Clinical Mental Health Counseling

• 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

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

    • • Students who earned their bachelor's degree from an institution outside the United States must submit a course-by-course degree evaluation conducted by a NACES current member.  
  • • 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.
  • NOTE:  
    • Official E-Transcripts are acceptable only if emailed to grads@sandiego.edu.
    • Transcripts from study abroad courses and/or transfer credit are not required.
    • Letters of Recommendation and International Transcript Evaluations must be received by the program deadline to complete your application.

• A minimum of two professional letters of recommendation from professors or employers
• A current resumé or curriculum vitae
• 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.
• 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
  • Transcripts from universities outside of the United States must be accompanied by a Course-by-Course transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES).

Admissions Requirements

Standardized Testing Requirements

• No standardized testing is required in order to apply. Applicants who have taken the  Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores, but this is not required.
• Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration. For more information on preparing for the GRE, visit  USD's Test Prep or call (619) 260-4585.

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 Requirements

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. 

Application Process

Application Deadline

All application materials, including transcripts, test score reports and letters of recommendation, must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the final deadline in order for your application to be considered. View current deadlines for admission.

Application Status and Decisions

To confirm that application materials have been received or to check the status of your application, please log in to the  MySanDiego portal with your applicant login or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524. Admissions decision letters are sent via US Mail.

Submit all application materials online, or to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
Email:  grads@sandiego.edu

For questions about this program or the admissions requirements contact:

Office of Admissions and Outreach
School of Leadership and Education Sciences
University of San Diego
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall 143

Phone: (619) 260-7988
Email:  solesadmissions@sandiego.edu