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  • College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
      • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
      • Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology
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Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree enables students to qualify for professional licensure as a psychologist in Washington State. Graduates are equipped to be culturally competent therapists, diagnosticians, and evaluators. In addition, the PsyD Program prepares emerging psychologists for research or teaching at the college or university level.

The PsyD is a five-year post-bachelor’s program focused on theoretical and applied evidence-based scholarly literature and research. Emphasis is placed on international, multicultural, and social justice issues through a Christian worldview.

Program Quick Facts

  • APA accredited
  • Next start: August 28, 2023
  • Application deadline: December 15th
  • 119 credits
  • $1,005 per credit (2023–24)
  • 5 years
  • Evening classes 6-10pm usually twice a week

Note: Each year the application needs to be submitted on December 15th and all application items will need to be received no later than January 15th.

Virtual Information Session

Join us for a Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology information session:

  • Thursday, April 06, 2023 at 2:30pm

View all upcoming info sessions.

APA Accredited

Northwest University’s doctoral program in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA)*, effective 10/28/18.

* Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979
E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Making a Place in the World

Auston Ellis found himself with little direction following his undergraduate degree. After being recruited to work with young children suffering trauma, he learned what true happiness looks like in the face of life’s obstacles. His subsequent pursuit of pediatric psychology at NU’s PsyD program has spanned many life milestones—marriage, a medical diagnosis, and the birth of his son. Throughout, PsyD professors encouraged him to find his unique style as an emerging psychologist, within a professional community that has become family. “My cohort and professors have walked every step of the way with me and will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Hear from a PsyD Graduate

My name is Dr. Edward Suarez Jr. Regarding my career, I'm a licensed psychologist and a research assistant professor at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. I'm also the behavioral health director of IDEA Syringe Services Program, which is Florida's first and only legal needle exchange program. But before all of those things, I was a graduate student at Northwest University. Let me whip out my old jacket, if you don't mind you. But sticking with that career part, I also work with patients living with HIV. I work at the Miami Transplant Institute providing psychiatric evaluations as well. But I'm talking about what I do now. But let me talk about the beginning. So I first heard about Northwest University PsyD program when I was living here where I am now back home in Miami. And the thing that I thought was most interesting about it at the time was its focus on social justice. And then when I got to speak to a few of the professors and understood that they, in their own personal lives or rather careers, well a little bit of both, let's be honest, they chose to advocate for those who are marginalized and living with situations in their own lives when it's related to psychiatric diagnoses or environmental stressors that are a bit complicated. And so once I saw that the professors at Northwest University practiced their own style of servant leadership within the community as psychologists, I learned this through my interview, right? I was like, OK, I want to go to Northwest University.

These professors seem like they're helping the community. And that's kind of what I want to do when I grow up. I guess that was my decision to go to Northwest University. That's why I went. The most influential component of the program again is the social justice piece—to me. It's understanding the multicultural lens which we all view the world through and how that can help you regarding clinical applications. The other piece about Northwest University that I loved so much is that they make sure that you're doing alright as a human being and they have professors that will leave an impact on you. It's just who they are.

I had a very busy schedule, so when I was living out in Washington State, I was working in a Community Mental Health Center full-time, but because the classes were at night, it was doable. And I learned a little bit about psychology, psychiatry, whatever you say during the daytime, right. And then I would learn about the books at nighttime at Northwest University. And so I got my real world experience at work. And when I got the books, at Northwest University. And then year three came about, in year three, that's when you start practicum. And then I got to use both the books and my real world experience and all the professors experience, and I got to use it in the real world and apply my skills.

And it was then that I really started feeling the moment that I could really be somebody who changes the community. And I think if it wasn't for Northwest University, I would have never had that light bulb moment working at the Department of Corrections at a community mental health center. And lastly, a federally qualified health center, again with individuals who are living beneath the margins. I learned that my knowledge, my skill sets, my abilities can add value to the community.

And so if I had one thing to say to someone who's considering enrolling at Northwest University in our PsyD program, I'd have to say go for it. I have to say, if you really want to grow, if you want to be taken out of your comfort zone so you can grow, if you want to learn a little bit about the other, go to Northwest University. Obviously, they're going to train you in everything that you need to know so that you become a licensed psychologist. I'm a product of that, I promise. But beyond the clinical applications, beyond learning how to diagnose the idea of psychopathology, the therapeutic modalities, all those things, you will be helped by those who in their own lives are centered. And that will leave you centered and you will be able to do more for the community because you went to Northwest.

Program Mission

The mission of the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program is to prepare students as counseling psychologists equipped to serve others’ needs in a globally relevant and socially conscious manner. Using the practitioner-scholar model, this applied program trains students to be skilled practitioners who engage in evidence-based and theory-informed practice. With a unique focus on service to the global community, a commitment to social justice, and a Christian worldview, we strive to equip our graduates to serve others with compassion and excellence.

