How to Apply
Key Facts About the Admission Process
- 34 students enter the program each year
- Admission decisions are made following admission interviews
- Applicants will be notified following the interview
- Application for admissions: Opens on October 1, 2025
Admission interviews will be held via Zoom. You will participate in a group interview, learn more about the program and The Family Institute. If you apply for a financial scholarship, you will be notified of your award decision around the time of your acceptance of the offer of admission.
Admission Deadline: December 2, 2025
Open House (register)
Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. CST
Application Instructions
Please complete and upload the following application materials:
- Complete the MAC Program Specific Application:
- Indicate Standard or Two-Plus Curriculum
- Complete TGS online application form | Code 1565
- Unofficial transcripts for each institution attended
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Professional Resume
- Two (2) letters of recommendation – Uploaded by your recommenders
- TGS Personal Statement (250 word maximum)
- MAC Program Academic Statement (1,000 word maximum)
The Admissions Committee is most interested in you and why you want to be a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Your Academic Statement should be written so that we may "get to know you" better.
Please respond to the following questions:
- What personal and family experiences have influenced your interest in a career as a clinical mental health counselor?
- Describe your capacity and readiness to complete your degree while balancing multiple, competing responsibilities.
- What attracts you to the field of clinical mental health counseling (as opposed to social work, or clinical psychology)?
- What attracts you to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program here at Northwestern University?
- Given that this is a clinical program where you will be asked to help people overcome challenging life circumstances, please describe a time in your life when things didn’t go well for you. Describe the circumstances of this time and how you handled the challenges associated with it.
- International students: Official English Language Test Scores (TOEFL or IELTS) See instructions
- Upload all the above items to the online application in CollegeNet.
- Pay the application fee of $95.00.
Please note, the MAC Program does not fit the criteria for STEM Optional Practicum Training for F-1 students.
Questions regarding the application process, please contact:
Admissions & Enrollment Coordinator
Center for Applied Psychological & Family Studies
618 Library Place
Evanston, IL 60201
Telephone: 847-733-4300, ext. 120
E-mail: COUNAdmissions@family-institute.org
Notice of Background Check
The Family Institute at Northwestern University requires all applicants with conditional admissions to the Master of Arts in Counseling program to complete an online background check to determine criminal history. The cost of the background check associated with the admissions process is $38. Having an adverse criminal history does not necessarily preclude admissions, as determinations are considered at a case-by-case decision. Admitted applicants are strongly encouraged to review their state licensure requirements as adverse criminal history may impact their ability to gain state licensure. The education programs at The Family Institute are not related to state license regulations.
If information from the background report is utilized in whole or in part in making an adverse decision regarding admissions, prior to the decision The Family Institute will provide the applicant with a copy of the consumer report and a written description of his or her rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Some sites require an additional background check when a student is placed on internship. This cost is determined by the site and while it will be disclosed to the student during the placement process, we are unable to quantify it at this time.