Program eligibility requirements
Students must be able to pass a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study.
Prior to entering practicum, students must have a minimum of two years of freedom from mental health, physical health and substance use concerns that would impair their objectivity or effectiveness in performing the duties of a professional counselor.
Applicants must have an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (or equivalent) with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Priority is given to applicants with an earned baccalaureate degree in a health, behavioral or social science. Priority is given to applicants who have completed undergraduate coursework in Abnormal Psychology and/or Research Methods.
Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted conditionally and could progress to full admission upon completion of at least eight graduate level credits with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency or permanent resident status, documented or demonstrated as specified by University policy.
Application instructions
Deadlines
Feb. 15 - Early decision for fall semester admission; completed application review by April 15
May 15 - Final deadline for fall semester admission; completed application review by July 10
Early submission of completed application is highly recommended. Completed application files are reviewed following each deadline and interviews are scheduled upon review completion. Admission decisions are made within two weeks after completed interview and applicants are notified by the program director via email..
Applications not complete by the final deadline will be cancelled.
Application file
A complete application file consists of two parts (three for international students). Begin the application process by completing the online graduate application. Once that is completed, you can log into the Applicant Portal using your StarID and password to upload your remaining documents, submit your references, and check on the status of your application.
Part one
- Online application - You will use your Minnesota State StarID to complete the application. If you don't have a Minnesota State StarID you will create one at the beginning of the application.
- If you do not have or choose not to provide your Social Security number (SSN) please follow the No SSN instructions to activate your StarID.
- If you encounter difficulty with the online application please email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.
- Non-refundable application fee; pay online
- The current fee of $20 is waived for graduates of Metropolitan State.
- Official transcripts
- Must show a baccalaureate degree or equivalent earned from a regionally accredited institution with grade-point average or narrative description describing courses completed.
- Transcripts from ALL schools attended after high school and from any graduate or professional programs are required.
- All transcripts from non-U.S. schools must be evaluated (course-by-course) by either ECE (preferred) or WES.
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.
- Paper transcripts should be sent directly from the sending institution (preferred) to:
Metropolitan State University
Attn: Graduate Admissions
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul MN 55106
Part two
- Resume: Upload (Minnesota State site - StarID Required)
- Work experience: Preference is given to applicants having work or volunteer experience with individuals with substance use, mental health or co-occurring disorders. However, promising applicants without such experience will also be considered.
- Admission Essay: Upload (Minnesota State site - StarID Required)
- Please submit no fewer than five and no more than seven pages that includes:
- Your purpose in becoming a counselor or enhancing your existing counseling practice, including thoughts on shorter- and longer-term goals, as well as inspirations or motivations for choosing this particular field
- Your understanding of the nature of substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders
- Your understanding of the nature of the counseling/therapeutic relationship
- Your understanding of the term recovery as related to substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders
- Your commitment to self-care, including a statement of your freedom from mental health, physical health and substance use problems that could impair your objectivity or effectiveness as a counselor (consistent with the state of Minnesota's expectation for those holding professional licensure)
- Please submit no fewer than five and no more than seven pages that includes:
- Professional references: Submit reference contact information using the online application.
- Provide three references from professional sources, at least one of which is a current or former college instructor, and at least one of which is a current or former work supervisor. Personal references will not be considered. Applicants should remind their references of the application deadline when speaking with them.
- Once submitted, references will receive a "no reply" email from Minnesota State with a link to the recommendation form.
- References should check junk mail if the email is not in their inbox. The link is good for 60 days, however, the application deadline may be sooner.
- In-person Interview: Final candidates participate in an in-person admissions interview that includes an evaluation of listening and empathy skills.
- Program staff will follow up with final candidates to schedule this interview, which may be held in person or online.
Part three - international students only
In addition to parts one and two, international applicants in the U.S. or abroad, on any type of visa, are required to provide this information for admission to the university.
- Proof of English proficiency (official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score)
- Minimum scores: TOEFL 80 IBT, 213 CBT, 550 PBT, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 105-110
- IBT=internet based; CBT=computer based; PBT=paper based
- Financial statement (F1 visa only)
- Immunization records
- Copies of passport, visa, I-94, and international home address and phone numbers
Visit International Student Services graduate admissions for part three details.
Questions about applying to the MSCODC?
Questions about the online application, fee, transcripts/transcript evaluations, online references and document upload feature can be sent to graduate.studies@metrostate.edu (preferred) or call 651-793-1302.
Questions about the program, please contact Dr. Dharshini Goonetilleke, graduate program director, at
dharshini.goonetilleke@metrostate.edu (preferred) or 651.793.1359.