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Where to find it on the application: My Application > Personal Information

• Enter your name as it appears on your government issued I.D. Indicate any alternate or previous names in the “other name” field (i.e. maiden name).
• Enter the email address ������̳ should use to communicate with you throughout the application process.

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Academic History > Colleges Attended > Add a College > Upload a Transcript 

Applicants must upload official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions they have previously attended. Applications received without all required transcripts will be considered incomplete and ineligible for admission review.  

Official transcripts and other academic records are issued directly by the registrar's office of your previous school(s) and bear the official registrar's stamp or signature. Unofficial transcripts, including print-outs from student portals, are not acceptable for admission review. 

International students should refer to USC’s to determine which academic records they need to submit. 

To Upload Your Transcript to The Application Portal  

Login to your USC Application Portal and navigate to the Academic History section. Enter detailed information about your academic history from each institution you have attended. 

Once you have saved this information, you will find an option to Upload a Transcript for each institution. You can upload only one PDF per institution. If the transcript consists of multiple pages, you must scan each page and merge them into a single PDF file. If you do not have access to a scanner, you can take clear photos of each page and combine them into one PDF.  

There are various available to merge multiple files into a single PDF or convert photos into PDFs. Once you have uploaded your transcripts and completed all other sections of the application, you can proceed to submit your application.  

Upon admission and submission of the statement of intent to enroll, you must submit degree-conferred transcripts from all attended institutions to the Office of Academic Records and Registrar.

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Supporting Information > Documents > CV/Resume

Your résumé should be detailed enough to help the admission committee understand the various experiences – extracurricular, leadership or volunteer – that have shaped your interest in the program. Outline your roles and responsibilities within each organization and highlight any special achievements or accomplishments. In the “Supporting Information” section of the application, select “Documents”. Select the “add document” button under “CV/Resume.”

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Program Materials > Documents

Essay responses will be used to evaluate your personal, professional and educational perspectives and experiences and the ability to effectively communicate ideas and organize written thoughts. Responses to essay questions should be double-spaced with a 12-point font and one-inch margin on all sides. Include your full name at the beginning of each document. Upload each essay as a separate document in the appropriate section.

Personal Statement 

The Master of Education in School Counseling program prepares practitioners who view challenges as opportunities to excel as members of a school’s leadership team, responsible for the social, emotional, and academic well-being of students. 

We seek applicants with a clear, well-defined interest in school counseling that reveals why they care deeply about counseling as a discipline and a career, that they have the academic, professional, and personal experiences to support their interest, and that they are diligent students who will be committed to completing our graduate program of study. 

Write a personal statement that addresses the questions below. Title each section using only the headers and keep your response focused on the topic of each question. The entire statement (responses to all 4 questions) should be approximately 2,000 words.    

1. Motivation and Preparation: Describe your motivation for pursuing a career in school counseling, including any personal, academic, or professional experiences that have shaped your decision.  

2. Equity and Inclusion: Share what you believe the role of a school counselor is in today’s schools, especially in promoting equity, inclusion, and systemic change.  

3. Suitability for the Field: Reflect on the strengths, qualities, or skills you bring to the field, as well as the areas you hope to grow in through our graduate program.  

4. Mission Alignment: Explain how your personal and professional goals align with our program’s mission and values, particularly our commitment to advocacy, access, and support for diverse student populations. 

Upload your Statement of Purpose in the “Program Materials” section of the application under the tab “Documents.” Select the “add document” button under “Personal Statement”.

Supplemental Essay – 250 words or less

This space is available for you to share additional strengths, experiences, perspectives and other aspects of your identity that haven’t been captured through other sections of the application. This essay is entirely optional, and choosing not to submit one will not impact the evaluation of your application.

Upload your optional essay in the “Program Materials” section of the application under the tab “Documents.” Select the “add document” button under “Other.”

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Program Materials > Recommendations > Add Recommendation

������̳ requires one letter of recommendation to complete your application. We encourage you to choose a recommender—either professional or academic—who can best speak to your strengths, contributions, and potential for success in graduate school.   

• To submit the name(s) of your recommender(s), go to the “Program Materials” section of the application and click on the tab “Recommendations.”

• Using the ‘Add Recommendation’ button, enter the name and email address of each recommender(s) you’ve asked to electronically submit a letter of recommendation. Each recommender will automatically receive an email that includes a password and directions for submitting the letter of recommendation. If the recommender does not receive the recommendation letter request, advise them to check their spam or junk mail folders.

