Graduate ECP Bulletin 2026-27 - Chapter 3: Admissions

Chapter 2: The School of Education and Counseling Psychology

Chapter 4: Academic Policies and Procedures

Chapter 3: Admissions

Applications for admission and related deadlines are available on the .

Application Requirements

Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Applied Psychology, or Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Online application
Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose must be a clear and legible draft focusing on the specific guidelines of the program and the chosen concentration you are applying for at the School of Education and Counseling Psychology. Your statement must include evidence of your commitment to Social Justice, Multiculturalism, and Diversity. Please limit your statement to two pages 鈥� typed and double-spaced. You must not receive any assistance writing or editing the personal statement; it must be your own original work.

Explain your reasons for entering the mental health profession, highlight related experiences, and any unique reasons for selecting 91影视. Please provide all relevant background information about the context of the specific work you have done, as well as a description of the aspects of the work you find most engaging and/or meaningful.

Current 搁茅蝉耻尘茅/颁痴

All applicants are required to submit a r茅蝉耻尘茅 or curriculum vitae to provide information about relevant job experience and education. Your r茅蝉耻尘茅 should include educational background and relevant experiences, including jobs, internships, community service, activities, languages (if applicable), and research projects. Writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a graduate school application follows the same principles as writing a resum茅 for a job. Please include dates of attendance for education, job titles, and years of employment, and explain any gaps in employment exceeding 6 months.

One copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

You must send one official transcript from each post-secondary institution that contributed to your Bachelor鈥檚 degree. Transcripts can be delivered by postal mail in a sealed envelope, or electronically by the school or other third-party service.

Transcripts delivered electronically must be delivered to the ECP Admissions Office at 91影视 School of Education and Counseling Psychology, or ecpadmissions@scu.edu.
Transcripts delivered by postal mail must be sent to:

Attn: Guadalupe Hall - ECP Admissions
91影视
500 Camino Real
91影视, CA 95053

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of the United States are required to have their official transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Our preferred member is the WES, ICAP version. We require a course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency evaluation.听If your Bachelor鈥檚 degree has not been conferred by the application deadline, you must submit a final official transcript demonstrating the conferral of your degree prior to enrolling in classes.

Three recommendations from references:

For all Counseling Psychology (CPSY) program applicants, you must submit 3 references. Please ensure the following guidelines are met:

听听听听听听听听#1. References should come from individuals who have served in a supervisory or evaluative role, such as professors, instructors, managers, job or clinical supervisors, or volunteer coordinators.

听听听听听听听听#2. References should not be from personal friends, family members, or personal therapists.

听听听听听听听听#3. If a reference does not meet these criteria, please provide an explanation. The reference should still be able to comment on your professional abilities.

A minimum GPA of 3.0, undergraduate grade point average (GPA) is required.
Submit a $50 non-refundable application fee.

Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential (MATTC)

Many of the expectations and prerequisites for admission to our Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential (MATTC) Program have been established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Satisfying these prerequisites may take future teachers between three and twelve months. We recommend that prospective MATTC students allow themselves sufficient time to meet all the prerequisites prior to the credential program application deadline.

Online application
Statement of Purpose

In 600-900 words or a maximum of three pages double spaced, write a personal statement that addresses the following questions:

Why do you want to be a teacher?
Why do you want to attend 91影视鈥檚 MATTC program?听

In your response (1) explain how your ideas align to 91影视鈥檚听Department of Education鈥檚 mission and values and (2) describe a specific experience you have had working with youth, including the context, students, program, grade, etc.

Current 搁茅蝉耻尘茅/颁痴
All applicants are required to submit a r茅蝉耻尘茅 or curriculum vitae to provide information about relevant job experience and education. Your r茅蝉耻尘茅 should include educational background and relevant experiences, including jobs, internships, community service, activities, languages (if applicable), and research projects. Writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a graduate school application follows the same principles as writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a job. Please include dates of attendance for education, job titles and years of employment and explain any gaps in employment exceeding 6 months.
One copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

Transcripts delivered electronically must be delivered to the ECP Admissions Office at ecpadmissions@scu.edu.
Transcripts delivered by postal mail must be sent to:

