Counseling Programs Application Instructions

Application Materials

First, access the online application. In the application, select University of Minnesota Twin Cities, College of Continuing and Professional Studies, then the name of your program.

Submit all application materials electronically — the online application, professional statement, letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc. — by the deadline. 

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Applicant Statements

MPS in Addictions Counseling and MPS in Integrated Behavioral Health

Professional statement: Two to three pages, double-spaced. Use professional discretion and intention as you respond to the following prompts.

• ADDC: Outline your professional goals and how this degree will help you reach them. Include your motivation to pursue a career as an addictions counselor.
• IBH: Outline your professional goals and how this comprehensive program that addresses both mental health and substance use disorders will help you reach them. Include your motivation to pursue a career as a co-occurring addictions and mental health counselor.
• Licensing requirements for counselors include multicultural competency. Describe how cultural competency has shown up or will show up in your work in the field of addictions, mental health and co-occurring disorders counseling.
• Describe any academic and professional experience you have that prepares you to succeed in this program. This could include research or professional experience, or leadership or collaboration in volunteer, research, academic work or other activities.
• Describe your strengths and growth edges. For example, mention specific skills that will help you succeed in this program and your career as an addictions counselor, mental health counselor or co-occurring disorders counselor; how you have learned from past challenges; or what areas of growth are you currently working on.
• Cite specific examples of your use of collaboration, conflict management, empathy or appropriate communication.

MPS in Sex Therapy

Professional statement: One to two pages, double-spaced. Use professional discretion and intention as you respond to the following prompts:

• What academic or professional experiences have prepared you for the MPS in Sex Therapy? This could include research, professional experience, academic work, or other activities; experiences such as volunteer work, community engagement, etc. are all relevant.
• The MPS in Sex Therapy is a fully online program (asynchronous and synchronous online courses) with a clinical internship in the community; the ability to take leadership of one’s own education is essential for student success. Please provide specific examples of when you have demonstrated self-motivation, adaptability, or perseverance.
• Describe your strengths and opportunities for growth; include specific skills that will help you succeed in this program and a career in sex therapy. 
• Your professional goals and how this degree will help you reach them. Include your motivation to pursue a career in sex therapy.
• Licensing requirements for counselors include multicultural competency. Describe how cultural competency has shown up in your academic or professional experiences or will show up in your work in the field of sex therapy.

Trauma Informed Care Certificate

Professional statement: One to two pages, double-spaced. Use professional discretion and intention as you respond to the following prompts.

• What academic or professional experiences have prepared you for the Trauma Informed Care Certificate? This could include research, professional experience, academic work or other activities. Experiences such as volunteer work, community engagement, etc. are all relevant.
• The Trauma Informed Care Certificate is a fully online program (asynchronous and synchronous online courses). The ability to take leadership of one’s own education is essential for student success. Please provide specific examples of when you have demonstrated self-motivation, adaptability or perseverance.
• Describe your strengths and opportunities for growth — include specific skills that will help you succeed in this program and a career in the Trauma Informed Care Certificate.
• What are your professional goals? That is, what do you hope to achieve after completing the Trauma Informed Care Certificate? How will this program specifically help you reach those goals?
• This field requires working with people from different backgrounds. Elaborate on how the need for cultural responsiveness has shown up or will show up in your work.

For All Programs

Extenuating Circumstances Statement 

• One page. Required if your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0. You may also submit this statement if there are other areas of your academic record that you would like to address.
• Briefly describe what affected your academic performance.
• Explain how circumstances have changed and what new supports or strategies you will use to meet the demands of graduate school, like time management, self-care, etc.

Tips

• Review the professional statement prompts and make sure your statement addresses all of them.
• Use professional discretion and intention when disclosing personal details.
• Allow time for multiple drafts.
• Have at least one person review it and give feedback.
• Avoid listing all activities from your resume/CV or application in narrative form.
• AI tools may be used to brainstorm ideas but should not be used to write your professional statement. Your professional statement should be written in your own authentic voice — your experiences, reflections and aspirations. 

