personal statement for university counselling

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Counselling Personal Statement Examples

Looking for inspiration for your counselling personal statement ? Check out our collection of counselling personal statement examples to get a better idea of what to include and how to structure your statement. 

Counselling Personal Statement

With over 10 years of experience as a counsellor, I believe I am an ideal candidate for a Master’s in Counseling. I am a mature and compassionate counsellor with solid communication skills and a proven track record of helping clients navigate challenges and find resolve.

I want to pursue a Master’s to enhance my knowledge and skills and provide an even higher level of care. The programme will allow me to expand my repertoire of methods and problem-solving skills to better serve clients. The field of counselling is constantly evolving, and continuing education helps ensure I am utilizing the latest research and techniques.

I look forward to exchanging knowledge with peers and conducting research to strengthen my practice.

Through work with adult, elderly and mental health clients, I have developed expertise in areas like risk assessment, treatment planning, and progress reviews. I have a strong foundation as a caring and supportive counsellor and aim to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I welcome the opportunity to have my skills challenged and strengthened through practical experience in the programme.

I am an enthusiastic, diligent and motivated counsellor dedicated to helping each client achieve success. While the work can be complicated, I have the empathy, active listening skills and adaptability required to understand and convey even complex needs. I tailor my communication to meet the needs of each client and to collaborate with external partners like housing services or emergency responders.

My Muslim and ability to speak Spanish, Hindi and Punjabi allow me to provide culturally sensitive support to clients from various backgrounds. I believe an effective counsellor must commit to constant learning and development. A postgraduate degree in Counseling will provide the knowledge and competence I need to guide clients through difficult situations and choices.

I have a proven track record, relevant experience, and dedication to becoming an even stronger counsellor. I appreciate your consideration of my application and look forward to the opportunity to advance my education through your programme.

Recommended for reading:

• How to Write a Personal Statement for a Master’s
• How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
• UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success

Counselling Personal Statement Example

I have always had the desire to understand human thoughts, feelings and behaviour. I am driven to answer not just why people act in certain ways but also how they can improve their situations and mental well-being. I aspire to become a therapist or counsellor, helping people overcome challenges and live happier lives. I believe an undergraduate degree in psychology or counselling would provide the necessary foundation, which I would then build upon through a Master’s in Counseling and Psychotherapy.

Through volunteering, I have seen both the psychological impacts of disabilities as well as the benefits of therapeutic activities. At a riding centre for disabled children, I witnessed the fear and anxiety experienced by both children and parents in their daily lives. However, I also saw the joy the children felt while doing horsemanship, an activity that allowed them to express themselves as freely as able-bodied children.

During my time shadowing a health visitor, I witnessed firsthand the emotional toll that postnatal depression and societal stigma can take on new mothers. I aim to help people overcome conditions that inhibit well-being and healthy relationships. My experience with equine therapy has helped me strengthen my skills in interpreting behaviour and finding solutions, which would serve me well as a counsellor.

I have studied sociology at the GCSE and A-level, gaining valuable skills in analyzing people and societies. However, this has inspired me to study individuals in more depth through psychology and psychotherapy . My coursework in sociology, English literature and history has also allowed me to strengthen my skills in essay writing, analysis and structuring arguments.

I believe I would excel in this program due to my ability to show both compassion and critical thinking on a subject about which I am passionate. While some may question why anyone would choose a career surrounded by distress, I see it as an opportunity to create positive change where it is needed most. Misery can only be overcome by facing it, and I appreciate the chance to do so as a counsellor.

With my relevant experience, skills and drive to become an effective therapist or counsellor. I appreciate your consideration of my application and look forward to the opportunity to advance my education in psychology and counselling through your program. 

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Counselling Personal Statement Examples

• 1 Personal Statement Example Links
• 2 Career Opportunities
• 3 UK Admission Requirements
• 4 Similar Courses in UK
• 5 UK Curriculum
• 6 Notable Alumni

Personal Statement Example Links

• Personal Statement Example 1
• Personal Statement Example 2 (PhD Applicants)
• Personal Statement Example 3

Ever been drawn to the idea of providing emotional support and guidance to individuals navigating life’s challenges? Inspired by the prospect of helping others achieve mental wellness and personal growth?

If so, a career as a Counsellor could be your perfect journey. This rewarding field equips you with the knowledge and skills to offer support, develop coping mechanisms, and facilitate positive change in individuals’ lives.

A career as a counsellor involves working with individuals, couples, and families to address a wide range of mental health issues, emotional concerns, and relationship challenges.

Counsellors help their clients to understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and develop strategies to cope with stress, improve their communication skills, and overcome personal challenges.

You can work in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, schools, and community organizations.

Depending on your professional choices, you might specialise in areas such as addiction, grief and loss, trauma, or family therapy, and use a variety of techniques, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic therapy.

A career as a counsellor can be both rewarding and challenging, as it requires a high degree of empathy, communication skills, and emotional intelligence.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

Someone with a degree in university course counselling can pursue a variety of careers in the field of education, counseling, and human services.

Careers in Education: -School Counselor -Career Counselor -Academic Advisor -Educational Consultant -Instructional Designer -Teacher -School Administrator

Careers in Counseling: -Mental Health Counselor -Marriage and Family Therapist -Substance Abuse Counselor -Rehabilitation Counselor -Career Counselor -School Counselor

Careers in Human Services: -Social Worker -Case Manager -Community Outreach Worker -Youth Counselor -Behavioral Health Technician -Residential Counselor

Relevant Industries and Sectors: -Colleges and Universities -K-12 Schools -Non-profit Organizations -Government Agencies -Mental Health Clinics -Rehabilitation Centers -Community Centers -Private Practices

UK Admission Requirements

The UK Admission Requirements for the university course counselling vary depending on the specific course and institution. Generally, the minimum entry requirements for a counselling course include a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English Language and Maths.

Additionally, some universities may require A-Levels or equivalent qualifications in relevant disciplines such as psychology or sociology.

In terms of grades, most universities require a minimum of a 2:2 in an undergraduate degree, although some may require a higher grade. It is also important to note that some universities may require a minimum of a 2:1 in a relevant degree, such as psychology or sociology.

In addition to the academic requirements, some universities may also require applicants to have relevant work experience or volunteering experience in the field of counselling. This may include working with vulnerable people, such as those with mental health issues, or those in the criminal justice system.

Finally, some universities may also require applicants to have a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is to ensure that applicants are suitable to work with vulnerable people in a counselling role.

In comparison to other courses, the entry criteria for a counselling course is typically more stringent. This is due to the fact that the course involves working with vulnerable people, and so universities need to ensure that applicants are suitable for the role.

Similar Courses in UK

Other related university courses in the UK include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience, and a Bachelor of Science in Counselling Psychology.

The key differences between these courses are the focus of study.

A Bachelor of Science in Psychology focuses on the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, while a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is more focused on the theoretical aspects of psychology and its application to everyday life.

A Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience is focused on the study of the brain and its functions, while a Bachelor of Science in Counselling Psychology focuses on the practice of counselling and psychotherapy.

UK Curriculum

The key topics and modules covered in the university course counselling will vary depending on the institution and the specific course.

Generally, the course will cover topics such as counselling theory, research methods, counselling skills, professional ethics, and the legal and ethical issues related to counselling . It may also cover topics such as counselling psychology, group counselling, family counselling, and multicultural counselling.

In terms of practical work, the course may involve activities such as role-play, case studies, and simulations. It may also involve hands-on experience in counselling settings, such as working with clients in a clinical setting or in a community setting. The course may also include fieldwork, such as observation and interviewing of clients in a variety of settings.

Notable Alumni

Here are three notable figures who have obtained a degree in Counseling or a related field:

• Courtney C. Albinson – A leading expert in neuropsychological assessment, she has a Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. Dr. Albinson is also the co-founder and director of MindWell NYC, a group psychology practice in Manhattan.
• Brené Brown – Though widely known for her research on vulnerability, courage, empathy, and shame, Brené Brown started her career with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and continued her education by obtaining a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Houston. Though not strictly a Counseling degree, the fields are very closely related.
• Harville Hendrix – He is a Clinical Pastoral Counselor who is known for his work on the psychology of relationships. Dr. Hendrix is a co-founder of Imago Relationship Therapy and has co-authored a variety of best-selling books. He holds a Doctorate in Psychology and Theology from the University of Chicago Divinity School and has a Master’s degree in Divinity.

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How to write your personal statement for graduate school.

Drafting a personal statement for graduate school can be a challenging prospect for even the most confident writers. Your “why” for pursuing a specific career path or for wanting to attend a specific school might be clear in your mind, but can be harder to put into words. Personal topics are often more challenging to structure and can easily go off the rails, meaning you will miss out on hitting key points that will demonstrate why you are a good fit for a particular program.

To make this process less daunting, let’s break it down into actionable steps that will help you shine.

Follow These 6 Steps to Write Your Personal Statement

As you consider your application to William & Mary’s Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling program, follow these steps to ensure you hit the mark with your personal statement.

1. Research

Know the ins and outs of the program you are applying to, including the admissions requirements, curriculum and faculty before you start writing. The more you know about the program, the more you can highlight what stands out to you about the program and what seems relevant to your career goals. Note that the faculty members of the William & Mary School Education will be reviewing your application materials. You can get to know the specific faculty members involved with our online program by visiting the M.Ed. in Counseling faculty page .

As you research, you will want to make sure you understand what is being asked of you when it comes to the personal statement. Are there specific prompts you should be answering? Is there a page or world limit you need to be mindful of? Gather this information in the research step. We have outlined the specifics of the personal statement along with the other admission requirements in a useful guide .

It is also important to do your homework about the career you plan to pursue with this degree. What type of counselor do you want to be? Who do you want to work with? You will want to speak about why you want to pursue this career and what you hope to accomplish, and the more you know about your intended career path, the more specific you can be in your writing. Specifics will help your personal statement stand out.

Once you have gathered your external research, it’s time to look inward and reflect. This is the stage where you can put your thoughts on paper without worrying about structure. Review any prompts given and get your ideas around these on paper. Also, think about your career aspirations, past academic, professional and volunteer experience, leadership potential, collaborative skills and propensity to engage in reflective practice.