Attn: Guadalupe Hall - ECP Admissions
91影视
500 Camino Real
91影视, CA 95053

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of the United States are required to have their official transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Our preferred member is the WES, ICAP version. We require a course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency evaluation.
If your Bachelor鈥檚 degree has not been conferred by the application deadline, you must submit a final official transcript demonstrating the conferral of your degree to the School of Education and Counseling Psychology Student Services Department at ecpservices@scu.edu听prior to enrolling in classes.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be from individuals who have served in supervisory or evaluative roles with you. This may include professors, instructors, managers, job supervisors, clinical supervisors, volunteer coordinators, supervisors of volunteer work, or similar. Letters of recommendation should not be from personal friends, family members, or personal therapists. We realize that letters from such individuals may not be possible for some applicants. If you will be requesting a letter from someone who does not fit these guidelines, please briefly explain why; the expectation is that the people writing letters for you should still be able to comment on your professional capacity as a practitioner and as a potential听迟别补肠丑别谤.

*Note: MATTC applicants must have at least one letter of recommendation from a direct supervisor in a setting where they have worked with groups of youth.

Minimum 3.0 Undergraduate GPA Applicants not meeting this requirement must submit an explanation providing the reasons and circumstances that led to not meeting a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
Basic Skills and Subject-Matter Competence Requirements

Individuals applying for the Summer term (1-year MATTC program or the 2-year Intern track), must submit passing CBEST and CSET (multiple-subject or single-subject) scores, or evidence of course equivalence, prior to April 1st. Those who are unable to submit passing scores by the deadline will have the option to defer their admission to the Fall term and enroll in the two-year MATTC program.
As of Summer 2024, students who complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree at an accredited US institution will meet the Basic Skills requirement. An official transcript with the listed degree conferral is required to satisfy this requirement. MATTC applicants can upload CBEST test scores in PDF format through their online application portal. CSET test scores must be emailed in PDF format to the ECP Admissions office at ecpadmisisons@scu.edu.

Submit a $50 non-refundable application fee

Combined MATTC and Bilingual Authorization (B-MATTC) or Bilingual Authorization

The Pre-Service B-MATTC pathway requires that candidates complete the MATTC course load plus three additional courses designed specifically for B-MATTC candidates. B-MATTC courses are taught in Spanish.

The In-Service pathway is designed for those who already hold a valid teaching credential and would like to add a Spanish Bilingual Authorization. The In-Service Bilingual Authorization consists of four courses that are taught in Spanish.

In-Service Bilingual Pathway Application Requirements:

1. Online Application

Note: The application fee will be waived upon submission.
In the Academic History section, be sure to list all post-secondary institutions

2. Proof of a Valid Preliminary or Clear Teaching Credential

For California Teachers: Upload a copy of your credential from the CTC鈥檚 .

Do not submit the diploma-style version.
The screenshot must clearly display all authorizations, including the English Learner Authorization.
A valid California Preliminary or Clear Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization is required for program admission, as it is necessary for recommendation to the CTC for the California Bilingual Authorization.
You can upload these materials after submission to the "Supplemental Materials" portion of your application

For Out-of-State Teachers: You may apply and be admitted to the program; however, please note that 91影视 can only recommend the Bilingual Authorization to be added to a valid California teaching credential. If you do not hold a valid California Preliminary or Clear Credential at the time of admission, 91影视 cannot retroactively recommend you to the CTC upon program completion.

3. Verification of Employment and Employer Support for Fieldwork
Please forward the 听link to your school principal or another designated individual who can verify your employment and support your participation in fieldwork.

Program Requirement for Credential Recommendation

All bilingual authorization candidates must pass a Spanish language competence screening prior to starting their bilingual authorization courses to ensure language proficiency in all four domains of the language listening, speaking, reading and writing. This is done online in your application.

Candidates must demonstrate Spanish language proficiency in all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing either through passing the CSET LOTE 3 or course equivalence. Spanish language proficiency must be met prior to being recommended for the bilingual authorization to the CTC. Note: CSET LOTE 3 (Spanish) test scores may be uploaded in PDF format through the online application portal. CSET LOTE 3 (Spanish) test scores may also be emailed in PDF format to the Credential office at credentials@scu.edu. Request for transcript review for Spanish language competency in all domains (reading, writing, speaking and listening) can be submitted to credential@scu.edu

Once You Have Applied

Once you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation that your application has been successfully submitted to 91影视. Applications are processed within 2-4 weeks of receipt. If your application is incomplete and missing any documentation required, it shall remain unprocessed until all documents have been received. Once a decision has been made on a Bilingual Cross-Cultural Certificate application, you will be notified via your email address with a link to view your final admissions decision.