Hear from a Current PsyD Student

My name is Evelia. I am in the PsyD program. I will be graduating in 2025, and with my degree I plan on working with the immigrant community. From the beginning of the program, when I applied, I knew that we would be going on a cultural immersion trip and I was apprehensive about that. But you know, it's something that has to be part of it and I'll do it. But it was really incredible to just connect everything that up until that point, we had learned in class in textbooks and articles about culture. And I knew that a big focus of the trip was to highlight the emphasis of the university has with culture and cultural competencies—and that it was important. But it's not until you're there that you really get a sense of that, that you really step out of your day-to-day comfort zone, environment, and you're coming into an environment where you're just, in a way, an outsider, you're observing. And that's where you start connecting everything that you have learned until that point. So it's in a way a pinnacle of everything that you've experienced. The information in readings and all the papers that we wrote on culture, on theology, on spiritualism, and all these different values that impacts us as human beings and just seeing everything come together was very incredible.

So for me, the biggest highlight was seeing the different value systems in culture. In books and readings, we always hear, OK, the individualistic cultures versus collectivist, but we all experience, in our day-to-day probably aspects of both. But we don't really ever get a clear picture of what it really is to see it from a distance, from our own lenses of perspective and experiences. So being there, just seeing the native Alaska community, how those individualistic values have acted on oppression and historical trauma and seeing those consequences. We visited a homeless shelter, we visited the Heritage Center, and all those experiences really highlighted how individualistic values have, in a way, imposed on those collectivist value systems. And it's created this gap where everybody works to coexist. But it's hard. It's hard because it's communities coming from different perspectives and different experiences and reconciling both. It's not easy, it's challenging, and it's a big task. So I think in summary, just experiencing that firsthand and feeling those emotions and what all that meant throughout the trip really was a strong, strong experience for me.

So a big interest of mine in psychology and in the research that I'm working on and that I plan on doing in my dissertation is cultural values. And it's based on my experience of being an immigrant and assimilating to the host culture and now having a model in my life, where I'm part of both cultures. Where I value both.

So that experience from the trip, I think, really set roots for me and how I want to approach my research. Focusing on what factors from both cultures we use as protective factors to have a healthy wellbeing, to be successful, to lead us to where we are healthy, not just in body, but also in mind. There's so much research on how just having that incongruity with feeling like you're not a whole person, the impact that it has on your health and your mental well-being. Much of my research and my interest was reinforced by that experience and I really want to explore the factors, the positive factors that can come from two cultures coexisting. And not just looking at the negative, because that's a lot of the research that we see and information of how, you know, the negative aspects of it all. But there are positives, too. And I've experienced those positive factors as well.

Program Aims

The three aims of the PsyD program are as follows:

  1. To produce graduates who have obtained the necessary skills and abilities needed for providing professional psychological and counseling services.
  2. To develop scholars with the ability to critically analyze scientific research and to conduct psychological research.
  3. To develop graduates with knowledge of the fundamental theories and scientific foundations of psychology.

Program Competencies

The PsyD Program is designed to help students meet the competencies essential for achieving its three aims. At the completion of the program, the successful PsyD doctoral student will be equipped professionally in the following ways:

  1. Research
    1. Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to formulate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., critical literature reviews, dissertation, efficacy studies, clinical case studies, theoretical papers, program development and/or evaluation projects) of sufficient quality and rigor to have the potential to contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base.
    2. Conduct research or other scholarly activities.
    3. Critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activity via professional publication and presentation at the local (including Northwest University), regional, or national level.
  2. Ethical and legal standards
    1. Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with each of the following:
      1. The current APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct;
      2. Relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and,
      3. Relevant professional standards and guidelines.
    2. Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
    3. Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.
  3. Individual and cultural diversity
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
    2. Display knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
    3. Show the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g,. research, services, and other professional activities), including (a) the ability to apply a framework for working effectively with areas of individual and cultural diversity not previously encountered, and (b) the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews create conflict with their own.
    4. Demonstrate the requisite knowledge base, ability to articulate an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups, and apply this approach effectively in their professional work.
  4. Professional values and attitudes
    1. Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others.
    2. Engage in (a) self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning, and (b) activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
    3. Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
    4. Respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training.
  5. Communication and interpersonal skills
    1. Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
    2. Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal and written communications that are informative and well-integrated, demonstrating a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
    3. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.
  6. Assessment
    1. Demonstrate current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
    2. Demonstrate understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal and cultural).
    3. Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process.
    4. Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics, collecting relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment, as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
    5. Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
    6. Communicate orally and in written documents the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.
  7. Intervention
    1. Establish and maintain effective relationships with recipients of psychological services.
    2. Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.
    3. Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making.
    5. Modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
    6. Evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.
  8. Supervision
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.
    2. Apply this knowledge in simulated practice with psychology trainees or other health trainees or professionals.
  9. Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills
    1. Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge of consultation models and practices.

Dr. Nikki Johnson, an Associate Professor at Northwest University explains the pillars of our PsyD and MA degrees in counseling, and why they are different and unique from other programs.