  

• Recommendation letters must be typed on official letterhead from the organization with a signature. If the recommender is not able to obtain company letterhead, this must be noted somewhere in the letter.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all recommendation letter(s) are submitted in the proper format prior to the appropriate deadline. Letters uploaded in the incorrect format without explanation are subject to further review.
• Recommendations letters should be submitted by recommenders by the application deadline, but they are not required to be submitted at the time you submit your application.

Please note: recommendation letters are program-specific and cannot be used to apply to additional programs. If you withdraw your application from a particular program, your letters of recommendation will be deleted along with the application.

Where to find it: My Application > Program Materials > Kira Assessment

The timed video response is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your communication skills in professional settings. No advance preparation is required for the assessment. You are allowed to take the assessment one time only (no exceptions). For technical assistance with the video response, email .

• Click the “Open Kira Assessment” button on the “Kira Assessment” tab in the application. Note: clicking this link will NOT require you to take the assessment immediately. You can register for the assessment and return at any time to complete it.
• When the page opens, click the “Check In” button.
• Click the registration module. Your first and last name and email should pre-populate in the registration form. Agree to the terms of agreement and privacy policy and click the “Register” button. After you register, a link to Kira will also be sent to your email address for easy access at the time you choose to complete your assessment.
• Complete the device set up and practice modules to prepare for your assessment.
• Click the assessment module (final step) at the time you are ready to begin your assessment.
• Once completed, your assessment will be reviewed in conjunction with other application materials by the admission committee.

Video Response

• Record your response using an internet-connected computer with a webcam.
• Dress professionally and conduct yourself with the same level of professionalism expected in an in-person interview.
• Make sure you have a pen and notepad available for taking notes on the prompt.
• Once you begin the assessment, you will be provided with one prompt, followed by five minutes of prep time.
• You will have two minutes to complete your response. There will be a countdown timer and a progress bar during preparation and response time so you can track how much time you have left. If you finish before time is up, you can submit your response using the “submit” button in the lower right corner. The system will automatically submit your response when the time is up.

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Program Materials > Documents

You are required to submit official documentation that you have satisfied the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) basic skills requirement by way of an .

Basic Skills documentation is not required at the time of application submission. Once admitted, in order to enroll in classes, submission of documentation is required. The deadline to submit Basic Skills documentation is August 1, 2026. 

What is official documentation?

Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education

As of June 29, 2024, a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education will serve as demonstration of basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Degrees and course work must have been completed while the institution was regionally accredited in order for the Commission to consider them for credentialing purposes. Course work completed in other states is acceptable as long as the institution holds regional accreditation through one of the accrediting bodies on the CTC website. 

Course work and degrees completed outside the United States must be evaluated by a Commission-approved foreign transcript evaluation agency before it may be used for credentialing purposes. A WES transcript evaluation report for the Basic Skills Requirement verification will be accepted. 

Qualifying college-level coursework

Official transcript showing in reading, writing and mathematics courses at a regionally-accredited college or university.

If you completed your previous studies outside the United States, you may submit a WES transcript evaluation report for the Basic Skills Requirement verification. 

CBEST or CSET Multiple Subject (all 3 subtests) and Writing (additional subtest)

Upon your passage of the exam, CTC Exams will email you an official score report as a PDF attachment. You may also access a copy of your official scores by signing into your CTC Exams account. In some cases, you may not see the official scores in your account if you took the exam a number of years ago. In that case, reach out to CTC Exams for your official scores. Screenshots and images of your score report are not acceptable.

SAT Score Reports

You may access your official electronic score report by logging into your CollegeBoard account and looking for a download option. Once downloaded, please double check to see whether the report has the word “unofficial” across the top; if so, the report is not acceptable. If you do not see a download option and/or the score report you are able to download is unofficial, the official score report feature is not available and you must either locate your original hard copy report or request a new one directly from CollegeBoard to be mailed to your home address. Once received, you may scan all sides into one PDF document and submit. Official test score reports sent directly to the university may cause a significant delay in processing.

ACT Score Reports

Please scan your hard copy official report (typically red and white in color), all sides, into one PDF. Electronic official score reports may be available to you if you took the exam in recent years. If so, please send the PDF. Screenshots of scores are not acceptable. Official test score reports sent directly to the university may cause a significant delay in processing.

