Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Online Application:

• The University of San Diego Graduate School Admission Application and $45 application fee

  • Upload the following to submit your online application
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Resume
    • Recommenders’ Contact Information

Transcripts:

An official transcript from the university where you earned your bachelor’s degree is required at the time of application.

Note:

• Official E-Transcripts are acceptable only if emailed to grads@sandiego.edu.
• Transcripts from study abroad courses and transfer credits are not required.

Degrees Earned Outside of the United States:

• Students who earned their bachelor’s or master’s degree from an institution outside the United States must submit a course-by-course degree evaluation conducted by World Education Services (WES) at the time of application.  
  • Applications for students educated outside the United States will not be considered complete nor can an admissions decision be made until this degree evaluation has been submitted.

Letters of Recommendation:

• A minimum of two professional letters of recommendation from professors or employers

Resumé:

• A current resumé or curriculum vitae

Statement of Purpose:

• A 500-word maximum statement of purpose: Please include a brief narrative describing yourself, your career goals, and the importance of graduate study in clinical mental health counseling at this point in your life. You may discuss influences on your intellectual development, educational and cultural opportunities (or lack of them) which have been available to you, and the ways in which these experiences have affected you. This should not be a recording of facts already listed on the application; it should give the Admissions Committee a better sense of who you are and why you are applying to the clinical mental health counseling specialization at the University of San Diego.

English Proficiency Exam for International Applicants

• International applicants only:
  • Official score reports for the  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)or the  International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants and may only be waived if English is the applicant’s primary language or if he or she obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia.
    • TOEFL minimum scores:
      • Internet-based test: 83
      • Computer-based test: 237
      • Paper-based test: 580
    • IELTS minimum score:
      • Band score 7

Education Requirements:

• Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the program. Applicants may apply prior to completing their bachelor's degree. In this case, please submit your most up-to-date transcripts, and if admitted, submit a second set of official transcripts after your degree is conferred.
• The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average is 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
• This program does not have any specific prerequisite courses, but undergraduate coursework in psychology and/or other social science fields is recommended.

Experience Requirements:

Experience in a related field is recommended, but not required for admission.

Interview Requirement:

After an initial review of applications to the Counseling program, the most qualified candidates will be invited to USD for a group interview with the Counseling faculty.