mft grad school personal statement

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Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals and relationship specialists trained to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals, couples, families, and groups to achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive intimate relationship, family, and social adjustment (California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists: Who are LMFTs; Board of Behavioral Sciences Statutes & Regulations Section 4980.02).

As a discipline within the counseling profession, marriage and family therapy emphasizes that an individual’s personal development, mental health functioning, and counseling concerns are embedded within familial-relational-societal systems. MFTs are trained to utilize a developmentally informed systemic-familial-relational orientation. In addition to counseling families and couples, MFTs specialize in providing assessment, diagnosis, and intervention to individuals across the lifespan from a systemic-familial-relational perspective. MFTs examine behavior in its social and relational context, and integrate an understanding of normative adjustment processes of the various stages of family life. MFTs trained at SF State embody the multicultural and social justice orientation of the Department of Counseling in their approach to psychotherapy.

The MFCC Specialization in the Department of Counseling is one of the counseling specialty areas accredited by the national Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). Our program emphasizes a culturally-informed and inclusive approach to the understanding of family dynamics and constellations. In addition to being trained as counseling generalists, students in the MFCC specialization receive training in:

• multicultural and social justice informed perspectives to working with couples and family systems;
• child, adolescent, and school-based therapy,
• advanced theory and skills in the systemic-familial approach to counseling clients from various developmental stages and human sexuality.

Students who complete this specialization will have satisfied the educational requirements and be eligible to register as an Associate MFT to complete post-degree hours and sit for licensure examinations necessary to be licensed as an Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) in the State of California. Graduates from this specialization are typically employed in community mental health, hospitals, private practice, crisis and trauma centers, and educational settings.

The counseling profession embraces a diversity of disciplines. Yet, professional counseling associations, national accreditation bodies, and state licensing boards have not provided, nor have they agreed on, any clear and consistent definitions that demarcate and differentiate the roles and functions of these specialty areas. Those who wish to pursue the MFCC specialization should determine if the cultural-systemic-familial-relational treatment philosophy is best compatible with your professional identity and orientation when providing assessment, diagnosis, and intervention to individuals, children, families, couples, and relationship partners. For more information about MFTs in California, visit  CAMFT’s Informational Page

A note about terminology: the Department is aware that the term MFCC (Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling) has been replaced by MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy). However, since MFCC appears in the degree title, which can only be changed by the University’s Chancellor's Office, we will use the term MFCC when referring specifically to the degree. We will use the term MFT when referring to the program as the field.

Tiffany O'Shaughnessy Associate Professor MFT Counseling Coordinator

• Application
• California Marriage and Family Therapist License (LMFT)
• Unofficial Transcript(s)
• Personal Statement and Affidavit of Authorship
• Summary of Experience Form 
• Letters of recommendation
• Writing assessment After admissions decisions are made, Coordinators will determine the incoming student's readiness for graduate level writing. This assessment will use the Personal Statement. It is essential that the applicant is the sole author of their personal statement (a verification of authorship is required in the application). Once admitted, students who have demonstrated a need to strengthen their writing skills will be required to take a writing course (HSS 700) in their first semester of the program. Students can also self-select to take the writing course for greater success in graduate level writing.
• In-person interview (depending on Specialization)

Licensure to practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California is administered and regulated by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). The MFCC specialization meets all the educational requirements for LMFT as delineated by BBS. For details of educational and degree requirements, supervised traineeship hours, pertinent licensing examinations, and the process of applying for licensure, consult the following resources:

California Board of Behavioral Sciences:  California Board of Behavioral Sciences

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists:  California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Required Courses

2 year sequence, 1st semester - fall, 2nd semester - spring, 3rd semester - fall, 4th semester - spring, 3 year sequence, 5th semester - fall, 6th semester - spring.

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Application deadline for 2024 school year..

All of our candidates for admission are reviewed once a year and at the same time.

More application information can be found here or apply now here .

MFT Programs Mission Statement

In your statement of intent, please explain how you would contribute to the BYU MFT mission as described in the paragraph below.

In harmony with our sponsoring organization (i. e., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and the mission/aims of Brigham Young University, the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs focus on “balanced development” in all student growth areas. This development is carried out in an environment of compassion, inclusion, and diversity in order to prepare students to be a healing influence in a world struggling to create safe and meaningful relationships. Both programs utilize a relational perspective (regarding the practice and science of healing) to improve the well-being of individuals, couples, and families. Finally, we strive to be an international leader in process research in order to understand how change occurs and to extend our healing influence beyond campus borders.

In fulfilling our mission statement, the MFT program is designed to fulfill the mission and aims of BYU, as an educational organization ( https://aims.byu.edu/ ), including the creation of an “Enriched Learning Environment” ( https://iss.byu.edu/content/what-we-do ). Therefore, our admission decisions will be based largely upon applicants’ capacities to contribute to the program and their ability to grow in the following areas.

• To intellectually enlarge— Applicant capacity to contribute in terms of intellectual enlargement will be assessed largely through GRE scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, and the personal statement description of their educational path.
• To spiritually strengthen—Applicant potential to contribute to the programs’ spiritually-strengthening atmosphere will be assessed through the personal statement, video responses, any personal/professional experience (work/volunteer service presented on the resume), and their ecclesiastical endorsement.
• To build character—Applicant potential to contribute to a character-building environment will be measured largely through the personal statement (in terms of a description of jobs they have had, how they financed their education, personal struggles they are dealing with), letters of recommendations, and the video responses.
• Capacity for lifelong service and learning—This will be measured through the personal statement (description of their achievements in this area to date), letters of recommendation, and any personal/professional experience and service described in the resume.
• Enriched Learning environment—This will be measured largely through the video responses, personal statement, and personal experiences related to gender, ethnic, racial and other forms of diversity (Please discuss your personal experiences with diversity outside of your mission).

Admission Criteria

*as of 2020, gre scores are no longer required for admittance into the program..

In general, successful applicants to our program have the following: 310 combined verbal & quantitative GRE score *not required 4.5+ writing GRE score *not required 3.5+ cumulative GPA (for upper division coursework) 3 Strong Letters of Recommendation from faculty, mentors, and/or work supervisors who know them well and can attest to their ability to be successful. (We recommend at least 2 come from faculty if possible.) *PLEASE NOTE: Applicants do not have the option of selecting "Offline" as an option for their recommender. ALL letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically . Essay Questions : Each with a limit of 500 characters.

• Why do you want to be a Marriage and Family Therapist? Why this profession instead of other mental health professions?
• Tell us about a personality trait you have that will make you a good therapist. Tell us how this same trait could be detrimental to being a therapist.
• Tell us about a time you worked hard for something, and failed. How did you handle that and what did you learn from that experience?
• What have you experienced in life that has helped you gain empathy for those that you will be helping?

Some experience within a 1) Human Services and/or Clinical Context OR 2) Research Experience under the direction of any faculty mentor or within the context of a class (Note: Please, do not list church mission experiences here)

Selection Process and Interview

Selection Process: December 1st at 10:00pm MT Application Deadline December MFT Faculty will evaluate how each applicant contributes to the AIMS of a BYU Education and their fit with the program.

• To Intellectually Enlarge— Applicant capacity to contribute in terms of intellectual enlargement will be assessed largely through GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, writing), last 60 hours of upper division GPA, letters of recommendation, and the personal statement description of their educational path.
• To Spiritually Strengthen—Applicant potential to contribute to the programs’ spiritually-strengthening atmosphere will be assessed through the personal statement, video responses, any personal/professional experience (work/volunteer service presented on the resume), and their ecclesiastical endorsement.
• To Build Character—Applicant potential to contribute to a character-building environment will be measured largely through the personal statement (in terms of a description of jobs they have had, how they financed their education, personal struggles they are dealing with), letters of recommendation*, and the video responses.
• Capacity for Lifelong Service and Learning—This will be measured through the personal statement (description of their achievements in this area to date), letters of recommendation, and any personal/professional experience and service described in the resume.
• Enriched Learning Environment—This will be measured largely through the video responses, personal statement, and personal experiences related to gender, ethnic, racial and other forms of diversity (Please discuss your personal experiences with diversity outside of your mission).

