Admission Requirements

We are accepting applications for Fall 2023 until the program is filled.

New students begin the counseling program in Fall Quarter.

Online Application

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

  • Essay Please provide a written response to the following questions. 
    • Question 1 Personal Responsibility: Learning in graduate school is not just about "getting" a grade, a credential, a pay raise, or maintaining a GPA. The majority of your learning in graduate school takes place outside of the classroom and requires that you take personal responsibility for your learning. What does taking personal responsibility for your learning mean to you? 
    • Question 2 Professionalism: The material you will be engaging with during the program can be dysregulating. The counseling program is a professional environment and students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior at all times. What skills do you use to remain professional even when feeling upset or dysregulated?
    • Question 3: Social Justice: Discuss what social justice means to you and what you imagine learning about social justice in the counseling program.
    • Question 4: Multiculturalism Scenario: Students often engage in group work in classes. Imagine a scenario where you are working in a small group and a peer pointed out a microaggression that you committed. What would you do?
    • Question 5: Self-Awareness, Conflict: Having a sense of psychological safety is important in a learning environment, and yet learning and growing can be uncomfortable. What do you see as the difference between feeling "safe" and feeling "comfortable" in the classroom? 
    • Question 6: Motivation, Personal Responsibility: All students are part of a cohort, but it is your responsibility to build your community and network. How will you develop a sense of community with peers?
  • Letter of Intent 
    • A two-page (maximum) 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. 
  • 2  College of Education Recommendation Forms 
    • Choose employers, administrators or supervisors 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 

  • Online Application
  • 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. 

Application Process and Timeline

Priority Deadline for School Counseling Applications is February 1, 2023.  After this date, applications are being accepted until the program is filled.


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.

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.