My name is Nikki Johnson and I am one of the professors at Northwest in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. I teach in the PsyD program, which is a graduate program for doctoral student study and counseling psychology. I also teach in the master's program for Counseling Psychology.

Something that distinguishes the Northwest program is that it really emphasizes multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice. Those lenses will be integrated into how we see our clients, how we understand cases, and it's really a fundamental part of the curriculum. And I think that distinguishes it from a lot of other programs in the area. The faculty are very accessible to explain concepts and meet and have office hours and talk to students about what they're experiencing and are open to feedback. We really are invested in our students on a personal level. We want to know if you're enjoying the education and learning and how can we supplement you in achieving your career goals.

In the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences it is really important for us that we are minding best practices, staying current with research, but also being active and invested in the communities. So we would like to know and focus on how can we translate what we're learning in the classroom to real life application, real social justice, real community service, and real jobs outside of the walls of the classroom.

The faculty is unique in that they are very supportive, they're very accessible, and the cohorts tend to become very close. We're not interested in creating a competitive environment, but an environment where all students can thrive and they can lean on their classmates and colleagues for support. Not only are you learning, but we hope that you're fostering relationships with colleagues and connections and various networks that you can utilize down the road when you're building your career.

Why Choose Our Doctoral Program?

Licensable Degree for the State of Washington

Graduate knowing that you can become a fully licensed psychologist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage for psychologists was $102,900 in 2021, (source).

Integrate Faith with Learning

Our programs are taught within the framework of a Christian worldview. Psy.D. students also take one theology course titled “Faith Integration with Psychology” to encourage them to think deeply about their own beliefs about the nature of humans in light of contemporary issues in the field of psychology.

Distinguished Faculty

Our professors draw from their academic studies and real-world professional experiences to provide students with the tools and skills they’ll need to be successful in counseling and psychology.

Learn to Treat the Whole Person

We teach you how to engage your clientele from a holistic approach: biologically, psychologically, spiritually, and culturally. The result is even greater effectiveness as a counselor or psychologist.

Accredited at the Highest Level

The APA Commission on Accreditation is recognized by both the secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, as the national accrediting authority for professional education and training in psychology.

Our regionally accredited university status represents the highest level accreditation offered by the Department of Education.

Local and Global Immersion Experiences

You will deepen your skills and understanding by participating in local and international immersion experiences. These experiences will not only equip you for your career, they have also proven to be life-changing.

Learn Within a Diverse Cohort

Learn with other students who share your interests and your goals. It’s a supportive environment of peers who will encourage you, challenge you, and become a fundamental part of your professional network once you graduate.

The PsyD program at Northwest University provided a safe place for me to learn and grow and gain a strong foundation of doctorate-level knowledge to later become licensed and specialize in the areas I am most passionate about.

–Dr. Renee St. Jacques

PsyD Graduate

Degree Requirements

  1. 119 semester hours of coursework
  2. 10 hours of individual psychotherapy (out-of-pocket expense)—Year One
  3. Cultural Immersion Experience—Year One
    A hallmark of the PsyD program is its required international cultural immersion experience in the second year. Psychologists care for people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The PsyD curriculum prepares students through study, clinical experience, and interaction with culture specialists to work in diverse global contexts. In addition, students are required to participate in a 10-14 day cultural immersion experience. Sites may vary from year to year, and include such places as India, Turkey, China, El Salvador, or Uganda.
  4. Qualifying Examination—Year Three
  5. Doctoral Dissertation: There are options for a focused dissertation that is comprised primarily of one of the following:
    • Quantitative research;
    • Qualitative research;

    The process will include a dissertation proposal, proposal defense, and dissertation defense to the respective dissertation committee. It is also required that the student formulate and deliver a presentation of the dissertation (e.g., publication, speaking engagement, formal report to a clinic or other agency).

    As participants in the larger academy, we seek to contribute to psychological science through our scholarship and, in turn, build knowledge that has impact on the world and society. Our faculty have built a policy about this research which can be found on the PsyD Clinical Training and Research page.

  6. Doctoral Practicum experience which satisfies all program and state requirements.
  7. Advanced Practicum or Pre-internship experience which satisfies all program and state requirements.
  8. Internship experience which satisfies all program and state requirements.
  9. All requirements as noted in the Clinical Training Sequence section of the PsyD Student Handbook.

Admissions Requirements

Learn about admission requirements and application instructions for both domestic and international students.

View Admission Requirements

PsyD Student Handbook

For an in-depth overview of the program, download a PDF of the PsyD Student Handbook.

View Now

View Course Descriptions

You can explore program details such as course descriptions and graduation requirements for this program in our academic catalog.

Go to the Catalog
Daniela Steinkamp

Questions about this program?

I would love to answer any questions about the Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology program that you may have.

Daniela Steinkamp, M.A.

Director of Student Services
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
425-889-5249

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