How to Apply-Psychology

1. Research the Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program to see if it’s right for you
   • Review the program info on our website
   • Learn more about scholarships and financial aid
   • Attend an Online Info Session
   • Schedule a meeting with an Admission Counselor
   • Schedule a campus tour
   • Contact us to schedule a class visit
2. Review the Psychology Prerequisites
   • Candidates will also need to have completed prerequisite psychology coursework in the following four areas:  
     
     • Abnormal Psychology
     • Developmental/Lifespan Psychology
     • Personality Psychology
     • Research Methods
     • For additional information on these prerequisite requirements including where you can take these courses, visit our FAQ page.
   • 200 Hours of Human Services Volunteer or Work Experience. 
     • Experience, either on a paid or volunteer basis, in the area of counseling or human services of 200 hours. Our intention with this requirement is that applicants should have some experience working with persons in distress and have a sense of what it might entail to be a psychotherapist or to work in community mental health settings prior to beginning work in the program.
3. Review Admissions Dates & Deadlines
   • Applying by the application deadline ensures consideration for the Psychology cohort and institutional aid scholarships.

Once you start an application you will be able to save your progress and will not have to complete it all at once.

The MAP application includes the following elements:

1. Autobiographical Essay
   • Provide an essay (of six to eight pages in length). Within it, describe the focus of your current interests in psychology and what you hope for from a clinical training program. There are many ways to practice as a therapist. What are some of the qualities that define the kind of therapist that you personally want to become? Your essay should be detailed enough to give the reader a concrete sense of your personal, intellectual, and vocational development. Please include some reflections on important work or volunteer experiences, on meaningful facets of your social and cultural identity, on influential courses, readings, mentoring relationships or significant personal experiences that help explain why you are applying to this program with its focus on qualitative, humanistic, and existential-phenomenological psychology. 
     • Rather than relying on AI-generated content, please ensure that your essay authentically reflects your personal experiences and voice and that it is tailored specifically to the MAP Program at Seattle University.
2. Résumé
   • A résumé describing your relevant educational, work and volunteer experience.
3. Academic Writing Sample
   • An undergraduate paper could be submitted as an Academic Writing sample.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
   • Recommendations should be from individuals who can speak to your qualifications for doing graduate academic work, and/or your experiences in counseling or human services and/or beginning understanding of existential-phenomenological psychology.
   • Your recommenders can submit these electronically. If they submit them in hard copy format, your recommenders should seal and sign their envelopes, then post them directly to Graduate Admissions, 901 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA  98122.
5. Bachelor’s degree or higher
   • Evidence of four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, including the prerequisites listed in Step 1.
6. Minimum of 3.00 GPA
   • For information on GPA calculations for admission, please visit the Graduate Admissions How to Apply page.
   • Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA might be considered for probationary admission and can submit an additional GPA explanation statement. Applicants with a non-graded bachelor's degree are required to submit a GRE/GMAT test score.
7. Required Transcripts
   • Submit official or unofficial transcripts for your most recent coursework to the Office of Graduate Admissions. 
     • For additional information on transcript requirements for admission, please visit the Graduate Admissions How to Apply page. 
   • Transcripts may be submitted electronically to  grad-application@seattleu.edu or mailed.
   • Once accepted to the program, students will need to submit official transcripts within their first quarter of enrollment.

1. Submit your application
   • Make sure you hit “Submit” on your application.
   • Submitted applications are only considered complete once all application materials have been received including your letters of recommendation.
2. Interview
   • An interview, either in person, via Zoom or by telephone, will be asked of those applicants who have reached the final screening stage in the admissions process.

1. Check Your Status 
   • You can login here to check the status of your application anytime.
2. Monitor your email
   • Make sure to regularly check the email you listed on your application for updates, including your admission decision.
   • Applicants should review the application timeline for information on when to expect an admission decision

1. Submit Official Transcripts
   • If you submitted unofficial transcripts with your application, official transcripts need to be sent electronically (grad-application@seattleu.edu) or via mail to Graduate Admissions.
2. Tuition Deposit
   • Upon admission, this program requires a non-refundable deposit to confirm your space in the cohort. The deposit will be applied toward your first quarter tuition bill.