The guiding questions for your application to the M.Ed. in Counseling program are:

• What has led you to become interested in becoming a _____ (Clinical Mental Health, School, Clinical Mental Health – Military & Veterans) counselor?
• Why are you interested in pursuing your counselor education at William & Mary?
• How will your graduate degree in Counseling at William & Mary help you achieve your career goals?
• What strengths would you bring to your graduate studies at William & Mary?
• What do you think would be the greatest challenge(s) for you in your graduate studies at William & Mary? How would you address the challenge(s)?

Based on these prompts, you can see how the research step pays off, as you can address specifics in the program and in your career aspirations. You also have the opportunity to address your strengths here and in turn what you will bring to the program with those strengths.

Now that you have all of your thoughts on paper (or typed up on your computer), it is time to get organized. There are thousands of articles about how to create an outline online, but this does not have to be a big, formal process. The goal here is to get your notes from the research and reflection steps placed in a logical order that will take your reader from the introduction to the conclusion, leaving them convinced that you will be a great fit for the program.

Generally, you will want to hook your reader in the introduction. This is a great place to share a story that relates to your “why” for pursuing counseling and/or the program. Your body paragraphs will continue on what you have set up in the introduction, giving evidence of why the reviewers should admit you to the program. And then finally, you will wrap everything up in your conclusion.

Take your time with the outline to ensure you are hitting the points you want to cover within the ideal page range. For the William & Mary person statement, we are looking for two to three pages.

You may be surprised how fast this step can go if you have given ample attention to the proceeding steps. With your notes and outline in hand, sit down and tie everything together into a cohesive paper. You have already made it through your undergraduate career (or are in the home stretch to graduation). Lean on the skills you have used to write your papers up until now and trust yourself.

Generally, write your personal statement at a time and in an environment that is conducive to getting the words on to the page. Do you write better at night, or are you more of an early bird? Do you need silence when writing, or do you thrive in a busy cafe while listening to your favorite music? Set yourself up for success in the drafting process and know that getting started is often the most challenging part.

Reviewing your draft can be broken down further into two parts: 1. Reviewing for content, and 2. Reviewing for spelling and grammar.

Enlist someone you trust, whether it be a friend, family member, colleague or supervisor, to review the content itself. Do your ideas make sense and flow and in logical order? Can the reader follow your thoughts? Is the takeaway clear? The reviewer can pinpoint areas where you might have missed a key part of the prompt or did not explain yourself very well. If you are struggling with a certain section, talking through it can be a big help.

Once you have the content nailed down, it is time to proofread. You do not want to leave any careless errors on the page. If you do not consider spelling and grammar as strengths, enlist the help of someone you trust to handle this part of the review. It can be the same person who read for the content review, or someone entirely new. Fresh eyes never hurt when it comes to proofreading. When faculty and administrators read a personal statement, they want to see true excitement and a strong level of professionalism without being distracted by errors.

6. Finalize

Charles “Rip” McAdams, professor of Counselor Education at William & Mary, explained what faculty members are looking for when reviewing an applicant’s personal statement: “The goal is to determine if an applicant's decision to pursue graduate education in counseling reflects a realistic understanding of the professional counselor's role, as well as a genuine commitment to engaging in the rigorous academic and clinical preparation that will be required.”

If you feel you have demonstrated this in your statement, it is time to stop writing. You have put in the work, and after one final proof, your personal statement is ready to be sent off with the rest of your application.

Set Yourself Up for a Successful Application Process

As you prepare to apply for William & Mary’s Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling , know that our admissions advisors are always on standby to answer your questions, clarify admissions requirements and review the list of materials we need from you. We have also compiled a number of resources to set you up for success throughout this process.

Visit the main admissions page to find the requirements. Check out our step-by-step How to Apply guide , which walks you through the process of applying through our online portal. You can also view the admissions timeline to get a better idea of how long the application process may take. Additionally, here is a blog post to help you consider what time of year you might want to start your graduate school journey.

We compiled a helpful list of admissions FAQs to assist in this process, but please reach out if you run into any questions. You can schedule a call with an admissions advisor here .

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Mental Health Counseling Personal Statement Example

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

The following essay was written by an applicant who was admitted to top US master’s programs in mental health counseling. Variations of this personal statement got accepted at Boston University, Harvard, and Yale.

This personal statement is intended to provide an example of a successful essay for a top counseling and psychology program in specializing in mental health.

Sample Personal Statement for Counseling (Mental Health)

Nietzsche’s quote, “that which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger,” captures my life’s journey. Lying in a hospital bed as a sixteen-year-old cancer patient, I resigned to accepting my inevitabile death. Yet, as the annihilating poison from chemotherapy went through my veins and into every fiber of my living body, I experienced an unfamiliar pain. As I lay there, I contemplated questions about life, death, God, souls, love, and pain. My parents and siblings would try to provide comfort. Sometimes it worked. At other times, I would wonder if this is all my life would be. Where the title of my life story could have been “Endless Possibilities,” would this story now be just a few pages long, ending with an unfinished sentence? And then I would freeze into a crippling stupor for hours.

Cancer treatment affects one at multiple levels: it starts by attacking one’s body, then impacts one’s mind, and eventually, it grates at one’s soul. Physically I felt like my entire body was rotting away. My hair falling out seemed like a cruel joke for a beautiful teenage girl. Emotionally and spiritually, my cancer brought me face to face with the overwhelming concept of death. None of this made sense to me, no matter how hard anyone tried to convince me otherwise.

After reaching my lowest, my mind quieted down. I started seeing some things very differently. It’s thought that mythical figures like Jacob, Oedipus, and even Jesus, were said to walk with a limp. This disillusionment of their physical body opened their souls and uncovered their ability to feel. In flashes of conscious awareness, I saw concern when my sister silently grieved with me. My heartfelt, unburdened with my father’s tears. Affection touched my broken soul with a doctor looking into my eyes and asking how I was. I felt a life force with my mother feeding me bland, tasteless food. Then, this intense gratitude came to me that if I were to live, I wanted to heal other people’s pain. In the following months, my body, mind, and soul strengthened, and I decided to study psychology and do social work, which I started right after high-school.

When I was twenty years old, my older brother was diagnosed with clinical depression. I could understand the pain he was going through, and I tried helping him. I used to counsel him to the best of my ability. I supported him in fighting his overpowering daemons, reinforcing his doctor’s and therapist’s work. But he lost his will to live two years later and ended his life. His loss shattered me. 

As I pieced together my life after his loss, I enrolled in a Master’s program in Anthropology .  I wanted to study different people, religions, and cultures. I knew that I had a lot of empathy for people, and I tried to understand issues of diversity and disability academically. So, during my Master’s, I worked with sex workers, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, transvestites, and transgender individuals to understand how these individuals from the most marginalized segments of our society can cope with a pain that no one would want even to understand.

During my Master’s program, I joined  American Counseling Works (ACW)  to develop my skillset to become a better helper. ACW is a training institute and sanctuary for healing mental health issues. It was here that I unreservedly spoke about all the pain that had taken up residence inside me. The beautiful journey of being in therapy helped me find peace in accepting all parts of me. I heard my voice answering questions about life, death, God, souls, love, and pain. I experienced what the field of psychology calls “post-traumatic growth” and what my favorite teacher Michael Soth calls “becoming a wounded healer.”

Given my superior performance at ACW, I was one of the first students in my class to be allowed to work with clients. As a result, I was given the additional responsibility of coordinating and managing the families of the in-patient clients. In the past few months of working, I have been genuinely fulfilled by taking up a career in counseling and therapy. Through this, I can heal with compassion and counseling skills.

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Counselling Personal Statement

Sample Counselling Personal Statement

Having always pursued study and work that allows me to make an impact on the lives of the vulnerable through a range of therapeutic approaches, Occupational Therapy Counselling is an obvious field through which I can continue to develop these skills and passions. What excites me most about the potential of Counselling & Occupational Therapy is the focus on the promotion of health and wellbeing rather than on mediating the negative effects of health-related problems. Learning more about this inspiring approach to changing the lives of clients through studying a postgraduate diploma at a prestigious university will allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of making a similar impact in my own career.

I have always been interested in the ways in which different therapies can be applied within different situations. After completing my high school studies in my native Croatia, achieving strong grades throughout, I pursued this interest through the study of Psychology at Thames Valley University. I found that I particularly enjoyed modules related to the practical application of psychological therapy within the field of healthcare, such as Health Psychology and Counselling Psychology. This ultimately led to me undertaking an MSc in Health Psychology, where I studied elements of healthcare promotion and communication, alongside the design and execution of healthcare research. Study in these areas has not only offered an excellent foundation of broader psychological knowledge but has also introduced me to principles which are fundamental to Occupational Therapy, including experience of communicating with clients to assess and respond to their individual needs.

I have gained experience of enacting these principles within the workplace through my work with the East London NHS trust. Starting out as a Social Therapist and now working as an Assistant Practitioner, I have been responsible for co-designing and implementing care plans for adults with a range of mental health difficulties. This includes using strong communication skills to talk to clients and colleagues about the best way to proceed in the case of each individual service user. We offer a range of solutions, based on the needs of our clients, which may include physical and psychological therapies, supervised activities and employment advice. I also work alongside nursing staff, psychologists and Occupational Therapists to improve their in-patient experience through facilitating therapeutic groups; including anxiety/anger management, problem solving, health promotion, relaxation and other ward based activities. I have found that the most rewarding element of the job, as you might expect, is the promotion of recovery and he focus on social inclusion. The ultimate goal of all therapies must surely be to allow the patient to live the fullest life possible, and it is the constant, dedicated work towards this goal that I have observed Occupational Therapists pursuing that inspires me to join their ranks.

In my spare time away from work, I have been keen to continue my studies for some years. To this end, I have gained a greater idea of current developments within the field of Occupation Therapy by reading books and journals dedicated to the subject. Combining this theoretical knowledge with my practical, professional relationship with the discipline, forged through my job, I believe I have gained a good idea of the challenges and rewards that the field offers and my suitability to pursue it.

Having worked hard to gain the knowledge and skill necessary to play a proactive and essential role in the lives of those in need, I am keen to continue improving on my ability to make an impact by completing a postgraduate diploma and, ultimately, registering with the Health Professional’s Council and applying for membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists.

