Counseling

Community Counseling Program Director and Department Chair: Hutch Haney, MS
School Counseling Program Director: Manivong J. Ratts, PhD, NCC

Overview

Flexible scheduling allows students to integrate graduate studies with full-time work commitments. Curricula incorporate theoretical perspectives with practical applications. Instructional approaches encourage an equal emphasis on direct and reflective learning experiences.

The result for the student is a humanistic learning community that respects the life experiences of the adult learner, along with an ethical sensibility that emphasizes personal responsibility and professional accountability.

Program graduates work in educational and mental health settings, institutional environments, and private practice. Public and private schools, colleges, social services, and mental health agencies, correctional facilities and youth service bureaus have all become venues for graduates of these programs.

Electives and Related Programs

Electives for all of the program options are available from other programs. Students should work closely with advisors to ensure selection of approved electives.

Admission Requirements

Application for Graduate Admission with non-refundable $55 application fee. (Application fee waived for Seattle University alumni.) The deadlines to submit all application materials for each review period are October 20 for winter or spring quarter enrollment and March 20 for summer or fall quarter entry.
Evidence of four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the area of psychology, sociology, social work, education, nursing, women’s studies, cultural studies or a related academic area. The baccalaureate degree must be completed at the time of application.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a non-human services discipline may apply if they have: a) completed 45 quarter hour credits (or 30 semester credits) in courses related to human services or b) 500 supervised work/volunteer hours in human services. Submit the Counseling Programs Supplemental Application form Part 1 listing the 45 quarter credits (or 30 semester credits) in a human services discipline; or Part 2 listing the volunteer/work experience. The minimum volunteer/work hours must be completed at the time of application.
Minimum GPA of 3.00 as calculated from official transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credits earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA may apply but are required to submit recent (within the past five years) official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores by the application deadline. Applicants from non-letter graded bachelor’s degree programs must also submit GRE scores.
Using only College of Education forms, two recommendations are required from employers, administrators or supervisors who are familiar with your work and your interpersonal skills. Do not choose peers, friends, professors or therapists.
A two-page (maximum) letter of intent (including goals for the program and professional goals, plus a response to the Seattle University mission statement)
Two-page (maximum) résumé documenting education, volunteer and professional experience
College of Education Self-Evaluation Form
Screened applicants will be invited to a group interview with faculty members and other candidates. Admission decisions are sent by letter within 30 days after the group interview.

Readmission

Students withdrawing from the program for any period are expected to discuss this with their advisor beforehand. Re-admission is not guaranteed.