Admission Requirements

Application Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Your application will be reviewed on the following timeline:

Application Timeline
Priority Deadline
 February 1
Application Submitted Rolling applications accepted until September 1

Application Completed (with all required materials) 

 Application review by faculty committee
Application review by faculty committee Admissions decisions released

Receive your application decision within four weeks after submission.

Application Requirements

The priority application deadline is February 1.

Online Application

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

  • Write a Letter of Intent 
    • The Letter of Intent is a two-page (single or double spaced, 12pt font) document that answers the question, "How would you describe the role of a school counselor?" Please include your professional goals, academic goals for the program, and how you connect with Seattle University's Mission Statement / Counseling Mission Statement:
      • As a premier program in the Pacific Northwest, the mission of the Seattle University graduate counseling program is to prepare diverse, ethical, reflective, clinically skilled, and multiculturally competent counselors to become leaders and advocates who confront injustice and provide quality service in diverse communities. 
  • Short Answer Question Please provide a written response to the following questions. 
    • Question 1: 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 2: Social Justice - Discuss what social justice and anti-racism means to you. What do you imagine learning about social justice and anti-racism in schools and school counseling programs? 
    • Question 3: 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 4: 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?
  • 2  College of Education Recommendation Forms 
    • In your application, you will be prompted to select two recommenders.
      • Provide your recommenders' email addresses.
      • They will automatically be sent a form of 20 questions on which to rank you.
        • Estimated time to completion is 10 minutes.
      • Formal letters of recommendation are not necessary. 
    • When choosing recommenders: 
      • Consider employers, supervisors or educational mentors who are familiar with your work and interpersonal skills. 
      • Do not choose therapists, family members or friends. 
  • Résumé
    • Provide a professional résumé
      • A one-to-two-page  document that includes relevant experience, volunteer or work.  
        • Three years of work experience related to schools or youth preferred. 
  • 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.  

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. 

International Students

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