Admission - Graduate

Admission to the graduate programs at Ottawa University is limited. The minimum requirements for regular admission include the following (additional requirements and exceptions may vary by program or location as noted):

• Completed application form and fee. If you are applying to Master of Arts in Counseling programs, please download this form. http://www.ottawa.edu/files/AZ/uploads/REFERENCE%20FORM%207%2016%2006.pdf.
• Official transcript indicating an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum junior/senior grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (see additional GPA and course requirements for professional counseling program).
• Official transcripts of graduate coursework, if applicable. Please note the counseling program requires a two-page essay on career development.
• Counseling applicants must have  knowledge of introductory statistics as demonstrated by a course grade of “C” or better, standardized examination score, or similar type of acceptable evidence.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional abilities.
• Current resume. Preference is given to applicants with at two years of relevant employment or volunteer experience. A copy of a current state certification or teaching license is required for the Educational Leadership concentration.
• Essay of 300-500 words describing the applicant’s development and expectations for graduate study and demonstrating the ability to organize thoughts a clear, concise manner.
• Personal interview with program director or designate (Arizona counseling applicants only).
• International students interested in applying to the graduate program should consult the graduate program at the location where they are applying.

Provisional admission may be granted to a student under the following conditions:

• Junior/senior GPA is between 2.5 and 2.9.
• Student has not completed necessary preparatory coursework required for the program to which they are applying.
• Student lacks satisfactory grades in preparatory coursework.
• Student lacks professional or interpersonal skills required for full admission into a program leading to licensure, based upon recommendation by the admissions.

Students granted provisional admission based on criterion must successfully complete 12 semester credit hours of OU coursework with no course grade below a “B” in order to be granted full admission. Students granted provisional admission based on any of the other criteria must meet all other requirements outlined in their provisional acceptance in order to be granted full admission.