Professional Preparation for a Rewarding Career in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Earn your M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online. Integrate a biblical worldview into practice, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and values needed to positively impact communities, workplaces, and families.
Prepare for a fulfilling career as a compassionate and skilled Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Through online coursework and hands-on learning, gain the expertise to provide holistic, life-changing counseling in diverse clinical settings, including agencies, hospitals, private practice, rural-based settings, and more.
Why Northwestern?
Why Northwestern?
Why Northwestern?
Through Northwestern's faith-integrated program, not only will you be part of a community dedicated to the development of outstanding counselors, but you will learn how to integrate a Christian perspective with culturally sensitive and ethical clinical awareness and skills to courageously and faithfully provide compassionate care in pursuing God’s work of restoration and healing in the world. Our focus on rural populations equips students with the specialized skills and knowledge to address the unique mental health needs of underserved rural communities.
Throughout 8-week courses, you will complete weekly self-paced assignments and attend occasional live virtual class meetings. Practicum and internship experiences provide hands-on training to apply theory and develop as a clinical counselor in supervised local settings. Designed for working professionals, the program can be completed in just two years (6 semesters) with a two course per term structure.
Program mission
The Counseling Program at Northwestern College is a Christ-centered community dedicated to the development of outstanding counselors who are called to serve both Christ and in diverse, multicultural, and global society with marginalized populations. Students integrate a biblical perspective with culturally sensitive and ethical clinical skills so they can courageously and faithfully provide compassionate care in pursuing God’s work of restoration and healing in the world.
CACREP aligned
CACREP aligned
CACREP aligned
Northwestern's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health is designed to prepare students to be outstanding counselors in the practice settings of their choice and is aligned with the standards and competencies of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program will apply for CACREP accreditation in April 2025. After successful completion of the counseling program, students will be prepared to pursue licensure as a professional counselor in their state and take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE).
Northwestern's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health is designed to prepare students to be outstanding counselors in the practice settings of their choice and is aligned with the standards and competencies of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program will apply for CACREP accreditation in April 2025. After successful completion of the counseling program, students will be prepared to pursue licensure as a professional counselor in their state and take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE).
Northwestern's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health is designed to prepare students to be outstanding counselors in the practice settings of their choice and is aligned with the standards and competencies of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program will apply for CACREP accreditation in April 2025. After successful completion of the counseling program, students will be prepared to pursue licensure as a professional counselor in their state and take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE).
"I have formed close relationships with my peers throughout the program during our video calls. Through these relationships, I was pushed to be a better counselor. My professors have also helped me to grow through regular self-reflection, spiritual integration, and personal counseling." Elissa | Clinical Mental Health Student
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
No GRE required. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received. Following a review of all completed application materials, applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with a faculty member.
No GRE required. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received. Following a review of all completed application materials, applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with a faculty member.
No GRE required. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received. Following a review of all completed application materials, applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with a faculty member.
Official transcripts showing a degree from an accredited institution.
- Official transcripts are needed from your bachelor's degree institution as well as from any institution showing graduate credit if seeking transfer credit.
- No undergraduate transcripts are required of NWC alumni
Send official transcripts via email to [email protected] or mail a copy to:
Northwestern College
Graduate & Professional Studies
101 7th St SW
Orange City, IA 51041
Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants with a GPA under 3.0 may be eligible for conditional admission on a case-by-case basis.
Updated résumé can be uploaded and submitted with your application or emailed to [email protected] following submission of your online application.
Background check must be completed through CastleBranch.
Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.
Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.
Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.
Program Specifics
Program Specifics
Program Specifics
60 credit program
60 credit program
60 credit program
Program Learning Objectives
Program Learning Objectives
Program Learning Objectives
PLO 1: Professional Identity and Dispositions
Students will demonstrate a developing professional counseling identity characterized by ethical practice, self-awareness, accountability, professionalism, and the professional dispositions necessary for competent and responsible clinical mental health counseling practice.
PLO 2: Clinical Competence
Students will demonstrate the professional knowledge, counseling skills, clinical competencies, assessment abilities, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment planning skills necessary to provide ethical, culturally responsive, and evidence-based clinical mental health counseling services across diverse populations and practice settings.
