Admission Guide: Counseling Psychology, MA

Guide to Completing the Application for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (Specialization: Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
Program Website: https://counseling.uhh.hawaii.edu/
Entry Term: Summer

Next Application Term: Summer/Fall 2025
Early Decision Pilot Deadline (See Below for Eligibility): November 1, 2024
Priority Deadline: January 17, 2025
Final Deadline: February 28, 2025

Program Mission and Program Learning Outcomes

Please see the Counseling Psychology, MA Program Website.

Eligibility Criteria for Admission

Revised April 2024

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution;
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during the last 60 semester credits (or equivalent);
• A minimum of 15 semester hours (or equivalent) of course work in psychology including an introductory or survey of psychology course and four other psychology courses;
• At least one 3-credit course in statistics from any discipline (If a PSY Statistics Course is taken, may be included as a part of the 15 semester hours in PSY)
• At least one 3-credit course in research methods in the social sciences (If a PSY Research Methods Course is taken, may be included as a part of the 15 semester hours in PSY)
• For International Applicants: A score of 550 (paper based) on the TOEFL (other equivalent TOEFL scores: 79 internet based and 213 computer based; the IELTS equivalent is 6.0.

M.A. Application Checklist

• UH Hilo Graduate application form Online
• $50 Application fee paid via credit card when submitting your online application

Required Documents to be Uploaded in the Documents Tab of Online Application

• Personal Statement
  • Your personal statement should address the following:
    1. Your short and long-term academic and career plans
    2. Your reasons for pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.
    3. How graduate study at UH Hilo will help you accomplish your goals.
    4. How your experience has prepared you for graduate study and work in the field of counseling psychology.
    5. Attributes that make you well suited to the field of counseling psychology
  • There is no minimum/maximum length for the personal statement, however, successful statements are typically between 700 and 1000 words in length.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Requested in the Recommendations Tab of the Online Application

• 3 Recommendations from academic and/or professional referees.
  • Recommendations from professors who are familiar with your work are preferred. We will also accept letters written by supervisors who have observed your work in the human service field or research activities. We discourage letters from co-workers, friends, family members, and members of the clergy (unless they supervised your work).
  • Once you request your letters in the electronic system, your letter writers will be sent an email and instructions on how to use the electronic letters of recommendation system. They will be asked to upload a letter of recommendation and also be instructed to evaluate your academic aptitude and suitability for a career in counseling.

Sent Directly to the UH Hilo Graduate Division

• Official transcripts sent directly from all non-UH system colleges or universities you have attended.
  • Official transcripts are required from all institutions, even if you transferred those credits to another institution.
  • Official transcripts are not required for Advanced Placement (AP) coursework.
• Official transcripts from UH system institutions will be pulled via STAR.
• We recommend certified electronic transcripts sent directly from your institution to the UH Hilo Graduate Division- hilograd@hawaii.edu.
• Baccalaureate degree transcripts from international institutions must be submitted to an independent transcript evaluation service.
• Hard Copy transcripts should be mailed to:

• For international applicants
  • Baccalaureate degree transcripts from international institutions must be submitted to an independent transcript evaluation service. More information can be found at International Graduate Student Information.
  • Official college transcripts in the original language and official translations into English must be provided. To expedite your application, all graduate applicants with international transcripts are required to send the baccalaureate transcript for professional evaluation by one of the credential evaluation services listed on the International Graduate Student Information page.
  • Only graduates of accredited universities will be considered for acceptance.
  • International Graduate Student Supplemental Information Form/Confidential Financial Statement
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native speakers of English; see Eligibility Criteria), UH Hilo (Code: 4869)

Application Process

Please see information on the application selection process on the Counseling Psychology Program's Admission Information Page

Admission Status

The applicant’s admission status is valid only for the semester to which the applicant is accepted. Applications for students who do not register or who withdraw from the University are voided but retained for a period of one (1) year. Students may reapply for admission the next year by submitting a new application and application fee.

Transfer of Credits

Requests for transfer of credits must be made during the first semester in which the student is enrolled in the program; departmental approval for all credit transfers is required. Only credit hours with a grade of B or better from accredited universities are transferable. Credit hours for practicum and internship courses are not transferable. Transfer credit hours must have been completed within five years prior to admission, and may not have been used towards completion of another degree. Students may transfer a maximum of 12 semester hours (or its equivalent). On rare circumstances, requests for an exception to this limit could be considered by the program faculty. All requests for transfer of credits must be accompanied by a transcript and course syllabi.

Employment Opportunities for Graduates

Please see the Counseling Psychology program website Frequently Asked Questions.

Course of Study

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program’s curriculum was designed to satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in mental health counseling in Hawaiʻi. The core curriculum consists of course work in methods, concepts, and skills of the profession and the evidence-based practice of counseling psychology. Program electives will enable students to choose courses in family counseling, school and career counseling and special topics courses.

During the second year of study, students will complete a practicum course and an internship designed to provide counseling experience in real-life practice settings.

Overall, students will take 60 credits of graduate course work. It is expected that full-time students (12-15 credits per semester) will complete the degree in two years. Students begin in the summer with an online class. Students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program.

Please see the Counseling Psychology Course of Study on the Programʻs website for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Charmaine Higa-McMillan
Director MA Program in Counseling Psychology
Ph: (808) 932-7090

Craig Mitchell
Program Coordinator, MA Program in Counseling Psychology
Ph: (808) 932-8827
mhcp@hawaii.edu

For questions regarding the application process, contact:
Shelby Iwamoto
UH Hilo Graduate Division
Ph: (808) 932-7927
hilograd@hawaii.edu

Tuition Schedule

Students in this program pay the Graduate Tuition Rate. Resident and Non-Resident rates are available. UH Hilo also participates in the WICHE WRGP program for residents of qualified states.

UH Hilo Tuition Schedule
UH Hilo Fees Schedule

Total Credits in Program: 60 Credits

Students are charged tuition on a per credit hour basis up until 12 credits per semester.

For financial aid assistance, please contact:
UH Hilo Financial Aid Office:
https://hilo.hawaii.edu/financialaid/
Ph: (808) 932-7449

Native Hawaiian students who need assistance with applications and/or scholarships, please contact:
Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center:
https://kipuka.uhh.hawaii.edu/
Ph: (808) 932-7418

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions are found on the Counseling Psychology Frequently Asked Questions page.