Doctoral Degree Admission Requirements

An applicant may only apply to one doctoral degree program per year. Before entering a doctoral degree program the student must have earned a master's degree in counseling or a related profession from a recognized/accredited institution. All applicants are required to have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all previously completed graduate coursework. Applicants should visit the Graduate School website for more detailed information about minimal University of Akron Graduate School application requirements. International applicants are also encouraged to visit the Office of International Programs website in order to gain more information about university resources and international application procedures.
All application materials are due IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELING OFFICE NO LATER THAN January 15. Doctoral students are only admitted one time per year, beginning each Fall semester.

Note: Since the Graduate School must first enter information into their files and then forward that information to the Department of Counseling, applicants are strongly encouraged to send any required Graduate School application materials at least two weeks prior to the application deadline (i.e., January 1).
The following materials must be included in doctoral degree application packets, regardless of which program the student is applying for: (1) Online application to Graduate School, completed online at the ApplyYourself Webcenter (see link in the left column), (2) official graduate and undergraduate transcripts, (3) a Department of Counseling application supplement form, (4) three letters of reference, (5) official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and (6) a professional resume. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICANTS must also submit (7) official TOEFL scores as part of their application materials.
The application materials outlined above can be found at or sent from the following locations:
1. Application to Graduate School - Use the ApplyYourself Webcenter online (see link at the right)
2. Official Graduate and Undergraduate Transcripts – must be sent from the student’s previous institutions after completing a request for transcripts.
3. Department of Counseling Doctoral Application Supplement Form
4. Three Letters of Reference
5. Official GRE Scores – must be sent from the student or Educational Testing Services after completion of the examination.
6. Professional resume.
7. Official TOEFL Scores - ONLY INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS – must be sent from the student or testing organization after completion of the examination.
Once completed, application materials should be sent to the following locations:

Graduate School
The University of Akron
469 Polsky Building
Akron, OH 44325-2101 (USA)
(1) Graduate School Application
(2) Official Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts
(3) Official TOEFL Scores (international students only)
(4) Department of Counseling Application Supplement Form
(5) Three Letters of Reference
(6) Official GRE Scores
(7) Professional Resume