SOAR Admissions

To be admitted to the SOAR Program, applicants must apply and be admitted to the University of North Florida Graduate School AND to the SOAR Program. Learn more about the SOAR Program, the school counseling profession and the admissions process at a SOAR Information Session.  

SOAR Information Sessions

SOAR Invites you to an Information Session in the College of Education and Human Services (Building 57, Room 3430).  Information Sessions last approximately one hour. Reservations are not necessary.

 Admission to the Program

Refer to the Graduate School for requirements for admission to the University. Only applicants admitted to the Graduate School are considered for admission to the SOAR Program. It is important for applicants to begin the process of applying to the University as soon as possible. All required documents should be submitted to the Graduate School prior to the deadline date.  

1. Apply to the Graduate School  

Applicants:  

• must apply to the UNF Graduate School.  The Graduate School requires   

• all official transcripts  
  • General Knowledge Test scores or official GRE scores
  • three letters of reference, one of which needs to be from your school principal and/or vice principal, or for non-educators
  • a current or recent supervisor
  • letter of intent  -  detailing why you want to be a school counselor and a description of any leadership activities in which
  • you have been involved as a volunteer or professional
  • application fee
   

• must have a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of their undergraduate study.  For students with a lower GPA please read the section below entitled “Exception.” 
• must take and pass the General Knowledge Test (http://www.fl.nesinc.com/ ) or take the GRE and receive a combined verbal and quantitative score of 297 or higher  (1000 on the old version).  

2. Complete a portfolio and interview with a SOAR Selection Team 

                Applicants:
  

• must submit a completed portfolio to the SOAR Program in the Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management Department. A complete SOAR Portfolio contains:
  • Applicant Statement of Understanding 
  • unofficial copies of transcripts from all institutions previously attended** 
  • copy of your General Knowledge Test score report or copy of GRE scores 
  • Individualized School Experience Contract 
  • written reaction to a journal article and a school scenario 
  • a copy of your teaching certificate if you are certified by the Florida Department of Education 
   

• should contact Kate Worsowicz at k.worsowicz@unf.edu or call 620-1826 for information about interviewing 

**OFFICIAL copies of transcripts and test scores must be sent to the UNF Graduate School as part of the Graduate admissions process. Applicants will interview with a selection committee comprised of program faculty and practicing school counselors and will deliver a brief public speech on the achievement gap (see page 10 of the SOAR Portfolio). 

Portfolio Requirement:  

• Applicants must interview with SOAR faculty and submit a completed SOAR Admission Portfolio. Portfolio materials submitted become the property of the SOAR program. Please keep copies of all your work.

Exception

An exception may be awarded to an applicant who meets all the admission criteria except their GPA. An applicant with a GPA of less than 3.0 in their last 60 hours of undergraduate studies as calculated by the Graduate School is eligible for award consideration. Each program has a very limited number of exceptions, so awards are competitive.  An applicant who has a GPA of lower than 3.0 may request a review of his/her application by submitting a letter detailing the reasons that an exception to the admission policy should be granted. This letter should be submitted to the School Counseling Program Director prior to interviewing. The letter will become part of the application and be reviewed during the student selection process.  

Testing Requirement

Applicants must meet one of the testing requirements below: 

General Knowledge Test (GKT) 

The GKT is recommended for entry to the School Counseling Program because it is also required by the Florida Department of Education for certification.  For students who use the GRE as their entry exam, the GKT must be completed by the end of the first fall semester.  You can get more information at http://www.fl.nesinc.com/ .   

Please note: It takes approximately 6 weeks to receive all your GK test results. All test results must be received by the Graduate School application deadline. 

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

You may take the GRE in lieu of the General Knowledge Test, but you must receive a combined verbal and quantitative score of 297 or higher (or 1000 on the old test). Contact the UNF Testing Center (www.unf.edu/dept/testing/index.html) for more information. 

*Please note, once in the program you will still be required to take and pass the GKT by the end of your first fall semester.