Entry Points and Deadlines

• The Counseling program starts students in two cohorts each year:
  • Fall Term (August)
  • Spring Term (January)
• Admission is made on a rolling basis but is limited to 24 students per cohort (across both Mental Health and School Counseling programs). You are positioned for best consideration if you submit your application at least three months in advance of the start of the term you wish to enter.  If no seats are available in that cohort, you will be asked to defer until the following cohort.

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission, a prospective student must submit:

• Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, reflecting an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the US Department of Education or the extra-national equivalent;*
• GRE scores, for applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.000 (ETS code 6483);
• A personal statement, as described in the application;
• Contact information for three professional references;
• A completed criminal background check through the Family Care Safety Registry dated within 1 year of admission.

After the receipt of all materials, applicants will be invited to participate in a required interview, conducted online.

An applicant with a bachelor’s degree granted by an institution outside the United States must include a transcript evaluation provided by an approved service. Regrettably, we are unable to consider applications for fully-online programs by individuals who reside outside of the United States and its territories at this time.  International applicants are still encouraged to consider our face-to-face programs located on campus in Kirksville, Missouri.

*Students in their final year of undergraduate work are encouraged to apply. Please know that an offer of admission would say Admit – Pending Bachelor’s. Official final transcripts showing the earned degree must be on file before the first day of classes. Without timely receipt of official final transcripts, the offer of admission will be deferred to the following term.

Background Checks

All students must pass an approved background clearance before being placed in practicum or internship assignments. The background check must be current (within one year) when applying for certification.

Truman State University, in compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs and activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs and activities. Inquiries may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Officer at:

Institutional Compliance Office
Violette Hall 1308
100 E. Normal
Kirksville, MO 63501
Email: titleix@truman.edu
Telephone: (660) 785-4354

Truman State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request an accommodation, please contact the Office of Student Access and Disability Services at:

Office of Student Access and Disability Services
Pickler Memorial Library 109A
100 E. Normal
Kirksville, MO 63501
Email: studentaccess@truman.edu
Telephone: (660) 785-4478

Truman State University does not discriminate based on sex in the education programs and activities under its control and operation. Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be directed to the United States Department of Education, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Civil Rights, or to:

Title IX Coordinator
Truman State University
Violette Hall 1308
100 E. Normal Street
Kirksville, Missouri 63501
Email: titleix@truman.edu
Telephone: (660) 785-4354

To request the application in an alternate form, please contact the Office of Student Access and Disability Services.