preparedness for graduate level study. A minimum grade of “B” or higher must be earned and official transcripts for coursework must be submitted for evaluation in order to be considered for full admission into the Counseling graduate programs.
Conditional Admission
At the discretion of the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, applicants may be admitted to Trinity and the School of Nursing and Health Professions on a conditional basis if all application materials are not received and evaluated prior to the beginning of the semester in which the applicant wishes to start. Applicants may be permitted to register for up to six (6) credits prior to receipt of all admissions materials as non-degree-seeking students. Those admitted on a conditional basis have one semester to submit all required admissions materials. Permission to register as a conditional admit should not be construed as conferring full admission to Trinity or the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Students from whom complete admission files have not been received by the end of the first semester will be dismissed and must reapply for admission.
Interviews
Trinity welcomes prospective students to visit, experience the campus environment, and bring their questions to better understand the offerings and opportunities of a Trinity education. An interview is required for admission into the counseling program; please contact the Office of Admissions for interview information. Admission is offered in both Fall and Spring semester.
Application Deadline
There is no application deadline, but candidates for admission should apply and arrange that all credentials be forwarded well in advance of the semester in which they wish to matriculate.
Transfer Credits for Graduate Degrees
Students enrolled in a graduate degree program may transfer a maximum of six (6) credits from appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning toward a degree at Trinity. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation (“institutional accreditors”). For specific rules governing transfer credits, see the School of Nursing and Health Professions Academic Policies.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs
The post-baccalaureate certificate programs require proof of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Applicants to the post-baccalaureate certificate programs should show potential for academic success and similar ability to degree-seeking students also enrolled in the courses. Students with a (minimum) 2.8 cumulative undergraduate grade point average or equivalent will be given priority consideration.
Students who have completed a Trinity certificate and wish to continue in a full degree program should submit the online application for consideration to their desired graduate degree program.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Non-Degree Students
Individuals interested in taking courses at Trinity on a part-time, non-matriculating basis may apply as non-degree students. Prospective non-degree students must complete an online application for non-degree student status with the Office of Admissions.
Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only, and students must satisfy all course prerequisites. Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. Students may earn no more than six graduate credit hours as a non-degree-seeking student. Special policies apply to credit earned through the Trinity’s Continuing Education program. These credits may not be applied toward a degree and do not count toward credits taken as a non-degree seeking student.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for International Students
- International applicants must submit all credentials for graduate admission. The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documentation:
- Complete the Trinity online application (No application fee assessed).
- Transcripts: Original or certified educational documents of high school transcripts and degree, university transcripts and mark sheets. All international applicants or students who are U.S. citizens who have obtained high school or college/university credit from an institution outside of the United States must submit official transcripts with course-by-course evaluation by one of the agencies accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (see National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).
- Recommendation Letters: International applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from a high school teacher, college professor or current employer.
- English Proficiency Standards: If English is not an official language in the applicant’s country of origin, the applicant has not earned a college/university degree in the U.S., or the applicant is not currently enrolled in a degree program in the U.S., they will need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language or an International English Language Testing System exam before they can be considered for final admissions. All English proficiency scores are valid for two years from the test date. Official test scores must be provided directly from the testing agency. TOEFL: Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language must be submitted directly to Trinity by ETS (Educational Testing Services). Trinity’s code is 5796, and a minimum score of 550 on paper-based test (PBT) or 213 on computer-based test (CBT) or 79 on Internet-based test (IBT) is required. IELTS – Academic: A minimum6.5 total band score is required. NOTE: Students who have completed the equivalent of an ENGL 107 course (College Composition) at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education and earned a grade of “C’ or better may be waived from the English testing requirement.
- The Immigration Form I–20 needed to obtain the F-1/Student Visa will be issued only to applicants who: 1) are admitted to Trinity and; 2) demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year. Proof of financial responsibility, or financial affidavit, which includes an official bank statement for the first year of study, along with a letter of sponsorship from the sponsor. Contact the Office of Admissions for details regarding proof of financial responsibility. Note: All international students must pursue a full course of study (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students). Failure to adhere to this USCIS requirement for F-1 students may jeopardize legal non-immigrant status.
Deadlines: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommendations, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.
Graduate Readmission
A student previously registered as a degree candidate who has failed to maintain continuous enrollment in the same graduate program for one calendar year or more must apply for readmission. Students who have not taken classes for five years or longer must apply for admission under the current academic program (the “five-year” rule). Under certain circumstances, students who leave the college may be required to repeat courses that have expired. Students in specific programs may be required to complete additional course work to meet degree, licensure, or certification requirements. The student’s transcript and program of study will be evaluated by the Dean.
Declaration of Intent
Upon notification of acceptance, the applicant will be asked to submit a Declaration of Intent (DOI). The DOI confirms an accepted candidate’s intention to enroll at Trinity in the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Registration for courses cannot be processed until a DOI has been received.
Disclaimer
Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.
Questions may be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@trinitydc.edu.