Counseling

Community Counseling Program Director and Department Chair: Jackie Leibsohn, PhD
School Counseling Program Director: Mary Graham, PhD

Overview

The Community Counseling and School Counseling Programs are both accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is the premiere accreditation body for graduate counseling programs. Flexible scheduling allows students to integrate graduate studies with work and home 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 faculty 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 deadline to submit all application materials for review is 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.
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.
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 3.0 GPA may be considered for probationary admission. Applicants from non-letter graded bachelor’s degree programs must 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.
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.

Probationary and Provisional 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. Provisional admission is granted typically to applicants who need to fulfill specific requirements within a stated time period to qualify for formal unconditional admission to their program of study, graduate standing or, in some cases, to remain eligible to continue course work.

Readmission

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