Admission to the Graduate Counseling and Human Services Programs
Admissions decisions are based on consideration of a combination of criteria: college grade-point average, Graduate Record Examination scores, recommendations, professional commitment, work or volunteer experience in the human services field, and suitability for the profession. Candidates for the counseling and human services programs are not required to have a specific undergraduate major or minor. Applicants being considered for admission are required to have a personal interview with program faculty. The successful completion of a criminal background check will be required as a condition of acceptance. Continuance in the program and admission to candidacy are based on success in academic courses and on personal, ethical, and performance considerations.
Scholarships Offered to Accepted Full-Time, Reynolda Campus Counseling Program Students
An average of fifteen applicants are selected to enter the full-time, Reynolda Campus counseling program each year. All of those selected will be awarded partial tuition scholarships that cover approximately 77% of the tuition cost.
As part-time students, Online Campus students are not eligible for tuition scholarships from Wake Forest University, however the financial aid office will help students navigate outside loans and scholarships. For more information, please see the Graduate School Prospective Student Webpage and also the section on this page entitled, ‘Scholarships for Graduate Counseling Students.’ Part-time, Online Campus students are not eligible to receive a WFU reconditioned laptop computer.
Additional Financial Assistance for Full-Time, Reynolda Campus Counseling Students
Hearst Minority Assistantships. These assistantships are available to under-represented minority graduate students on the WFU Reynolda campus. Candidates must be United States citizens and belong to one of the following under-represented minority groups: African American, Hispanic (including Puerto Rican, Native American, Alaskan Native or Native Pacific Islander). All eligible applicants to graduate programs on the Reynolda campus (includes full-time Counseling and Human Services programs) will be considered.
See the Graduate School Bulletin for information about other grants and loans that are available.
Several departments on campus advertise paid positions directly to counseling students. Reynolda Campus graduate counseling students work part-time in such areas as the Learning Assistance Center, Residence Life and Housing, Student Financial Aid, the Office of Student Development and the Student Union.
For information regarding Loan Repayment options, see here or contact the WFU Financial Aid Office.
Scholarships for Graduate Counseling Students
For information on counseling scholarships that may apply to you, click here. Be sure to carefully read ALL the requirements and application instructions before you apply. Specific terms and conditions for eligibility are determined by the individual scholarship sponsors, not by Wake Forest University.
Admissions Time Table
The deadline for completed applications for the full-time, Reynolda Campus program is January 15. All application materials are submitted directly to the Graduate School Office. Applicants can expect to receive notification of admission decisions by the middle of April.
Applications to the Online Campus programs are accepted on a rolling admissions schedule for the fall, spring and summer cohorts. Applicants can expect to receive notification of an admission decision approximately two weeks following receipt of a completed application, which includes a recorded personal interview.
The Personal Interview
Based on the material contained in his or her application, an applicant to the full-time, Reynolda Campus program may be invited to campus for a personal interview. If invited, applicants must arrange to appear in person. Telephone interviews are not scheduled.
Criminal Background Check
Acceptance to the program will be contingent on the successful completion of a criminal background check. The background check is standardized and mandatory for all students. Any student who has a criminal offense documented through this procedure will have to address this on a case-by-case basis with the Program Director and Department Chair. Areas of concern may include, but are not limited to, felony convictions, especially those involving harm to others, theft or fraud convictions, and patterns of misdemeanors other than moving traffic violations.
For application materials for the full-time, Reynolda Campus or part-time, Online Campus programs, please complete the application posted on the Graduate School website.
The Graduate School OfficeWake Forest University
Box 7487
Winston-Salem, NC 27109 (336) 758-5301 or 1-800-257-3166