Programs

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Graduate Programs

PsyD Counseling Psychology

Students who graduate from the doctorate in counseling psychology (PsyD) program at Northwest University will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as counseling psychologists in a wide variety of community settings. The faculty, functioning as both professors and mentors, effectively integrate their clinical and academic knowledge of psychology, personal interest in the success of each student who enters the program, and Christian faith as they prepare their students to become licensed psychologists. In keeping with the mission of Northwest University, the doctoral program emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual vitality, and empowered engagement with human need.

Completion of the doctoral program in counseling psychology opens doors for students to practice in diverse sites such as community clinics, private practices (solo or group), hospitals, community and public health agencies, church and para-church organizations, non-profit organizations, international mental health service organizations, entrepreneurial philanthropic organizations, or missions. Graduates may also teach in a wide variety of academic settings.

Student who graduate from the program are encouraged to apply for Washington State licensure as a psychologist.

The curriculum highlights:

Students will graduate from the program with the following competencies:

Program Format

The PsyD program in Counseling Psychology uses a cohort system. Students in each entering class form a cohesive group, or cohort, that goes through the entire program together, taking the same schedule of classes. This structure allows for close relationships with faculty and other students.

The cohort is a valuable resource for NU students because of the supportive relationships that naturally develop. Students not only study together, encouraging and assisting each other academically, but form bonds that facilitate the discussion of sensitive issues and personal stressors. The higher level of openness possible in this supportive environment allows for a higher level of learning for students and faculty.

Course Format

The PsyD program in Counseling Psychology is a five-year program. Classes are in session from the first week of September through the last week of July, with one to two week breaks between terms. Courses are typically offered two evenings per week (usually Monday and Wednesday) and on weekends (Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon).

Year One: Classroom instruction with opportunities for cultural immersion abroad

Year Two: Classroom instruction with opportunities for cultural immersion abroad

Year Three: Doctoral Practicum, Psychological Assessment, Classroom instruction

Year Four: Dissertation Proposal, Pre-Internship, Professional Seminars, Classroom instruction

Year Five: Dissertation Defense, Year-long, full-time, internship, on-line courses

Admission Criteria

A Bachelor of Arts or Science (or equivalent degree) from a regionally accredited college or university. A major in psychology is preferred, however, not required.

Applicants who meet or exceed the above criteria must also exhibit qualities consistent with the ethos of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The cohort model places great responsibility on faculty and students to work together to create a positive, supportive, collaborative learning environment. Students who are committed to personal responsibility, time management, professional ethics, interpersonal integrity, and social justice are essential for the success of the program. Consequently, the admissions committee seeks to ascertain each student’s degree of readiness for this type of learning milieu. Ultimately, it is the responsibility and authority of the admissions review board to determine an applicant’s degree of compatibility with the ethos of this program.

Please note that throughout the course of the graduate program, the graduate faculty and dean reserve the right to evaluate a student’s academic performance as well as the student’s participation as a cohort member. If it is determined by the dean and faculty that a student’s behavior is consistently having a negative effect on the other cohort members, the student will be placed on probation and advised on ways to improve specific behaviors or actions. If the situation does not improve, further action could involve withdrawing the student from a cohort and placing him/her in another one, or, as a last resort, withdrawing the student from the program. Such decisions are considered very carefully with the best interests of the student and cohort of paramount importance.

Application Procedures

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Application Deadlines

  1. Application Form and Fee.
    Please remit the completed application form and the $75 application fee to the address below.
  2. Short Essay Response Questions.
    Please provide a typed response to each of the following essay questions. Each response should be approximately 300 words and in double-spaced format:
    1. Please describe what you have been doing in the past few years in the area of psychology or a related field.
    2. If you were to obtain a Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology, how do you see yourself using it in the future? Describe what your anticipated scope of practice would be five years after completing the degree.
    3. As you look to the future, how do you envision yourself creating a healing environment for an increasingly globalized community? For example, you may intend to use your skills overseas or you may desire to serve the refugee community in a local context.
  3. References.
    Deliver the Character Reference Forms to three persons qualified to judge your professional expertise, character, and capacity for graduate-level study in each of the following areas:
    • Personally
    • Professionally
    • Academically
    As a courtesy to each of your references, please include a stamped envelope addressed to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with each Character Reference Form.
  4. Resume.
    Please provide a detailed description of your past work experience.
  5. Transcripts.
    1. A Baccalaureate degree of Arts or Science (or an equivalent degree) from an accredited college or university is required to qualify for admission to the program. It is preferred that you have a major in psychology. However, if you do not, you must have completed a general psychology course and a history of psychology course. Abnormal psychology, lifespan development, and psychological research methods courses are desired.
    2. Send a Transcript Request Form to all colleges or universities you have previously attended, requesting an official transcript of your record to be sent directly to Northwest University, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Colleges charge a transcript request fee, so please enclose this to ensure timely processing.
  6. GRE.
    The general test is required. You must submit a GRE score in order to be considered for admittance.
  7. Interview.
    When all of the above materials are received, your application will be reviewed and qualified applicants will be considered for an individual or group interview. Contact the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences in order to determine if any items are pending from your application. Following the interview and the application deadline, qualified applications will be submitted for admissions consideration and the results will be mailed to the applicants shortly thereafter. This checklist is for your use only. You do not need to send it to Northwest University. Please make sure the following are complete before submitting:
    • Admissions Application Form completed, signed, and dated, with Application Fee included
    • Short Essay Response Questions
    • Academic Reference Form
    • Professional Reference Form
    • Personal Reference Form
    • Resume
    • Official Transcripts requested
    • GRE Score sent to university

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Robert Campbell, Director of Student Services for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. All application materials should be directed to the following address:

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Northwest University
P.O. BOX 579
Kirkland, WA 98083-0579
Phone: 425.889.5226
Fax: 425.739.4602
E-mail: (Enable Javascript to see email address)

Course Sequence

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

Year Five

Total Credits: 119


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