AC Essay Instructions And Template
Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Counseling
Clinical counseling-related programs:
To be considered for admission into the Capella clinical counseling programs, you must submit all required application materials.
However, submitting your materials does not guarantee admission. Program faculty will evaluate your materials and make the final decision on your admission.
• Addictions Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Marriage and Family Counseling / Therapy
• Mental Health Counseling
• School Counseling
Your essay must be 3-6 pages in length and address each of the areas outlined below. Please utilize the required template that begins on page 2 and address each of these five essay components under the provided headings.
Required Essay Components:
1. Rationale for seeking specialization in a clinical counseling-related program
This section must address:
• Your clear understanding of the clinical program area, with attention to licensure and the role of a licensed counselor.
• The clear link between the program you selected and your career goals.
Your substantive, carefully considered reasons for seeking a clinical graduate degree in counseling. (Beyond merely being a good listener or wanting to help others).
4. Self-awareness
This section must address:
• Life experiences that may have heightened your level of self-awareness, impacted your decision to apply to the program, and influenced your career goals.
• The characteristic ways in which you process life events and challenges, and how those ways have helped you develop strengths relevant to your chosen program area.
Your discussion of self-awareness should demonstrate emotional stability and readiness to undertake a graduate degree program in counseling.
2. Impact of previous employment, volunteer work, and other human service or counseling experiences
This section must address:
• Key experiences in your employment or volunteer work that
Clinical counseling-related programs:
To be considered for admission into the Capella clinical counseling programs, you must submit all required application materials.
However, submitting your materials does not guarantee admission. Program faculty will evaluate your materials and make the final decision on your admission.
• Addictions Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Marriage and Family Counseling / Therapy
• Mental Health Counseling
• School Counseling
Your essay must be 3-6 pages in length and address each of the areas outlined below. Please utilize the required template that begins on page 2 and address each of these five essay components under the provided headings.
Required Essay Components:
1. Rationale for seeking specialization in a clinical counseling-related program
This section must address:
• Your clear understanding of the clinical program area, with attention to licensure and the role of a licensed counselor.
• The clear link between the program you selected and your career goals.
Your substantive, carefully considered reasons for seeking a clinical graduate degree in counseling. (Beyond merely being a good listener or wanting to help others).
4. Self-awareness
This section must address:
• Life experiences that may have heightened your level of self-awareness, impacted your decision to apply to the program, and influenced your career goals.
• The characteristic ways in which you process life events and challenges, and how those ways have helped you develop strengths relevant to your chosen program area.
Your discussion of self-awareness should demonstrate emotional stability and readiness to undertake a graduate degree program in counseling.
2. Impact of previous employment, volunteer work, and other human service or counseling experiences
This section must address:
• Key experiences in your employment or volunteer work that