We hope this sample Counselling personal statement has been helpful

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When applying for a psychology degree, you need to provide a persuasive psychology personal statement. Alongside your application form, your psychology UCAS personal statement is a description of your skills, ambitions and interests. Writing a personal statement for a psychology masters or undergraduate programme is a big deal: it’s a really popular discipline, so this is your chance to set yourself apart from the other candidates. Don’t worry about combing the internet for psychology quotes for personal statements. The course leaders are interested in you, not your ability to choose a punchy sound bite from Freud. Use your word count to show them who you are!Be honest, clear and specific. Sharing personal statement examples for university can be helpful; reading your friends’ drafts and giving each other feedback can help you pick up on mistakes. Check out our examples of personal statements for psychology for more ideas, and read on to discover how to start a personal statement… Your main goal is to summarise your subject-based strengths and evidence them. A top-notch psychology personal statement example would reference elements of the course and link them to personal qualities, goals and successes. E.g. your experience as a peer mentor at college supports your psychology / mental health personal statement. When applying to multiple universities, keep your comments broad enough to suit different joint honours choices. A psychology and sociology personal statement combined with a forensic psychology personal statement could, for example, mention an interest in criminal behaviour, as it complements both disciplines. Creating a postgraduate psychology personal statement can tough, so gaining clinical work experience can give your application the edge. The main difference between a psychology masters personal statement and undergraduate will be demonstrating expertise; really consider your achievements, experiences and interests in this narrowed field. For example, a psychology and law personal statement might highlight a legal internship, and a criminology and psychology personal statement could highlight voluntary work with the police.

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Application deadlines, application form, submit documents, contact admissions, how to apply, apply for one of our on-campus master's degree programs in clinical mental health counseling or counseling psychology..

Use these application requirements to apply for our programs in:

• Counseling & Psychology: School Counseling (48 credits)
• No specialization
• Trauma Studies specialization
• Holistic Studies specialization
• School & Community Counseling specialization

If you are an international student , you'll have additional application requirements. Get the International Student application guide for this program here .

Fall Start Priority Deadline: April 1 Standard Deadline: May 1

Spring Start Priority Deadline: October 1 Standard Deadline: November 1

For priority scholarship consideration, please submit your application by the priority deadline.

If you wish to apply and be considered after the deadline, please contact Graduate Admissions at 617.349.8300 or email  [email protected]  to discuss a late application.

Apply online for your graduate program in Counseling.

Create an account and password before you start your application. You can stop and save your application, and return to complete it later.

Apply Online for 2024

You'll need to submit the following supporting materials.

You can send the documents separately, but we won't be able to make an admissions decision until we've received everything.

Official Transcripts

Have each institution where you earned an undergraduate or graduate degree send us your official transcript.

If your transcript is not in English, provide a notarized translation of it.

If you’re enrolled in a degree program when you apply, submit your transcript of the courses you’ve taken to date. Submit your final official transcript once you’ve completed the degree program.

If your degree is from outside of the United States, you will be required to submit a Foreign Academic Credentials Evaluation to demonstrate U.S. bachelor's degree equivalency. A bachelor's degree or U.S. equivalency to a bachelor's degree is required for all graduate programs.  

Evaluation Agencies

Contact one of these agencies to get your credentials evaluated:

• World Education Services  
• Center for Educational Documentation  
• Educational Credential Evaluators Inc.  
• Global Credential Evaluators  

You’ll need a document-by-document evaluation. Exception: Expressive Therapies master's degree programs require a course-by-course evaluation instead.

If you’re submitting a foreign academic credential evaluation, unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your transcript requirement if official transcripts were provided to the evaluation agency.

Your transcripts need to be:

• Conferred by regionally accredited colleges or universities
• Original documents bearing the official institutional stamp
• Received by Graduate Admissions Services in envelopes sealed by the sending institution, or sent electronically directly from the institution

Send transcripts to:

[email protected] or

• Lesley University Graduate Admissions Services 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138

3 Letters of Recommendation

Include 3 recent recommendations from those you’ve worked with closely in an academic or professional setting.

• At least one of your recommendations should come from a present or former supervisor.
• If you’re in school, or are a recent graduate, one recommendation should come from a professor.
• We don’t accept recommendations written by friends or family, or that were written more 2 years before your application date.

Within your online application form, include the names and emails of the people writing your letters of recommendation. They'll receive an email from you with an electronic recommendation form, and they can upload a letter if they choose.

Written Personal Statement

Your written personal statement gives us insight into your motivation, purpose in pursuing a degree program, writing skills, and communication style. It’s an important part of our review process.

The written personal statement is an opportunity for you to communicate your:

• Level of self-awareness
• Capacity to be present for another
• Intellectual ability
• Understanding of the responsibilities of a professional counselor
• Understanding the role of power, privilege, and oppression in people’s lives
• Readiness for the academic demands of graduate work in counseling and psychology

In your 750–1250 word written personal statement, respond to each of these questions:

(Only self-disclose details to the extent that is appropriate for you.)

Address the following:

Discuss your skills as a critical learner, your ability to write research papers, and your ability to participate in experiential learning. Use this as an opportunity to discuss your academic strengths and weaknesses.

Discuss your ability to reflect on your life experience (developmental milestones and challenges, crises, losses, etc.).

In your personal life, when you are in a conflicted situation with another person, how do you manage the competing issues of being respectful of your feelings, thoughts, and interests, and those of the other person involved?

Imagine yourself as a counselor or therapist. What do you believe are the responsibilities you would have for the client's well-being, and how would you hope to meet those responsibilities (given your present understanding of the role and responsibilities of a counselor/therapist)?

We are each affected by the impact of power, privilege, and oppression (either through the having of power and/or privilege due to gender, ethnicity, race, class, sexual orientation, or another form of majority status; or through the experience of being oppressed by others because of ways in which we are marginalized). Summarize your exposure to these issues and how your understanding would be a benefit to clients with whom you would work as a counselor. Indicate the areas in which you would need to expand your understanding of these issues in your training as a counselor.

Interviews are required.

• 617.349.8300 [email protected]
• Contact a Graduate Admissions Counselor .
• Send documents to [email protected] .
• Contact an Online Counselor .
• Send documents to [email protected]

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Our psychology UCAS personal statement examples below will inspire you to write your own unique statement, and help you understand how students have successfully applied for a psychology degree in the past.

What else can I find on this page?

What is a psychology personal statement?

How do i write a psychology personal statement, what should i include in my psychology personal statement.

• How do I write my psychology personal statement introduction?

How do I write the conclusion for my psychology personal statement?

What can i do with a psychology degree.

• What are the best UK universities for psychology?

A psychology personal statement is a creative piece of writing that demonstrates your skills, experience and hobbies/extracurricular activities and how they relate to a degree in psychology.

Psychology has always been a popular and therefore competitive subject, so you need to make sure your statement stands out from the crowd and is as polished as you can make it.

At Studential, we always recommend students start by making a series of notes about themselves, which they can then use to put together a coherent personal statement. These should include:

• Specific aspects of the course that interest you
• Examples of coursework or projects you have completed
• Books, articles, etc. you have read related to the subject area
• Work experience or voluntary work in this area
• Conferences you have attended
• Personal experiences that sparked your interest in this subject
• What you hope to do once you have completed your degree in terms of your career
• Experiences that show you are a reliable and responsible person, e.g. part-time job, small business enterprise, community and/or charity work, sixth form committee, helping out at school events, etc.

You also need to think about your interests and skills, such as hobbies, other languages you speak, etc. as well as your plans for a gap year (if you're planning on taking one).

Once you have written all these down, you think about your opening paragraph, and begin to get something down. It's a good idea to allocate at least one paragraph to each bullet point to make sure you've covered everything.

When you have your first draft in place, you can revise it and ask your family, friends and tutors for help. Incorporate any feedback, comments and suggestions they offer, and see if they improve your statement.

Keep redrafting until you feel it's as polished as possible - remember, you'll be facing some stiff competition!

• The main aim of your personal statement is to show the admissions tutors why they should pick you to attend their course and university.
• Look at the course content and link it to your personal qualities, future goals and achievements. For example, you might have done some work shadowing at a counselling clinic or peer mentoring at your school or college.
• If you're applying for a joint honours, make sure you cover both subjects in the course.
• For those applying for a postgraduate course, draw attention to any clinical work experience you've completed to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in the subject.
• Read our psychology personal statement examples above for inspiration on how to make yours a success (please don't plagiarise them!).
• Remember to avoid using cliches, over-used words or phrases, humour, jokes, or taking any political or religious viewpoints.
• Structure it with a clear introduction, middle and end. You only have 4,000 characters to sell yourself, so try to make every word count!

For more help and advice on what to write in your psychology personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

How do I write a psychology personal statement introduction?

We recommend starting your psychology personal statement with either a story about how you came to be interested in the subject, or picking one or two aspects that you particularly enjoy and why you find them interesting. For example, the following applicant has chosen to talk about their childhood, and the consequences of their behaviour:

"Psychology encapsulates every aspect of our lives. From childhood, the reasons behind why we do what we do has fascinated me; and when I was disciplined for the type of mischief that one commits at a young age, my reasoning for my actions were always “To see what would happen.”

My parents mistook this as an act of mindless disobedience whereas it was in fact my first attempt at social psychology. Then, as I further discovered the leading figures in psychology, my knowledge and love of the intricacies of the human and animal mind grew."

These introductory paragraphs explain why the candidate is keen to pursue a course in psychology at university, while at the same time relating an engaging anecdote from their past, which helps to draw the reader in and make them want to read on further.

Another applicant who has submitted their statement to Studential has decided to talk about their Uncle, who has Asperger's Syndrome, and how they wondered why he was so different from everyone else:

"It was the odd behavioural traits displayed by my uncle, who has Asperger’s syndrome that first generated from a young age my questioning about why he acted so ‘differently’ to the rest of us.

This was part of what led to my interest of studying psychology, as it made me question how and why humans are so disparate from one another, and what part the brain plays in running our everyday lives."

Again, this provides an interesting hook for the reader, while demonstrating why they want to study psychology at a higher level.

