Northwest Nazarene University  

Students enrolled in the Clinical 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, complete and present a participatory field research project, and engage in personal growth experiences such as individual and group counseling (as clients) . Upon graduation, Clinical Counseling majors are prepared to make application for the Licensed Professional Counselor credential in the State of Idaho. The focus of the program is to prepare students to serve the underserved in rural communities through the use of research-informed practices integrated with strong therapeutic relationships. Beyond the counseling core courses (which include two required courses in diversity) the coursework specific to Clinical Counseling focuses on working with people in poverty, primary prevention, advocacy, consultation, strength-based assessment, psychopharmacology, and tertiary interventions. In addition to the required Clinical Counseling courses, students 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) Advanced Clinical Skills; 4) Spirituality and Wellness; 5) Addictions; and 6) Integration of Faith in Counseling. Clinical majors also have the opportunity to intern at the private non-profit counseling center associated with the department, which provides couples counseling, play therapy, learning disability assessment, and groups for populations such as the homeless, court-referred adults, and youth in detention, . The Clinical Counseling 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 gratitute, 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.

Please note this program is currently accredited as a Community Counseling program.