Professional Preparation
Professional Preparation
Professional Preparation
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.
Earn your M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online
Earn your M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online
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.
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.
"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
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.
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.
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 onlineadmissions@nwciowa.edu 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 online@nwciowa.edu 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
Tuition + Fees
Tuition + Fees
Tuition + Fees
Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team.
Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team.
Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team.
Estimated costs |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
Tuition |
$590/credit |
$590/credit |
Fees paid to NWC | ||
Technology fee |
$155/semester |
$155/semester |
Graduation fee |
$100 |
$100 |
Course fees | ||
COUN505 - Tevera video assessment |
$20 | |
COUN510 - Assessment & appraisal |
$60 | |
COUN580 - Career development |
$6 |
Estimated costs |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
Tuition |
$590/credit |
$590/credit |
Fees paid to NWC | ||
Technology fee |
$155/semester |
$155/semester |
Graduation fee |
$100 |
$100 |
Course fees | ||
COUN505 - Tevera video assessment |
$20 | |
COUN510 - Assessment & appraisal |
$60 | |
COUN580 - Career development |
$6 |
Estimated costs |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
Tuition |
$590/credit |
$590/credit |
Fees paid to NWC | ||
Technology fee |
$155/semester |
$155/semester |
Graduation fee |
$100 |
$100 |
Course fees | ||
COUN505 - Tevera video assessment |
$20 | |
COUN510 - Assessment & appraisal |
$60 | |
COUN580 - Career development |
$6 |
Estimated student responsibilities
|
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
Books |
$300 |
$300 |
CastleBranch background check |
$39 |
$39 |
Tevera membership |
$260 (approximate) |
$260 (approximate) |
Professional memberships |
Varies |
Varies |
Personal counseling |
Varies |
Varies |
Liability insurance |
$100 (approximate, varies) |
$100 (approximate, varies) |
Estimated student responsibilities
|
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
Books |
$300 |
$300 |
CastleBranch background check |
$39 |
$39 |
Tevera membership |
$260 (approximate) |
$260 (approximate) |
Professional memberships |
Varies |
Varies |
Personal counseling |
Varies |
Varies |
Liability insurance |
$100 (approximate, varies) |
$100 (approximate, varies) |
Estimated student responsibilities
|
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
Books |
$300 |
$300 |
CastleBranch background check |
$39 |
$39 |
Tevera membership |
$260 (approximate) |
$260 (approximate) |
Professional memberships |
Varies |
Varies |
Personal counseling |
Varies |
Varies |
Liability insurance |
$100 (approximate, varies) |
$100 (approximate, varies) |
These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog.
These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog.
These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog.
Program Learning Objectives
Program Learning Objectives
Program Learning Objectives
- Professional Counseling Students are able to proficiently practice the required professional dispositions to become effective counselors.
- Professional Counseling Students acquire the ability to understand the role of religion and spirituality and how a Christian/Biblical world view can be integrated in client's' and counselors' psychological functioning.
- The CMHC Program engages with community partners to solicit and utilize feedback to continually improve the program.
- Professional Counseling Students are able to proficiently practice the required professional dispositions to become effective counselors.
- Professional Counseling Students acquire the ability to understand the role of religion and spirituality and how a Christian/Biblical world view can be integrated in client's' and counselors' psychological functioning.
- The CMHC Program engages with community partners to solicit and utilize feedback to continually improve the program.
- Professional Counseling Students are able to proficiently practice the required professional dispositions to become effective counselors.
- Professional Counseling Students acquire the ability to understand the role of religion and spirituality and how a Christian/Biblical world view can be integrated in client's' and counselors' psychological functioning.
- The CMHC Program engages with community partners to solicit and utilize feedback to continually improve the program.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
- Professional Counseling Students acquire proficient knowledge, skills, and dispositions in Clinical Mental Health Counseling demonstrating preparedness to enter the field.
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice: Professional Counseling Students understand ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling across service delivery modalities and specialized practice areas.
- Social and Cultural Identities and Experiences: Professional Counseling Students Understand the influence of heritage, cultural identities, attitudes, values, beliefs, understandings, within-group differences, and acculturative experiences on help-seeking and coping behaviors.
- Lifespan Development: Professional Counseling Students integrate an understanding of biological, neurological, and physiological factors that affect lifespan development, functioning, behavior, resilience, and overall wellness.
- Career Development: Professional Counseling Students determine approaches for conceptualizing the interrelationships among and between work, socioeconomic standing, wellness, disability, trauma, relationships, and other life roles and factors.
- Counseling Practice and Relationships: Professional Counseling Students employ interviewing, attending, and listening skills in the counseling process.
- Group Counseling and Group Work: Professional Counseling Students demonstrate characteristics and functions of effective group leaders.
- Assessment and Diagnostic Processes: Professional Counseling Students utilize assessments relevant to academic/educational, career, personal, and social development.
- Research and Program Evaluation: Professional Counseling Students assess research methods and procedures to evaluate counseling interventions.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Professional Counseling Students evaluate etiology, nomenclature, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Professional Counseling Students acquire proficient knowledge, skills, and dispositions in Clinical Mental Health Counseling demonstrating preparedness to enter the field.
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice: Professional Counseling Students understand ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling across service delivery modalities and specialized practice areas.
- Social and Cultural Identities and Experiences: Professional Counseling Students Understand the influence of heritage, cultural identities, attitudes, values, beliefs, understandings, within-group differences, and acculturative experiences on help-seeking and coping behaviors.
- Lifespan Development: Professional Counseling Students integrate an understanding of biological, neurological, and physiological factors that affect lifespan development, functioning, behavior, resilience, and overall wellness.
- Career Development: Professional Counseling Students determine approaches for conceptualizing the interrelationships among and between work, socioeconomic standing, wellness, disability, trauma, relationships, and other life roles and factors.
- Counseling Practice and Relationships: Professional Counseling Students employ interviewing, attending, and listening skills in the counseling process.
- Group Counseling and Group Work: Professional Counseling Students demonstrate characteristics and functions of effective group leaders.
- Assessment and Diagnostic Processes: Professional Counseling Students utilize assessments relevant to academic/educational, career, personal, and social development.
- Research and Program Evaluation: Professional Counseling Students assess research methods and procedures to evaluate counseling interventions.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Professional Counseling Students evaluate etiology, nomenclature, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Professional Counseling Students acquire proficient knowledge, skills, and dispositions in Clinical Mental Health Counseling demonstrating preparedness to enter the field.
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice: Professional Counseling Students understand ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling across service delivery modalities and specialized practice areas.
- Social and Cultural Identities and Experiences: Professional Counseling Students Understand the influence of heritage, cultural identities, attitudes, values, beliefs, understandings, within-group differences, and acculturative experiences on help-seeking and coping behaviors.
- Lifespan Development: Professional Counseling Students integrate an understanding of biological, neurological, and physiological factors that affect lifespan development, functioning, behavior, resilience, and overall wellness.
- Career Development: Professional Counseling Students determine approaches for conceptualizing the interrelationships among and between work, socioeconomic standing, wellness, disability, trauma, relationships, and other life roles and factors.
- Counseling Practice and Relationships: Professional Counseling Students employ interviewing, attending, and listening skills in the counseling process.
- Group Counseling and Group Work: Professional Counseling Students demonstrate characteristics and functions of effective group leaders.
- Assessment and Diagnostic Processes: Professional Counseling Students utilize assessments relevant to academic/educational, career, personal, and social development.
- Research and Program Evaluation: Professional Counseling Students assess research methods and procedures to evaluate counseling interventions.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Professional Counseling Students evaluate etiology, nomenclature, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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.