These two examples should give you a good idea of how you might go about writing your own unique introduction to your psychology statement, but if you feel you need further inspiration, take a look at our list of over 100 psychology personal statement examples for more ideas.

To round off your personal statement, we suggest a paragraph or two about your extracurricular activies and hobbies, and how they have helped you to develop skills that will aid you with your psychology course at university. You may also wish to include a short sentence or two about your future ambitions or career plans, and how a degree in psychology will help you achieve these.

For example, this applicant has chosen to conclude their statement by talking about their current work experience and how it has improved their communication skills, along with their desire to complete a PhD once they've finished their undergraduate degree:

"I currently help people who struggle with language barriers by being a Spanish interpreter in different fields. Observing people from different age and cultural groups gave me first-hand experience considering the effects of stress due to the inability to communicate. This has, in addition to improving my communication skills, taught me how to deal with people from different social groups. I believe these interpersonal skills are valuable in the world of psychological research, in order to build rapport with participants in certain contexts. It has also taught me tolerance for others and the ability to remain poised during stressful situations. To culminate, in regards to my future career plans I would like to remain in further education and do a Phd in psychology- a step forward in my desired career as a researcher."

As another example, you can see how a candidate below chooses to talk to about their work experience with elderly people that have dementia, and how they want to improve their knowledge of the brain and their problem-solving skills:

"Subsequently, I did work experience at St Peter's residential care home. During my placement, I worked with nurses and kitchen staff to provide quality service to the elderly. I assisted in serving tea and lunch and also interacted with the elderly during social activities. This helped me to know how to interact with elderly people with dementia and gain a different perspective on elderly people.

I want to study psychology to further develop my knowledge in the scope of the brain, its anatomy and how it works. I want to learn how to work through problems carefully and logically applying scientific principles. Furthermore, I want to expand my awareness in all the different fields involved in the course, so that I can master any situation that I am presented with in my chosen field."

However you decide to conclude your statement, always try to relate it to the course you are applying for, i.e. psychology, and end on a positive, enthusiastic note that will make the admissions tutor want to make you an offer.

For more inspiration on how to write a conclusion, please take a look at our psychology personal statement examples .

For those with a psychology degree, there are many career options available, including:

•     Clinical psychologist
•     Counselling psychologist
•     Educational psychologist
•     Forensic psychologist
•     Further education teacher
•     Health psychologist
•     High intensity therapist
•     Occupational psychologist
•     Psychological wellbeing practitioner
•     Sport and exercise psychologist

Other career paths where a psychology degree could be useful include:

•     Advice worker
•     Border Force officer
•     UCAS Careers advice
•     Chaplain
•     Counsellor
•     Detective
•     Education consultant
•     Human resources officer
•     Life coach
•     Market researcher
•     Mediator
•     Neuroscientist
•     Play therapist
•     Policy officer
•     Psychotherapist
•     Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)

For more help and advice on psychology careers, please see Prospects and the British Psychological Society .

What are the best universities for psychology?

Currently the best UK universities for studying psychology at are:

For more information about UK university rankings for psychology, please see The Guardian and The Complete University Guide .

Related resources

How to apply for a psychology degree.

Find out more

UCAS Pyschology Guide

Psychologist Careers

Types Of Psychology Degree

Psychology Personal Statement Writing

Dr. Joseph H. Hammer

Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology

Personal Statement of Purpose for Counseling Psychology PhD and PsyD Applications

All counseling psychology doctoral (PhD or PsyD) programs require applicants to submit one or more written essays about why the applicant is interested in and qualified to enter that graduate program.

Each program calls these essays by different names, including “Personal Statement”, “Statement of Interest”, “Statement of Purpose”, “Statement of Professional Goals”, “Career Goals Statement”, “Personal Essay”, and various combinations of those terms. Programs may have you write a single statement or multiple statements (e.g., Personal Statement plus a Diversity Statement).

Writing a good statement is one of the hardest parts of applying to counseling or clinical psychology graduate programs.

One of the things that makes it hard to apply is the ambiguity and mystery that surrounds statements: what should I talk about? How long should it be? Do I talk about my experiences and interests in research, applied psychology (e.g., helping others by being a supportive listener), working with diverse groups of people, or what?

To help prospective applicants to counseling psychology doctoral programs, members of the HAMMER Lab analyzed what programs told applicants they should write about in their statement.

Check out our Counseling Psychology PhD and PsyD Personal Statement of Purpose Questions google spreadsheet to see the detailed analysis. See the bottom of this page for how we went about collecting data.

Before we review the take-home points of our analysis below, a brief reminder: be sure to check out my other  Psych Grad School  resources using the menu above, such as  Graduate School Advice ,  Counseling Psychology Faculty Research Interests List ,  Best Doctoral Programs in Counseling Psychology , and  What the Ideal Graduate School Applicant Looks Like .  I also recommend completing the  Mental Health Professions Career Test , which will give you interest scores on 21 different mental health occupations, including counseling psychology and clinical psychology.

Take-Home Points

Below are the key results from our analysis, the take-home points that every applicant should keep in mind:

• Most programs provide provide a suggested or required statement page or word length in their instructions. The most common request is 2-3 single-spaced pages . On the shorter end, some programs restrict applicants to 500 words maximum.
• 90% of the counseling psychology doctoral programs we sampled (N=50) instruct applicants to talk about their professional goals and career aspirations. In other words, no matter what programs you apply to, you should discuss this in your statement. Specifically, you should talk about your professional goals and how getting the specific doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) at that specific program (given the unique strengths and opportunities afforded by that program) will facilitate these goals.
• 52% instruct applicants to talk about their background and relevant experiences but may not clearly specify the type of experiences the applicants should discuss. (Many programs do specify the type of experience to talk about; see bullet points below.) As a rule of thumb, when applying to PhD programs, you should be ready to discuss research, applied (i.e., helping, listening, counseling, clinical), and multicultural experiences. When applying to PsyD programs, you should prioritize discussing applied and multicultural experiences (you can mention research too, especially if that program specifically requests it).
• 52% instruct applicants to clearly indicate why they want a counseling psychology doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) specifically. In other words, why not a clinical psychology degree, counseling psychology master’s degree, or a master’s in social work degree instead? Some PhD programs often want to know why you are specifically interested in the PhD instead of a PsyD (and vice versa). Even when a program does not ask you to address this specifically, I recommend always discussing how that particular degree will help you work toward your career goals.
• 59% of PhD programs (13% of PsyD program) instruct applicants to talk about why they are interested in that program specifically (versus similar programs at other institutions across the country). As a faculty member at University of Kentucky’s counseling psychology PhD program, I understand that people who apply to our program are also applying to other programs. (I always advise students to apply to 7 to 10 programs across the country that fit their professional goals, since getting into a given doctoral program is hard and you need to apply to multiple programs to maximize your chances of being offered admission.) However, even if an applicants is applying elsewhere, I still want to know “why us?”. I want to know that the applicant has carefully considered the strengths and opportunities that our program has to offer and has applied because of those unique attributes. If an applicant does not mention specific aspects of our program, then I don’t know if they are truly interested in our program or are just treating us as a “safety school” or “backup plan”. Since finding the right graduate program is more about “fit” between applicant and program rather than “being the best applicant”, I want to hear how the applicant sees themselves uniquely fitting with our program. Thus, even when not asked explicitly to address this, I recommend always discussing what attracts you to that particular program.
• 41% of PhD programs (13% of PsyD programs) instruct applicants to talk about their research interests. This serves two purposes. First, because PhD programs train students to be both scientists and practitioners (and some also train people to be advocates), the doctoral admissions committee want to see that a student has thoughtful research interests (not too broad, not too specific, and sufficiently flexible given that students are still early in their professional development) and is serious about wanting to get additional research training as a doctoral student. Second, some PhD programs prefer to admit students whose research interests overlap with the research interests of one or more program faculty members. More on that in the next bullet point. I recommend always discussing your research interests when applying to PhD programs even if not explicitly asked to do so by the program’s application instructions.
• 27% of PhD programs (0% of PsyD programs) instruct applicants to talk about how their research interests fit with the research interests of specific program faculty members. These programs tend to use an “apprenticeship model of research mentorship”, meaning that doctoral students apply to work under a specific core faculty member in that program, who will work closely with them to train them in the theories and techniques used to do research on the topics of interest to that faculty member. The expectation usually is that the student will help that professor out with the professor’s program of research while the student is enrolled in the program (and that the professor will help the student start to build the student’s own line of research, which will usually be topically related to the professor’s line of research). Therefore, programs that use this apprenticeship model often value selecting an applicant for admission based, not only on that student’s fit with the wider program, but on how well that student fits with a particular professor’s research team. Our counseling psychology PhD program at the University of Kentucky uses this apprenticeship model and this is why we explicitly ask all applicants to pick one (two at the most) professors with whom they could fit research-interest-wise. However, while only 24% of programs explicitly instructed applicants to address research fit with a professor, some programs implicitly expect you to address this . This is part of the “hidden curriculum” of graduate school–sometimes people expect you to know certain things, but you won’t unless you have a mentor who clues you in to this insider knowledge (or you happened to read it on the internet or a how-to guide). The tricky part is that you won’t always know if a given program wants you to talk about research fit with a professor. When the program’s website or application instructions does not provide clear guidance, I recommend that you make a case in your statement for how your research interests fit well with the research interests of one (maybe 2) of the professors in that program. Bear in mind that some programs do not use an apprenticeship model and instead select students based on overall fit with the program rather than research fit (they will often make this clear on their website/instructions), in which case you don’t have to spend time in your statement articulating research fit.
• 24% of PhD programs (13% of PsyD programs) instruct applicants to talk about their research experiences and qualifications. Even if a given PhD program does not explicitly request this information, you should always talk about this, as it’s an implicit expectation. However, make sure you are not just restating the information you listed under the “research experiences” section of your CV.
• 16% instruct applicants to talk about their past experiences with diverse people or cultures. However, even when a program does not explicit ask for this, I do recommend that you talk about this when discussing past research/applied/professional experiences. My anecdotal experience suggests that most programs like to see evidence in your application that you have experience working and/or living alongside people who share both cultural similarities and differences from you in terms of race/ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, (dis)ability, religion, etc. However, because some people grew up in culturally homogeneous places (surrounded by people with similar cultural identities), what’s even more important than past experience with diversity is a genuine desire moving forward to (1) learn about yourself as a cultural being with multiple identities that may carry privilege and marginalization, (2) learn to work productively with colleagues and clients who are both similar and different from yourself, and (3) learn about how interlocking systems of power influence your life and the lives of others (e.g., racism, sexism).
• 16% instruct applicants to talk about their interests, beliefs, aspirations, and/or contributions to social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, etc. This is related but different from the “past experiences with diversity” aspect mentioned above. These pieces go beyond past experience and capture what you value and how you (plan to) contribute to making the world a more just place. This is increasingly at the heart of counseling psychology as a specialty. As with the prior bullet point, even though a minority of programs explicitly instruct applicants to address this in their statement, my anecdotal experience is that most programs want to see you incorporate this into how you talk about your experiences and goals related to both research and practice.
• 26% instruct applicants to talk about their past applied (i.e., helping, listening, counseling, clinical) experience. All counseling psychology doctoral programs train their graduate students to be talk therapists, which requires being a good listener, showing empathy, problem solving abilities, a willingness to tolerate ambiguity, an openness to both positive and constructive feedback, and demonstrating cultural humility and sensitivity. To determine which applicants show promise as future psychotherapists and would therefore be suitable for admission into the doctoral program, one thing we consider is your past applied experience. Faculty want to see that you have (1) some practice with basic helping skills, (2) at least one letter of recommendation from a supervisor of one of your helping experiences that states that your helping skills are good and that you show promise as a future talk therapist, and (3) a clear track record of wanting to further develop your helping skills by seeking out relevant opportunities. Talking about your past applied experience in your statement is one way we can gather evidence about #1 and #3.
• 25% of PsyD programs (6% of PhD programs) instruct applicants to talk about their theoretical orientation, their understanding of mental illness, and/or their understanding of how people heal and change. An applicant’s answer to these questions can provide hints to faculty about how sophisticated that applicant’s clinical abilities may be. These are hard questions to answer well without having taken graduate-level therapy coursework, and more sophistication will be expected of applicants who would be joining the doctoral program after having completed a talk-therapy-related master’s degree than would be expected of applicants who joined the doctoral program after having completed only a bachelor’s degree. Most programs do not ask about this topic and there is not an implicit expectation on behalf of programs that you address this in your statement.
• 16% instruct applicants to talk about their professional strengths and/or weaknesses. Most programs do not ask about this topic and there is not an implicit expectation on behalf of programs that you address this in your statement. For those programs that do, remember that you need to strike a balance between “selling yourself” appropriately in terms of strengths and not sounding arrogant when doing so. Likewise, some weaknesses are going to be socially acceptable (e.g., typical areas of growth for new graduate students like managing mild perfectionism) whereas others will cast a shadow on your application (e.g., poor interpersonal skills, cultural insensitivity, difficulty with time management, difficult with autonomous functioning), even if they are true. While you might not need to talk about strengths and weaknesses in your statement, it’s likely you’ll have to talk about this during interviews, so make sure to put some thought into this before going on interviews.
• 38% of PsyD programs (10% of PhD programs) instruct applicants to address how the program will benefit them. This question is a combined way of asking the 3 questions of “What are your professional goals?” and “Why do you want a _____ degree specifically” and “Why are you interested in our program specifically?”. Regardless of whether a program explicitly asks this or not, there is an implicit expectation that your statement always address how your completing this chosen program will bring you closer to achieving your career goals.