ExCEL (Excellence in Catholic Education and Leadership)

Complete and submit the MATTC Online Application.
Complete and submit an additional Statement of Purpose to ecpadmissions@scu.edu.
The ExCEL Statement of Purpose must include:
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听- Why do you want to be considered for the ExCEL Program?
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听- Why do you want to be a Catholic school teacher?
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听- Describe your vision of 鈥渓iving in community鈥� with your teaching peers?
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听- Describe the impact of Catholic education and your commitment to anti-racism and social justice.

Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential for Catholic School Teachers (CatMAT)

Applicants with no prior Catholic school teaching experience must compose a statement focused on their reasons for becoming a Catholic school teacher and their experiences that have prepared them for a Catholic school teaching career (especially their work with children or youth). Applicants must conclude by discussing their goals as a learner in this program.

Applicants who have already been working as Catholic school teachers (including teachers pursuing the preliminary credential via the abbreviated route) must compose a statement focused on their recent Catholic school teaching experiences. The statement must be the original work of the applicant. Applicants should include:

Relevant background information about the context and the specific work they do at the school
A description of the aspects of the experience they find most engaging and/or meaningful
A thoughtful discussion of the impact of their work experiences on their personal and professional learning goals for the teaching credential program
A description of their commitment to social justice, multiculturalism, and anti-racism
Applicants to CatMAT are required to submit the Catholic School Administrator鈥檚 Agreement to Support and Supervise a Preliminary Teaching Credential Candidate听form. Applicants must fill in their names as specified on the form and arrange for their principal to complete and sign the form. It is the applicant鈥檚 responsibility to ensure that the SECP Graduate Admissions Office has received the fully completed form prior to the application deadline.

Abbreviated Preliminary Teaching Program for Catholic School Teachers

91影视鈥檚 abbreviated route to the preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential is an option available to Catholic school teachers who have completed six or more years of full-time teaching in an academic content area authorized by the CTC. In addition to the general requirements above, applicants must:

Submit verification of employment letter that documents their completion of six or more years of full-time teaching experience in an academic content area credentialed by the CTC at a regionally accredited Catholic school.

This letter, which will be submitted to the CTC with the applicant鈥檚 credential application, must be printed on the original official letterhead of the school or Diocese where she or he is employed and signed by the director of personnel.

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Doctor of Education in Social Justice Leadership, and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential

Online application
Statement of Purpose

Educational Leadership (without the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential)

Explain how your personal and/or academic experiences have contributed to your desire to pursue an M.A. in Educational Leadership at 91影视. Describe how your personal and professional goals align with the program and what you hope to gain as a result of completing this degree.

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (with or without M.A.)

Please write a statement focused on your recent experiences as a teacher, school counselor, or as another certificated position in a school or district office, including:
Relevant background information about the context and the specific work you do
A description of the aspects of the work you find most engaging and/or meaningful
A thoughtful discussion of the impact of your experiences on your personal and professional learning goals for the administrative services credential program, the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degree program, or the 91影视 certificate in Catholic School Leadership.

PASC Candidates must also submit the following:

Provide evidence of employment on official letterhead from your current employer
Provide proof of your teaching credential

Current 搁茅蝉耻尘茅/颁痴
All applicants are required to submit a r茅蝉耻尘茅 or curriculum vitae to provide information about relevant job experience and education. Your r茅蝉耻尘茅 should include educational background and relevant experiences, including jobs, internships, community service, activities, languages (if applicable), and research projects. Writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a graduate school application follows the same principles as writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a job. Please include dates of attendance for education, job titles, and years of employment, and explain any gaps in employment exceeding 6 months. One copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended:

You must send one official transcript from each post-secondary institution that contributed to your Bachelor鈥檚 degree. Transcripts can be delivered by postal mail in a sealed envelope, or electronically by the school or other third-party service.
Transcripts delivered electronically must be delivered to the ECP Admissions Office at ecpadmissions@scu.edu.
Transcripts delivered by postal mail must be sent to:

Attn: Guadalupe Hall - ECP Admissions
91影视
500 El Camino Real
91影视, CA 95053

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of the United States are required to have their official transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Our preferred member is the WES, ICAP version. We require a course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency evaluation.
If your Bachelor鈥檚 degree has not been conferred by the application deadline, you must submit a final official transcript demonstrating the conferral of your degree to the Student Services department prior to enrolling in classes.

