College of Social & Behavioral SciencesGraduate ProgramsCounseling PsyChology DoCtor of PsyChology (Psy.D.) Master of arts

international Care &CoMMunity DeveloPMent Master of arts

Introduction from the Dean

“As globalization

spreads, the

need to integrate

psychology, culture,

and social justice

increases.”

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northwest University educates individuals to serve within the mental health and human service professions both locally and internationally. Its three graduate programs, the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP), the Doctor of Psychology in Counseling

Psychology (Psy.D.), and the Master of Arts in International Care and Community Development (MAICCD), are built upon the integration of psychology, culture, and social justice.

All students have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of cultural immersion experiences both locally and

internationally. Past immersion experiences include Morocco, Brazil, India, and Turkey. These opportunities provide students with the chance to connect theory to praxis and heed Christ‘s call to love, serve, and care for those who are hurting.

Whether serving locally or internationally, graduates of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences are prepared to respond to the call of Christ through excellent theory development and advanced applied skills to provide care in a rapidly globalizing world. We hope that you will consider joining us!

- Matt Nelson, Ph.D. Dean, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

internationally. Past immersion experiences include Morocco, Brazil, India, and Turkey. These opportunities provide students with the chance to connect theory to praxis and heed Christ‘s call to love, serve, and care for those who are hurting.

Whether serving locally or internationally, graduates of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences are prepared to respond to the call of Christ through excellent theory development and advanced applied skills to provide care in a rapidly globalizing world. We hope that you will consider joining us!

- Matt Nelson, Ph.D. Dean, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Cohort SystemYou will learn in a cohort—as part of a team that will encourage and support you.In the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences’ Graduate Programs entering students are grouped together and are given the same schedule of courses for the entire

program. The advantage of this system is the openness it creates. Students study together, encourage one another when needed, and become comfortable with each other to the point of being able to discuss sensitive issues and share personal accounts. Since a higher

level of openness is attained, a higher level of learning can also be reached.

The cohort outlasts its original purpose and remains a source of support, networking, and friendship for years after students graduate.

Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.)Psy.D. Degree RequirementsFirst Year: Fall Semester (9 credits)Advanced Lifespan Development (2)Multicultural Issues of Psychology (2)History of Psychology (3)Communication & Counseling Skillswithin a Multicultural Context (2)

Spring Semester (11 credits)Theories of Personality (3)Psychotherapeutic Systems (3)Psychopathology (3)Critical Thinking in Psychology,Culture, and Social Justice (2)

Summer Semester (11 credits)Globalization & Psychology (2)Biological Basis of Behavior I: Neuropsychology (3)Advance Psychology Law and Ethics (3)Systems of Family Therapy (3)

Second Year: Fall Semester (11 credits)Research Methods 1: Statistics (3)Psychological Assessment I (3)Advanced Psychopathology (2)Cognitive Affective Basis of Behavior (3)

Spring Semester (11 credits)Research Methods II: Design and Ethics (3)Psychological Assessment II (3)Group Counseling &Cultural Dynamics (2)Human Sexuality and Relationships (3)

Summer Semester (10 credits)Research Methods III: Techniquesof Data Analysis (3)Psychological Assessment III (3)Health, Healing, and Culturein Psychology (2)Child and Adolescent Therapy (2)

Psy.D. Introduction

The Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology is a five-year post-bachelors degree program designed to prepare the doctoral student to serve in diverse community settings as a psychologist. The program focuses on the application of theoretical, evidence-based scholarly literature, and research in clinical training and practice. Emphasis is placed on training clinicians who will be responsive to international, multicultural, and social justice issues.

The program follows the practitioner-scholar model and is organized as a year-round cohort system requiring 119 credits for graduation. The focus of the learning experience shifts from academic to clinical as the course sequence unfolds.

