Admissions Requirements In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Seminary given on pages 18-19, applicants to a counseling program (M.A. or M.A./M.Div.) must have earned an accredited baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), including a breadth of liberal arts. Applicants who do not meet these general academic requirements may petition the Admissions Committee for consideration.
Entering counseling students are expected to bring a foundational knowledge of psychology. Proficiency in this foundational knowledge will be confirmed through a placement exam, required of all incoming counseling students. If deficiencies are indicated, remedial work will be required. Counseling students may satisfy these deficiencies in one of the following two ways: Complete the appropriate undergraduate course(s) at an approved institution, or complete a computer-assisted instructional program provided through the library services of Western Seminary. The student may not begin the second semester of counseling studies without satisfying proficiency requirements.
Applications must give evidence of personal character, interpersonal relationships, goals, motivation, and potential for future counseling ministry as fitting the program. These will include a vital spiritual life, growing and nurturing relationships with people, commitment to a biblical/theological orientation to the therapeutic process, and vocational aspirations involving the care and nurture of people. As a part of the admission process all counseling applicants will undergo a background criminal check.
