Rationale for seeking specialization in a clinical counseling-related program

Key point of the essay that should be in it

Rationale for seeking specialization in a clinical counseling-related program

• 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.

Impact of previous employment, volunteer work, and other human service or counseling experiences

• Key experiences in your employment or volunteer work that influenced your decision to apply for the program.
• If you have no experience in human services, please identify specific ways you could gain related experience, such as volunteer work.

Culturally relevant interpersonal skills

• Your ability, based on life experience, to relate interpersonally to individuals from different cultural contexts (e.g. age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc.) in both individual and small group settings
• Your understanding of the importance of culturally relevant interpersonal skills in the role of a counselor, and at least 2 steps you plan to take to further the development of these skills

Self-awareness-Your discussion of self-awareness should demonstrate emotional stability and readiness to undertake a graduate degree program in counseling.

• 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.

Future professional goals in counseling

• Your specific career goals and the licensure requirements you will need to achieve them.
• Since licensure requirements vary from state to state, be specific about the requirements in the state where you intend to practice.

Your essay should reflect professional standards of clarity, tone, and grammar.