听听听听听听听听5.听Two Letters of Recommendation

6. Submit a $50 non-refundable application fee

Master of Arts in Social Impact Leadership

Online application
Statement of Purpose

Write a single essay in which you explain how your personal, professional, and/or academic experiences have shaped your desire to pursue an M.A. in Social Impact Leadership at 91影视.

Please address: A social or organizational challenge that has influenced your commitment to creating positive change, and what you learned about leadership, collaboration, or innovation through this experience.

Current R茅蝉耻尘茅/颁痴. All applicants are required to submit a r茅蝉耻尘茅 or curriculum vitae to provide information about relevant job experience and education. Your r茅蝉耻尘茅 should include educational background and relevant experiences, including jobs, internships, community service, activities, languages (if applicable), and research projects. Writing a听r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a graduate school application follows the same principles as writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a job. Please include dates of attendance for education, job titles, and years of employment, and explain any gaps in employment exceeding 6 months.
One copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended:

You must send one official transcript from each post-secondary institution that contributed to your Bachelor鈥檚 degree. Transcripts can be delivered by postal mail in a sealed envelope, or electronically by the school or other third-party service.
Transcripts delivered electronically must be delivered to the ECP Admissions Office at ecpadmissions@scu.edu.
Transcripts delivered by postal mail must be sent to:

Attn: Guadalupe Hall - ECP Admissions
91影视
500 El Camino Real
91影视, CA 95053

If your Bachelor鈥檚 degree has not been conferred by the application deadline, you must submit a final official transcript demonstrating the conferral of your degree to the Student Services department prior to enrolling in classes.

听听听听听听听听5.听Two Letters of Recommendation

听听听听听听听听6. Submit a $50 non-refundable application fee

Doctor of Education in Social Justice Leadership

Online application
Statement of Purpose

In 750-1,000 words, respond to the following: Explain how your personal and/or academic experiences have contributed to your desire to pursue a Doctorate in Social Justice Leadership at 91影视. Also, include what you hope to gain as a result of completing this degree.
Be sure to identify which of the three areas of specialization you will enroll in: 1) PreK-12 Leadership, 2) Social Impact Leadership 3) Higher Education Leadership.

Current R茅蝉耻尘茅/颁痴

All applicants are required to submit a r茅蝉耻尘茅 or curriculum vitae to provide information about relevant job experience and education. Your r茅蝉耻尘茅 should include educational background and relevant experiences, including jobs, internships, community service, activities, languages (if applicable), and research projects. Writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a graduate school application follows the same principles as writing a r茅蝉耻尘茅 for a job. Please include dates of attendance for education, job titles, and years of employment, and explain any gaps in employment exceeding 6 months.

Two Letters of Recommendation鈥�1 academic, 1 workplace
One copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions and master鈥檚 programs attended

You must send one official transcript from each post-secondary institution that contributed to your Bachelor鈥檚 degree. Transcripts can be delivered by postal mail in a sealed envelope, or electronically by the school or other third-party service. Transcripts delivered electronically must be delivered to the ECP Admissions Office at ecpadmissions@scu.edu.
Transcripts delivered by postal mail must be sent to:

Attn: Guadalupe Hall - ECP Admissions
91影视
500 Camino Real
91影视, CA 95053

Students must possess an MA in a related field - Students without an MA will be considered on a case-by-case basis but will be generally required to complete an additional year of course work unless they have extensive prior
Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA in their graduate coursework

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of the United States are required to have their official transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Our preferred member is the WES, ICAP version. We require a course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and

U.S. degree equivalency evaluation.

If your Bachelor鈥檚 and/or Master鈥檚 degree has not been conferred by the application deadline, you must submit a final official transcript demonstrating the conferral of your degree to the Student Services department prior to enrolling in classes.