Resume/Additional BYU MFT Document: List out 1) Human Experience and/or Clinical Experience and 2) Research Experience EXAMPLE (Please state when and where if relevant) Research Experience Non-Scholarly Papers (e.g. a research paper written for a class) Scholarly Papers (i.e. submitted to a peer-reviewed journal) Research Positions (e.g. data entry, 403R, mentored student research) Research-focused course in which you create/carry out research Human Services Experience Clinical Experience (e.g. psych tech, intern in clinical setting) Teaching Experience (e.g. community group, Teaching Assistant) Volunteer Experiences (e.g. regularly volunteering in a soup kitchen)

By March 1st

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• Applying to graduate school
• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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If you’re applying to graduate school, you’ll likely need to write a personal statement. But what exactly is a graduate school personal statement? And what should you write about to give yourself your best shot at admission?

In this guide, we teach you how to write a personal statement for grad school, step by step. But first, let’s go over how the personal statement differs from the statement of purpose as well as what schools look for in a great graduate school essay.

What Is a Graduate School Personal Statement?

A graduate school personal statement is an admission essay that typically focuses on your personal reasons for wanting to enter a grad program and particular field of study. Essentially, you must tell the story of who you are and how you developed your current research interests.

So is a personal statement for graduate school the same thing as a statement of purpose? Well, not always (though it can be). Here are the general distinctions between the two essay types:

• Statement of purpose:  A formal essay that summarizes your academic and professional background, research interests, and career goals. In this essay, you’ll usually explain your reasons for applying to grad school and why you believe the program is a good fit for you (as well as why you’re a good fit for it!).
• Personal statement: A less formal essay that focuses on your passion and motivation for wanting to enter your chosen field and program. This statement is typically more flexible than the statement of purpose, with a bigger emphasis on storytelling. Schools often encourage applicants to discuss (relevant) challenges in their lives and how they’ve overcome them.

Both the graduate school personal statement and statement of purpose are usually anywhere from one to three double-spaced pages long, depending on the program you’re applying to.

Below is a chart comparing the personal statement and statement of purpose:

Usually, the personal statement and statement of purpose are considered two different graduate school essay types.

But this isn’t always the case. While some schools consider the personal statement and statement of purpose two distinct essays, others use the names interchangeably.

For example, Michigan State University’s College of Engineering  considers them two distinct essays, while The Ohio State University uses “personal statement” to describe what is essentially a statement of purpose.

Many schools require just one essay  (and it’ll usually be the statement of purpose, as it’s the more academic one). But some, such as the University of Michigan , ask for both a personal statement and statement of purpose, while others, such as  Notre Dame’s Creative Writing MFA program , want an essay that combines the features of both!

Ultimately, the type of graduate school essay you  submit will depend entirely on where you’re applying.

What Do Schools Look For in a Personal Statement?

Many grad schools require a personal statement in order to learn more about you, your interests, your struggles, and your motivations for wanting to enter a field of study. Through this essay, schools can get to know you on a deeper, more intimate level and learn about you in ways they can’t through transcripts and letters of recommendation alone.

But what specifically do universities look for in a great personal statement for graduate school? Here are some of the most important elements to include in your essay.

A Compelling Story

First off, your personal statement must tell a story. After all, this essay is basically your autobiography: it introduces who you are, your interests and motivations, and why you’ve decided to apply to grad school.

Unlike the statement of purpose, the personal statement should focus mostly on your personal history, from your failures to your triumphs. All experiences should tie back to your field or research area, emphasizing what you’ve learned and what this means in terms of your potential as a grad student.

Since you’re talking about yourself, be conversational in your storytelling: use an authentic voice, open up about your experiences, and maybe even throw in a joke or two. Though you’re still writing an essay for school, it’s generally OK to be a little more informal here than you would in a statement of purpose.

That said, there are a couple of things you absolutely shouldn’t do in your personal statement.

• Open your essay with a quotation. Professors have heard the quotation before and don’t need (or want) to hear it again. Plus, quotations often take up too much space in an already short essay!
• Use clichés. Think of unique ways to tell your story and grab readers’ attention. Schools want to see you can be creative yet honest about yourself, so avoid clichés like the plague (see what I did there?).
• Get too creative. Your goal is to look like a serious, committed applicant—not a wacky risk taker—so write clearly and avoid any unnecessary distractions such as images, colors, and unprofessional fonts.

Most importantly, remember that your graduate school personal statement should focus on your successes. Try to use strong, encouraging words and put positive twists on difficult experiences whenever possible. It’s OK to mention your setbacks, too—just as long as you’re discussing how you ultimately overcame (or plan to overcome) them.

Inspirations for Your Research Interests

Schools don’t only want to see clearly defined research interests but also  why you have these particular interests.   While the statement of purpose elaborates on your professional goals, the personal statement explains what personally motivated you to explore your interests.

For example, in my personal statement for a Japanese Studies MA program, I wrote about my hot-and-cold relationship with the Japanese language and how a literature class and a stint abroad ultimately inspired me to keep learning.

Don’t make the mistake of going way back to the beginning to start your essay. Many applicants open their statements with something along the lines of “I fell in love with psychology when I was ten years old” or “It all started when I was in high school.” But these broad statements lack the creativity and zest needed to secure an acceptance, so avoid them at all costs.

Your Motivation for Applying to Grad School

Your statement of purpose should explain why grad school is a practical next step in your professional life—but your personal statement should focus on what personally motivates you to take this step.

Generally, schools want answers to the following questions:

• Why is grad school an appropriate step for you now?
• How will a graduate degree help you achieve your goals?
• Why didn’t you apply to grad school earlier (if you took time off after undergrad)?
• Were there any struggles or problems you faced that prevented you from applying to grad school before?

Be honest about why you’re applying, both to grad school and the program in particular. In my graduate school essay, I discussed how my passion for Japanese literature and desire to translate it inspired me to seek advanced language training at the graduate level.

Strong Writing Skills

A great personal statement shows that you can write cogently and coherently. After all, strong writing skills are imperative for success as a grad student!

So in addition to telling a good story, make sure you use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Use paragraphs to break up your thoughts, too. Because the personal statement is slightly less formal than the statement of purpose, feel free to play around a little with paragraph form and length.

Also, remember that  good writing doesn’t necessarily equal big words.  You’re writing about yourself, so use words that come naturally to you. Don’t grab a thesaurus and start throwing in a bunch of high-level vocabulary wherever you can; this will make your essay sound less authentic, not to mention stiff.

On the other hand, don’t get too colloquial. You’ll lose respect if you start inserting conversational words such as “gonna” and “gotta.” Therefore, look for the middle ground and write from there.

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Explanations for Any Hiccups in Your Academic Career

Lastly, the personal statement  gives applicants a chance to explain any problems or changes in their academic histories, such as low grades or gaps in education.

Because transcripts and resumes are severely limited in what information they give, schools often use the personal statement to understand your reasons for abrupt changes in your resume and/or transcripts, and to see how you’ve overcome these barriers in your education (and life).

Essentially, a personal statement equalizes the playing field by giving you full rein to explain yourself and emphasize your success over any struggles you’ve had.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School: 9-Step Guide

The personal statement is a fiercely important part of your grad school application. In this section, we teach you how to write a memorable personal statement for grad school so that you’ll have a better shot at getting accepted.

Step 1: Start Early

Personal statements (actually, grad school applications in general!) take a lot of work, so don’t put off writing your essay until the week before your deadline. Rather, try to start working on your essay at least two or three months before your application is due.

You might want to give yourself more time to write it if you’re currently in school or working a demanding job. Setting aside more time lets you work on your graduate school essay routinely without having to squeeze in too many hours each week.

