Rehabilitation Counseling |
| Admission Requirements |
To be considered for admission to the Master's Program in Rehabilitation Counseling, you must meet the admission requirements for Graduate Programs
The program admits for fall quarter. All materials must be submitted by June 1. Applications received by April 1 will be considered for an early admission decision.
International students should consult the Graduate School for additional requirements.
| Application Process |
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Submit the application and fee to the Graduate School |
| Application for Graduate School (online form). | |
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Submit the following additional materials to the Graduate School (click here for address): |
| One set of official transcripts from each school attended (not required for WWU transcripts) | |
| Three current references - Your references may use our PDF reference form or write a letter. If they would like to submit a letter via email, please have them send it to gradschool@wwu.edu. | |
| Scores from the GRE general test, or the Miller Analogies Test taken within the last five years (not required if you already have an advanced degree - Ph.D., M.A., M.S, M.D., etc.) | |
| A current resume | |
| A Statement of Purpose | |
| A signed copy of the Expectations for Academic and Professional Performance | |
| (Optional) An application for the RSA Scholarship Program | |
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Submit to the Department (click here for address) a signed copy of the Criminal History Self-Disclosure form (instructions on form) |
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When your application is complete and you meet all requirements, you will be contacted by the Program for a personal interview. Personal interviews begin shortly after the April 1st priority deadline. |
| After the interview, individuals under further consideration for admission must undergo a comprehensive background check. Click here for instructions for completing the Background Check. Applicants are responsible for this expense (approximately $55.00) and will be able to view their results online. In some rare instances, fingerprinting may be required ($0-$20). Applicants who are not U.S. Citizens should contact the program manager at 360-650-7644 for more details. |
| Statement of Purpose |
The Statement of Purpose should be a succinct statement (two to three pages) that provides an accurate indication of writing and grammatical skills,
in addition to the applicant's reasons for applying for the program, some areas that could be addressed in the personal statement are:
- career objectives;
- rationale for seeking the Master's degree and choosing this program;
- professional and personal strengths as they apply to the field of rehabilitation counseling;
- related work experiences;
- the way in which personal and professional life experiences have converged to motivate application to the program;
- a statement of goals and interests which demonstrates and illustrates the applicant’s personal value system; and
- other insights as deemed appropriate by the applicant.
| Address for the Graduate School: |
Western Washington University
Graduate School
516 High Street, Old Main 530
Bellingham, WA 98225-9037
(Send application materials here)
| Address for the Department: |
Western Washington University
Dept. of Human Services & Rehabilitation
516 High Street, Miller Hall 318D
Bellingham, WA 98225-9091
(Send Criminal History Self-Disclosure here)
| Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for the Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling Program |
This guidance is offered to assist you in submitting your application to the Master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling. It is meant to provide general guidance. If you have specific questions, contact the appropriate person listed below.
1. Whom do I contact if I have questions?
You begin the application process by submitting your materials to the Graduate School. This is also where transcripts, test scores, your résumé, and purpose statement should be sent. For questions about the online application or other aspects of the application process, you can call the Graduate School at 360-650-3170 or send an e-mail to gradschool@wwu.edu.
When the application packet is complete and has been screened for the minimum requirements, it is sent to the office of the Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Program. You will then be contacted to schedule your admission interview. For questions about this part of the process, or if there is anything about which you want further information, contact the Program Coordinator at 425-259-8921 or RC.Info@wwu.edu.
2. Why is there a background check? Are there things that might disqualify me from being admitted to the program?
Rehabilitation counselors often work with individuals who are vulnerable as a result of their disability, or who may be at a vulnerable point in their lives.
Entry into the program is automatically denied for applicants guilty of the following:
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first, second, or third degree assault of a child;
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first, second, or third degree rape;
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first, second, or third degree rape of a child;
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incest;
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sexual exploitation of minors;
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child abuse or neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020;
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first or second degree custodial sexual misconduct;
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first, second, or third degree child molestation;
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first or second degree sexual misconduct with a minor;
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patronizing a juvenile prostitute;
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child abandonment;
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child buying or selling;
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or any of these crimes as they may be renamed in the future.
For all other crimes, consideration is given to the type of convictions for any other crimes not listed above.
3. The college where I obtained my undergraduate degree used a pass/fail system and did not give grades. How will that be handled?
The Graduate School has many applicants in this situation and is accustomed to dealing with it. They read the written evaluations provided by the college and make a recommendation regarding whether the student is qualified based on those evaluations.
4. My grade point average for the last 90 quarter credits was slightly less than a 3.0. Should I apply anyway, or is it a waste of time?
The program is sometimes able to offer a provisional slot to a student who has a slightly lower grade point average, if they show strong potential for success in other ways, such as their score on the GRE or MAT, compelling reasons for their low GPA (such as illness), and a strong commitment to the field.
5. I have been out of school for a long time, and I'm not sure my professors will remember me. Who else can I use as a reference?
Consider who is in a position to "make an appropriate assessment of your academic or professional competence". Who could address your abilities to do academic work? Have you taken (or taught) any classes recently? Have you written grants or other technical documents? An employer may be able to address your professional competence, or possibly a volunteer coordinator if you have been doing volunteer work. If you have questions, contact the Program Coordinator.
6. If a third party (like my employer or a training agency) will be paying my application fee, should I include the authorization letter with my application?
It is acceptable to include your authorization letter with your application. Be sure your WWU Student Number is included on the letter (or your Social Security Number, if you don't know your Student Number yet). If your authorization letter is being sent separately, include a note of explanation with your application.
7. On the application, it asks for a Program Code. What does this mean? How do I know what code to use?
Each graduate program has its own code, so applications can be tracked on the computer. The Program Code for the Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling is G-RCS.
8. I can’t take the GRE or MAT until after the application deadline. What should I do?
On the application there is a space to enter the date on which you either took, or are scheduled to take, the GRE or MAT. Fill in that date and submit your application before the deadline. The Graduate School will set up a file for you, and your test scores will be added to the file when they are received. Test scores should be received by the Graduate School within 30 days after the application deadline.
9. I’ve received a notice from the Graduate School saying my materials have been sent to the Master’s Program in Rehabilitation Counseling. Does this mean I have been accepted into the program?
The Graduate School does the preliminary screening of applicants, to be sure that all materials have been received and that the minimum requirements have been met. The application packet is then forwarded to the program. Program Faculty will contact you to schedule a personal interview, and a recommendation will be made to the Dean of the Graduate School, based on the interview and a review of your overall qualifications, career goals, and availability of space in the program.
If a favorable decision is made, you will be sent an e-mail offering you admission to the program. Be sure to respond to this e-mail in a timely manner, indicating your acceptance.
10. I have a disability and will need some accommodations. How do I arrange this?
Contact the Office of disAbility Resources for Students (telephone 360-650-3083, or drs@wwu.edu) for details. You will need to provide documentation regarding your disability, so please begin this process at the same time that you make application to the program.
If any questions come up in the course of your application process, please contact the Graduate School (360-650-3170 or gradschool@wwu.edu), or Monica Holmer at the Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling (425-259-8921, or RC.Info@wwu.edu).
