2024-2025 Graduate Academic Catalog

Northwest University

Northwest University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or genetic information in its admissions policies. Further, it is the policy of the University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in the administration of its educational programs, including employment, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other college-administered programs and activities. As a religious educational organization, the University reserves the right to prefer employees and prospective employees on the basis of religion, and also reserves its right to prefer students and prospective students on the basis of religion. At this time, only traditional undergraduate students are required to comply with the University’s faith requirements.

Northwest is a drug and alcohol-free campus for all employees and students, and offers educational programs in alcohol and drug awareness for all campus groups. Inquiries regarding Northwest’s policy and responsibilities should be addressed to the Senior Vice President.

Northwest University reserves the right to make any changes in the content and provisions of the catalog without notice. This includes the right to change the rules regulating admission to, instruction in, and graduation from the University, and to change any other regulations affecting the student body which shall apply not only to prospective students, but also to those presently matriculated in the University.

Veterans:  Information contained in this publication is hereby certified as true and correct in content and policy as of the date of publication, in compliance with the Veterans Administration DVB Circular 20-76-84 and Public Law 94-502.

Northwest University is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974/1996. A full description of FERPA rights is in the Academic Services section.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Northwest University’s institutional accreditor is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities which is a member of the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC). The University is endorsed by the Commission on Christian Higher Education of the Assemblies of God and the Association of Christian Schools International.

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution. 

The University holds membership in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The Council is committed to cultivating communities of educational excellence in which the Lordship of Jesus Christ is central. Membership in this esteemed association of Christian colleges and universities provides opportunities for personal and professional enrichment for students, faculty, and administrators.

The University is also approved by the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Washington to prepare elementary and secondary education teachers and recommend for certification. It is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Northwest University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation). In addition, the School of Nursing has approval from the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

The School of Business is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Business Schools and Programs. (11520 W. 119^th St., Overland Park, KS 66213, and 913-339-9356). ACBSP accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degree levels worldwide. Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in 2001 and again in 2011.

Northwest University’s doctoral program in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation in the American Psychological Association (APA). Questions related to the PsyD program may be directed to the Director of the PsyD Program, Dr. Elizabeth Irwin, by emailing elizabeth.irwin@northwestu.edu. 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. 

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Northwest University School of Physician Assistant Medicine Program sponsored by Northwest University. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

The University is approved by the Federal and State Governments for student aid programs and for the training of international students. Selected programs of study are approved by a Washington State Approving Agency for enrollment of those eligible for benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code and by Washington State for training in Vocational Rehabilitation. It is listed in the current bulletin, “Accredited Higher Education Institutions,” published by the U.S. Office of Education.

The University is approved by the Federal and State Governments for student aid programs and for the training of international students. It is also approved by the Washington Student Achievement Council’s State Approving Agency for the training of veterans under U.S. Code, Title 38, Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, and Title 10, Chapter 1606 and by Washington State for training in Vocational Rehabilitation.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official US government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

The University is an institutional participant in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) initiative. NC-SARA is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. NC-SARA is overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts. A list of membership institutions is located at www.nc-sara.org.

Inquiries’ regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact: