Admission to the CBU Counseling Psychology Program is at the discretion of the Graduate Faculty.
1. Application for admission with a non-refundable graduate application fee. Applications should be complete, with all materials submitted, 60 days prior to the start of the desried semester of enrollment.
2. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the evaluated equivalency, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for unconditional admission and 2.75 for conditional admission. Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 may be considered for admission with the presentation of a minimum combined score of 300 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). GRE is not required for applicants who meet the minimum GPA requirement.
3. Official sealed transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
4. Three recommendations using the Graduate Program Recommendation Form from sources who can address your potential for success. It is preferred that one recommendation be from an instructor or professor. Family members and friends may not complete recommendations.
5. Comprehensive essay of at least 500 words that includes the following:
- Purpose for entering the program
- Experiences that have directed your interest toward becoming a therapist and forensic psychology (for dual applicants)
- Religious background, present pattern of spiritual growth, fundamentals of personal faith and the relationship between your faith and professional goals
- Influences that have shaped your present values and approach to life
- Reasons for choosing to study at CBU
- A response to this question, “Have you ever received psychiatric treatment or counseling, yes or no?” If yes, please provide a brief explanation.
6. Documents verifying completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI 2) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Tests may be taken at the CBU Counseling Center. Call (951) 689-1120 for appointment and fee information.
7. Successful interview(s) with the Director of the Graduate Program in Counseling Psychology.
9. Prerequisite coursework:
- Developmental Psychology or Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Theories of Personality
- Statistics
10. An applicant whose first language is not English and/or does not have a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction is required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting a recent test score from Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum score required to display English Language proficiency for graduate programs is 89 IBT. If the score is lower than 89, an applicants may be admitted to the Intensive English Program (IEP) and a graduate program while taking required language courses to meet the minimum TOEFL requirement.