PLO 3: Advocacy and Spiritual Integration
Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate advocacy, multicultural responsiveness, spirituality, and wellness into counseling practice and case conceptualization while supporting client autonomy, ethical practice, and holistic care across diverse populations and systemic contexts.
PLO 1: Professional Identity and Dispositions
Students will demonstrate a developing professional counseling identity characterized by ethical practice, self-awareness, accountability, professionalism, and the professional dispositions necessary for competent and responsible clinical mental health counseling practice.
PLO 2: Clinical Competence
Students will demonstrate the professional knowledge, counseling skills, clinical competencies, assessment abilities, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment planning skills necessary to provide ethical, culturally responsive, and evidence-based clinical mental health counseling services across diverse populations and practice settings.
PLO 3: Advocacy and Spiritual Integration
Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate advocacy, multicultural responsiveness, spirituality, and wellness into counseling practice and case conceptualization while supporting client autonomy, ethical practice, and holistic care across diverse populations and systemic contexts.
PLO 1: Professional Identity and Dispositions
Students will demonstrate a developing professional counseling identity characterized by ethical practice, self-awareness, accountability, professionalism, and the professional dispositions necessary for competent and responsible clinical mental health counseling practice.
PLO 2: Clinical Competence
Students will demonstrate the professional knowledge, counseling skills, clinical competencies, assessment abilities, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment planning skills necessary to provide ethical, culturally responsive, and evidence-based clinical mental health counseling services across diverse populations and practice settings.
PLO 3: Advocacy and Spiritual Integration
Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate advocacy, multicultural responsiveness, spirituality, and wellness into counseling practice and case conceptualization while supporting client autonomy, ethical practice, and holistic care across diverse populations and systemic contexts.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
SLO 1: Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice (3.A)
Students will apply ethical decision-making models, professional counseling identity, and the ACA Code of Ethics to clinical counseling scenarios, demonstrating professional judgment, ethical responsibility, and professional counselor identity.
SLO 2: Social and Cultural Diversity (3.B)
Students will demonstrate culturally responsive counseling practices that reflect awareness, knowledge, and skills when working with diverse populations across multiple contexts.
SLO 3: Human Growth and Development (3.C)
Students will apply theories of human growth and development across the lifespan to case conceptualization, treatment planning, and counseling interventions.
SLO 4: Career Development (3.D)
Students will apply career development theories, assessments, and interventions to support clients’ vocational, educational, and life-role development across the lifespan.
SLO 5: Counseling and Helping Relationships (3.E)
Students will demonstrate effective counseling microskills, therapeutic interventions, case conceptualization, and relationship-building techniques across counseling settings and client populations.
SLO 6: Group Counseling and Group Work (3.F)
Students will apply group counseling theories and demonstrate ethical and culturally responsive facilitation skills in the development and leadership of group counseling experiences.
SLO 7: Assessment and Testing (3.G)
Students will select, administer, interpret, and integrate counseling assessments to inform diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning, including the use of structured interviewing, symptom checklists, personality and psychological testing, and behavioral observation.
SLO 8: Research and Program Evaluation (3.H)
Students will evaluate research and apply evidence-based practices, statistical concepts, and program evaluation methods to counseling practice and program improvement.
SLO 9: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practice (5.C)
Students will apply diagnostic criteria, clinical judgment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and evidence-based practices consistent with professional clinical mental health counseling practice.
SLO 10: Professional Dispositions (2.C)
Students will demonstrate professional dispositions including ethical behavior, self-awareness, accountability, cultural humility, professionalism, and professional conduct across academic and clinical settings.
SLO 11: Advocacy and Spiritual Integration (3.B / 5.C)
Students will demonstrate advocacy skills, community engagement practices, and the ability to ethically integrate spirituality as a dimension of human diversity in counseling while supporting client autonomy, multicultural responsiveness, equity, access, and holistic care across diverse populations and practice settings.
SLO 1: Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice (3.A)
Students will apply ethical decision-making models, professional counseling identity, and the ACA Code of Ethics to clinical counseling scenarios, demonstrating professional judgment, ethical responsibility, and professional counselor identity.
SLO 2: Social and Cultural Diversity (3.B)
Students will demonstrate culturally responsive counseling practices that reflect awareness, knowledge, and skills when working with diverse populations across multiple contexts.