If you only have a month or less until your application deadline, get started on your essay pronto! Though it’s possible to write a personal statement quickly, I recommend carving out more time so that you can put more thought and effort into what you write and how you present yourself. (Doing this also gives others more time to edit your essay for you! We’ll cover this more in later steps.)

Step 2: Read the Instructions

Perhaps the most important step is to read your program’s instructions for the personal statement. Not following these instructions could very well result in a rejection, so always read these first before you start writing! Most programs put their personal statement instructions on their application materials pages.

Your program should give you the following information:

• What type of content your personal statement should include or generally focus on (you might even get an actual prompt to answer!)
• How long your statement should be
• What type of heading, if any, you must include on your statement
• How to save and submit your statement (e.g., .docx, PDF, etc.)

For example, let’s say you’re applying to the History PhD program at UC Berkeley . In this case, your personal statement can’t exceed 1,000 words (three double-spaced pages). You must also answer this prompt :

Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Please include information on how you have overcome barriers to access in higher education, evidence of how you have come to understand the barriers faced by others, evidence of your academic service to advance equitable access to higher education for women, racial minorities, and individuals from other groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, evidence of your research focusing on underserved populations or related issues of inequality, or evidence of your leadership among such groups.

On the other hand, if you were to apply for an MS in Mining, Geological, and Geophysical Engineering at the University of Arizona , your personal statement would follow these parameters:

Your personal statement is an opportunity to sell yourself, in terms of your research interests, research experience and research goals. Unless you have extensive research experience, most personal statements should be about two single-spaced pages. Your writing should be clear, concise, grammatically correct and professional in tone. You may convey some personal experiences that have led to your current interests or that make you a particularly promising candidate.

Clearly, grad programs can approach personal statements quite differently. Some schools consider them the same as statements of purpose and want a formal focus on academic and research interests, while others want applicants to explain more informally the challenges they’ve overcome to get to this point.

Simply put,  follow your program’s directions exactly in order to give yourself your best shot at admission.  And if any part of the instructions is unclear, don’t hesitate to contact your program!

Step 3: Figure Out Your Angle

Your “angle,” or focus, in your graduate school personal statement will depend on a few key factors:

• What your grad program wants you to write about
• Your field of study and research interests
• How much experience you have in your field

As I mentioned in step 2, it’s extremely important to  read the personal statement instructions for your program. Many times these guidelines will tell you what to include in your essay, thereby clarifying what your overall angle needs to be.

Let’s look back at the example we used above for UC Berkeley’s doctoral program in history. If you were applying here and came from a low-income family, you could discuss how you’ve overcome these financial challenges in your life to get to where you are today.

No matter the prompt, you’ll need to discuss your research interests (to some degree) in your personal statement.  How much you talk about your interests, however, will depend on whether you have to submit a separate statement of purpose. If so, you can focus less on your research plans and more on your passions and motivations for applying.

On the other hand, if your personal statement is essentially a statement of purpose, dive deep into your research interests—that is,  be specific! For example, those applying to English lit programs should think about the works, eras, and writers they want to study, and why.

More broadly, though, try to answer the question of  what you hope to accomplish, either during or after the program. Is there any particular project you want to do? Skills you want to improve? Field you want to break into?

Finally, always choose a positive angle.  Use affirmative words and phrases to highlight both your successes and overall enthusiasm for the program.

Step 4: Ask Yourself, “Why This Program? Why This Field?”

Although the statement of purpose usually answers this question directly, you’ll likely need to address this in your personal statement as well—ideally, with a less academic and more conversational tone.

As you brainstorm, try to come up with answers to the following questions:

• What goals or experiences led you to apply to this program?
• How will this program help you grow on a personal level?
• What made you interested in this field? Why do you want to study it more?
• What are your research interests? How did you develop these interests?
• Are there any particular professors you wish to work with?

Step 5: Make an Outline

Now that you’ve brainstormed some ideas, it’s time to start outlining your essay.

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How you choose to outline your statement is up to you. Some people like drawing bubble charts for organizing their thoughts, whereas others (like myself) prefer to write a list of rough ideas in the general order they want to present them.

Even if you’re not sure whether you want to include something, just add it to your outline anyway. You can always cut it out later as you draft and edit.

Step 6: Draft Your Essay

It’s now time to start writing! Once you’ve got your outline ready, work on expanding what you’ve written into full-fledged paragraphs.

In the beginning, it’s OK to write down anything you feel is relevant, but as you continue to draft, try to look for any extraneous information you can chop.

Remember, most personal statements will be short— usually one to two double-spaced pages—so you don’t want to risk exceeding your program’s word limit. Schools want to see that you can tell a story concisely yet effectively.

If you’re having trouble coming up with a way to open your statement, try skipping around as you draft. Go ahead and jump to a paragraph you have more ideas for—it’s perfectly OK! Just make sure you start to tie all of your ideas together the closer you get to finishing your draft.

On a related note, be careful not to copy any material from your statement of purpose (if you’re required to submit two separate essays). These statements may share a little overlap but should still focus on different aspects of your (academic) life, accomplishments, and goals.

Step 7: Get Feedback

Once you finish drafting, give your essay to people you trust for feedback. This could be a parent, friend, sibling, or mentor (such as a former or current professor).

Ask your editors to give you  specific feedback  on what you can change, both stylistically and technically, to make it more impactful. Ideally, they’ll also note any unclear, awkward, or redundant ideas/phrases and will offer you helpful suggestions for improvement.

If you’ve written a separate statement of purpose, see whether your editors are willing to check that essay over as well so that you can ensure there isn’t too much overlap between the two.

Step 8: Revise & Edit Your Essay

Once you get feedback, revise and edit your personal statement using your editors’ comments as a guide.

For example, if your editors told you your essay lacked detail, look for places in your writing where you can be more specific and that are likely to have a strong impact on the admission committee.

As you revise, keep an eye out for any awkward sentences or extraneous information. Personal statements are usually pretty brief and you don’t want to accidentally exceed the word limit. So when in doubt, take it out!

Step 9: Proofread

The final step is to proofread your draft. Start by using your computer’s spell check function to quickly find any glaring typos and grammatical errors.

Then, proofread your essay one sentence at a time. Since it’s easy to miss errors in your own writing, I recommend editing your essay from back to front (i.e., from the last sentence to the first sentence). Doing this prevents you from glossing over words and lets you pinpoint punctuation, spelling, and grammatical errors more easily.

In addition, check that you have page numbers on each page (if required—though I suggest adding them regardless) and a proper heading (again, if required) that meets the requirements of your program.

Before you submit it, see if you can get someone else (preferably one or all of your editors from step 7) to look over your final draft as well.  If anyone spots a problem with your essay, go back to step 8. If you get all thumbs ups, read over your statement one last time and then turn it in without looking back! (Seriously, don’t read it again or you’re going to want to change something.)

The Key to a Great Graduate School Personal Statement

The personal statement is an essential part of your grad school application. Like the statement of purpose, it highlights your research interests, experiences, and goals.

But more importantly, the personal statement showcases  your unbridled passion for your field, lets you reflect on challenges you’ve faced (and subsequently overcome), and answers the overarching question of why you want to attend grad school.

A great graduate school personal statement will normally include most or all of the following elements:

• A compelling story
• Inspirations for your research interests
• Your motivation for applying to grad school
• Strong writing skills
• Explanations for any changes or problems in your academic career

Above, we walked you through how to write a personal statement for grad school. To recap, here are the nine steps to follow:

• Start early—at least two or three months before your application is due
• Read your program’s instructions for the personal statement
• Figure out your angle by brainstorming ideas
• Ask yourself, “Why this program/field?”
• Make an outline using charts, a list, etc.
• Draft your essay
• Get specific feedback from multiple editors
• Revise and edit your essay
• Proofread (and get other people to proofread it, too!)

What’s Next?

Need to write a statement of purpose, too? Waste no time!  Our expert guide offers tons of tips to help you come up with a statement of purpose that’s certain to impress admission committees.

Do your schools require a CV or resume?  If you’re totally lost on where to begin, read our guides to learn how to put together a great CV or resume for grad school. And for extra help, check out our four original CV and resume templates !

What do you need to submit for your grad school application?  Get the scoop on what kinds of materials you’ll need to prepare when applying to grad school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Hannah Muniz

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz

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Personal Statement

The personal statement provides an opportunity to to make yourself stand out by describing your experiences, recognition and awards, and your personal philosophy.

Below are questions to ask yourself before you write your personal statement

• What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?  Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
• What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?
• When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
• How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
• What are your career goals?
• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre MCAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?
• What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?
• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?
• What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

Writing the Personal Statement

• Analyze the question(s) asked on a specific application
• Research the school and/or program to which you are applying
• Draft responses to many of the questions above in preparation for writing your essay
• Write your essay
• Revise your essay for form and content
• Ask someone else - preferably a faculty member in your area - to read your essay and make suggestions for further revision
• Revise again
• Proofread carefully

Helpful Tips

Tell a story

• Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience.  If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack.

Be specific

• Don't, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to pursue a specific career field should be logical, and the result of specific experience that is described in your statement.

Find an angle

• If you're like most people, your life story lacks drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital.

Concentrate on your opening paragraph

• The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it.

  Tell what you know

• The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field.  Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the field and use the language professionals use in conveying this information.

  Research

• If a school wants to know why you're applying to it rather than another school, do some research to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs.

  Write well and correctly

• Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.
• Last Updated Sep 18, 2021

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How to strategically craft a compelling application for graduate school, you can do this.

Applying to graduate school can feel like you’re trying to cram your entire life story into a 2-page personal statement. I have developed a strategic approach to applying to graduate school that evaluates your applicant narrative in light of the program to which you’re applying and helps you directly address the weaknesses in your application.

Don’t get waitlisted or rejected by “just answering the questions.” Do it right the first time and take a huge step forward on your path to becoming a licensed psychotherapist!

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Special Offer!

After you enroll in How to Strategically Craft a Compelling Application for Graduate School , if you find that you need more personalized support, I offer two discounts:

$50 off a one-hour coaching call

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These discounts are only available for those already enrolled in my application course!

What’s covered in this course?

What are programs looking for in candidates? We will explore the differences between PhD or PsyD programs and master’s programs, as well as how MFT, counseling, and social work programs differ from psychology or other graduate programs.

How are you being evaluated as a candidate? In this module, we’ll look at how applications from career-switchers might be evaluated differently than new graduates. We will also review common applications requirements and how programs use each component to assess you as a candidate.

Your application is your chance to tell your story—what I call your “applicant narrative.” You’ll start to understand how to use each application component to strategically craft a narrative that proactively addresses weaknesses. I’ll also share common traps and mistakes to avoid in your application!

I’ve created an example candidate that we will review together. I’ll share how I would guide this candidate to strategically craft a compelling application for graduate school, including what I would tell him about what to write in his essay.

The essay or personal statement is often the most overwhelming part of the application. I’ll go over how to structure and write an essay with a mind to what admissions committees are really evaluating. We’ll explore my favorite tips and tricks to make your writing stand out!

We’ll end with an overview of the entire course and my best attempt to obliterate any imposter syndrome that might be showing up for you!

Submit your application with confidence.

Applying to graduate school can feel like you’re throwing spaghetti against the wall to see if an admission committee likes anything about you. My approach to crafting an application strategically assesses what a program is really asking for, then gives you the tools to create an applicant narrative that answers the real questions about who you’ll be as a student and future therapist.

Learn about what’s being evaluated.

In over 90 minutes of video lectures over 6 modules, I’ll share my approach to applying to graduate school that I share with almost every single one of my private coaching clients. You have lifetime access to the course, so take as much time as you need!

Apply this approach to a case study.

I’ve created an example applicant and I’ll show you how I analyze his application components and the program to which he’s applying. Then I’ll show you how I would guide this applicant in strategically crafting an application that optimizes his chances of admission. You can download his application components, including the essay I would encourage him to write.

Craft your own applicant narrative.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools to strategically craft your own application for the programs of your choice, and I’ll share my thoughts on how to overcome any imposter syndrome you might still be experiencing!

Start today!

Special offer.

Will this application course be enough for me?

In my course, “How to Strategically Craft a Compelling Application for Graduate School,” I share everything I tell my private coaching clients about my approach to applications and especially essay writing. I sincerely think it’s enough for most people to get a really good idea for how to strategically apply to graduate school. But I’ve worked with enough students to know that it’s easy to get bogged down in your personal story and feel very uncertain about what the best strategy for YOU is. If that’s how you feel, then private coaching or my editing service might be a better fit.

What if I buy the course but realize I need personalized support?

If you enroll in the application course but still feel like you could use help directly from me on your application, I offer two discounts: $50 off one hour-long coaching call or $100 off Editing or Proofreading services.

What's the benefit of taking the class instead of doing a call?

In a one-hour coaching call, I’m trying to balance sharing my approach to the application process with answering your questions. There’s often not enough time to do both 100%. My hope is that after taking this course, you’ll actually have enough information to confidently submit your application without any more help from me. But if that’s not the case, you can get a discounted rate on a coaching call and I don’t need to spend any of our time together explaining everything in the course—you’ll already know it! That should make giving you personalized support way more efficient.

What's your refund policy?

I don’t offer refunds on this course. If you’re hesitant about purchasing, please share your concerns with me and I’ll let you know whether I think it’s a good fit or not.

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Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy

Take the next step toward your career goals. Learn key information about the USC Rossier admission process and application requirements for the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program.

Prerequisites

In order to apply for this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from a college or university that is regionally accredited or recognized by a ministry of education. The institution must have been accredited at the time your degree was conferred.

Note regarding felonies and misdemeanors : In order to obtain a Marriage and Family Therapy license, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires applicants to disclose convictions of a felony or misdemeanor. While a felony or misdemeanor will not prevent you from being admitted to the program, it may impact fieldwork and potential future employment opportunities.

*scholarship priority deadlines

Application Instructions

Review the detailed instructions in the dropdowns for each section of the online application . If you need accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the Office of Admission and Scholarships at [email protected]. We encourage you to submit your request for accommodation at least two weeks before the accommodation is needed so our team can make the necessary arrangements.

Tips Submit all application materials by the deadline . Incomplete applications may be delayed to the next application review. Skip ahead to the “Recommendations” section and use the application platform to send requests for letters of recommendation first . We recommend you complete this step right away to provide each recommender with the maximum amount of time to complete their letter. Follow the transcript submission instructions carefully. Please upload your registrar-issued transcripts from each institution attended to the USC application portal. Upon acceptance and submission of intent to enroll, you will need to submit official transcripts to the USC Office of Graduate Admissions separately.

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Personal Information

• Enter your name as it appears on your government issued I.D. Indicate any alternate or previous names in the “other name” field (i.e. maiden name).
• Enter the email address USC Rossier should use to communicate with you throughout the application process.

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Academic History > Colleges Attended > Add a College > Upload a Transcript 

To expedite admission decisions, please upload registrar-issued transcripts from all attended institutions to the USC application portal. Official transcripts should be submitted separately to the USC Office of Graduate Admissions upon acceptance and submission of intent to enroll.  

International students should refer to USC’s country specific requirements to determine which academic records they need to submit. 

To Upload Your Transcript to The Application Portal   

Login to your USC Application Portal and navigate to the Academic History section. Enter detailed information about your academic history from each institution you have attended. 

Once you have saved this information, you will find an option to Upload a Transcript for each institution. You can upload only one PDF per institution. If the transcript consists of multiple pages, you must scan each page and merge them into a single PDF file. If you do not have access to a scanner, you can take clear photos of each page and combine them into one PDF.  

