The Counselor Education Department at NNU offers a Master of Science degree in Counseling with three possible majors: Marriage and Family, School, and Clinical Counseling. This program requires students to complete 60 credits hours of coursework over eight semesters (33 months), log 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). Program graduates typically complete all requirements for licensure while enrolled in the program—including the national exam—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.

Students enrolled into the Masters in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program complete 60 credit hours of coursework over eight semesters (33 months), 1,000 hours of practicum/internship experience, take the national comp exam, sit for the NCE exam, complete a participatory field research project, and engage in personal growth experiences such as individual and group counseling (as clients) . Masters in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling majors are prepared to make application for both the Licensed Professional Counselor credential and the Associate Marriage and Family Therapy credential in the State of Idaho.

The focus of the MFC program is to prepare students with a strong understanding of marriage, couple, and family counseling theory and therapy. Beyond the counseling core courses, students enroll in seven courses in marriage, couple, and family counseling with a focus on systems theory and research, human sexuality, and couple and family counseling interventions. Marriage, couple, and family counseling majors 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 Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program is delivered in a traditional, face-to-face, onsite program with some blended course options. 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.

The Masters in Clinical Counseling program provides theory, skill building, and field preparation to work as an entry-level counselor in a clinical setting. The focus of the instruction is twofold: 1) the development of the person of the counselor, including leadership ability; and 2) the development of the research knowledge, theory, and skills necessary to provide ethical and professional counseling services to community members. Beyond basic counseling skills, Clinical Counseling students are introduced to 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 a limited ability to pay for the services. The development of sensitivity, compassion, and skills in dealing with diverse populations is expected of Clinical Counseling students as well as the integration of relevant technology.

Students enrolled in the Masters in School 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, School Counseling majors are prepared to make application for the Licensed Professional Counselor credential in the State of Idaho for the K-12 school counseling credential. They are also qualified for the Department of Education Pupil Personnel Services Certification.

In the state of Idaho, school counselors do not need to be certified teachers. Thus, students from many different undergraduate majors elect to apply for school counseling admittance. The focus of the program is to prepare students to serve the schools in rural communities.

Beyond the counseling core courses (which include two required courses in diversity) the coursework specific to School Counseling focuses on the components of the National Model, youth and child counseling skills, and helping youth with special learning problems. One of the required courses for School Counseling majors is a collaborative course with graduate students in special education.

In addition to the required core and School 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; 6) Integration of Faith in Counseling; or 7) Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy. School majors also have the opportunity to intern at the private non-profit counseling center associated with the department, learning to apply play therapy skills under the supervision of a registered play therapist and gaining individual training and supervision in the individual assessment of youth.

The School Counseling program is delivered in a traditional method on-site at NNU, but is also available in Twin Falls, Idaho. Next Start date in Twin Falls is Fall 2019. 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.

It's through play that children are best able to form therapeutic alliances, express themselves, relate to others, learn new knowledge and skills, boost their egos, master stress and develop their sense of self. In order to promote the value of play, play therapy, and credentialed play therapists, the Counselor Education Department at Northwest Nazarene University is increasing the availability of play therapy instruction, application and research in this specialized area.

The goal of this post-graduate play therapy pre-certification program is to present a state-of-the-art academic rigor that will survey latest advances and developments in the field, including the three main pillars of therapy: theory, research and practice. An experiential component throughout the emphasis will focus on basic play therapy skill development within the context of ethical and diversity-sensitive practice and supervised clinical applications will be gained through a structured lab component.