Spring Semester (7 credits)Pre-Internship in Psychology II (2)Professional Practice Seminar: Efficacy of Interventions (2)Doctoral Dissertation in Psychology II (3)

Summer Semester (7 credits)Pre-Internship in Psychology III (2)Community Developmentand Psychology (2)Doctoral Dissertation in Psychology III (3)

Fifth Year: Fall Semester (2 credits)Internship in Psychology I (2)

Spring Semester (2 credits)Internship in Psychology II (2)

Summer Semester (2 credits)Internship in Psychology III (2)

TOTAL CREDITS: 119

Third Year: Fall Semester (10 credits)Consultation in Health Delivery Systems (2) Social Psychology & Behavior (3)Interventions & Practice I: Traditional Foundations & Practice (3)Doctoral Practicum I (2)

Spring Semester (11 credits)Biological Basis of Behavior II: Psychopharmacology (3)Substance Addictions and Intervention (3)Interventions & Practice II: Global Opportunities & Responsibilities (3)Doctoral Practicum II (2)

Summer Semester (8 credits)Professional Practice Seminar:Professional Standards (2)Counseling and Career Development (2)Marriage and Couple Therapy (2)Doctoral Practicum III (2)

Fourth Year: Fall Semester (7 credits)Professional Practice Seminar: Supervision (2)Pre-Internship in Psychology I (2)Doctoral Dissertation in Psychology I (3)

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP)MACP Introduction

This program is designed to prepare students to serve their communities as licensed mental health counselors. The professors draw from their academic studies and professional experiences to provide students with the background they will need to be successful in the field of counseling psychology.

Students learn through lecture, discussion, and research, and then put their new knowledge to work in their internship and thesis, while receiving supervision from skilled practitioners.

The program has a unique multicultural focus with an emphasis on social justice. Instructors seek to equip students to serve individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs.

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) MACP CurriculumFirst Year: Fall Semester (11 credits)Research Methods I: Introduction (1) Communication & Counseling Skillswithin Multicultural Contexts (2) Psychopathology (3) Multicultural Issues in Psychology (2) History of Psychology (2) Practicum in Psychology I (1)

Spring Semester (11 credits)Research Methods II: Quantitative (2) Critical Thinking in Psychology, Culture, and Social Justice (2) Psychotherapeutic Systems (3) Child, Spouse, and Elder Abuse (1) Practicum in Psychology II (1) Advanced Lifespan Development (2)

Summer Semester (10 credits)Biological Basis of Behavior I: Neuropsychology (2) Psychology Law and Ethics (2) Systems of Family Therapy in Cultural Context (3) Practicum in Psychology III (1) Research Methods III–Qualitative (2)

MACP Highlights• Complete your Master of Arts degree in

as little as two years.• Evening and weekend classes

accommodate working professionals and their families.

• Study from a distinctly Christian perspective with an emphasis on culture and social justice.

• Upon successful completion of the program’s internship sequence the curriculum meets Washington State requirements for Mental Health Counseling Licensure.

This Program Prepares You To:• Understand people biologically,

psychologically, spiritually, and culturally.• Think critically concerning issues relating

to culture and social justice.• Be equipped as a therapist to work

with diverse populations and develop a corresponding professional identity.

• Acquire, refine, and demonstrate appropriate masters-level skills as a clinician, researcher, and an academic.

Second Year: Fall Semester (10 credits)Group Counseling and Cultural Dynamics (2) Theories and Practice in Cultural Context (3) Advanced Psychopathology (2) Supervised Internship I or Thesis I (3)

Spring Semester (10 credits)Biological Basis of Behavior II: Psychopharmacology (2) Psychodiagnostics (3) Child and Adolescent Therapy (2) Supervised Internship II or Thesis II (3)

Summer Semester (10 credits)Perspectives of Human Sexuality (2) Choose one of the following two: Counseling and Career Development (2)Marriage and Couple Therapy (2)Capstone: Integration of Psychology, Culture, & Social Justice (1) Substance Abuse Counseling (2) Supervised Internship III or Thesis III (3)

TOTAL CREDITS: 62

Master of Arts in International Care & Community DevelopmentMAICCD IntroductionThis program prepares students for context-sensitive, strategic leadership in meeting the needs of the poor and oppressed, both in the U.S. and overseas. This degree emphasizes core issues of global-cultural awareness and social justice. Students are equipped to identify, analyze, and understand cultural differences in context of need, and to develop holistic responses that are sensitive to the particular constraints and opportunities in those settings.

Students will explore career options in relief and development contexts, including leadership and management, as well as project design and facilitation.

