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Statement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose
You can find the Statement of Purpose instructions you need for your admissions requirements by clicking the drop-down section below. The Statement of Purpose can be attached or written out in an email and submitted to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Please review your student checklist (login required) for information on the specific documents and requirements needed for your admission.
Graduate Certificates
Graduate Certificate in Music in World Cultures – Ethnomusicology
In 500 words, please explain your purpose for pursuing this degree. Consider the following questions in your response:
- How is this degree going to help you in your ministry and/or vocation?
- What do you hope to learn through this process?
- What do you hope to do with this degree after graduation?
Graduate Degree Programs
Master of Arts in Composition
Please submit a 300- to 500-word statement as to why you desire to pursue a Master of Arts in Composition at Liberty University.
Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology
In 500 words, please explain your purpose for pursuing this degree. Consider the following questions in your response:
- How is this degree going to help you in your ministry and/or vocation?
- What do you hope to learn through this process?
- What do you hope to do with this degree after graduation?
Master of Arts in Professional Writing
Please submit a 300- to 500-word statement as to why you desire to pursue a Master of Arts in Professional Writing at Liberty University.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60-hour)
- Please describe in 200-250 words why you desire to become a counselor and indicate the type of counselor certification you plan to seek after graduation.
- Describe in 200-250 words an occasion in which you have interacted with an individual or a group of individuals from another culture. Identify the cultural differences which were present and how you demonstrated respect for those differences.
- Describe in 200-250 words how you form effective interpersonal relationships with others in individual and group settings.
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Please describe in 200-250 words why you desire to become a counselor and indicate the type of counselor certification you plan to seek after graduation.
- Describe in 200-250 words an occasion in which you have interacted with an individual or a group of individuals from another culture. Identify the cultural differences which were present and how you demonstrated respect for those differences.
- Describe in 200-250 words how you form effective interpersonal relationships with others in individual and group settings.
Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language
In 300-500 words, explain why you want to pursue a TESL degree.
Master of Education in School Counseling
- Please describe in 200-250 words why you desire to become a counselor and indicate the type of counselor certification you plan to seek after graduation.
- Describe in 200-250 words an occasion in which you have interacted with an individual or a group of individuals from another culture. Identify the cultural differences which were present and how you demonstrated respect for those differences.
- Describe in 200-250 words how you form effective interpersonal relationships with others in individual and group settings.
Master of Social Work
Please submit a 400-word-minimum Statement of Purpose detailing the following:
- In roughly 150 words, complete the following prompt: I desire to earn a Master of Social Work degree and attend Liberty University because…
- In roughly 150 words, complete the following prompt: I show a posture of learning and respect when interacting with diverse individuals, families, and groups by…
- In roughly 100 words, discuss the following prompt: Please share about a personal challenge in your life and discuss how you have worked through this challenge. (Please do not share about a challenge with your job.)
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Please submit a 1,200-word-minimum Statement of Purpose detailing the following:
- Introduce yourself and explain what has inspired you to earn a Master of Social Work degree. Discuss related life events, experiences, and relationships – educational, professional, and/or personal. If you are making a career change, discuss what prompted the change. Discuss what you hope to do with an MSW. (400 words)
- What qualities and abilities do you possess that you believe are a good fit for the social work profession? (150 words)
- What qualities and abilities do you want to develop or further develop that you believe will be helpful in the profession? (150 words)
- How do you show a posture of learning and respect when interacting with diverse individuals, families, and groups? (150 words)
- Share a personal challenge (please do not share a challenge related to your job) in your life and discuss how you worked through or are working through this challenge. (200 words)
- Explain the reason you believe Liberty University is the best fit to help you meet your goal of obtaining an MSW. (150 words)
- If you have social work-related experience, discuss those experiences (for instance, working or volunteering in social services). (optional)
Postgraduate and Executive Certificates
Postgraduate Certificate in Chaplaincy
Please submit a 300-word minimum Statement of Purpose detailing the following:
- Your vocational or ministry calling
- Your vocational or ministry goals
- A key ministry problem you feel needs to be addressed in today’s culture, which is appropriate to an advanced professional study
Executive Certificate in Nursing Educational Leadership
In a minimum of 200 words for each prompt (600 – 1000 words total), describe the following:
- Share your intellectual trajectory, how you came to the decision to further your education, and what made you decide to pursue an Executive Certificate in Nursing Educational Leadership at Liberty University.
- Share research interests, why you enjoy doing research, and provide an example(s) that displays your intellectual curiosity in action.
- In your narrative, highlight any relevant experience and skills you have. Be sure to point out any research experience in your paragraph.
Format Instructions:
- The entire document should be 600 – 1000 words total
- APA format
- Title page
- Statement of Purpose should be prepared in one APA formatted paragraph
Executive Certificate in Psychology
The Statement of Purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate to your application reviewers why you wish to pursue an Executive Certificate at Liberty University, and also to showcase graduate-level writing abilities for their consideration.
In 1000 – 1500 words, double-spaced, please address the following:
- What is your goal with regard to obtaining an Executive Certificate in Psychology from Liberty University?
- How does your goal align with the mission of Liberty University?
Doctoral Degree Programs
Doctor of Ministry
Please submit a 300-word minimum Statement of Purpose detailing the following:
- Your vocational or ministry calling
- Your vocational or ministry goals
- A key ministry problem you feel needs to be addressed in today’s culture, which is appropriate to an advanced professional study
Doctor of Worship Studies
The Statement of Purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate to your application reviewers why you wish to pursue a doctoral degree at Liberty University, and also to showcase graduate-level writing abilities for their consideration.
In 1,000-1,500 words, please answer the following questions:
- How has your previous education and/or work experience prepared you for doctoral studies?
- What is your goal with regard to pursuing a doctoral education at Liberty University?
- Please describe the character and values you possess that will help you succeed in your desired field.
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership
The Statement of Purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate to your application reviewers why you wish to pursue a doctoral degree at Liberty University, and also to showcase graduate-level writing abilities for their consideration.
In 1,000-1,500 words, please answer the following questions:
- How has your previous education and/or work experience prepared you for doctoral studies at Liberty University?
- What is your goal with regard to pursuing a doctoral education at Liberty University?
- Please describe the character and values you possess that will help you succeed in your desired field.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Leadership
Answer the following prompts in approximately 200 words each (600-word max) in one APA-formatted paragraph with a title page:
- Share your intellectual trajectory, how you came to the decision to further your education, and what made you decide to pursue a PhD in Nursing Leadership at Liberty University.
- Share research interests and why you enjoy doing research and provide an example(s) that displays your intellectual curiosity in action.
- In your narrative, highlight any relevant experience and skills you have. Be sure to point out any research experience in your paragraph.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing – Nursing Education
In a minimum of 200 words for each prompt (600 – 1000 words total), describe the following:
- Share your intellectual trajectory, how you came to the decision to further your education, and what made you decide to pursue a PhD in Nursing – Nursing Education concentration at Liberty University.
- Share research interests, why you enjoy doing research, and provide an example(s) that displays your intellectual curiosity in action.
- In your narrative, highlight any relevant experience and skills you have. Be sure to point out any research experience in your paragraph.
Format Instructions:
- The entire document should be 600 – 1000 words total
- APA format
- Title page
- Statement of Purpose should be prepared in one APA formatted paragraph
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology
The Statement of Purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate to your application reviewers why you wish to pursue a doctoral degree at Liberty University, and also to showcase graduate-level writing abilities for their consideration.
In 1000 – 1500 words, double-spaced, please address the following:
- What is your goal with regard to obtaining a doctoral degree in psychology from Liberty University?
- How does your goal align with the mission of Liberty University?