SLO 3: Human Growth and Development (3.C)
Students will apply theories of human growth and development across the lifespan to case conceptualization, treatment planning, and counseling interventions.
SLO 4: Career Development (3.D)
Students will apply career development theories, assessments, and interventions to support clients’ vocational, educational, and life-role development across the lifespan.
SLO 5: Counseling and Helping Relationships (3.E)
Students will demonstrate effective counseling microskills, therapeutic interventions, case conceptualization, and relationship-building techniques across counseling settings and client populations.
SLO 6: Group Counseling and Group Work (3.F)
Students will apply group counseling theories and demonstrate ethical and culturally responsive facilitation skills in the development and leadership of group counseling experiences.
SLO 7: Assessment and Testing (3.G)
Students will select, administer, interpret, and integrate counseling assessments to inform diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning, including the use of structured interviewing, symptom checklists, personality and psychological testing, and behavioral observation.
SLO 8: Research and Program Evaluation (3.H)
Students will evaluate research and apply evidence-based practices, statistical concepts, and program evaluation methods to counseling practice and program improvement.
SLO 9: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practice (5.C)
Students will apply diagnostic criteria, clinical judgment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and evidence-based practices consistent with professional clinical mental health counseling practice.
SLO 10: Professional Dispositions (2.C)
Students will demonstrate professional dispositions including ethical behavior, self-awareness, accountability, cultural humility, professionalism, and professional conduct across academic and clinical settings.
SLO 11: Advocacy and Spiritual Integration (3.B / 5.C)
Students will demonstrate advocacy skills, community engagement practices, and the ability to ethically integrate spirituality as a dimension of human diversity in counseling while supporting client autonomy, multicultural responsiveness, equity, access, and holistic care across diverse populations and practice settings.
SLO 1: Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice (3.A)
Students will apply ethical decision-making models, professional counseling identity, and the ACA Code of Ethics to clinical counseling scenarios, demonstrating professional judgment, ethical responsibility, and professional counselor identity.
SLO 2: Social and Cultural Diversity (3.B)
Students will demonstrate culturally responsive counseling practices that reflect awareness, knowledge, and skills when working with diverse populations across multiple contexts.
SLO 3: Human Growth and Development (3.C)
Students will apply theories of human growth and development across the lifespan to case conceptualization, treatment planning, and counseling interventions.
SLO 4: Career Development (3.D)
Students will apply career development theories, assessments, and interventions to support clients’ vocational, educational, and life-role development across the lifespan.
SLO 5: Counseling and Helping Relationships (3.E)
Students will demonstrate effective counseling microskills, therapeutic interventions, case conceptualization, and relationship-building techniques across counseling settings and client populations.
SLO 6: Group Counseling and Group Work (3.F)
Students will apply group counseling theories and demonstrate ethical and culturally responsive facilitation skills in the development and leadership of group counseling experiences.
SLO 7: Assessment and Testing (3.G)
Students will select, administer, interpret, and integrate counseling assessments to inform diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning, including the use of structured interviewing, symptom checklists, personality and psychological testing, and behavioral observation.
SLO 8: Research and Program Evaluation (3.H)
Students will evaluate research and apply evidence-based practices, statistical concepts, and program evaluation methods to counseling practice and program improvement.
SLO 9: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practice (5.C)
Students will apply diagnostic criteria, clinical judgment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and evidence-based practices consistent with professional clinical mental health counseling practice.
SLO 10: Professional Dispositions (2.C)
Students will demonstrate professional dispositions including ethical behavior, self-awareness, accountability, cultural humility, professionalism, and professional conduct across academic and clinical settings.
SLO 11: Advocacy and Spiritual Integration (3.B / 5.C)
Students will demonstrate advocacy skills, community engagement practices, and the ability to ethically integrate spirituality as a dimension of human diversity in counseling while supporting client autonomy, multicultural responsiveness, equity, access, and holistic care across diverse populations and practice settings.
Prepare to Lead
Our graduates play a vital role in serving populations by providing compassionate, high-quality mental healthcare to individuals from various backgrounds.
Our standout alum are serving populations throughout the country.
Faculty + Staff
Brilliant scholars. Committed Christians. Invested in you. That’s Northwestern’s faculty.
