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School of Mental Health

Prerequisites, Requirements & Application Process

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School of Mental Health – Program Admissions

The Sonoran Admissions Committee carefully evaluates each application for the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to select individuals who can be successful in the program and contribute to the learning experience. While applicants with 2.75 or higher GPA on all prior coursework at the undergraduate level will be considered for full admission, candidates with less than 2.75 GPA at undergraduate level will be considered for probationary acceptance and assessed holistically on a case-by-case basis. Applications are evaluated on a rolling admissions basis, ensuring that each candidate receives a prompt response. Once all documents are received, the application is considered and a decision is made.

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Prospective students who wish to enter a master’s program must complete and submit the following requirements prior to matriculation. 

  • A completed online application and application fee payment 
  • A current resume or CV 
  • A personal statement 
  • Official transcript from the institution that conferred the student’s highest awarded degree. Coursework/degree must be completed at a regionally accredited or candidate college or university. To search for your institution in the U.S. Department of Education’s database of accredited postsecondary institutions visit http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Official transcripts should be sent electronically from the institution/college directly to Sonoran at transcripts@sonoran.edu 
  • A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. However, Sonoran uses a holistic admissions process for the MSCMHC program, and all applicants with a GPA below 2.75 are encouraged to apply to be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Optional: Applicants may submit up to three letters of reference from professionals who can speak to the quality of the applicant which may be submitted to strengthen an application.  
  • International Applicants must submit foreign transcripts from the institution that conferred the student’s highest degree earned.  This transcript must be evaluated (course by course evaluation) by a member organization of either the National Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Education Credentials (NACES)or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Fees for this service are the responsibility of the applicant. 
  • Military transcript for former members of the armed services. 
  • Completion of a successful interview with a member of admissions  
  • Laptop and reliable high-speed internet for use in completing college course work.  For a complete listing of Sonoran University’s technical requirements please visit our IT Tech Check. 
  • To ensure that incoming mental health students are able to complete the entire curriculum, Sonoran University requires that each student be able to meet the technical standards defined in this document. 

Sonoran University accepts applications through the Sonoran University Admissions Portal. Please select and submit only one application and submit the required application documents as directed through that application service. 

  1. Applicants for the School of Mental Health must apply through the Sonoran University direct portal.
  2. A Personal Statement
  3. Curriculum vitae (CV) or professional resume
  4. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, including military training transcripts for veterans, traditional college coursework, and vocational training, showing completion of academic requirements.
  5. Video conference interview (qualified applicants selected for interview will be contacted by the Admissions Office)
  6. If accepted into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, you will be required to undergo a criminal background check (CBC) and give permission for the results to be provided to Sonoran. All expenses associated with the CBC are the responsibility of the applicant. The offer of admission will not be considered final until completion of the background check, with results deemed acceptable by Sonoran University. 

Fall 2024 applications are currently being received. Please contact your Admissions Representative today to verify term eligibility and Requirements:

Fall Important Deadlines:

Fall Start (early October)

Priority Deadline – March 1, 2024

Application Deadline – September 6, 2024

Admission Decision Deadline – September 13, 2024

Deposit Deadline – September 18, 2024

Document Deadline – September 20, 2024

  • Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by either the National Council of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators.
    • Fees for this service are the responsibility of the applicant
  • GRE is not required.
  • Submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • Scores of 6.5 on IELTS Band or 90 on TOEFL IBT
  • The applicant will work with a counseling program faculty member to assess the potential use of this degree in the applicant’s home country; however, the onus of the degree to which the degree will be accepted in another country falls completely and solely on the applicant.
  • In some countries, a master’s degree in counseling is not required to practice as a counselor, and rather, some countries require specific coursework at either the undergraduate level, or additional courses after completing a bachelors.
  • In cases where applicants require only a few extra courses to meet the requirements of their home country, the institution will have to consider the benefits of accepting such a student.

We’re Here to Answer Your Questions

*Candidates admitted to the program will be required to undergo a criminal background check and must permit the results to be provided by the reporting agency to Sonoran.