In regard to our data collection strategy, our team used APA’s list of accredited counseling psychology doctoral programs (both PhD and PsyD, both counseling psychology and “combined” programs, N=84 at the time of data collection in September of 2019). We navigated to each program’s “how to apply” page to look at what instructions they provided regarding what the student should talk about in their statement(s). We copied and pasted this information into in the Counseling Psychology PhD and PsyD Personal Statement of Purpose Questions google spreadsheet. You’ll notice that we de-identified what instructions come from which program, as the point of this analysis is to get an overall snapshot, rather than to learn about a specific program (you’ll want to see the program website for that info). Some programs did not provide this information on their website but required applicants to create an account in the application portal in order to access the instructions; for our purposes, we did not include these programs in the analysis. Thus, readers should bear in mind that our analysis is based on a subset of programs that is not guaranteed to be representative of all programs. Our final sample was N=50, of which n=42 were PhDs and n=8 were PsyDs. We analyzed the set of instructions to look for topical themes (e.g., career goals), which we then coded for across programs so that counts and percentages could be created. We also calculated descriptive statistics broken down by program type (PhD vs PsyD).

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

Keep your writing straightforward and honest..

Posted October 16, 2019

Here are some situations that require writing a personal statement:

• Applying to college
• Applying to special camps or programs
• Applying to graduate school, law school, or medical school
• Applying to an internship program
• Applying for a job
• Applying for a promotion
• … and more!

Like it or not, you’ll be writing personal statements (sometimes referred to as a "statement of purpose") pretty much throughout your adult life. I bet that some retirement communities may even require personal statements in their application process!

As a college professor for over two decades, I’ve advised and edited hundreds—even thousands—of personal statements for students. I take this work seriously, as I know how these statements have the capacity to make or break an application.

Based on this experience (see my new book Own Your Psychology Major! A Guide to Student Success ), below are some tips for making your personal statement sing, along with some classic no-nos in the process.

Tips for Making Your Personal Statement Sing

First and foremost, realize this: A large but often-unstated purpose of this statement-of-purpose assignment is to allow folks to get a sense of your writing skills. Keep this point in mind the whole while. Here are some other tips:

1. Keep it short! Students often develop this idea that the longer their paper is, the better. As my mom would say, the opposite! All things being equal, you should use as few words as possible in trying to make your point. Think about the points you are trying to make and then make those points.

Efforts to add fluff are always pretty obvious. Further, the people reading your application may have dozens or even hundreds of applications to sift through. Do them a favor by keeping it short!

2. Avoid the big-word trap. Sometimes, students feel a need to use all kinds of fancy, multi-syllabic words in their writing. Try to avoid this trap at all costs! All things being equal, I suggest this approach: Write exactly as you speak (minus slang and, of course, any profanity!).

Sure, you may use some fancy words every now and again in your speech. But speech is all about communication—trying to get someone else to understand something. Writing is no different. Big words used for the sake of using big words are not doing anyone any favors.

3. Follow the guidelines. Whatever the details of the particular application process, know that there are going to be specific guidelines. This all may pertain to word count, specific questions that you are asked to address, etc.

Here is the simplest possible suggestion I can give you: Read those guidelines and follow them 100 percent in every single way. Doing so will make sure that you make it into the pile of applications to be even considered.

4. Proofread your work. Imagine this scenario: You are applying to a job at Southeast State University. After you have submitted the application, you reread your cover letter. Check it out:

“… I am thrilled to be considered for this position at Southeast State University. …. In conclusion, let me say that I am excited about this opportunity at Fresno Institute of Technology. …”

Given that you are applying to multiple positions and/or programs, it is very likely that you are writing statements that are “tailored” for each particular position and program. That is fine and is typical. But the second that you write the name of the incorrect institution in your letter due to a lack of detailed proofreading, you might as well be throwing your application into the recycling bin. Proofread your letter carefully before sending it.

5. Have an “expert” look things over. When I was a senior in college, I recall my advisor, the formidable Dr. Gwen Gustafson of the Psychology Department at UCONN, suggesting that I bring a draft of my personal statement for her to look over before applying to Ph.D. programs. So I did.

I was surprised by how much red ink she put on my paper. But I was also grateful . And I also learned a lot. Every suggestion that she had made sense. And, at the end of the day, I took those suggestions, worked hard, and got into a great Ph.D. program in psychology that shaped the rest of my life in positive ways.

Your professors and mentors have sat on admissions and hiring committees for years. Use their wisdom to your advantage. And pay things forward when you are older and wiser.

Personal Statement No-No’s

1. Don’t overemphasize personal details. A letter that focuses on your own personal traumas and history will only go so far. Sure, it is often the case that someone has a significant personal event or history that is influential in shaping his or her interests. Myself included.

But letters that over-emphasize one’s own adversities lose a bit when it comes to getting members of a committee to see the applicant in a professional setting. Sure, you may have baggage. And it may well ultimately have come to shape you in a positive manner. But unless the guidelines of the letter are asking about that in particular, don’t make that your headline.

2. Remember that you are not texting your friend. Be professional in your statement of purpose. Don’t use emojis. Don’t use acronyms. Use your most professional and respectful writing and communication skills. You can send all kinds of silly texts to the group chat about it after you’ve been accepted...

3. Seem like you care about them. A statement of purpose, or a personal statement, is largely about you. But the last thing you want to come across as is unempathetic and disinterested in the organization and/or program that you are applying to.

If you are applying to the master’s program in mental health counseling at Western State College, learn about who they are. Care about who they are. And include something in your statement which demonstrates that you both know about them and care about who they are.

Bottom Line

Modern professional life these days includes writing personal statements/essays at various junctions. Pretty much forever. Don’t be daunted by this task. You should be proud of who you are and capable of describing yourself, your interests, and your goals in a clear, engaging, and powerful manner.

Write from your heart. Follow the guidelines. And follow the common-sense suggestions here. You’ll go far.

Geher, G. (2019). Own Your Psychology Major! A Guide to Student Success. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Glenn Geher, Ph.D. , is professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He is founding director of the campus’ Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program.

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• Oct 27, 2021

Personal Statements 101

Today on my YouTube channel, Katie Lee CGC Talks Genetic Counseling, I discuss tips to write an excellent personal statement for genetic counseling graduate school.

Check out my video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBfljxcIvko

For many applicants, writing a personal statement is one of the most challenging steps of the application process. These three tips will help you get started with that pesky personal statement (or 10).

TIP #1 : BRAINSTORMING

The first and most important step to writing an impactful personal statement is identifying poignant examples to include. You should plan to spend at least a couple of hours brainstorming personal experiences that will illustrate how or why you will be an excellent genetic counselor. You should think about experiences that have taken place through working, volunteering, shadowing and in your personal life as well. You may identify experiences where something about genetic counseling really clicked for you or where you demonstrated a characteristic that will make you an excellent student of genetics or counselor, or perhaps an experience that you learned from that ties back into genetic counseling.

