Apply to the Graduate Certificate in Crisis Response and Behavioral Health

It's time to start your application!

You've done your research and you are ready to apply. This is an exciting next step and we want to make it as smooth as possible for you. You can submit most documents, including your essay, letters of recommendation, and your CV, through our online application portal. Transcripts should be sent to the Admissions Office and need to arrive on or before the deadline.

Letters of Recommendation

Letter(s) of recommendation are required from people who are able to attest to your professional, academic, intellectual, motivational, interpersonal, and emotional qualities. References should not be provided by family members, friends, or others who don't know you in either a professional or academic context.

Both the recommendation form and letter must be submitted electronically through your online application account.

One reference must be from your current supervisor and demonstrate organizational support for your participation in the Certificate of Crisis Response and Behavioral Health program.

Curriculum Vitae

Please attach a current CV or résumé which includes the following: educational background; current role; length and description of employment, relevant training experiences; workshops and seminars attended; and any other relevant professional activities (e.g., presentations, specialty projects, task force participation, etc.) You may also include any extracurricular activities or volunteer experience that you deem relevant.

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Application Essay

When composing your essay, please use a traditional font, one-inch margins and double line spacing on a letter size document.

Please provide a 4–5-page narrative that thoroughly responds to the following areas:

• Your professional background, current role and why you’re applying for entry into this Certificate program.
• How you anticipate the program will meet your learning goals and advance your career.
• Previous personal, relational, and professional experiences related to responding to individuals in mental health, emotional, or substance-use-related crises.
• Circumstances in your life that reflect your perseverance, flexibility, resolve and passion within diverse and multicultural contexts.
• Your readiness to fully engage with fellow students/faculty.
• Assessment of your current crisis response skills and specific areas that you’d like to strengthen and focus on in the program.
• Anything that you think we should know about you in support of your application.

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Official Transcript(s)

Please request an official academic transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you have attended. Paper transcripts or e-transcripts should be sent directly to William James College from the issuing registrar's office. We recommend that you request these documents as soon as you decide to apply for admission and to allow at least ten business days for the issuing registrar to process your request. If you have completed a semester abroad and these corresponding courses do not appear on your home institution's transcript with a letter grade, then you must provide a separate transcript for this period of study.

Paper transcripts must be addressed to:

William James College
Office of Admissions
1 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459

E-transcripts must be sent to transcript@williamjames.edu, and must arrive at William James College on or before the set deadline. Postmark on the deadline date is not acceptable. Be aware that you will not be able to enroll and register for classes if we have not received your official final transcripts with degree conferral.

Current and former William James College students please see WJC transcript instructions on the Academic History section of the online application.

All applicants who have attended a non-US institution of higher learning must provide an official translation and equivalency to US Higher Education of their academic record. William James College recommends that applicants contact World Education Services to request this service. For more information, please visit www.wes.org.