HSDA (M.S.) Program Quick Facts
- Beginning Fall 2023 a completely on-line option is available.
- Program length 33 credit hours
- New students admitted fall semesters
- Completed in two years with full-time enrollment
Program Application Deadlines
All application materials are to be received prior to the deadline. If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. Completing your application earlier is better.
How to Apply to the HSDA (M.S.) Program
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Requirements
- Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
- Required Supplemental Documentation
- Prepare a written statement focusing on the following guidelines. Do not exceed 5 typed pages, double-spaced with 12 font type. address the following:
- What are your career objectives? Please state your specific interest in the field of Human Services as well as what life experiences have contributed to these objectives. What do you wish to accomplish with your graduate education?
- What effect have your service learning, work, and volunteer experiences had in your interest in the field of Human Services and your desire to work with people? What experiences have you had in working with diverse populations?
- Describe the population of individuals you are interested in working with, explain your interest in this issue, and possible causative factors and potential solutions.
- Describe an experience in which you have been given help and how it has contributed to your desire to enter the field of Human Services.
- What do you consider your personal strengths and limitations in the field of Human Services and what areas would you like to strengthen?
- Three UNG recommendation forms from individuals able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
- Participate in a group or individual interview (conducted virtually).
Applying to UNG
- Step 1Application and Application Fee
- Step 2Official Transcripts
- Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
- Step 4Graduate Assistants
- Step 5Persons Aged 62 or Over
Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.
Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.
- Non-refundable application fee of $40.
- Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
- Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
- Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.
Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.
- Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
- Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
- Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
- Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
- International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
- Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.
Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.
Learn More
Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG?
Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to
determine eligibility.
- Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
- May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.
Learn More
-
Students not meeting the entrance criteria for the program may qualify for provisional admission.
Requirements
- Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
- General Record Exam (GRE) score of not less than 290 (verbal and quantitative combined) or Miller Analogies Test score of not less than 400. You may exempt the GRE or MAT with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures or with evidence of a master's degree in any field from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog).
Note: Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.
- Group or individual interviews with Human Services graduate faculty. Interviews will be conducted virtually.
- Required Supplemental Documentation
- Prepare a written statement focusing on the following guidelines. Do not exceed 5 typed pages, double-spaced with 12 font type. address the following:
- What are your career objectives? Please state your specific interest in the field of Human Services as well as what life experiences have contributed to these objectives. What do you wish to accomplish with your graduate education?
- What effect have your service learning, work, and volunteer experiences had in your interest in the field of Human Services and your desire to work with people? What experiences have you had in working with diverse populations?
- Describe the population of individuals you are interested in working with, explain your interest in this issue, and possible causative factors and potential solutions.
- Describe an experience in which you have been given help and how it has contributed to your desire to enter the field of Human Services.
- What do you consider your personal strengths and limitations in the field of Human Services and what areas would you like to strengthen?
- Three UNG recommendation forms from individuals able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
- Participate in a group or individual interview (conducted virtually).
Provisional degree-seeking students
- may register for a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit.
- will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of the first semester.
- are not eligible for federal financial aid while enrolled in courses as a provisional student.
- will not be allowed to continue in the program if a grade of C or lower is earned in any graduate course.
- may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.
Applying to UNG
- Step 1Application and Application Fee
- Step 2Official Transcripts
- Step 3Official Entrance Test Scores
- Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
- Step 5Graduate Assistants
- Step 6Persons Aged 62 or Over
Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.
Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.
- Non-refundable application fee of $40.
- Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
- Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
- Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.
Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.
- Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
- Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
- Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
- Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
- International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
- Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.
- University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 5497 for submitting official GRE General Test scores.
- University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 1111 for submitting official MAT.
Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.
Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.
Learn More
Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG?
Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to
determine eligibility.
- Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
- May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.
Learn More
-
An applicant interested in taking graduate courses in human services, but not interested in pursuing a graduate degree, may apply as a non-degree graduate student.
Requirements
- Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
- General Record Exam (GRE) score of not less than 290 (verbal and quantitative combined) or Miller Analogies Test score of not less than 400. You may exempt the GRE or MAT with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures or with evidence of a master's degree in any field from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog).
Note: Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.
- Pre-approval from the HSDA department head before enrolling in courses.
- Required Supplemental Documentation
- Prepare a written statement focusing on the following guidelines. Do not exceed 5 typed pages, double-spaced with 12 font type. address the following:
- What are your career objectives? Please state your specific interest in the field of Human Services as well as what life experiences have contributed to these objectives. What do you wish to accomplish with your graduate education?
- What effect have your service learning, work, and volunteer experiences had in your interest in the field of Human Services and your desire to work with people? What experiences have you had in working with diverse populations?
- Describe the population of individuals you are interested in working with, explain your interest in this issue, and possible causative factors and potential solutions.
- Describe an experience in which you have been given help and how it has contributed to your desire to enter the field of Human Services.
- What do you consider your personal strengths and limitations in the field of Human Services and what areas would you like to strengthen?
- Three UNG recommendation forms from individuals able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
- Participate in a group or individual interview (conducted virtually).
Non-degree students
- may register for no more than nine semester hours of graduate credit.
- will not be allowed to continue in the graduate level counseling courses if a grade of C or lower in any graduate course is earned.
- may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.
- are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- must submit a new application to Graduate Admissions and meet all program admission requirements if the student later decides to pursue a Master of Science in Counseling degree at UNG.
Applying to UNG
- Step 1Application and Application Fee
- Step 2Official Transcripts
- Step 3Official Entrance Test Scores
- Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
- Step 5Persons Aged 62 or Over
Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.
Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.
- Non-refundable application fee of $40.
- Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
- Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
- Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.
Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.
- Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
- Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
- Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
- Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
- International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
- Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.
- University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 5497 for submitting official GRE General Test scores.
- University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 1111 for submitting official MAT.
Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.
Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.
Learn More
Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to
determine eligibility.
- Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
- May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.
Learn More
-
A student currently enrolled at an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) as a graduate student in good standing may apply to UNG as a transient student.
- Permission to take courses does not indicate or imply subsequent admission into the program.
- Students must receive pre-approval from the HSDA department head before enrolling in courses.
- Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.
- Admission is for one semester only.
- Students who wish to return as a transient student for a subsequent semester must reapply through Graduate Admissions.
- Students may be required to submit an official transcript from the home institution in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
Applying to UNG
- Step 1Application and Application Fee
- Step 2Transient Permission
- Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions. Transient admission is for one semester only. Students who wish to return as a transient student for a subsequent semester must re-apply to Graduate Admissions.
Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.
- Application fee of $40.
- Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
- Include check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
Submit a letter of good standing or transient permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his/her home institution.
Note: The letter or form should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at UNG.
Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.
Learn More
-
International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.
-
A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.
- Students whose appeals are granted will be admitted as provisional students.
- Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking courses under a provisional admission status.
- Students may not appeal for regular admission.
Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.
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