HECSA Program Admission

Must be completed from a regionally accredited institution. Must have a bachelor’s degree conferred prior to the program start.

Cumulative higher education grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be considered for admission and should highlight in the application any extenuating circumstances that led to a lower GPA. Additionally, any work/volunteer experiences relevant to student affairs or counseling.

Name and email of 3 individuals to submit a letter of recommendation; these individuals will be contacted directly by Cal State Apply with instructions on how to upload their letter. 

Possess an updated resume to be uploaded with application.

Include a Personal Interest Essay that responds to the following questions in no more than five double-spaced pages: 

• How would you define counseling in a higher education and/or student affairs setting?

• What meaningful personal life experiences have you had that would enhance your ability to serve others in the capacity of a higher ed/student affairs professional?

• What personal, educational, and/or professional experiences have you had that have led you to enter the profession?

• Our program is committed to social justice, equity, and inclusion. Please provide an example from your personal and/or professional life where you might have demonstrated commitment to the same.

• Elaborate on your specific career goals in the field of higher education counseling/student affairs and briefly discuss how our program would help you reach these goals.

Submit an application via Cal State Apply by the deadline. Visit the Cal State Apply Help Center for more information. Please note there is a $70 application fee for Cal State Apply.

GRE is not required.

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Interest Essay
• Name and email of 3 individuals, who will be contacted by Cal State Apply with instructions on how to submit a letter of recommendation

Transcripts must be sent directly from the degree-granting institution by the Cal State Apply deadline.

• Instructions on how to submit your official transcripts
• Cal Poly bachelor's degree holders do not need to provide these transcripts
• Transcripts verifying Community College and/or Graduate-level coursework should also be sent to Cal Poly Admissions

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a group interview held via video teleconference (e.g., Zoom). All interviews are conducted by HECSA faculty, typically in February. During the interview, applicants may pose additional questions.

HECSA Faculty will make acceptance recommendations to the Cal Poly Office of Admissions after interviews have been completed.

Applicants will receive a notification of intent via email from the Cal Poly Office of Admissions. Once the email is received, applicants must accept the offer of admission within 30 days.

• After applicants have accepted their offers, the HECSA program conveys fieldwork, assistantship, and scholarship opportunities on campus.
• Applicants will receive information for orientation and registration via email.