There are various online services available to merge multiple files into a single PDF or convert photos into PDFs. Once you have uploaded your transcripts and completed all other sections of the application, you can proceed to submit your application.  

Upon admission and submission of the statement of intent to enroll, you must submit degree-conferred transcripts from all attended institutions to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Supporting Information > Documents > CV/Resume

Your résumé should be detailed enough to help the admission committee understand the various experiences – extracurricular, leadership or volunteer – that have shaped your interest in the program. Outline your roles and responsibilities within each organization and highlight any special achievements or accomplishments. In the “Supporting Information” section of the application, select “Documents”. Select the “add document” button under “CV/Resume.”

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Program Materials > Documents

Essay responses will be used to evaluate your personal, professional and educational perspectives and experiences and the ability to effectively communicate ideas and organize written thoughts. Responses to essay questions should be double-spaced with a 12-point font and one-inch margin on all sides. Include your full name at the beginning of each document. Upload each essay as a separate document in the appropriate section.

Personal Statement – Approx. 2,000 words

Write a personal statement that addresses the questions below. Title each section using only the headers and keep your response focused on the topic of each question. The entire statement (responses to all 4 questions) should be approximately 2,000 words.

• Personal Biography: Describe how your personal background and significant life experiences have shaped your decision to become a marriage and family therapist. Discuss your motivation for entering the field of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Include the most relevant aspects of your education background, work experience and any volunteer activities.
• Motivation and Preparation: What is your understanding of what it means to be a MFT and the role that you would play in the healing process of those seeking help? What kind of experiences have you had that have given you a sense of what the field is about?
• Suitability for the Field: Discuss the qualities and strengths you possess that you believe will enable you to be an effective therapist. What are the areas in which you need to grow and how are you working to grow in these areas?
• Social Justice: Define what social justice means to you and identify ways in which you have tried to promote social justice.

Upload your Personal Statement in the “Program Materials” section of the application under the tab “Documents.” Select the “add document” button under “Personal Statement”.

Optional Essay – 250 words or less

To aid the admission committee in evaluating your application, use this essay to discuss anything in your academic and/or professional history that may require additional explanation. This essay is optional.

Upload your optional essay in the “Program Materials” section of the application under the tab “Documents.” Select the “add document” button under “Other.”

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Program Materials > Recommendations > Add Recommendation

USC Rossier requires two letters of recommendation to complete the application. Letters should come from supervisors and/or former instructors or faculty who can comment on significant contributions you have made in your workplace, your leadership skills as well as your commitment to life-long learning and your ability to perform well in master’s-level coursework.

• To submit the names of your recommenders, go to the “Program Materials” section of the application and click on the tab “Recommendations.”

• Recommendation letters must be typed on official letterhead from the organization with a signature. If the recommender is not able to obtain company letterhead, this must be noted somewhere in the letter.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all recommendation letters are submitted in the proper format prior to the appropriate deadline. Letters uploaded in the incorrect format without explanation are subject to further review.
• Recommendations letters should be submitted by recommenders by the application deadline, but they are not required to be submitted at the time you submit your application.

Please note: recommendation letters are program-specific and cannot be used to apply to additional programs. If you withdraw your application from a particular program, your letters of recommendation will be deleted along with the application.

Where to find it on the application: Submit Application Tab

Application fees must be paid by credit or debit card

An application fee waiver is available to applicants who meet certain eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria and instructions for obtaining a fee waiver can be found at the USC Graduate Admission website . If you choose to apply for a fee waiver you must:

• Start your online application but do not submit the application until the fee waiver is approved.
• Provide supporting documents to demonstrate qualification.
• Have your fee waiver request approved.
• Complete and submit your online application.

Where to find it: My Application > Program Materials > Kira Assessment

The timed writing assessment will allow you to demonstrate your writing, critical thinking and analytical ability. No advance preparation is required. You are allowed to take the assessment one time only. For technical assistance with the timed writing assessment, email [email protected]

• Click the “Open Kira Assessment” button on the “Kira Assessment” tab in the application. Note: clicking this link will NOT require you to take the assessment immediately. You can register for the assessment and return at any time to complete it.
• When the page opens, click the “Check In” button.
• Click the registration module. Your first and last name and email should pre-populate in the registration form. Agree to the terms of agreement and privacy policy and click the “Register” button. After you register, a link to Kira will also be sent to your email address for easy access at the time you choose to complete your assessment.
• Complete the device set up and practice modules to prepare for your assessment.
• Click the assessment module (final step) at the time you are ready to begin your assessment.
• Once completed, your assessment becomes part of your application and will be reviewed by the admission committee in conjunction with other application materials.

Timed Writing Assessment

• Once you begin the assessment, you will be provided with the essay topic. You will have 30 minutes to compose and submit your response.
• Write your essay within the provided space in Kira; do not copy and paste from other documents.
• As a general guideline, the essay should be structured with an introduction containing a thesis statement, a body containing your major points and a conclusion.
• Do not use citations or conduct research on the topic while writing your response.
• There is no minimum or maximum word count, however, we recommend a length of 350 to 700 words.
• There will be a countdown timer and a progress bar during the response time so you can track how much time you have left. If you finish before time is up, you can submit your response using the “submit” button in the lower right corner. The system will automatically submit your response when the time is up.

After your application is submitted, competitive applicants will be invited by email to participate in an on-campus interview. The MFT interview is a full day event that includes an interview, programming about the degree and networking with other potential cohort members, faculty, students and alumni.

USC Rossier welcomes international applicants. If your prior study was completed outside of the United States, you must have earned the equivalent of a United States bachelor’s degree to be eligible for admission. View the international application requirements based on your c ountry of study . 

International students whose native language is not English and who completed their undergraduate work outside of the United States are required to demonstrate proficiency in English as part of the application process. USC does not waive the English proficiency requirement for graduate degree(s) earned in the United States or other qualifying countries; requirements are based on the completion of undergraduate studies. For more information on English proficiency requirements, English-language test waivers and other alternate accepted exams, please visit the USC Graduate Admission English-Language Proficiency page .

TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores Where to find it on the application: My Application > Academic History > Standardized Tests > Add a Test Score

International students whose native language is not English and who completed their undergraduate work outside of the United States are required to submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score as part of their application. You must have taken one of these tests within the past two years.

In order to be a competitive applicant, you should receive a TOEFL score at or above 100 iBT and an IELTS score at or above 6.5 with no less than a score of 6 on each band.

You may upload your test score report in the “Academic History” section of the application to be used in application review. However, only scores received electronically from the testing service are considered official. Official test scores should be sent from the testing agency directly to USC.

• TOEFL: To send official scores, use USC ETS code 4852. Please note that USC does not accept super-scoring for the TOEFL.
• IELTS: Select “University of Southern California” at the time of registration. Alternatively, provide this information to your testing center after taking the test.

 For more information on English Proficiency requirements, English-language test waivers, and other alternate accepted exams, please visit the USC Graduate Admission page .

Your application materials will be reviewed by both the USC Rossier School of Education Office of Admission and Scholarships and the USC Office of Graduate Admissions.

• Refer to your USC Rossier personal portal for timely and accurate updates on your application status (including missing items).
• If your application is complete by the round application deadline, expect to receive notification of your admission decision by the corresponding notification date.
• You will receive a decision letter from both USC Rossier and the USC Office of Graduate admission.

Review Process

Your application to USC Rossier will be evaluated using a holistic review process. Academic preparation, professional work experience, personal achievement and commitment to the USC Rossier mission are each considered. No single attribute or characteristic guarantees admission to USC Rossier.

We seek applicants who will add to our vibrant learning community and whose goals, values and experiences align with the USC Rossier mission and program goals. We adhere to the university’s non-discrimination policy , and are committed to providing equal opportunity for all students.