If you are preparing to apply for this cycle, set a timer for an hour and journal out some of the experiences that come to mind in detail. Repeat for another hour after taking a short break. Don’t skimp on your reflections of these experiences.

If you are applying in a future cycle, I recommend that you start a google doc or journal where you record relevant experiences that could be used in your personal statements. You will thank yourself later for having detailed experiences to use in your PS and interviews.

Check out my YouTube video for an example that I pulled from my experiences that I think would make for an impactful personal statement. The experience does not need to be groundbreaking, but you should demonstrate your self-reflection and what was learned or can be taken from the experience.

A very common mistake first time applicants make is that they simply summarize their CV in the personal statement. The personal statement should contain detailed and specific examples of experiences that may be included on your CV, but the details should be completely novel.

TIP #2 : RESPOND TO THE PROMPT

When writing your personal statement it is very important that you answer the specific prompt provided. Each GC program will provide a prompt which will include questions they want you to cover. Most programs will also list length and formatting requirements on their program website. For bonus fun some programs don’t list any requirements, which may mean a length is not specified. Check with the program if you have checked for this information at least three times and you cannot locate the details on their website.

Take a look below at three prompts from three GC programs for the 2022 application cycle. Notice that while the prompts certainly overlap, different programs have requested that you touch on slightly different topics. Stanford’s prompt asks that you describe future career plans; this is not mentioned in the Sarah Lawrence or Augustana prompts. Augustana’s prompt specifically asks about your exposure to genetic counseling and how the exposure has prepared you for a career in genetic counseling. SLC’s prompt is more general and requests that you describe any experiences that have shaped your interest in genetic counseling. So while the prompts all sound very similar on the first read through, many do guide you to write about specific examples and topics. Read carefully! You should not write one generic prompt and use it for all programs. However, you can write a generic prompt and modify the length, specific examples, and number of examples and make it work for most programs.

Stanford’s Prompt:

The Statement of Purpose should succinctly describe your reasons for applying to the genetic counseling program, your preparation for this field, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the review committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for genetic counseling. Please limit your personal statement to 2 pages. We prefer double spaced submissions.

Sarah Lawrence’s Prompt

Please submit a personal statement describing how your academic, extracurricular, and life experiences have shaped your interest in genetic counseling and prepared you to be successful both in graduate school and the profession.

Augustana’s Prompt

You must upload a personal statement--1250 words or less--highlighting your motivation to become a genetic counselor and emphasizing your prior and current experiences and exposure to genetic counseling, and how both have prepared you to enter and will benefit you in the profession.

TIP #3 : PICK EXPERIENCES THAT HELP YOU STAND OUT

Once you have your experiences listed and understand exactly what the prompts from your programs of interest are asking for, pick the experiences that set you apart the most from the average applicant while answering the prompt. Make sure you select experiences that help you stand out and display characteristics that make up a strong applicant.

HOW TO GET STARTED

I recommend pasting all of the prompts for your schools of interest in a google doc and outlining what you plan to touch on for each personal statement. If you can identify multiple prompts that are very similar in length and topics, group them together as one and refine after you get a draft down.

Once you have outlines for each prompt, start with whichever prompt feels the easiest. Copy and paste the most relevant experiences from the brainstorming/journaling session in step 1 and either expand or cut down the length and level of details depending on the prompt and the length requirements. Begin to think about how to make your personal statement a cohesive story with an introduction and conclusion as you edit the meat.

The hardest part of the personal statement is just

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Today on my YouTube channel, I share five tips to help you find the perfect advocacy role in preparation for applying to genetic counseling graduate school. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/

How to reach out to a GC for shadowing or an informational interview

Genetic counseling graduate programs require applicants to have exposure to genetic counseling. One of the best ways to gain firsthand exposure in the field is to shadow a genetic counselor or to con

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Clinical Counseling Psychology

The premier graduate-level clinical counseling psychology program in the nation specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy..

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Assumption has been providing excellence in licensed mental health counselor education for over 50 years!

By enrolling in the clinical counseling psychology program, you’ll be joining a large group of alumni who have successful and rewarding careers as mental health counselors..

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Shining their light

The graduate fellowship experience has been a highlight of my time at Assumption.

The fellowship allows one to experience aspects of psychological research, development, proposal, and implementation that cannot be found elsewhere. it provides students with an avenue to explore pathways of professional development previously never considered..

I completed my Graduate Fellowship with Dr. Paula Fitzpatrick working on three different projects.

Each of these projects has allowed me to practice different skills associated with the field, including everything from data collection and entry to writing a paper and presenting it to colleagues across the country..

I love the work that I do, and I wouldn't trade my experience at Assumption for anything.

Dr. leonard doerfler influenced my therapeutic style. he taught me not only how to implement the cbt interventions i use daily, but how to explain them to patients in a way that helps them to understand the reasoning behind these interventions..

Assumption gave me the tools and support necessary to be successful in my field of study.

The program's emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy familiarized me with the theory that has been adopted by the partial hospital program i currently work in. my familiarity with cbt principles has allowed me to teach these concepts and skills to patients effectively..

I participated in research with Dr. Volungis where we studied the effects of smartphone addiction.

This article has recently been published and serves as an example of the high quality of work that occurs during the fellowship process. i was able to present our research in three separate states as well as publish our findings on smartphone addiction..

Assumption’s professors will help you discover "what you want to be when you grow up."

The professors prepare you to be an informed and well-prepared member of the mental health field. they have helped me to find my own therapeutic style and grow as a clinician. i'm so grateful for all that i have learned here. assumption truly does light the way..

Assumption’s CBT-based training helped me to feel prepared and well-informed to enter the field.

The clinical counseling psychology graduate program was highly recommended and offered a lot of benefits that interested me, like the aaron t. beck institute and research fellowships that provided the chance to work with faculty on their projects..

William Nall

Clinical Counseling Psychology 2018 Clinician at The Bridge of Central Massachusetts

“The graduate fellowship experience has been a highlight of my time at Assumption. The fellowship allows one to experience aspects of psychological research, development, proposal, and implementation that cannot be found elsewhere. It provides students with an avenue to explore pathways of professional development previously never considered. ”

Katherine Schmidt

Clinical Counseling Psychology 2017 Special Education Instructional Assistant at Central Massachusetts Collaborative

“I completed my Graduate Fellowship with Dr. Paula Fitzpatrick working on three different projects. Each of these projects has allowed me to practice different skills associated with the field, including everything from data collection and entry to writing a paper and presenting it to colleagues across the country. ”

Emily Morse

Clinical Counseling Psychology 2018 Program Therapist, Butler Hospital

“I love the work that I do, and I wouldn't trade my experience at Assumption for anything. Dr. Leonard Doerfler influenced my therapeutic style. He taught me not only how to implement the CBT interventions I use daily, but how to explain them to patients in a way that helps them to understand the reasoning behind these interventions. ”

Lindsey Millerick

Clinical Counseling Psychology 2018 Program Therapist, Butler Hospital, Rhode Island

“Assumption gave me the tools and support necessary to be successful in my field of study. The program's emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy familiarized me with the theory that has been adopted by the partial hospital program I currently work in. My familiarity with CBT principles has allowed me to teach these concepts and skills to patients effectively.”

Clinical Counseling Psychology 2018 Clinician, Open Sky Community Services

“I participated in research with Dr. Volungis where we studied the effects of smartphone addiction. This article has recently been published and serves as an example of the high quality of work that occurs during the fellowship process. I was able to present our research in three separate states as well as publish our findings on smartphone addiction.”

Deanna Tortora

Clinical Counseling Psychology GR 2020 Counselor, Childrens Friend Inc.

“Assumption’s professors will help you discover "what you want to be when you grow up." The professors prepare you to be an informed and well-prepared member of the mental health field. They have helped me to find my own therapeutic style and grow as a Clinician. I'm so grateful for all that I have learned here. Assumption truly does light the way. ”

Erin Wilbur

Clinical Counseling Psychology Dual Degree Program Psychology BA ‘19, Clinical Counseling Psychology MA ‘22 Residential Counselor, Open Sky Community Services

“Assumption’s CBT-based training helped me to feel prepared and well-informed to enter the field. The Clinical Counseling Psychology graduate program was highly recommended and offered a lot of benefits that interested me, like the Aaron T. Beck Institute and research fellowships that provided the chance to work with faculty on their projects. ”

Clinical Counseling Psychology Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Psychology program is singular in its unique course progression, curriculum-wide integration of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and emphasis on helping students build a knowledge and expertise base that leads to the high-level practical application of CBT as a professional counselor.

As a student in the program, you are guaranteed to learn from highly skilled psychologists who are committed to fostering your development as a mental health professional.

The program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts.

In addition to the depth of quality courses and the willingness of our instructors to help each student develop his or her area of expertise, Assumption offers unique advantages to help you advance your career:

• Assumption has the only M.A. offering a fully integrated curriculum based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the United States.
• The Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies at Assumption University   attracts CBT practitioners from around the globe to present at and attend workshops and lectures on campus.
• Our graduates are frequently recruited for positions requiring a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Psychology.
• Assumption offers generous Graduate Fellowships with 30 credits of tuition remission.
• Students can choose four electives, which provide flexibility to focus on your personal interests.
• All faculty bring extensive clinical experience to the classroom, and full-time faculty also have impressive research credentials.
• The program can be completed in two years.
• There are numerous practicum and internship opportunities in Worcester, a city renowned for health care.

Stephanie E. Plotkin Murin, M.Ed.

Regina Kuersten-Hogan, Ph.D

Caroline Rauscher

An ideal place to learn.

• Competence in developing an interpersonal relationship with clients and clinical supervisors
• Competence in clinical assessment
• Competence in implementing counseling interventions
• Ethical and professional conduct in relationships with clients and agency
• Research in domains that contribute to the practice of mental health counseling

The 60-credit Master of Arts degree curriculum is structured for students to complete the program in as few as two years. The program has three-course levels: entry level courses which stress the counseling process and its application in field settings; general core courses which provide a broad background in scientific and professional foundations of mental health counseling; and advanced counseling courses. The curriculum includes 12 elective credits which allow you to pursue career interests and to gain in-depth training in a particular area.