An interview by the faculty admissions committee is required.
Submit a $50 non-refundable application fee

Application Fee Waivers

Application fee waivers will be considered upon request by filling out the . Applicants must present a code provided by the Associate Director of Outreach and Recruitment or provide a 500 word description of financial need.

International Students

The School of Education and Counseling Psychology welcomes applicants from around the world. In addition to the General Requirements, an international applicant must also fulfill the specific requirements stated below.

*Note: We are not currently admitting international students to the Master of Arts in Social Impact Leadership program nor the EdD program.

English Proficiency Exam

International applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency. English proficiency can be demonstrated by having earned a degree in Australia, Anglophone Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States within the last 4 years where the sole language of instruction was in English or by submitting an acceptable English proficiency score.

The university English Proficiency Requirement website听outlines the English proficiency tests and scores that are accepted.

All those requesting a waiver must email ecpadmissions@scu.edu听and meet with an admissions advisor.

International Education Evaluation

Transcript evaluations are required by one of the approved NACES agencies. Applicants to the Master of Arts in Teaching + Teaching Credential (MATTC) program should have their transcripts evaluated by one of the agencies approved by the CTC.

*Note: Transcript evaluations must include the degree equivalency and U.S. GPA equivalency. We recommend the course-by-course evaluation report.

Proof of Funds for F-1 Students

United States visa regulations require proof that sufficient funds are available to finance your travel, living expenses, and program study. Please refer to the International Student and Scholars website听for an up-to-date estimate of the cost associated with a full year of academic study in the ECP and the I-20 request process.

International students for the MATTC program are eligible to apply only in regular Fall and Winter quarters.

Mandatory Health Insurance

F-1 visa students will be automatically enrolled into the university insurance plan (SHIP)听and can waive enrollment only if the student is a dependent on a spouse/parent/partner鈥檚 U.S. based employer-offered, Affordable Care Act-compliant plan.

Admissions Deferrals

Any student who has been admitted to a degree program and wishes to defer that admission must submit a request, in writing, to the SECP Graduate Admissions office at ecpadmissions@scu.edu. Admitted students may defer their admission up to one academic year. Students should refer to their admission letter to find the deadline to submit a deferral request.

Re-admission

Re-admission to the Department of Education

If a student withdraws or discontinues their academic program for any reason and wishes to return, they must adhere to the following guidelines for re-admission.

1. Absent more than 6 years since start of program: New Application

A new, 2-page personal statement, new letters of recommendations, and any additional transcripts will need to be submitted through the new application for admission.
Remaining coursework will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by the program director after the application has been submitted. A maximum of nine quarter units which meet current learning goals and licensure standards, if appropriate, will count towards the degree.

*Note: Additional courses may have been added to program requirements.

Readmitted students must join the normal start of the program.
The academic program must be completed within 7 years of the new program start date.
As a new applicant, the readmitted student is required to meet all bulletin, handbook, and degree requirements in the new admissions year.
Readmission decisions are made at the discretion of the School.

2. Return from an extended Leave of Absence (LOA): 1.5 years - 6 years without communication (e.g., did not to ask for a LOA extension): Modified Application

A 250-word essay will be required from the returning student in which they describe what they did during their absence, why they wish to return to the program, and how they will be successful.
There is no need for new letters of recommendations.
The readmissions quarter will be contingent on the student's completed coursework, program course schedule, and/or courses needed.
The academic program must be completed within 7 years of the original program start date.
Readmission decisions are made at the discretion of the School.

3. Short term LOA - 4 quarters or less, or continued communication to extend LOA

No readmission application is required.
Email ECP Student Services when ready to return.

Those dismissed from the department and school are not eligible for readmission.

Re-admission to the Department of Counseling Psychology

Due to licensure policies, accrediting body regulations, and other related factors, Counseling Psychology reviews requests on a case-by-case basis. Students interested in returning from an extended Leave of Absence should email cpsy@scu.edu听to initiate the request.

Re-activation

Reactivation is granted upon a student鈥檚 return from a leave of absence within the approved leave time frame. To begin this process, email ecpservices@scu.edu.听Reactivation is not guaranteed and will be based on the curriculum and programs in place at the time of reactivation.