As an applicant for this program, you will be automatically considered for limited USC Rossier scholarships, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply by the priority and regular deadlines. There is no need to submit a separate application. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to the USC Rossier mission and other distinguishing characteristics. All USC Rossier scholarships are awarded at the time of admission.

Document Submission Policy

Transcripts and all other application materials become the property of USC. The university does not return or duplicate materials for any reason whatsoever. The information and materials in your submitted application are made available only to the central Office of Admission and the admission committee of the academic department or professional school to which you have applied.  

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Clinical practice does not meet the strict limitations for STEM criteria in the field of psychology. 

No. However, in other states, MFT alumni have transferred and become eligible for LPC licensure.

No. This program has one summer start date per academic year.

There is no minimum GPA required to apply to USC Rossier programs, but competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. However, GPA is one of many elements evaluated in the admission committee’s comprehensive evaluation of candidates. In the application, you may use the optional essay to discuss anything in your academic and/or professional history that may require additional explanation.

USC Rossier students come from diverse academic backgrounds. Education or experience related to your program of interest can make you a more competitive applicant but is not required. If your bachelor’s degree is unrelated to the program for which you are applying, use your application to communicate your passion for working in your selected degree field and explain how your background and experience has prepared you to be successful and positively contribute to your chosen field.

If you would like to be considered for a program other than the program for which you have been admitted, you will need to reapply for the new program. Please read the program requirements thoroughly, as they may be different from those specified for the program to which you were admitted. Your application will not be considered complete until all documents required for your new program are received.

Before applying for any program, it is recommended that you speak with an admission team member for assistance and direction in determining which program best aligns with your goals.  

Applicants are permitted to apply to up to three USC programs within the same academic year. When completing your online application, select all programs to which you would like to apply. Please read each program’s guidelines carefully, as each program may require different documents or methods of assessment. You will only need to complete program-specific questions for each additional program; you will not have to fill out the entire application multiple times.

If you decide you would like to apply to an additional program after submitting your initial application, you can log back into your application and add another program.

Application fees are required for each program to which you apply, but you will only need to submit transcripts and test scores (optional for most programs) once.  

Some students work while enrolled in this program. If you choose to work while enrolled, we recommend part-time work with flexible hours. Because of fieldwork and the time necessary to learn course material, full-time work in the second year is highly discouraged.

You may request to transfer up to three graduate courses completed at another college or university that meet the requirements of the MFT degree. Contact the Master’s Program Office at [email protected] to find out if your transfer courses can be applied to your degree.

GRE scores are neither required nor accepted for admission at USC Rossier.

Aiddee Tellez, M.Ed.

Assistant Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships

• [email protected]
• (213) 205-3827

Eight interview tips when applying to an MFT graduate program

Don’t call yourself a perfectionist, for one thing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

There are a number of good guides out there that can help with general interviewing skills. This post is intended to highlight those behaviors that, in my opinion, can have particular (and sometimes unexpected) weight in interviews specifically for family therapy graduate programs .

Please bear in mind that all of this is simply my own opinion and experience. Every interviewer and every program is different. Still, I hope these help in your preparation. They are in no particular order. If you are interviewing soon, good luck!!

Assume that the whole time you are on campus is your interview. In other words, remain your charming, professional self even in times that seem more informal, such as meal breaks or meetings with current students. Many programs use these opportunities to gain a more complete impression of applicants, and do consider feedback from everyone who has met you in the admissions process when making their decisions.

Be specific. Sometimes, interviewees keep their answers short and simple to avoid saying anything the interviewers may find off-putting. This strikes me as unwise. The interview is the chance for the program to get to know you; take it! If you’re still a mystery after the interview, they might rightly wonder how successful you would be at building relationships with other new people (namely, clients). Talk in specific terms about your skills, your goals, and your experience. If your answers lead the program to turn you down, then you weren’t a good fit in that program anyway — and better to know in advance.

Set yourself apart. A lot of candidates spend time highlighting traits that are generally positive, but common in the pool of applicants you’re competing with. Talking up common strengths (like organization, multitasking, working well with others, and having a passion for the field) is unlikely to hurt you, but does little to help. Be prepared with specific examples of you demonstrating those strengths, and spend a majority of your time talking about pieces that make you unique. These might include specific work, research, or volunteer experiences relevant to the field; international or multicultural experiences that led you to develop specific skills (if you are multilingual, particularly highlight that); or other skills or experiences you have that others in the applicant pool probably don’t have . The more of these kinds of traits you can highlight, the more the program may see you as a uniquely qualified candidate instead of just one among many.

If your interviewer asks what your flaws or struggles are, do not say you are a “perfectionist.” It sounds at first like a good answer — after all, it means you are driven to succeed, right? In fact, interviewers may see it as a red flag. It looks like you could be trying to dodge the question with salesmanship instead of just answering it, like the interviewee for a corporate job who says his biggest problem is that he just. cares. too. much. about the company. If you do label yourself a perfectionist in an interview, hope that the interviewers see it as a dodge; that is actually the friendlier interpretation. Because if you are telling the truth about being a perfectionist, you are admitting that you are the kind of student who suffers paralyzing anxiety at the thought of screwing up anything, large or small. That does not leave a good impression among those who would be trying to teach you. Ideally, therapists (and students) want to do well, but also allow themselves the freedom to learn from their mistakes without doing what true perfectionists do: getting defensive or down on themselves in the face of even mild criticism or failure. Simply put, wanting to do well is a desirable personality trait in an applicant. Desperately needing to be perfect is not .

Avoid platitudes. Presumably you would not be applying to an MFT program if you did not want to “help people.” If you want to show your kind and generous spirit, be specific : Who in particular do you want to help, and why them? Similarly, it is safe to assume that all the applicants with whom you are competing would like to “make a difference.” Using phrases like these on their own is just wasting words; they do nothing to set you apart, and if anything, they can arouse skepticism on the part of your interviewers. Be prepared to explain such statements in greater depth. Better yet, avoid the platitudes entirely and cut to the chase.

Know your interviewers. If you know in advance who will be interviewing you, look online to see what you can learn about their research interests, the classes they teach, and their recent presentations or publications. (In smaller programs, learn what you can about *all* the faculty; that way you can talk intelligently about whose interests most closely align with yours.)

Be direct and brief with any negative discussion. Interviewers may ask about prior struggles you have had, especially if they see a low GPA on your transcript or see that you left prior work positions abruptly. Family therapy faculty are going to be particularly interested in how you handled such difficult personal interactions, knowing that managing conflict professionally and respectfully is a major part of what you will be expected to do as a student and as a therapist. When discussing other people or institutions with which you have had conflict, keep your discussion of others’ actions short, factual, and fair. Take responsibility for your part in the problem. And talk in specific terms about what you learned from it, and how you have put those lessons into action.

Ask questions. The admissions interview is a two-way street. A program that accepts you only benefits if you actually enroll in classes. Come to your interview prepared with at least 2-3 questions about the program (here are a few things worth asking an MFT program about ), the faculty, or other students. Of course, keep time constraints in mind when determining just how much to ask about during the interview process. Understand if your interviewers can’t answer all of your questions right away, or if they deflect some questions to program staff; they are under a time schedule, and no one person is likely to know every detail of program information. If they offer the opportunity to follow up via phone or email to get those questions answered, take them up on it.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, every program and every interviewer is different. If you have other tips you can share with future interviewees, including tips on interviewing at specific programs, please feel free to share them in the comments.

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Related articles.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples: Good, Bad, & Everything In Between

Your personal statement should demonstrate that you have thought deeply about why you are making the decision to go to grad school and that your decision is one that will endure the challenges that graduate school presents. Sounds a little challenging? Don’t worry, this blog post will break down the strategy of writing a strong personal statement for graduate school.

Comparing Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Below I will share types of personal statement examples: one with a strong writing approach and one that lacks clarity and may cause confusion for an admissions committee reader. Then I will describe the strengths and weaknesses of each example.