The entry-level courses are designed to provide you with a broad overview of theories, models, and research findings that have shaped the field of Counseling Psychology. After you complete these entry-level courses, you will have a broad, comprehensive understanding of the field. The advanced counseling courses will build on this foundation by helping you develop and master specialized skills in cognitive-behavioral therapies.

The curriculum is organized so that full-time students can complete the required 19 courses, including practicum and internship, in either two or three years depending on when they begin taking courses. Full-time students may begin in the summer or fall semester. Part-time students may begin in the summer, fall, or spring semester. To complete the program in two years, however, you must begin during the summer semester in order to complete your oral exam during the spring semester of your second year; oral exams are not conducted during the summer semester. The two-year full-time program requires five three-course semesters and one four-course semester.

We have organized the program so that it is possible to complete the degree on a 3-year schedule. With this plan, you will take 2 courses for 8 semesters and 3 courses for one semester.

Part-time students are welcomed in the program and you can take courses on a pace that fits your circumstances. Students have up to 7 years to complete all requirements for the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Required Courses

After satisfying the program requirements, you may select four elective courses. These electives allow you to develop specialized skills in working with particular client groups and in using specific approaches to counseling. You may also use your electives to gain in-depth expertise in a particular concentration. Concentrations include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies and Child and Family Interventions. You can also fulfill the requirements for both concentrations in the 60-credit program without taking additional courses; to do so, you must complete both PSY 711 and PSY 712.

Concentration in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies

This concentration reflects the influence and activities of the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies and the expertise of departmental faculty. Structured, problem-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies focus on the interrelationship of thinking, behavior, and emotion. They are a collaborative undertaking in which the client and therapist develop the means to solve the client’s problem, thus enabling him or her to live a responsible and productive life.

If you select this concentration, you must complete at least three of the following courses:

Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Graduate Training from the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies at Assumption College .

Concentration in Child & Family Interventions

This concentration reflects the expertise of the faculty in the areas of childhood trauma, adoption, school interventions, and major psychopathology in children, adolescents, and young adults. The concentration focuses on skills used when working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of contexts. A broad developmental perspective is integrated within this concentration.

The Practicum (PSY 801) is a one-semester summer course which immediately precedes two semesters of Internship (PSY 802 and 803). The Practicum requires a minimum of 100 hours at a clinical agency or school. Students must attend an informational meeting during the spring semester prior to the summer in which they enroll in their practicum. Minimal qualification for Practicum is satisfactory completion of PSY 500 (Abnormal Psychology), PSY 501 (Psychology of Personality), PSY 600 (Counseling Principles and Practices), and PSY 604 (Ethical Principles for Counselors).

Students may not terminate their Practicum placement or withdraw from the Counseling Practicum Seminar (PSY 801) except in extraordinary circumstances and only with the written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. Students are not permitted to re-enroll in the Practicum course without written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator.

The Internship (PSY 802 and 803) is a two-consecutive-semester program which begins in the fall and concludes in the spring of the same academic year. Over the course of two semesters, students must complete a minimum of 600 hours at a clinical agency or school. Students cannot withdraw from or terminate their placement in the middle of the internship sequence except in extraordinary circumstances and only with the written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. Students are not permitted to re-enroll in the Internship courses without written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. To enroll in the Internship courses, students must have successfully completed Counseling Practicum (PSY 801) and two 700-level advanced courses.

Licensure is important for professional practice as a mental health professional and the Clinical Counseling Psychology program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. For students who are interested in applying for licensure in other states, the Clinical Counseling Psychology program faculty will provide assistance in locating and understanding the licensing regulations for those states. The faculty also will provide assistance in developing an educational plan of study that will allow students to compile a portfolio that can be submitted to the licensing board in other states.

Copies of Massachusetts 262 CMR 2.00 Requirements can be downloaded from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals website .

After completion of all of your course work or during your last semester of coursework, you will be scheduled to take an Oral Exam. The Oral Exam is required of all students in our CCP program and will be conducted in either the Fall or Spring semester (Oral Exams are not conducted in the summer). The Oral Exam is designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in CBT and to integrate theory, practice and research.

In accordance with its standards, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) requires programs to report program statistics (applications, admissions, graduations) and program outcomes. Below, please find information requested by MPCAC.

Clinical Counseling Psychology Program Data – Assumption University

The Assumption University Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Psychology program prepares you for a career as a mental health counselor, fully integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) theory and practice in addressing common clinical problems like aggressive behavior in children, ADHD, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

Why Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is So Crucial and Relevant for Today’s Clinician 

CBT and other evidence-based treatments have repeatedly proven their effectiveness in clinical settings throughout the United States and around the world.

For a number of the most common mental health conditions, CBT has proven to be the most effective treatment. As a result, CBT is increasingly being recognized, promoted and reimbursed by federal healthcare-policy makers, insurance companies and HMOs. The domino effect is that employers are actively seeking skill-based counselors with practical cognitive therapy experience.

The M.A. Program is Built on a Set of Competencies in Five Major Domains: 

1. Competence in developing an interpersonal relationship with clients and clinical supervisors 2. Competence in clinical assessment 3. Competence in implementing evidence-based interventions 4. Competence in evaluating psychological research in domains that contribute to the practice of mental health counseling 5. Ethical and professional conduct in relationships with clients, faculty, and colleagues

Students and graduates of the Clinical Counseling Psychology program are known for their high-caliber skills and work ethic. Employers seek out our students for both practicum-internship opportunities and full-time employment after graduation. Hear from a few of the employers who hire our graduates below. 

“Both students and graduates from Assumption are encouraged to join us at CHL. We know the caliber of the students at Assumption is high, and our experience has been that Assumption graduates possess keen analytical skills and are successful at solving complex problems. Given the complicated clients that often receive services at CHL, those skills are essential! We look forward to having more Assumption students and alumni join us in our work to help people recover from mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.” 

Nicole Gagne, MA President and CEO UMass Memorial Community Healthlink  

“As a clinical supervisor, I have had phenomenal experiences working with students and graduates from the Assumption Clinical Counseling Program. Resumes that indicate education from this program excite me because of the readiness the student will have to jump into clinical work based on strong theoretical background and excellent clinical documentation skills. Rigorous academic training along with real-life applicable clinical knowledge make Assumption graduates attractive in job markets. My gratitude toward the Assumption program gets stronger whenever I work with highly well-trained clinicians from Assumption!”

Yeonjoo Son Clinical Supervisor Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. 

“Open Sky Community Services has a time-honored tradition of recruiting and hiring students from the Clinical Counseling Psychology Program at Assumption University. From direct care workers to licensed clinicians, Assumption graduates have found meaningful careers where they can learn, grow and make a difference in the lives of the individuals they support. The internship program, especially, has been an effective way for interns to earn hours toward licensure while expanding their knowledge, gaining experience and moving their careers forward. Students recognize our recruiters are readily available to meet them on campus at career fairs and showcases. We are always happy to talk about career opportunities with Assumption students!” 

Ken Bates President and CEO Open Sky Community Services

“Family Continuity is proud to have established and maintained a partnership with Assumption University to work collaboratively with their Graduate School’s Clinical Counseling Psychology students. Many Assumption graduates transition their internship directly into employment opportunities with our agency. In some instances, students who express an interest in continuing with Family Continuity past their graduation will begin to build a caseload so that they can begin their employment immediately upon completion of their Master’s level, clinical counseling psychology program. Through our years of collaboration, we have found that Assumption students have been well educated to provide treatment interventions to the people Family Continuity serves with great efficacy.” 

Craig Maxim, M.Ed., LMHC Divisional Director of Behavioral Health Family Continuity

• Course Descriptions Course Descriptions
• Upcoming Course Offerings Upcoming Course Offerings

How many credits is the Clinical Counseling Psychology program? The Clinical Counseling Psychology program is a 60-credit program.

What is a full-time course load? Full-time students take 3 courses (minimum of 9 credits) per semester.

What is the cost of the program? You can find current cost per credit and fee information on our website at www.assumption.edu/gradfinaid .

Do you have both full-time and part-time options? Yes, students can take our program full-time or part-time.

What is the average length of time to complete the program? Most students complete the program in 2 – 3 years. On average, students complete the program in about 7 semesters.

How long does it take to complete the program if I am a part-time student? You are welcome to take courses as a part-time student. A part-time course load is 1 or 2 courses a semester. You can take up to 7 years to complete the program – that would be one course per semester.

What is a typical class size? Class size will vary from as many as 25 students to as few as 5 students. Required courses may have as many as 25 students. Advanced assessment or intervention courses often have lower sizes – sometimes as few as 5 students. Practicum and Internship Seminar classes have 5 – 10 students.

How many classes do students take per semester? Part-time students take 1-2 classes per semester. Full-time students take 3+ courses. It is important to know that in order to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid in the form of student loans, student’s must be enrolled in at least 2 graduate courses (6 credits) per semester.

Are courses held online or on campus? The program meets in person and is an on-campus program.

What time and how often do courses meet? Courses meet Monday – Thursday once weekly in the late day or evenings.

Is there support in finding a placement site for the internship/practicum? There is a Practicum-Internship coordinator who will assist you in your placements.

Can I work while I take classes? Classes are scheduled during the late afternoon or evening to allow students to work while they are taking classes. Some students work full time, but it is very challenging to hold a fulltime job while taking a full course load. It will be particularly difficult and stressful if you try to work full time during your internship.

What are the requirements for practicum & internship? Practicum and internship is a 12-month clinical experience. You will enroll in the Practicum Seminar during the summer session. For your practicum, you will spend at least 10 hours per week at a community agency developing your counseling skills. For at least 40% of your time, you will provide direct counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, families, or couples. During the fall and spring semesters you will enroll in the Internship Seminar. For your internship, you will spend at least 20 hours per week at a community agency. For at least 40% of your time, you will provide direct counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, families, or couples.

Can I do my practicum and internship at the place where I work? Students are rarely permitted to do their practicum and internship in the same place where they work. The practicum and internship experience is designed to help you develop new counseling skills that will advance your professional development and career. You will get the full benefit of the practicum and internship experience by working with different client populations or problems.

