To qualify for admission to the MS in Counseling program, students must have sufficient background in behavioral science coursework, including a minimum of 9 undergraduate or graduate credits relevant to the helping profession (for example, Human Development, Psychology, Education, Research and/or statistics), and meet graduate admission criteria. The Counseling program is accepting admission applications for the summer and fall 2026 terms (there is no spring semester start in our program). Applicants can apply for either a summer or fall 2026 start in either of our admission rounds (October 2025 or February 2026). Our next application deadline is February 1, 2026, Our February Interview days are Friday, February 13, 2026 and Friday, February 20, 2026, with a snow date of Friday February 27, 2026. All requirements must be submitted through the Graduate School application portal by the admissions due date for consideration. The Counselor Education Department will email you when your file is complete and let you know how you can schedule your interview. Additional requirements for admission to the M.S. in Counseling program include: <ul> <li>Uploading a cover letter expressing your interest in the program.</li> <li>Uploading a resume documenting your educational and professional experience.</li> <li>Uploading a personal statement containing the following four sections: <ul> <li>Section 1 — Autobiography: Tell us about the life events that are bringing you to the counseling profession</li> <li>Section 2 — Future career goals: Tell us about your future career goals in the counseling field and how the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Counselor Education program can support you in meeting these goals</li> <li>Section 3 — Ability to cope with ambiguity: Reflect on a time when you experienced uncertainty in your life, how did you cope, what was that like for you (address all three areas)</li> <li>Section 4 — Ability to cope with transitions and change: Reflect on a time when you had to cope with a significant change and/or transition in your life. What were your strengths and what were your challenges (address all three areas)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Showing completion of courses that must be completed prior to enrollment in the program or completed prior to enrollment in coursework beyond the first nine credits. Indicate how you have met these courses by providing title of course taken, credits earned, and date completed for statistics, abnormal psychology, and human development</li> <li>Providing contact information (name, organization, position/title, relationship, telephone and email address) for two individuals that are knowledgeable about your potential to do graduate work and function successfully as a counselor. References from these individuals must be received by the Graduate School on or before the due date for your application to be complete.</li> <li>Completing a background check through <a href="http://www.viewpointscreening.com/uww" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ViewPoint</a>. <a href="https://www.uww.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-admissions#x350232">View instructions »</a></li> </ul> All requirements can be submitted during the application process. If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us at <a href="mailto:counslred@uww.edu">counslred@uww.edu</a> to determine if you could be admitted on a contingent basis. International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us at <a href="mailto:grad@uww.edu">grad@uww.edu</a> for information and assistance. State-specific Professional Licensure information for this program can be found on the university's <a href="https://www.uww.edu/irap/external-reports/nc-sara-professional-licensure">Institutional Research Assessment and Planning</a> website.