Admissions

• 3.00 (B) undergraduate grade point average
• A copy of official undergraduate transcripts or previous course work.
• Three letters of recommendation
• A résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
• A 1000 word autobiographical statement, answering the following questions:
  • reasons for wanting to become a marriage and family therapist;
  • personal history and how it has led to your decision;
  • professional history and how it has led to your decision;
  • professional goals;
  • personal characteristics that will contribute to your being a good   family therapist; and
  •  your response to the Couple and Family Therapy Program’s Diversity Statement.
• A 300-500 word statement of purpose that addresses:
  • Your purpose for undertaking or continuing graduate study;
  • Your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue;
  • Your professional plans, career goals, and research interests; and
  • You also may explain any irregularities or special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your special abilities, awards, achievements, scholarly publications, and/or professional history.

We are looking for students who embrace learning opportunities, who take initiative and who want to expand their understanding of themselves and others as cultural, diverse beings. We strongly encourage you to share your experiences with or interest in various populations when you write your autobiographical essay. Please let us know if you are bilingual or multilingual.

International degree-seeking applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE) scores for Purdue University Graduate School admission.

The Graduate School accepts valid TOEFL scores earned through the paper-based test and Internet-based test. The minimum paper-based test score required for admission is 550. The minimum Internet-based test scores required for admission are the following:

• Writing 18
• Speaking 18
• Listening 14
• Reading 19
• Total 80

Note that in addition to required minimum scores for writing, speaking, listening and reading, the Graduate School also requires a minimum overall score that is higher than the minimums for the four area tests combined. Applicants must meet or exceed each of the five scores (listed above) for admission to the Graduate School.

Only official TOEFL scores received directly from Educational Testing Service are acceptable. For further information, visit TOEFL.org. TOEFL score reports are only valid for two years. Purdue University Northwest’s code for the TOEFL application is 1638.

The Graduate School accepts International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test scores in addition to the TOEFL. An overall band score of 6.5 is required for admission. For more information, visit IELTS.org.*

*This program is in the process of changing its name from Marriage and Family Therapy to Couple and Family Therapy. You may see references to either name as we make this transition.