Northwest Nazarene University  

Students enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program complete 60 credit hours of coursework over eight semesters (33 months), 1,000 hours of practicum/internship experience, pass the national comp exam, sit for the NCE exam, and engage in personal growth experiences such as individual and group counseling (as clients). Program graduates typically complete all requirements for licensure while enrolled in the program and apply for licensure as a counselor after graduation. Upon graduation, students are prepared with the professional competencies necessary for entry-level counseling and therapeutic direct service delivery as well as with a base to pursue doctoral-level study.

Beyond the counseling core courses, the coursework specific to Clinical Mental Health Counseling focuses on interventions, the intricacies of the funding of mental health agencies, inter-agency consultation, and the problems faced by those who need mental health assistance but have limited ability to pay for the services. The development of sensitivity, compassion, and skills in dealing with diverse populations is expected of CMHC students as well as the integration of relevant technology. CMHC students also have the opportunity to enroll in an emphasis area, similar to an undergraduate minor, in one of the following: 1) Play Therapy; 2) Trauma, Crisis, and Grief; 3) Acceptance and Mindfulness Informed Therapies; 4) Addictions; or 5) Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy. An additional emphasis area, Primary Care Behavioral Health, is currently under development. CMHC students also have the opportunity to intern at the private non-profit counseling center associated with the department, which provides couples, individual, play therapy, and youth assessment services. The CMHC program is delivered in a traditional method on-site at NNU, but is also available in rural locations through weekend, face-to-face delivery and blended online coursework.

NNU is a religiously-affiliated institution with a Wesleyan foundation. Spiritual wellness, an atmosphere of gratitude, commitment to community, service to others, a relational focus between faculty and with students, and good mental health practices are modeled by faculty for students. Students of any background/tradition are welcome.