Admissions

Admission Requirements

The admissions process requires that you meet the requirements for both the FHSU Graduate School and the Counseling Program. Please fill out an application online and meet the requirement listed on the Graduate School Web site. The Graduate School requires that the departmental admission materials listed on this page be in the applicant's file before it is forwarded to the department for evaluation. When applying for this degree program in the Graduate School, look for this title on the application, MS in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling).

In addition to the Graduate School Requirements, the Counseling Program requires that you submit the following materials with your graduate school application:

1. Proof of a Grade Point Average of 3.00 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate credit.
2. Two letters of references from supervisors and/or professional peers.
3. A Professional Goals Statement related to the completion of a master's degree as a counselor.
4. Official transcripts of all college work completed and documentation of a degree conferral.
5. A Group Interview through VideoConference - A member of the Counseling Faculty will contact you to set up an interview time after you submit your application materials.
6. A completed background check that uses the process detailed below. Validity Screening Solutions is the only background check accepted.

The Master's Degree Committee in the Counseling Program will review the applicant's file and forward its recommendation of approval or denial to the Dean of the Graduate School. If you are admitted to the Counseling program, the committee chair will appoint an advisor and designate a graduate committee responsible for developing your program of study.

A maximum of six (6) graduate credit hours may be transferred with approval of the Graduate School and departmental review. 

Advanced Education Programs Department Background Check Process and Procedure

1. Beginning September 1, 2014, all degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking applicants for programs within Advanced Education Programs (AEP) Department will be required to successfully complete a Background Check prior to admittance to AEP.
2. Candidates are responsible for obtaining the background check and for the cost.
3. Applicants who have completed a successful background check within four years of the date of receipt of the application in the Graduate School may submit a record of the successful check to Shianne McKinnis samckinnis@fhsu.edu in lieu of obtaining a new background check.
4. Applicants who do not have a successful background check within four years of the date of the application will be required to have a check completed. Please see the directions below.
5. All Background Check information is to be submitted to Shianne McKinnis, Academic Program Specialist in the Graduate School, samckinnis@fhsu.edu.
6. Background check information will be verified prior to the application being forwarded to graduate faculty for screening for admission.
7. Validity Screening Solutions is the only background check accepted. Information on securing a background check is available from Shianne McKinnis, samckinnis@fhsu.edu in the Graduate School, 785-628-4236.

ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK INSTRUCTIONS

Beginning September 1, 2014, all degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking applicants for programs within Advanced Education Programs (AEP) Department will be required to successfully complete a Background Check prior to admittance to AEP.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Go to the secure link: https://www.ejobapp-validityscreening.com/p/fhsu3138
2. Create a personal profile by completing the required fields
   • If your email has been used in a previously created profile you will need to log in via the "Returning Student Log-In" section, select the "New Screening Profile" link on the next page.
   • If you have forgotten your password you can click on the "password (forget?)" link and answer the security question you chose when you first creating your personal profile.
3. Complete each section of the screening profile
   • Review the screening profile to ensure all sections are complete and click Next
   • Read the "Notice and Disclosure" and check the confirmation box
   • Read the "Summary of Rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act" and check the confirmation box.
   • Fill out all form fields in the Certification and Release and enter your signature in the electronic signature box.
4. Choose a payment option:
   • Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard) $35.50 plus $2.00 administrative fee; Money Order or Cashier's Check $35.50
5. Select Submit

* Your results will not be released to your institution until you successfully submit your request to Validity. This can be verified if you have received the confirmation email titled 'Academic Screening Profile Received. Results will be forwarded to Fort Hays State University. Instructions on how to access your completed report via your profile page will also be sent via email once your profile has been submitted. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Shianne McKinnis, samckinnis@fhsu.edu at (785)-628-4236. You may also contact Validity Screening Solutions with technical questions at 913.322.5995, toll-free at 866.920.5995, or via email at students@validityscreening.com.

Application Deadlines

The Counseling Program accepts applications throughout the year; however, the deadlines noted below have been established for admission to start in a particular semester. Failure to meet the deadline for a particular semester could delay admission into the program.

• February 1 for Spring 2nd eight weeks
• April 1 for Summer 
• July 1 for Fall
• September 1 for Fall 2nd eight weeks 
• November 1 for Intersession and Spring

The counseling program faculty reserves the right to admit an applicant on a conditional basis.

To find more information, please return to our Overview