School Counseling Program: Application

Application Process

Applicants must apply to the Graduate School. Once a student has been determined to be eligible for admission to the Graduate School, a special committee within the Psychology Department will select students for admission to the M.Ed. School Counselor Program. Applicants are required to submit ALL materials (see required application materials below) to the Graduate School. If you have any questions or difficulties with the application materials at the website, please contact the Graduate School via e-mail or 360-650-3170. Your answers to the attached questionnaire will serve as your statement of purpose, and must be completed and returned along with the other application materials. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit all materials prior to February 1 for admission to the program beginning in the fall. (Note - We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2024.) Final admission decisions for the next academic year are usually made during late February or early March. Admission to the program is very competitive and applicants are encouraged to submit all materials as early as possible.

Prerequisites

The following specific courses are required for those who do not have a degree in psychology: introductory psychology, statistics, abnormal psychology, and child/adolescent development. Deficiencies in prerequisites may be completed after program admission, but must be completed prior to first enrollment.

Application Materials

Required application materials (to be sent directly to the Graduate School; not to the Psychology department):

  • Graduate School application form and application fee
  • 3 letters of reference, no more than 1 year old. Must include at least one from a professor who can comment on academic abilities.
  • 1 unofficial transcript from each university/college attended
  • Statement of Purpose: The WWU Counseling Program faculty and students are guided by a mission statement and program objectives that reflect our values and goals for training counselors. As you begin the application process, please take time to review the WWU mission and objectives and reflect upon your interest in and match with our program. Use this reflection and write an essay of about 1000 words to address the following:
    • Describe the academic, professional, personal, and volunteer experiences that make you a strong candidate for graduate training in the WWU Counseling Program.
    • Describe an experience you had working to promote equity, social justice, and/or access in your personal or professional life.
    • Explain why you have chosen school counseling as a professional path.
  • For the 2021-2022 academic year and beyond, the GRE test will NOT be required as part of our School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling application process. This change was made to address some of the known inequities inherent with using the GRE for graduate admissions.
  • Resume including all work and volunteer experiences relevant to counseling with children/youth.

After an initial screening of applications, the faculty will select individuals to invite for personal interviews. To obtain additional information concerning the School Counselor Program, contact the Psychology Graduate program coordinator at 360-650-3184.