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for the MPS in Addictions Counseling, the MPS in Integrated Behavioral Health, and the MPS in Sex Therapy. Two letters of recommendation are optional for the Trauma Informed Care Certificate.

The best letters come from instructors who know you and your academic work or from employers or supervisors that have knowledge of your interest in the program, your ability to work in the field or transferable skills that are relevant for completing this program. The more the recommendation reflects real knowledge of you and your performance, the more useful the letter is to the Admissions Committee. Ask them whether they will be able to write you a strong letter of recommendation; if their answer is "no," find a different letter writer.

Important: Letters from a family member, friend or personal therapist cannot be accepted.

Remember to share with your letter writers:

• A current CV or résumé
• Professional statement
• Information about the program you’re interested in
• Why you are applying to the program

Tell the letter writers to include in their recommendation:

• how long they have known you and in what capacity.
• their current position and organization.
• your skills and experience that will prepare you to succeed in this program and your career.
• how you have grown as a scholar or professional.
• your leadership and collaboration experience.
• your experiences with appropriate communication, conflict management, or empathy.
• your performance in their courses or workplace.

Tips

• Ask a current/former supervisor, colleague or instructor.
• Ask them if they feel comfortable writing a strong recommendation.
• Have a backup writer in case of emergency.
• Talk with each letter writer about the program, your current/future interests and professional goals.
• Give them a clear deadline (typically 4–6 weeks).
• Share your professional statement and resume or CV with your letter writers.
• Send the letter writers a thank-you!

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts or academic records for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) should be uploaded directly to the online application. If possible, make sure the institution has put your name on the transcript/record.

Please note: International students applying for the Trauma Informed Care Certificate should also upload an English translation if the transcript is not in English. 

Resume or CV

Submit a current resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Make sure it is up-to-date and free of errors. In addition to work history, include relevant research experience or publications, volunteer activities, training, etc.

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee must be paid on submission.

Fee Waiver (ADDC and IBH Only)

CCAPS offers a limited number of application fee waivers to US citizens/permanent residents applying to the MPS in Addictions Counseling or MPS in Integrated Behavioral Health program. If you are applying to one of these programs and would like to be considered for a fee waiver, please make sure you:

1. start a program application to the graduate program of interest (disregard if your application is in progress).
2. ensure all required documents and statements are loaded into your application.
3. complete the fee waiver form found within your program application.
4. do not submit payment to your program application. We can not reimburse you if you are awarded a fee waiver but have already paid.

We strongly recommend applying for a fee waiver at least two weeks before the application deadline. Due to the limited number of fee waivers, not all applications will be approved.

You will be notified via email with instructions if your application has been approved. If not approved, you should then submit your payment within your program application.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions. 

Transferring Credits

Transferring Graduate Credits

You may be able to transfer up to 10 credits of graduate-level coursework completed prior to admission, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

Transfer coursework requirements:

• Taken at the University of Minnesota or another accredited institution
• Completed at the graduate level and listed on a graduate transcript
• Earned a grade of B or better
• Completed no more than five years prior to admission to the program

Transferring Undergraduate Credits

The master's in Integrated Behavioral Health and Sex Therapy programs do not accept transfer credits that were completed at the undergraduate level and/or listed on an undergraduate transcript. Any undergraduate coursework transferred into a Master of Professional Studies in Addictions Counseling cannot count toward Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health degree requirements.

International Students

Addictions Counseling, Integrated Behavioral Health and Sex Therapy Programs

Visa Requirements and Restrictions

Due to the structure of course offerings and immigration regulations regarding enrollment requirements and employment, the University is not able to issue a visa document (I-20 or DS-2019) for international students on an F or J visa to enroll in the master's in Addictions Counseling, Integrated Behavioral Health or Sex Therapy programs. International applicants on an F or J visa who submit an application will have their application withdrawn and the application fee is non-refundable.

International students must be in the United States in a status that allows for at least part-time study in a degree program and at least part-time work. All students in the master's in Addictions Counseling, Integrated Behavioral Health or Sex Therapy programs must complete a clinical practicum and internship. If an international student wishes to complete a paid practicum and internship, they may be required to submit proof of work authorization at the time of application for the practicum. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions before applying.