CSU early assessment program or placement exam or College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams

Request an official score report from the vendor of your exam. Score reports that have the word “unofficial” across the top are not acceptable. Official test score reports sent directly to the university may cause a significant delay in processing.

Alternatively, if your passing status appears on your undergraduate transcript, you may use your transcript as official documentation.

Out-of-state Basic Skills Equivalent

Score reports look vastly different depending on the state in which you took the exam; please ensure your report is a PDF file sent directly to you from the vendor of your exam. Screenshots and images are unacceptable.

If you are unsure whether the score report in your possession is official, you may send a message rsoecso@rossier.usc.edu for evaluation.

Where to find it on the application: Submit Application Tab

Application fees must be paid by credit or debit card

An application fee waiver is available to applicants who meet certain eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria and instructions for obtaining a fee waiver can be found at the . If you choose to apply for a fee waiver you must:

• Start your online application but do not submit the application until the fee waiver is approved.
• Provide supporting documents to demonstrate qualification.
• Have your fee waiver request approved.
• Complete and submit your online application.

������̳ welcomes international applicants. If your prior study was completed outside of the United States, you must have earned the equivalent of a United States bachelor’s degree to be eligible for admission. View the international application requirements based on your . 

International students whose native language is not English and who completed their undergraduate work outside of the United States are required to demonstrate proficiency in English as part of the application process. For more information on English proficiency requirements, English-language test waivers and other alternate accepted exams, please visit the .

TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores

Where to find it on the application: My Application > Academic History > Standardized Tests > Add a Test Score

International students whose native language is not English and who completed their undergraduate work outside of the United States are required to submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score as part of their application. You must have taken one of these tests within the past two years.

In order to be considered for admission, you should receive a TOEFL score at or above 90 iBT with no less than a score of 20 on each band, or an IELTS score at or above 6.5 with no less than a score of 6 on each band. 

You may upload your test score report in the “Academic History” section of the application to be used in application review. However, only scores received electronically from the testing service are considered official. Official test scores should be sent from the testing agency directly to USC.

• TOEFL: To send official scores, use USC ETS code 4852. Please note that USC does not accept super-scoring for the TOEFL.
• IELTS: Select “University of Southern California” at the time of registration. Alternatively, provide this information to your testing center after taking the test.
• No department code is required to send TOEFL or IELTS scores
  
  

For more information on English Proficiency requirements, English-language test waivers, and other alternate accepted exams, please visit the . 

Your application materials will be reviewed by both the ������̳ School of Education Office of Admission and Scholarships and the USC Office of Graduate Admissions.

• Refer to your ������̳ personal portal for timely and accurate updates on your application status (including missing items).
• If your application is complete by the round application deadline, expect to receive notification of your admission decision within 5 to 7 weeks.
• You will receive a decision letter from both ������̳ and the USC Office of Graduate admission.

No. Your diploma will read “Master of Education in School Counseling”.

There is no minimum GPA required to apply to ������̳ programs, but competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. However, GPA is one of many elements evaluated in the admission committee’s comprehensive evaluation of candidates. In the application, you may use the optional essay to discuss anything in your academic and/or professional history that may require additional explanation.

������̳ students come from diverse academic backgrounds. Education or experience related to your program of interest can make you a more competitive applicant, however it is not required. If your bachelor’s degree is unrelated to the program for which you are applying, use your application to communicate your passion for working in your selected degree field and explain how your background and experience has prepared you to be successful and positively contribute to your chosen field.

Applicants are permitted to apply to up to three USC programs within the same academic year. When completing your online application, select all programs to which you would like to apply. Please read each program’s guidelines carefully, as each program may require different documents or methods of assessment. Application fees are required for each program to which you apply, but you will only need to submit transcripts and test scores (optional for most programs) once.

You may request to transfer up to six units of graduate coursework completed at another college or university that are similar to the courses in the school counseling online program. However, you will be required to replace these units with elective courses. All students complete a total of 49 units in this program. Contact the Master’s Program Office at rsoempo@rossier.usc.edu to find out if your transfer courses can be applied to your degree.

GRE scores are not required, nor accepted for admission at ������̳.

Yes. However, we recommend that you work closely with your academic and career specialist to plan your academic schedule.