Introduction Paragraph Examples:

Ex. 1-Strong) The ocean is as fundamental to our lives as any other ecological habitat, so why don’t we have systems in place to treat it that way? Growing up in Monterey, California I was first introduced to marine biology through my advanced placement biology class. While in community college I helped form a student-led monthly beach clean-up team. This rewarding experience led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biology with an emphasis in ocean preservation. My passion for developing innovative and culturally informed approaches to marine preservation on a global scale have led me to pursue a doctorate in the field of marine biology. My desired research focus will explore solutions to the impacts of micro plastics in our ocean.

Ex. 2-Weak) Yea sure, the ocean is in a devastated condition, but what are we going to do about it? Well, with my degree in bio I plan to get a PhD in marine biology to help figure out how to address micro plastics in our ocean. I know so much already, and I just know that with a PhD I will be able to contribute on a greater scale. I know the PhD is a lot of work, but I am pretty sure I will be able to complete the program and have a great time doing so. I have always wanted to live in Santa Barbara, and that is definitely a part of my decision to apply to your program.

Conclusion Paragraph Examples:

Ex. 1-Strong) As a first generation college student, and an English language learner, my journey to receive my bachelors of science in marine biology has been tough. Along the way I have developed leadership skills, research and lab experience, as well as a refined passion for the work that marine biologists are able to do when informed by the local community members. I desire to continue my studies with an emphasis on ocean preservation research through the innovative and unique PhD program offered at UC Santa Barbara. It would be an honor to work with Dr. Jonas Mendoza and Dr. Raquel Pacheco, two professors whose work aligns with my research interests and who have been welcoming and encouraging through our email correspondence. While my research goals are ambitious, I am confident that your program offers the resources and mentorship required for a unified effort to resolve the impact that microplastics have on not only human life, but all marine animals and ecosystems.

Ex2. -Weak) I think it’s a miracle that I even completed my B.S degree! That’s how I know that with the funding and laid back atmosphere at UC Santa Barbara I can definitely complete the PhD. I’m not so interested in the teaching part, or the amount of course work I would be required to take, but I just know that once I get out there and get into the water, it will all be worth it. My research experience is competitive and top-notch, I am a great person to work with and easily make friends. I am hopeful to hear back and excited for the next steps! Thanks for reading this far.

Diving Deeper Into Personal Statement Examples

So, let’s discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the examples above!

• Throughout the paragraph the applicant demonstrates that they have been involved with marine biology since high school, this is important because it demonstrates their commitment to the field early on in the essay
• The applicant mentions a desire to live in Santa Barbara, while it may be true, it is not a strong enough reason to pursue a PhD and signals to the admissions committee that you may be pursuing the program for the wrong reasons. Keep details like this out of your personal statement and focus on reasons for applying that are academically motivated.
• The applicant concludes by mentioning the importance of a “unified effort” for their research goals. This goes a long way to demonstrate that they understand how important collaborative effort is. This helps make an applicant more attractive in the eyes of an admissions committee that must also consider the work ethic of all applicants.
• The applicant describes their research experience as “competitive and top-notch”, even if you have the most impressive curriculum vitae focus on instead listing what you have done, with who and what they outcomes were and let the admissions committee decide how they interpret it.

So, what makes a good personal statement?

Your personal statement will be one amongst many that a committee of real people will read to assess who you are. you have to remember that the committee members do not get to meet you before they read your application materials. you cannot risk leaving out crucial information. oftentimes, students struggle to talk about themselves, they see it as “bragging” or “showing off”. it is important that you overcome your discomfort and realize that the personal statement is essentially the first impression you will make on the committee. make the most of the opportunity to introduce yourself and make sure to address the following:.

• Why now? Admissions committees have been through graduate school. They know better than anyone that graduate school is not a choice one makes simply because “you don’t know what else to do”. Demonstrate that you are prepared for the commitment and the work by specifying why you have decided that graduate school is the best option for you at this time and that your current and past experiences align with your intentions if admitted into the program.

A good personal statement will address all of these questions and be mindful about appropriate boundaries with each. Ultimately, it will demonstrate to the committee that you are prepared for the program, that you are likely to succeed if admitted, and that you are passionate about and committed to pursuing a career in which the training and the degree that you will receive is imperative to your future goals.

The importance of a clear narrative:

A clear narrative will allow for the admissions committee to extract the necessary information about you without any hassle. Remember that you are one applicant amongst many, when writing your personal statement do not assume that your reader will know the importance of any information or the necessary context if you do not provide these details for them. Consider these tips when writing:

• Do not overestimate the importance of proofreading! Read your essays out loud and record the audio while doing it. Does it flow? Does it answer every question provided in the prompt (if provided one)? I recommend finding at least one person who is in graduate school and preferably within your field to read your essay.

Summary and Major Takeaways

The personal statement is usually just 1-2 pages. With a document this short and with so much importance towards your chances of admission, every word matters! Consider these takeaways as you prepare and always remember you can reach out to us at Magoosh for more in-depth and personalized support.

Do this before you get to writing. Gather information from this blog post, the programs official website, any correspondence between you and professors or graduate students at each program you will be applying to, and develop a document that lists every experience and detail you wish to include. Use this as a reference as you write so that you are certain you are hitting every point.

Do not skip this step! Seek out support from current graduate students or a writing service for some feedback. Double check for any language that is too casual, or can be off putting or concerning to anyone who will review your application.

Remember that admissions committees are made up of real people who read an unbelievable amount of applications. Do your best to stand out, really think about what sets you apart and what skills you have developed throughout your life that are relevant to the program you are pursuing. After you have your first draft, focus on language and phrases that are both professional and captivating to your reader. Sprinkle in some flare!

Verónica Mandujano is an Admissions Instructor at Magoosh. She supports students throughout their application process in various forms including live classes on an array of topics, writing support and coaching. She is excited to be able to share from her past and current experiences as a PhD student and as an instructor at the University of California, Santa Barbara where her research employs interdisciplinary methods to address birthing justice, the colonial impacts of obstetrics, and the re-matriation of ancestral plant birthing medicine. She is a creative writer, a proud chihuahua momma, and a firm believer in never putting your taco down once you take the first bite.

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Kean University

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Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)

The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program at Kean University is based on an integrative, multicultural, and ethically informed model of training and practice. The program emphasizes MFT as a discipline that is based in the tradition of studying individuals in the context of the systems and cultural contexts that make up their lives. Core MFT courses cover theories and techniques of MFT, family development, ethics and law, psychopathology through a systemic lens, assessment in MFT and human sexuality. The curriculum also consists of psychological foundation courses, such as abnormal psychology, human development, research methods, and group counseling. Practicum and internship classes offer clinical experiences within the curriculum. To complete the program, students must demonstrate understanding of theories and techniques, not only through competent performance in each course but also through successful completion of clinical work. At the completion of the required courses and clinical hours, students complete a comprehensive exam that represents a culmination of their learning.

The curriculum is designed within the practitioner-scholar model and is devised to enable successful graduates to function as marriage and family therapists in a variety of settings. Through required course work, practicum and internship experiences, students are provided an opportunity to develop skills in assessment, interviewing and counseling with individuals, couples, and families. The program stresses the need for marriage and family therapists to understand the varied religious, ethnic, cultural, and national characteristics of their clientele.

Application Deadline

Fall: June 30

Mission Statement

The M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy Program is designed to train students to become professional family therapists in preparation for state licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). The master’s program will allow students to acquire the knowledge, skills, practical application, and values that shape them into competent, ethical, and culturally sensitive marriage and family therapists.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University’s admission requirements, The Marriage and Family Therapy Program requires the following:

• $75 non-refundable application fee
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum GPA of 3. 0 (lower GPAs will be considered based on work experience)
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Three letters of recommendation written by faculty and/or person(s) in a professionally related area
• Professional Resume/CV
• Personal statement
• Departmental interview
• TOEFL (for applicants whose native language is not English)

Prerequisites

12 credits in the Behavioral Sciences (at least 6 of which are Psychology with one class being Abnormal Psychology ).

