Atlanta Campus Catalog 2011-2012 - Mercer University

The Graduate School Counseling Program at Mercer University is under the directionof the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (in collaboration with the TiftCollege of Education) and the University Graduate Council. Tift College of Education, asthe NCATE-accredited unit at Mercer University, is responsible for the oversight of all professionaleducation certification programs at the University. Mercer students who successfullycomplete the requirements for School Counseling certification through one ofthe graduate programs in School Counseling and meet all certification testing requirementsfor the state of Georgia will be eligible for certification recommendation through theTift College of Education’s Office of Certification. The School Counseling Program atMercer has been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the stateauthority that grants educator certification.Admissions RequirementsAll persons who wish to enter any counseling degree program must file a formal applicationfor admission to Atlanta graduate studies with the Atlanta Campus Office ofAdmissions. For additional information, contact the Program Coordinator.1. A master’s degree in school counseling, counseling with a school counseling addon,a counseling-related field from a regionally accredited college or university(CACREP/NCATE preferred). Candidates with a degree in education with a teaching-relatedemphasis from a regionally accredited college or university will also beconsidered *2. A minimum graduate GPA of 3.53. A minimum GRE score of 900 (450 verbal and 450 quantitative) or MAT score of4064. Official transcripts for all college work attempted, both graduate and undergraduate5. Copies of all current professional certifications/licensure6. If seeking Georgia Level Six Certification, applicants must possess or be eligiblefor the Level Five Certificate in the field7. A handwritten personal narrative and goals statement8. A typed narrative of applicant’s philosophy of education including the role of theprofessional school counselor in removing barriers to equity for P-12 students(identify level: elementary, middle, or high school)9. A copy of a scholarly paper (can be from the candidate’s Master’s program or apublished work)10. Three current letters of recommendation specific to the Ed.S. program11. A current resume/curriculum vitae12. The $35 nonrefundable application fee13. An interview with the Counseling faculty* Please see the Notice Regarding Acquiring School Counseling Certification underthe General Requirements for the degree section.Provisional AdmissionIf for some reason the applicant does not meet either the minimum GPA, the minimumtest score, or if the applicant has not yet taken or received the score from the appropriategraduate admissions exam, the admissions committee may grant admission for onesemester only on a provisional basis. These admissions will be decided on a case by casebasis and may be granted in the case of some documented extenuating circumstance.254 / MERCER UNIVERSITY