Admissions
Announcements
- Application Form (PhD Deadline December 1st; MA Deadline January 2nd)
- You may only apply for a CAGS (Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies) only if 1.) you've a master's degree or will complete one before enrolling at UMass Boston 2.) if your master's degree is in a related field. Please email csp.admissions@umb.edu if you are not sure which level you should apply to. Please note that Mental Health Counseling does not offer CAGS.
Welcome to the Counseling and School Psychology application page! We are excited that you’re considering our program at UMass Boston. This page provides prospective students with the necessary information regarding the admissions process. If you have questions after reviewing this webpage, please feel free to email Dan Torres at csp.admission@umb.edu.
BEFORE APPLYING
In an effort to save trees, the Department no longer produces or sends brochures to prospective students. The Department of Counseling and School Psychology recommends that prospective students review our web page for general information. The vast majority of questions can be answered by reading our web site.
Our program accepts students once a year for the summer/fall semester (online programs begin in the summer). Our master’s degree application deadline is January 2nd and our PhD program’s deadline is December 1st. Our program does not accept students for the spring semester.
We strongly recommend that applicants submit applications online. The online application, which can be saved before submission, allows for uploading of your application materials other than transcripts and test scores. In mid-November recommenders will be sent an email allowing for uploading of their recommendations. Alternately, applicants can print out a PDF version of the application and submit it via mail. Your application materials should be submitted together; items received separately will be accepted, but doing so delays the completion of your application. If you do not submit all the required application materials, we will be unable to make a final decision.
Applicants are required to submit sealed official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended – even for non-degree and transfer courses -- and we recommend that they be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions directly from the issuing institution.
Please read the program specific admission's page before applying:
- Counseling (Family Therapy; Mental Health; Rehabilitation Counseling; School Counseling)
- School Psychology (MEd/EdS)
- PhD (Counseling and School Psychology)
All supporting materials must be mailed exactly to:
Graduate Admissions Office
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd
Boston MA. 02125-3393.
VERY IMPORTANT: If you have ever changed your name or have used multiple names, please make sure to inform the Office of Graduate Admissions. Many transcripts arrive with a different name, making it difficult for the Graduate Admissions Office to locate and process your transcript correctly.
AFTER APPYLING
If you need to make corrections or revisions to your application, please email the Graduate Admissions Office at bos.gadm@umb.edu. DO NOT submit a second application for the same program and semester.
You may apply to two or more programs, but you must submit a separate application and fee for each application. Also, applying to more than one program requires its own set of supporting materials (letters of recommendation, essay, etc.). However, transcripts and test scores may be used in common between multiple applications.
Once you submit your application, UMass Boston will automatically email you a user ID number. Please keep a record of this ID. A few weeks later, UMass’s automated system will email you an access code. If you don’t find an email with an ID and access code, please check your spam inbox. With the ID and access code, you can access your application online to see if your application materials have been processed. Due to the large number of applications, it can take 10-15 business days for the Office of Graduate Admissions to process your materials and update your application status. Nevertheless, your documents will be time stamped the day it arrives. Please be patient. You can be assured that our admissions committees will give your file full and complete consideration for your application.
Requirements
A strong applicant should have at least 5 social science courses and 1 year of relevant work experience or research before applying. We define social sciences broadly (anthropology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, and counseling etc).
We require GRE score (institution code 3924, no department code needed) from all applicants unless you have a master’s degree in a closely related field from an accredited university. Closely related fields include, but are not limited to, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, sociology, and social work. If you are in doubt, please email Dan Torres at csp.admissions@umb.edu.
Please do your best on the GRE, but keep in mind that the test is but one criterion that we use in assessing applicants. The department will review your entire application before making a final decision. We typically interview students between February and early March and we strive to make a final decision by April 1st.
Transfer credit and signing for classes as a non-degree student
The maximum number of credits a student can begin our program with is 12 credits. You are able to do 6 credits as a non-degree student at UMass and you can transfer in 6 credits from another institution. If you are accepted, and have classes to transfer over, please contact your respective graduate program director. Please make sure to send the professor a copy of your transcript and any supporting materials you might have from the class. For example, the course description from a syllabus is a very helpful document for professors to make a timely and accurate assessment of your transfer credits.
If you merely want to sign up for courses before enrolling in our program, please contact Kevin Ziomek at kevin.ziomek@umb.edu. He can register you for non-degree courses on a space available basis. Please note that taking these courses does not guarantee admission into a program and you are bound to a 6 credit limit. However, as mentioned above, you may be allowed to transfer 6 credits into UMass Boston from an outside institution.
For prospective ONLINE students ONLY:
All online programs begin in the summer. Mental Health, School Counseling, and Rehabilitation programs require that students attend a two-week intensive summer course at UMass Dartmouth. Family Therapy’s in-person requirement happens during the summer after their first year.
HELPFUL LINKS:
