Admissions
Overview
The online Master of Arts in Counseling Program from The Family Institute at Northwestern University seeks students who are dedicated to helping others and capable of succeeding in a rigorous graduate program. As a student, you should be open to receiving feedback and analyzing your experiences, opinions, and personal traits so you can become a self-reflective counselor.
“Admitted candidates will have demonstrated good to excellent writing skills, an openness to self-reflection and awareness, and the ability to listen to and work with others. We are also looking for a level of maturity required to meet the demands of our rigorous clinical and academic expectations.”
—STEPHANNEE STANDEFER, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Cohort Starts and Deadlines
Counseling@Northwestern offers rolling admissions, with four program start dates per year in January, April, June, and September. Each cohort has an early decision, priority, and final deadline.
| Cohorts | Early Decision Deadline | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline | Classes Begin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2022 | August 20 | September 17 | October 25 | January 3 |
| April 2022 | November 5 | December 10 | January 24 | March 29 |
| June 2022 | February 25 | March 25 | April 18 | June 20 |
| Sept. 2022 | May 20 | June 17 | July 11 | September 20 |
Early Decision Deadline:
This deadline allows you receive an admissions decision sooner, have the $95 application fee waived, and be one of the first to choose your peer group interview time if you are eligible for an interview. Ask your admissions counselor for details.
Priority Deadline:
This deadline enables you to receive an admissions decision sooner and waive the $95 application fee. Ask your admissions counselor for details.
Final Deadline:
This deadline is the last day to submit your application to be considered for your desired cohort.
We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible so you can start planning your academic and career journey. View the upcoming application deadlines below or visit the application requirements page for a complete list of the items you must include when submitting your application.
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact the admissions team at 1-844-684-6221 or admissions@counseling.northwestern.edu.