Are there opportunities to become involved with research? Yes. Several Clinical Counseling Psychology Program faculty have active research programs, and you are welcome to work with a faculty member on his or her research. The program also has close ties with the Psychiatry Department at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and other agencies in the community, and there are opportunities to become involved in research projects off campus.

What are the start terms for the program? The program begins in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

What are the deadlines to apply? Application deadlines will vary by program and can be found on the upper left column on the main program page.

Do applicants need to take the GMAT/GRE to apply to a graduate program? We do not require the GRE/GMAT. Our applications are reviewed more holistically focusing on an applicant’s academic transcript, letters of recommendation and personal statement.

Are there grants, fellowships or scholarships available? Each year the program offers up to 10 Graduate Fellowships . Tuition waivers are granted for 30 credits. Fellowship opportunities are available to both new and returning students.

What does a Graduate Fellowship do? A Graduate Fellow works closely with a Clinical Counseling Psychology program faculty mentor for 2 semesters on advanced psychological research. This experience is particularly beneficial for students who expect to apply to a doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology.

How do I apply for the Graduate Fellowship? Candidate should apply by email to Dr. Regina Kuersten-Hogan, Ph.D by March 1 regardless of the semester they are beginning the program. Please attach the application letter as a word document and email it to Dr. Kuersten-Hogan ( [email protected] ). The main purpose of the letter is to identify applicants who are interested in receiving a fellowship. Briefly describe any research experience you may have had, and/or your research interests. The letter does not need to be more than two or three paragraphs in length. All Graduate Fellowship candidates will be notified by the date outlined in the link above regardless of their semester start or returning date (spring, summer, or fall).

Do you offer financial aid to graduate students? Federal Financial Aid is offered in the form of unsubsidized student loans. Student’s must be enrolled in a minimum of two courses per semester to be eligible.

Is your program accredited? The program in accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council.

What are the licensure requirements? The licensing requirements for Mental Health Counselors include at least 60 graduate credits, with specific courses in 10 content areas. There are other requirements related to practicum and internship experiences.

What are the GPA/application requirements? A 3.0 GPA is required. However along with your official transcript, all application materials are considered including three professional letters of recommendation, personal statement and resume. Refer to the program page for specific admissions information.

How long does it take to receive a decision after applying? Typically applicants will be notified within a few weeks after application completion (including the submission of all materials). This is an approximate time and may vary.

If I am admitted, can I defer my enrollment? Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the semester in which they wish to commence their graduate studies. Due to the competitiveness of Assumption University’s Clinical Counseling Psychology program and the limited number of students admitted each term, students can only defer their enrollment in the case of extenuating circumstances. Accepted students need to request their deferral request in writing to the Program Director and submit an enrollment deposit by the stated deadline for deferment consideration.

I am looking to change careers. What should I do to be admitted into the program? Applicants who are trying to change careers are welcome in the program. In recent years, applicants who left careers in sales, business, law, nursing, or education completed the program and are now working as a counselor. If you have not completed 6 undergraduate psychology classes, you must complete these preparatory courses. You are welcome to contact the Dr. Regina Kuersten-Hogan, Program Director, [email protected] , to discuss your career interests and to request feedback about selecting courses to fulfill the admissions requirements.

Learn from clinical psychologists who are experts in a variety of cognitive behavioral therapies that have been shown to be efficacious by empirical research.

Career Paths

Students and graduates of the Clinical Counseling Psychology program are known for their high-caliber skills and work ethic. Employers seek out our students for both practicum-internship opportunities and full-time employment after graduation.

UmassMemorial Community Healthlink

Spectrum Health Systems

Open Sky Community Services

Family Continuity

North Suffolk Mental Health Association

Arbour Counseling Services

Children’s Friend

Child and Family Services

Graduate Admission Events and Ways to Connect With Us

We invite you to learn more about our graduate programs - either through a visit to campus, attending an information session or by scheduling a phone or virtual conversation with an admissions team member or one of our program directors.

Admissions Requirements

General graduate studies admissions requirements.

• Graduate Application
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcript(s)
• Personal Statement
• Current Resume
• TOEFL or IELTS for applicants whose native language is not English

Clinical Counseling Psychology-specific Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree and at least (6) psychology courses including statistics completed at an undergraduate level. You must complete the required courses before consideration of your application for admission to the graduate program
• 2 courses are required: Introduction to Psychology (General Psychology) and statistics. The admissions committee also wants applicants to have 2 courses that emphasize the research foundations of psychology (courses like developmental psychology, social psychology, psychology of learning, etc.)
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0, both overall and in psychology courses
• Describe the academic preparation and skills that you have that you believe qualify you for the rigorous training involved in our master's program in Clinical Counseling Psychology. Discuss experiential and field-based experiences that you believe prepare you for our counseling program.
• Describe what you hope to accomplish academically during your graduate program and the career goals you have for yourself. Focusing on the actual job you would like to have five years after completing your graduate study will bring specificity to your essay.
• Describe the qualities that you see as essential for an effective counselor and then assess yourself in terms of these characteristics.

Graduate Fellowships

Aaron t. beck institute for cognitive studies, psy.d. articulation agreement, clinical counseling psychology program receives national accreditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy: theory into practice, ccp dual degree program, graduate research symposium, veterans at assumption, assumption professors serve in nepa leadership roles.

• Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

External Resources

• Massachusetts 262 CMR 2.00 Requirements
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)

Programs Related to Clinical Counseling Psychology

Applied behavior analysis, autism spectrum disorders c.a.g.s. (with endorsement option).

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Effective Guide: Personal Statement for Mental Health Counseling

Table of Contents

A personal statement is a reflection of a person’s life and experiences. A personal statement for mental health counseling should be no different. It showcases your skills, values, and motivations while providing insight into your thinking process.

This document highlights why you are interested in becoming a mental health counselor. This document can also give potential employers an idea of the type of individual they could be working with. As a result, it may increase their interest in interviewing you.

This article provides an effective example of a personal statement for mental health counseling. It also offers tips to help you draft one that draws the reader’s attention.

What Is a Personal Statement for Mental Health Counseling?

A personal statement for mental health counseling is a document to set out your reasons and qualifications for wanting to become a counselor. This document can provide admission committees with insights into an applicant’s motivations, experience, and professional goals . A well-crafted statement can be instrumental in helping an individual secure admission into a graduate program in counseling.

How Do You Write a Mental Health Personal Statement?

A personal statement focuses on the purposes of your mental health counseling skills, academic and experience background, and how they relate. It also highlights your career goals that are related to mental health counseling. When writing your personal statement for mental health counseling, keep the following tips in mind:

Be As Specific As Possible

Think about what has led you to want to become a counselor. Highlight why you are interested in working with people who experience mental health challenges. Be specific!

Highlight Your Experiences

Focus on your experiences (both academic and professional) that have prepared you to work with this population. What did you learn from these experiences? How did they help shape your understanding of mental health?

Provide Real-Life Examples

Use concrete examples from your own life to illustrate how you have been affected by or interacted with people who experience mental illness. This will help convey that you understand firsthand the struggles faced by those living with a mental illness.

Keep Your Tone Polite and Non-Judgmental

Make sure your tone is respectful and compassionate throughout the entire statement. Mental health can be sensitive, so it’s essential to come across as supportive and non-judgmental.

Personal Statement Example for Mental Health Counseling

Below are two examples of a mental health counseling personal statement that you can use to write your own:

I have always been passionate and eager to learn more about mental health counseling. Having experienced depression and anxiety first-hand, I understand the importance of seeking professional help. I believe in utilizing evidence-based practices to help individuals cope with mental health challenges.

My interest in mental health counseling began while I was an undergraduate at UCLA. I took a course on abnormal psychology there, which sparked my curiosity about how people experience mental illness. In addition to pursuing my education in psychology, I have also gained extensive experience working with diverse populations within clinical settings. I worked in outpatient clinics and schools in the inner city of Los Angeles area communities where resources are scarce. This hands-on clinical training and my academic background uniquely prepare me for a career in mental health counseling.

Beyond possessing the necessary skill set, what drives me to pursue this field is the privilege it affords me to connect with others. It helps me build trusting relationships that can foster change down the road. It’s incredibly fulfilling for me to see clients make progress and reach their goals. It might be overcoming major life transitions or managing chronic conditions like depression or anxiety disorders.

After years of exploring options, it became evident that becoming certified as a counselor would allow me to provide personalized care using my skills. As I study at [university name], I hope to use the knowledge I have accumulated over the years to better understand mental health counseling. I picked this path to realize a lifelong dream of mine: being one of the top mental health counselors.

I would like to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling at [University Name] with an emphasis on Mental Health. I firmly believe that counseling is one of the most effective ways to help people struggling with mental health issues.

My interest in this field began during my undergraduate studies. I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for a professor who studied schizophrenia. This experience gave me valuable insight into the different aspects of mental illness and how they impact patients and their families. It was also during this time that I realized how passionate I am about helping people with these kinds of challenges.

In addition to my academic background, I have extensive experience working directly with clients suffering from various mental illnesses. For years, I worked as a case manager for an organization that provides support services to mentally ill adults living independently in the community. In this role, I was responsible for assessing each client’s needs and developing individualized care plans accordingly. In many cases, this involved providing counseling services myself.

I feel confident that my skills and experiences make me well-suited for a career in mental health counseling. But even more importantly, I am passionate about providing significant assistance to those suffering from mental illness. And I eagerly wish to pursue a Master’s degree in Mental health counseling at [University Name] to be more competent in the field.

To get your spot in a coveted counseling program or job, you need to write an effective personal statement in the application process. This article provides valuable tips and examples to help you craft a personal statement that impresses the admission committee.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Texts with ‘friendly acquaintance’ not inappropriate, says former Calvin University president

• Updated: Apr. 17, 2024, 6:18 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 17, 2024, 6:12 p.m.

Dr. Wiebe Boer

• Samuel Dodge | [email protected]

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The former Calvin University president accused of sending inappropriate texts to a woman considered her a “friendly acquaintance,” he said in a new statement sent Wednesday.

Wiebe Boer, who stepped down in February amid the accusations, sued the Christian university alongside his wife Joanna on April 12 for breach of contract, discrimination and defamation.

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