Licensure and Residency Requirements

The master's degrees in Addictions Counseling, Integrated Behavioral Health and Sex Therapy programs are designed to meet specific state licensure requirements in the United States. Therefore, admission into all three programs is restricted to applicants residing within the United States.

Trauma-Informed Care Certificate

Course Delivery

Our certificate program features diverse delivery methods, including fully asynchronous, fully remote synchronous, and hybrid formats. All synchronous sessions will be held in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone, which international students should consider when planning their participation and course completion.

English Language Proficiency

If your native language is not English, please submit scores from the TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS English proficiency examination. Read more about required scores.

• Required TOEFL scores are 84 or above, with section scores of at least 21 on writing and at least 19 on reading.
• Required IELTS score is 6.5, with section scores of at least 6.5 for both writing and reading.
• Required MELAB score is 84.
• Required Duolingo score is 110.

Visa Status

International students interested in the Trauma Informed Care Certificate should contact the International Student and Scholar Service for information on visa status.

Taking a Course Before Admission

How to Register for Undergraduate Courses to Meet Prerequisites

Complete the steps outlined on the registration page for nondegree students. Undergraduate courses used to meet prerequisites will not count toward your degree requirements.

How to Register for Graduate-level Courses

Credit courses taken before admission may be applied toward your degree. You can take a graduate-level course before being admitted if:

• the course is graduate-level (4xxx-level or above), and
• you register for credit as a nondegree graduate student and pay graduate-level tuition.

More information is available on the CCAPS Taking Graduate Courses page.

Financing Your Education

Visit the CCAPS financial aid website to learn more about our collegiate scholarships, federal financial aid, and non-UMN financing options. CCAPS Graduate Education programs do not provide living stipends, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships.

US-Based Students

CCAPS offers modest financial need-based scholarships to eligible students, and a limited number of merit-based scholarships. However, in most cases students work while going to school in order to cover living expenses and pay tuition out of pocket, including health insurance.

• Financial need-based scholarships: Eligible students seeking a needs-based CCAPS scholarship beginning the term they are admitted are encouraged to apply for fall admission. If admitted for spring semester, eligible students can apply for needs-based CCAPS scholarships for the following summer and/or fall terms. MPS in Addictions Counseling or MPS in Integrated Behavioral Health students who are awarded a financial need-based scholarship may also be eligible for a one-time additional scholarship award if they are completing an unpaid internship.
• Merit-based scholarships: Merit-based scholarships are available for a limited number of students applying to the MPS in Addictions Counseling, MPS in Integrated Behavioral Health and MPS in Sex Therapy programs for fall admission. Apply for admission early to be considered for these one-time scholarships. Students awarded a merit-based scholarship may be eligible for a needs-based CCAPS scholarship beginning the second term of their program. Please note that recipients of the UMN Regents Tuition Benefit Program are not eligible for CCAPS scholarships and students who defer their admission to a future term can only defer their admission; merit-based scholarships cannot be deferred.

We are excited to share that for fall 2025, 22 graduate students were awarded a merit-based scholarship, with these one-time awards ranging $1,250–$2,000 per student.

International Students

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid or CCAPS scholarships and must provide financial evidence showing that they can cover tuition, living expenses, and the Student Health Benefit plan health insurance during their period of study. To learn more about planning for these expenses, visit Plan Your Expenses or make an appointment with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

Employer Reimbursement

Some employers may help pay for your graduate education if it relates to your goals at work. Talk with your organization's human resources representative to learn more.

Why should your company invest in your education?

• You'll be able to handle more responsibilities and roles.
• Your employer will increase productivity, which will help it grow (or help it save money).
• Your employer could attract and help keep high-quality talent.
• Your employer will demonstrate a commitment to growth and the creation of mentors and leaders.
• You can cultivate job satisfaction.

Graduate Assistantships

You may be eligible for a U of M graduate assistantship outside of your CCAPS graduate program, which is basically a part-time job in research or teaching. You can view open graduate assistantships on the U of M Human Resources website.