Admission Requirements

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Application Process and Timeline for Fall 2024 Admissions

Date* Application Process 
February 1st  Application Submitted (with all required materials)

February 12th - 21st

Application review by faculty committee 

March 4th - 8th

Admissions Interviews

March 11th - 27th

Final review by faculty 

March 27th - April 5th

Notification of admission 

Within 2 weeks of receiving your offer 

Decision Deadline - candidates acceptance due date
*Dates are approximate and subject to change.

Application Information

Our application deadline for Fall is February 1st. New students may begin the counseling program in Fall only.

Online Application

Complete Seattle University’s Online Application, which includes the following elements:

  • Letter of Intent
    • A two-page (maximum) (12pt font, 1 inch margins) statement including goals for the program, professional goals and a response to the Seattle University Mission Statement and/or the Counseling Program Mission Statement.   
  • Résumé  
    • A one to two-page professional resume documenting education, volunteer and professional experience.   
  • Two Recommendations
    • You will list your recommenders and they will be sent a form on which they will rank you on 20 questions. Please do not ask for or send letters of recommendation as they will not be read.
    • Choose from supervisors or instructors who are familiar with your work and your interpersonal skills.
    • Do not choose peers, friends, or therapists. 
  • College of Education Self-Evaluation Form

Admission Requirements

  • Evidence of a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. 
  • Official Transcript(s) 
    • Submit official transcripts either electronically or mail directly to Graduate Admissions
      • Seattle University
        Office of Graduate Admission
        901 12th Avenue
        P.O.Box 222000
        Seattle, WA 98122-1090
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
    • As calculated from bachelor's degree work and any credits completed after the bachelor's degree. This includes transfer credits. 
    • Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA may apply and may be considered for probationary admission.
    • The Counseling Program does not require the GRE. However, applicants from non-graded bachelor's degree programs must submit GRE scores.
  • Group Interview

Applying to both Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling

Applicants must choose to apply to either the School Counseling program or the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, but not both.  The applicant will need to decide at the time of application which program to pursue; only one application will be reviewed per applicant per admissions cycle.

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 10 credits may transfer to the program on a 1:1 basis from a CACREP accredited university. The transfer credit evaluation process begins after a student has been enrolled into the Seattle University program, and at that time the assessment will be made which credits (if any) will transfer. Students can start their Petition for Exception to Policy (PEP) process by meeting with their advisor post-enrollment. More details about graduate transfer policies can be found here. Please note that credits may not transfer to Seattle University if they do not meet the specified requirements. 

Probationary Admission

Applicants whose academic credentials are below the expected prerequisite course work, grade point average and/or test scores of those typically accepted to specific programs, but who through other means convey the potential for academic success, warrant offers of provisional or probationary admission. Probationary admission involves a specific time limit during which the student is expected to achieve the minimum GPA noted at the time of admission. When this condition is fulfilled, the department usually recommends advancement of regular graduate student status.

International Students

International students are invited to visit our admissions page for a list of requirements.