Program Requirements

• 57 credits that takes 3 years to complete
• Full time student status (3 classes a semester)
• Accrue 300 client contact hours; at least 150 of which must be relational hours.
• Accrue 100 supervision hours, at least 50 of which must be raw data (live, or video), and at least 50 of which much be individual supervision
• Pass the MFT Comprehensive Examination
• Have no incomplete grades
• No grade below a B- minimum in all courses
• Maintain a 3.5 GPA
• Maintain full-time student status

MA in MFT Degree Portability 

The Kean MFT curriculum, taken in its entirety, meets State of New Jersey educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. State licensure laws are governed by individual states and can change. Students can graduate from an MFT program in one state and discover that they do not meet the educational requirements needed for licensure in another state. Some state regulatory/licensing boards have unique course/credit or practice requirements that are less, equal to, or exceed a standard degree plan. It is incumbent upon all students to study the educational requirements of the state where they intend to seek licensure. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they have met all requirements for any state from which he or she seeks licensure.

Transfer Credit Policy 

A maximum of six credits could be considered to be transferred providing the course(s) are applicable to the program’s none core classes, is approved by the program coordinator, the grade is “B” or better, and the course(s) fall within the six-year time limit requirement for completion of programs.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Franklin Turner [email protected] (908) 737-5889

MA in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy: Daytime Format

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology: Daytime Format program will prepare students to serve individuals, couples, families, and groups as a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) or a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in California.

This cohort-based MA in Clinical Psychology program provides students with a clinical and practice-based course of study, exploring the social and psychological implications of socioeconomics and how poverty and social stress affect the ability of individuals, couples, and families to thrive.

Classes are held on the Malibu campus in sunny California, which is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study.

Program Benefits

Top program in the us.

Consistently listed as a top choice for graduate clinical psychology programs by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Malibu Campus

The Clinical Psychology (Daytime) program is offered at Pepperdine University's beautiful main campus.

Quick Facts

130+ clinical practicum sites.

With more than 130+ practicum sites for trainees from the MACLP program annually all across Southern California, CLP students experience hands-on clinical practice as a signature component of a comprehensive approach to preparing licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) or licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC).

Expedient Completion

Students may complete the program requirements in 2 years.

Dedicated Clinical Training Staff

Staff members support students throughout the interview process at approved settings and provide guidance and consultation while engaged in fieldwork/practicum.

Supervised Clinical Experience

Students begin practicing in the second term of the program.

Meets LMFT and LPCC Requirements

Upon graduation, psychology students will have met all educational requirements to sit for the LMFT or LPCC licensure exams in the state of California.

Students have access to graduate student housing and amenities at our scenic Malibu campus.

Most Chosen CLP Masters Program in the US

Clinical Practicum Sites

Cohort Size

GSEP Student:Faculty Ratio

for Best Weather by BestCollegeReviews.Org

Malibu Campus Ranked One of the Most Beautiful Places to Study

for Most Beautiful Campus by CaliforniaCollegePrep.Com

for Most Beautiful Campus by OnlineChristianColleges.Com

Take the Next Step

Reach out to us to learn more about Pepperdine's MA in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy: Daytime Format program.

Get in Touch

Fill out the Request Information form to learn more and get in contact with an enrollment officer.

Attend an Info Session

Experience an in-depth overview and meet program leaders.

Start Your Application

Submit the application form early to meet scholarship and enrollment deadlines. It takes fewer than 15 minutes.

Request Information

Program deadlines.

Final Application Deadline  - The Fall 2024 application period has closed.

Classes Begin - First day of the Fall term.

Information Sessions

Apr 10 MA in Clinical Psychology Daytime Format Info Session (Virtual Meeting) May 06 MA in Clinical Psychology Daytime Format Info Session (Virtual Meeting) Jun 03 MA in Clinical Psychology Daytime Format Info Session (Virtual Meeting)

Antiracism and Antidiscrimination Statement

The MACLPD and GSEP Psychology Division stand in solidarity against racial inequities and injustice and other forms of discrimination and oppression. We are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that is enriched and strengthened by diversity including but not limited to race, ethnicity and national origin, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class, age, ability status, and religion. GSEP also encourages all community members to engage in critical learning and reflection to strengthen our capacity for being effective, active, and outspoken against all forms of racism and intersectional oppression.

Curriculum Overview

Employing the practitioner-scholar model of professional training, rigorous coursework is paired with in-depth clinical training, allowing students to develop key clinical skills and gain experience working directly with clients.

Classes are held at the Malibu and Calabasas campuses in sunny California. The expansive Malibu campus sits on 830 acres and overlooks the Pacific Ocean with nearly every spot on campus featuring stunning views of the beaches. Pepperdine is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study. Students also have access to graduate student housing and amenities like the library, gym, and swimming pool at our scenic Malibu campus.

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Student Experience

• Build community and lifelong relationships with peers and colleagues through a cohort model and optional residential experience. The Pepperdine community extends beyond the program to the larger GSEP and Pepperdine family.
• A dedicated enrollment services officer will make your admissions process easy and comfortable with experience in supporting both international and domestic students.
• We integrate of domestic and international students across our campuses. Dedicated support for international students is provided through the Office of International Student Services (OISS) .
• The Office of International Students Services (OISS) values our international students for what they bring to our campus—diversity, global perspective, cultural respect, determination, and a wonderful sense of adventure. We welcome students from all nationalities, faiths, and education systems, as they provide a diverse perspective in our classrooms.
• Access to housing and amenities at our scenic Malibu campus is provided.
• We offer opportunities to participate in university social, sporting, cultural, and spiritual events.
• Our cohort model is designed to build upon leadership skills, peer support, and lifelong relationships with colleagues.
• Our partnerships with professional networks and conferences and robust alumni network further students' growth opportunities.

Expand Your Career Possibilities

Therapists and counselors are needed in many clinical and professional settings, including hospitals, schools, government agencies, and private practice. After earning your degree, you may pursue professional licensure and employment in a variety of roles.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office is available to answer questions and help you navigate funding your education at GSEP through numerous scholarship, grant, loan, and other opportunities. 

To help determine your total cost of tuition and living expenses for this specific program, please refer to our GSEP tuition calculator .

Alumni and Faculty Spotlight

"Our faculty members bring richness and depth to both their research and their teaching. Many of our faculty have private practices or work in practice actively, making a huge difference for our students." — Dr. Thema Bryant, Professor and President-Elect, American Psychological Association

What Our Alumni Are Saying

"I thought it was awesome to find a place that has as part of their mantra, 'we are preparing people for leadership.' What I did not count on is that I would have this total self-awareness/self-discovery process that would happen. That changed my life! It was very comforting to be taught by professionals who are actually out there. So you are learning the theories, but you are also getting all this priceless knowledge."

-Pamela Anderson '14

Why Pepperdine

Passion and purpose driven, reputable university, distinguished faculty, alumni network, student and career support, veteran and military support.

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

Best-Value Schools U.S. News & Report

Best College Value in the West/SW Kiplinger

Most Entrepreneurial Universities Forbes

• GSEP faculty are nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
• Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.
• Average class size of 14 students and a 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.
• Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
• Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
• As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.
• GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
• Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
• GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents. 

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program , we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program. 

Accreditations and Recognitions

Kelley Hill Enrollment Officer Pepperdine GSEP

310.568.5664 Email   Schedule a Phone Appointment

Take The Next Step

Learn more about Pepperdine's MA in Clinical Psychology MFT Daytime program.

Related Programs

• MA in Clinical Psychology MFT - Evening Format
• MA in Clinical Psychology MFT - Latinas/os
• MA in Clinical Psychology MFT - Online Format

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