This degree is essentially practical and tied to real-world needs; there is a constant emphasis on the interplay between theory and praxis. All students will take part in a cross-cultural field experience in semesters two, three, and four through the practicum series. This may include working with an organization with which they are already associated. Students are required to undertake a project that will become the basis for their thesis. They are encouraged to choose an endeavor that will provide practical data to benefit the people group or organization that is the focus of their fieldwork.

Master of Arts in International Care & Community DevelopmentMAICCD Highlights• Complete your MA Degree in as little as 20

months.• Evening and weekend classes accommodate

working professionals and their families.• Study from a distinctly Christian

perspective with an emphasis on culture and social justice.

• Practica provide opportunities for cross-cultural experience and international travel.

This Program Equips Peopleto Become:• Scholars with sensitivity and expertise at

observing and interpreting culture.• Innovators for creating culturally responsive

strategies for addressing social issues.• Critical thinkers able to evaluate existing

approaches to meeting the needs of the marginalized, poor, and oppressed.

• Leaders and managers able to inspire with life-changing compassion and world-changing vision.

MAICCD Curriculum:First Year: Fall Semester (8 credits)Applied Research Methods I: Introduction (1)Cultural Studies in Global Context (2)Globalization (3)Social Justice in a Global Context (2)

Spring Semester (8 Credits)Applied Research Methods II: Quantitative (2)Spirituality, Culture, and Social Justice (2)Community Development (3)Practicum I: Fieldwork & Thesis Prep (1)

Summer Semester (8 Credits)Practicum II: Fieldwork and Thesis (4)Applied Research Methods III: Qualitative (2)Social Entrepreneurship (2)

Second Year: Fall Semester (8 Credits)Urban Studies (3)Practicum III: Fieldwork and Thesis (1) Children at Risk (2)Special Topics in Funding the Sustainable Organization (2)

Spring Semester: (8 Credits)Leadership (2) Health, Healing, and Culture (2) Practicum IV: Fieldwork and Thesis (2)Special Topics in Non-Profit Management (2)

TOTAL CREDITS: 40

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences FacultyDr. Nelson has a professional background that blends the fields of Industrial Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and Higher Education. Dr. Nelson spent eleven years working with several Fortune 100 corporations addressing issues of individual and group productivity, effective management and supervision, and successful career development. He also spent twelve years maintaining a professional counseling practice that addressed individual, couple, and family problems that hindered personal and relational growth and development. Since 1995, Dr. Nelson has worked in Higher Education as an administrator and faculty member in Psychology and Business at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently he directs the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northwest University as the Dean.

Matt Nelson, Ph.D. (left)DeanProfessor of Psychology• Ph.D., University of Southern

California, 1995 • M.A., Pepperdine University, 1985 • B.A., Vanguard University, 1982

Jacqueline N. Gustafson, Ed.D.Associate Dean of Academic ProgramsAssistant Professor of Psychology• Ed.D., Seattle University, 2011• Certificate in International Care and

Community Development, Northwest University, 2008

• M.A., Northwest University, 2003 • B.A., Northwest University, 2000

Larry W. Bailey, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist;Director of Psy.D. ProgramProfessor of Psychology• Ph.D., Brigham Young University, 1971 • M.S., Fort Hays Kansas State

University, 1966 • B.A., Pacific Christian College, 1964

L. Forrest Inslee, Ph.D. (left)Professor of Global StudiesDepartment Chair of ICCD• M.C.S., Regent College, 1998 • Ph.D., Northwestern University, 1992 • M.A., Northwestern University, 1988 • B.A., Northwestern University, 1984

Sarah Drivdahl, Ph.D. (below)Associate Professor of PsychologyResearcher in Cognitive Psychology• Ph.D., Kent State University, 2000 • M.A., Kent State University, 1997 • B.A., Western Washington University, 1994

K. Kim Lampson, Ph.D.Licensed PsychologistAssociate Professor of PsychologyDirector of Clinical Training for the Psy.D. Program• Ph.D., University of Washington, 1984• M.Ed., University of Georgia, 1977• B.S., University of New Hampshire, 1975

Kevin A. Leach, Ph.D.Professor of Psychology• Ph.D., SUNY Stony Brook, 1985• M.A., SUNY Stony Brook, 1982• M.Ed., Georgia State University, 1977• B.A., Eastern Nazarene College, 1975

Becky F. Sherman, Ph.D. Licensed PsychologistAssociate Professor of Psychology• Ph.D., The Catholic University of

America, 1998• M.A., The Catholic University of

America, 1996• B.A., Tufts University, 1991

Alumni Perspectives

Joseph RahmMAICCD, Class of 2010

Jeff SmithPsyD, Class of 2012

Describe your experience at Northwest. The cohort experience in the ICCD program is absolutely perfect for that type of education. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every class and looked forward to great conversation every Thursday night. I appreciated the integration of faith into the ICCD degree. Overall, Northwest was the perfect place for me to obtain my Masters degree and offered a great education.

