Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling and/or School Counseling

Students desiring to enroll in an online Master’s Degree program in the School of Counselor Education must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students enrolled in the final year of undergraduate study may be admitted to graduate study pending verification of receipt of the baccalaureate degree.

Deadlines & Cohort Information

There are currently no fixed application deadlines. Instead, deadlines are set with two weeks’ notice once program capacity is reached. Since space is limited each semester, priority is given to applicants who submit complete applications early. Please note that admission may close prior to any posted application deadline.

MA Counseling Fall 2026 application note: With our program being of high demand, we do have to make a determination on when we can issue a deadline for new applications to be submitted. We have determined this deadline to submit your unsubmitted application for Fall 2026 is May 29, 2026, by 11:59pm MT. Please be aware that admission documents can be submitted until August 1, 2026, but the application itself has to be submitted by May 29th. If the application is not submitted by this date/time, a new application for a future term will need to be completed.

Our application system tracks students per semester based on application completion date (the date all of your application materials are submitted and the application fee is paid).

The later you complete your application the greater the potential to be considered for a term later than you anticipated. The earlier the better!

Master of Arts in Counseling online cohorts begin every Fall and Spring semesters.

The Plan of Study for the Fall Cohort includes five semesters, and the Spring Cohort is seven semesters.

If you intend to declare the dual specialty (Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling) please apply to the School Counseling program only. More information regarding the dual option will be provided in your first semester if admitted.

Admission Requirements

A candidate who is interested in enrolling at Adams State University to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Counseling must:

1. Complete the Online Application

• Fall 2026 applications open until May 29, 2026 (semester begins August 24, 2026)
• Spring 2027 applications are open (semester begins January 2027)
• Fall 2027 applications open July 1, 2026 (semester begins August 2027)

2. Pay the $30 non-refundable application fee at the time of application

3. Short Essay Questions (each short essay response needs to be between 200-300 words)

• • Completed within the online application (highly encouraged to write out prior to copy/paste into online application):
    • Relevance of career goals—How do you plan to utilize your counseling degree?
    • Aptitude for graduate level study—Please explain your preparation for graduate level work.  Describe your skills and available resources that will enable you to succeed in this graduate program.
    • Potential success in forming effective counseling relationships—Describe your understanding of the counseling process.  What do you believe is important in forming an effective therapeutic relationship with your potential clients?
    • Respect for cultural differences—Explain how you would navigate working with a person(s) who has/have a different perspective or different values than your own.
    • Question assessing personal disposition—Describe (briefly) a hard truth you have learned about yourself as an adult.  How did you learn about it?  How have you responded to that knowledge?

4. Two (2) online recommendation forms from professional sources addressing the ability of the applicant to become a counselor, academic strengths, and potential. Family members cannot be professional sources/recommenders.

Recommenders will be sent an automatic email to complete the online recommendation form during time of application. Please have recommenders’ first names, last names, and emails at time of application.

5. Send ALL official transcripts from previously attended institutions

Transcripts from Adams State need not be requested. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. International transcripts must be evaluated by an approved international credential evaluator. Please have all official transcripts sent directly from the institutions to:

graduatestudies@adams.edu  (for electronic official transcripts)

OR

Adams State University
Office of Graduate Studies
208 Edgemont Blvd., Suite 2300
Alamosa, CO 81101

6. Download and read the

M.A. Counselor Education Student Handbook

Professional Licensure

Prospective and currently enrolled students interested in courses, programs, certificates, or degrees that lead to professional licensure must understand their state licensing board’s requirements prior to enrolling. For more information, visit: Professional Licensure.

Note

• Additional information may be requested by the School of Counselor Education before an admission decision can be determined.
• The School of Counselor Education Director will notify students of admission decisions.
• If you have below a 2.75 cumulative GPA from your last conferred degree, please provide a brief letter explaining the outcome of your GPA, what has changed, and how you feel that now you would be a successful candidate. If you have 12+ credit hours post-conferred degree, please let us know to re-evaluate your GPA with the additional credit.
• The School of Counselor Education does not accept international students. US citizens working abroad will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the CMH or SCH Counseling Program Chair prior to applying for admissions.