How to Apply

Key Facts About the Admission Process

  • 30 students enter the program each year
  • Admission decisions are made following admission interviews
  • Applicants will be notified following the interview

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, 2024

Open House (register)
Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. CST

Application Part 1: Apply to Northwestern University Graduate School

Apply online through Northwestern University's Graduate School Application System (code #1565) where you will submit the following:

  • $95.00 application fee
  • Minimum of two letters of recommendation
  • Scanned versions of official transcripts from each institution(s) attended since secondary school
  • For international students: Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores 

After you have completed and properly submitted your online application, a confirmation message will be sent via email. If you do not receive a confirmation, check with The Graduate School for further information.

Application Part 2: Apply to the Master of Arts in Counseling Program

Details 1. Complete Master of Arts in Counseling Program Specific Application

The 2024-2025 Application is closed. Please check back for the next cycle in Fall 2025.

This is where you indicate which curriculum you are applying to — the Standard Two Year Program or Two Plus Program.

2. Gather the following information:

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
As part of our program-specific information please write a statement of purpose (750 – 1,000 words) that includes a response to EACH of the following prompts: 

  • What qualities do you possess that make you suited to Professional counseling?
  • Describe your capacity and readiness to complete your degree, while balancing competing responsibilities.

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

Once all application materials are received, a confirmation email will be sent to you.

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.