Photo of students during counseling session.

Application Requirements

PhD in Counseling

  • Master’s degree in counseling or closely related field
  • GRE scores, taken within the last five years
  • Official transcripts of previous earned degrees and coursework
  • Three professional letters of recommendation
  • Current resume
  • Response to three essays

Master’s in Counseling Program

  • Transcript: one from each college attended
  • Essay:PREAMBLE: A central theme that guides the mission of the MA in Counseling program at Montclair State University is a strong commitment to train all students to work with and advocate for all marginalized and oppressed populations as professional counselors in an ethical and competent manner. In no more than two (2) double spaced pages, please respond to the prompt below based on your knowledge and aspirations as a professional counselor.

    QUESTION: Clients who have marginalized identities (for example, based on their
    race/ethnicity, sex/gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality,
    ability, geographic location, or intersections thereof) face health disparities linked to societal
    stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights. How do you envision yourself
    taking an active role in your future career as an addictions counselor, clinical mental health
    counselor, school counselor, or student affairs professional in supporting mental health equity for one specific marginalized population (for example, African Americans; LGBTQ+ individuals;
    Muslims; individuals experiencing poverty)?

    OPTIONAL: In no more than one (1) double spaced page, please share anything else you think is important for our admissions committee to know that is not represented elsewhere in your
    application.

  • Letters of recommendation: Two (If graduated from any academic program in the past three years, one letter must be from a professor
  • Resume: Required
  • Applicants with a GPA below 2.9 will not be considered for admission

Advanced Counseling (Post-Master’s Certificate) program:

  • Transcript: One from each college attended
  • Essay/Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation

School Counselors (Post-Master’s Certificate) program:

  • Transcript: One from each college attended
  • Essay/Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation

Student Assistance Coordinator Certification and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certificate programs:

  • Transcript: One from each college attended
  • Essay/Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation

Letters of Recommendation:

At least one of your two letters of recommendation should be academic, from a former professor who can attest to your ability to do graduate-level work. This requirement may be waived if you have not been enrolled in college or graduate school in more than seven years.

Letters of recommendation from colleagues, friends or family are not acceptable.