How did the ICCD program prepare you for what you want to do? The ICCD program certainly increased my understanding and compassion for underprivileged communities around the world. While there are no guaranteed strategies for serving the poor, the ICCD program helped provide the necessary philosophy and attitude when approaching poor communities. It definitely prepared me for my current position as President of The Leadership Center in rural Honduras and also helped me get accepted to a Ph.D. program.

Why did you choose the Psy.D. program at Northwest? I have regularly heard former students say their education at Northwest prepared them for licensing tests and clinical work, and I knew it was a place where my faith would be appreciated and nurtured. I also chose Northwest because classes are offered in the evenings and on weekends, enabling me to support my family while I got an education.

How did the Psy.D. program prepare you for what you want to do? As a grief counselor, Northwest University gave me the tools to do what I was created to do, to care for people who are seeking to sort out the brokenness that they feel. I also administer neurological tests in a healthcare setting. The results of these tests enable a neurologist, primary care physician, or psychologist to understand questions related to degenerative neurological disease, traumatic brain injury, or school placement. The Psy.D. program was designed to provide students with experience and skills in this field.

Sarah RamstadMACP, Class of 2008

Why did you choose the MACP program at Northwest? I chose Northwest because of the program’s emphasis on the central importance of spirituality and culture in counseling psychology. I had confidence that Northwest would help to grow me into a strong advocate for those who face social injustices. Describe your experience at Northwest. While my education at Northwest was rigorous and challenging, the professors, staff, and peers were supportive and encouraging along the way. The program expanded not only my knowledge of the field, but my awareness in the honor it is to be invited into others’ lives as a counselor.

How did the MACP program prepare you for what you want to do? The MACP program trained me to be both a well-versed technical clinician as well as a counselor who values the strengths and uniqueness of each client. I passed the WA State Mental Health Counselor licensure, and was offered a full-time position as a Child & Family Therapist with a non-profit organization at the site where I spent my internship.

Do you have any advice for perspective students? When choosing your program consider the great diverse tapestry of community we live in. Multiculturalism and

spirituality are central in effectively serving our community as counselors. I have confidence that Northwest MACP will join with you to grow your strengths and abilities as a counselor and help set you up to be a positive change in the field of psychology.

For more information about the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Graduate Programs, and to see more testimonials, please visit: northwestu.edu/social_behavioral.

Our History Our Location Our ProgramsNorthwest University was founded in

1934. It grew from a three-year to a four-year academic curriculum in 1948, and a Liberal Arts division was added in 1955. In 1973 Northwest gained regional academic accreditation and on January 1, 2005 we attained university status. Though we’ve changed over the years, our mission has remained constant: to create a learning community dedicated to spiritual vitality and academic excellence.

The 45,000-square-foot Donald H. Argue Health and Sciences Center is the latest addition to the campus (below).

Northwest University is located on 56 beautiful acres in Kirkland, Washington. We’re just a few blocks from Lake Washington and a few miles from the shops, galleries, and restaurants of downtown Seattle. Snowboarding, hiking, biking, and other recreational opportunities surround us. We’re also close to some of the world’s finest potential employers, such as Microsoft, Amazon, Nordstrom, Starbucks, and Boeing.

For more information, including photographs, maps and directions, visit northwestu.edu.

In addition to the graduate programs offered in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Northwest offers master’s degrees in Business and Management, Education, Teaching, Ministry, Missional Leadership, and Theology and Culture.

Northwest University offers more than 60 bachelor’s programs including ministry, psychology, contemporary music industry, education, business, biology (pre-med), and nursing.

5520 108th Avenue NE – Kirkland, WA 98033877.453.5327 |northwestu.edu