Bridge to Counseling Program

No matter how little academic or professional counseling experience you have, you can make a difference as a mental health counselor through our Bridge to Counseling Program (Bridge program). Unique to The Family Institute at Northwestern University, the Bridge Program gives you a strong foundation that eases you into our rigorous curriculum so you can fully grasp graduate-level concepts.

If your undergraduate degree is not in psychology or a related field, you lack clinical mental health counseling experience, or you are interested in a deeper orientation to the counseling field, you are encouraged to apply to the Bridge Program.

The admissions committee will make the final decision about which program you should enroll in, should you be admitted.

The Bridge Program features the same 24-course sequence as the Standard Program, with an additional introductory, three-course quarter that orients you to the key theories, concepts, and applied aspects of the field. The program can be completed on an accelerated full-time, traditional, or part-time basis.

California regulations require the equivalent of at least two quarters of coursework in order to begin your Practicum season. Therefore, California residents are only eligible for admission to the traditional and part-time tracks.

Sample course schedules for each track can be found below:

Bridge Program: Accelerated Track
Bridge Program: Traditional Track
Bridge Program: Part-Time Track

Whether the Bridge Program is worth the investment depends on your academic background, prior counseling experience and professional goals. For instance, if you’re new to the counseling field and you’ve never studied psychology, the Bridge Program is a worthwhile endeavor—one that will fortify your understanding of key concepts and topics. Critically, it will also help you build confidence as you prepare for the demanding pace, coursework, and clinical standards of this program. Ultimately, it’s an investment in your long-term academic success.

See the full list of course descriptions.

• Do I need to apply separately for the Bridge Program?

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  No. Applicants apply to the online Master of Arts in Counseling program, and the admissions committee determines whether the Bridge Program is the most appropriate pathway based on each applicant’s academic background and experience.

• How do I know if I will be placed in the Bridge Program?

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  Applicants who do not have a background in psychology or a related field, who lack counseling experience or who would benefit from additional preparation may be recommended for the Bridge Program. The admissions committee makes the final placement decision during the admissions process.

• How much time does the Bridge Program add?

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  The Bridge Program includes an additional introductory quarter consisting of three courses completed before beginning the standard curriculum sequence.

• What topics are covered during the Bridge quarter?

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  Students complete Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Introduction to Clinical Interviewing and Contemporary Topics in Counseling. These courses provide foundational knowledge and introduce key concepts in the counseling profession.

• Will my degree be different if I complete the Bridge Program?

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  No. The Bridge Program is an academic pathway designed to prepare students for graduate-level counseling coursework. Students who complete the program earn the same Master of Arts in Counseling degree as students in the Standard Program.

• How much additional coursework does the Bridge Program include?

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  The Bridge Program includes one introductory quarter consisting of three foundational courses completed before beginning the standard curriculum sequence.