Master of Science in Nutrition and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MSN/MACP) is a dual degree integrated program that explores the dynamic relationship between the studies of nutrition and mental health. The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology portion of the program provides the academic requirements to become a licensed mental health counselor. The Master of Science in Nutrition provides graduates the ability to practice as a certified nutritionist within the scope of practice specified in the state of Washington. Students planning to practice in other states will need to determine whether the program meets the requirements for nutrition practice in that state, as state scope of practice and licensing requirements vary. See Professional Licensing/Certification Agencies by State or District.
This three-year graduate program provides interdisciplinary education in nutrition and counseling psychology for students who want a fully integrated mind-body approach to human health. Students are offered a unique focus in health psychology through the biopsychosocial model. An array of other counseling theories are also offered so students can decide as providers what to offer their clients. The program includes attention to diversity issues across the curriculum.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Program learning objectives for the MACP program have been informed by best practices in the field (e.g., Jackson & Scheel, 2013). At the end of this dual degree program, the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology in conjunction with the Master of Science in Nutrition will provide students with the ability to:
- develop professional values and attitudes, as evidenced in behavior and comportment that reflects the values, ethics, and attitudes of psychology and counseling. Students will understand their scope and role within the broader mental health field. They shall be oriented to their counseling identity informed by well-developed psychological theory and orientation.
- develop awareness, knowledge, and skills in working with diverse individuals and groups who represent multiple cultural backgrounds.
- apply ethical concepts and have solid knowledge of legal issues as related to clinical practice.
- develop reflective self-practice and self-assessment, conducted with personal and professional self-awareness of competencies and appropriate self-care.
- relate effectively and meaningfully with clients, peers, and colleagues.
- develop an understanding of research and techniques of data collection, considering the biological, cognitive, and affective bases of behavior through development across the life span.
- integrate research and clinical expertise in the context of client factors.
- effectively apply techniques of assessment to diagnose problems and capabilities associated with individuals, groups, and organizations
- deliver interventions designed to alleviate suffering and promote health and well-being.
- develop systems-knowledge of key issues and concepts in related disciplines and be able to interact effectively with others at multiple levels of intervention and empowerment.
- develop skills in advocacy and actions that target the impact of social, political, economic or cultural factors to promote change at the client, institutional, and/or systems level, a focus on empowerment.
At the end of this dual degree program, the Master of Science in Nutrition portion in conjunction with the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology will provide students with the ability to:
- critically evaluate and apply scientific evidence pertaining to human nutrition for states of health and of disease.
- provide culturally appropriate nutrition assessment and individualized intervention strategies.
- effectively utilize a breadth of counseling and health behavior change skills for individuals and groups.
- develop the capacity for receiving and integrating feedback, ongoing self-reflection, and continuous professional learning.
- display ethical and professional behaviors in all aspects of professional practice and in integrative collaboration of care.
Admissions
For general information on the admissions process, refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. Information below refers only to the MSN/MACP program. Qualified applicants will be invited to campus for an interview.
Prerequisites
Entering students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate degree. Priority consideration will be given to applicants with a minimum of 3.0 GPA in nutrition prerequisites, a 3.0 in an introductory psychology course, a 3.25 cumulative GPA in all prerequisites and a 3.25 cumulative GPA in science prerequisites, with a B or better in Human Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology. Exceptional candidates who do not meet these priority standards will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
| Human Physiology (upper level)1 |
1 course |
| Chemistry (science-major level) |
2 courses |
| Organic Chemistry (science-major level)2 |
1 course |
| Biochemistry3 |
1 course |
| Introductory Nutrition4 |
1 course |
| Introductory Psychology5 |
1 course |
| College Algebra or Statistics |
1 course |
| Microbiology |
1 course |
1A full anatomy and physiology series will meet the physiology prerequisite requirements.
2A minimum of one chemistry course must include an in-person lab
3The biochemistry course must be upper-level and must cover intermediary metabolism.
4The nutrition course must include macro- and micronutrients, lifecycle, and physical activity.
5Must achieve a B or better grade in this course.
Note: No grade lower than a C will be accepted for any other prerequisite course. Science and psychology courses must have been taken within seven years of program start.
Admission to Clinical Training
In order to enroll in the Clinic Experience series, students must have successfully completed all prerequisites, based on the clinic track outlined below and under course descriptions for Clinic Nutrition Practicum, and must have met the criteria for professional behavior and attitudes and ethical behavior. Students are also required to pass a national criminal background check (see Felony Disclosure and Background Checks for more information) and must show proof of completion of the clinic entry checklist prior to the first scheduled clinic shift.
Graduation Requirements
MSN/MACP students must complete a minimum of 149.5 credits and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. MSN/MACP students must complete their degree within six years following matriculation into the program. A graduation requirement of the MSN/MACP program is that students must complete 750 hours of supervised mental health counseling (including hours in counseling classes at BCNH and its satellites and external practicum sites, that includes one interim counseling shift) and 92 hours of nutrition counseling completed at BCNH to include one required interim nutrition shift.
In addition to the didactic and clinical experience, MSN/MACP students are required to complete 10 hours of individual counseling or therapy sessions during the first year of the program and before their first counseling shift at BCNH. Counselors must be licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, or mental health counselors. Documentation of these hours is required.
Exit Exam
Successful completion of a clinical competency exit examination is a requirement for students in the third year of the MSN/MACP program. This examination tests the minimal knowledge and skills required to perform nutritional and mental health counseling with diverse clients. The examination does not cover the whole curriculum and cannot substitute for any part of regular course requirements. Students are eligible to take the exit exam if they are in good academic standing, have completed or are concurrently registered for all required (non-elective) courses by the end of the term in which the exam is scheduled, and are making satisfactory progress in the practicum.
Expected Competencies
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate coursework. Bastyr graduates are qualified to provide exceptional nutrition and counseling services to individuals and institutions and contribute positively to the nutritional and mental health education of the community.
Students are expected to stay on track with the counseling curriculum. Students who wish to go off track must have permission from the director of clinical training.
The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.
Year I
Summer
| PS5401 | Mind-Body Approaches to Health Psychology | 3 |
| PS5402 | Fundamentals of Counseling 1: Relationship and Interview | 4.5 |
| TR5101 | Whole Foods Production | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10.5 |
Fall
| PS5502 | MSN/MACP Special Topics | 0.5 |
| TR5100 | Biostatistics | 4 |
| TR5104 | Research Methods in Health Sciences | 3 |
| TR5120 | Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients | 5 |
| TR5136 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15.5 |
TR5136 is a hybrid/online course.
Winter
| BC5118 | Disease Processes 1 | 3 |
| TR5107 | Nutrition Counseling | 3 |
| TR5124 | Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients | 5 |
| TR5320 | Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| BC5132 | Disease Processes 2 | 2 |
| TR4140 | Ecological Aspects of Nutrition | 2 |
| TR5141 | Advanced Nutrition: Bioactive Compounds, Nutrigenomics and Microbiome | 3 |
| TR5321 | Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 2 | 5 |
| TR5500 | MSN/MACP Special Topics | 0.5 |
| TR5803 | Nutrition Clinic Entry | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13.5 |
Year II
Fall
| PS5102 | Biopsychosocial Approaches and Complementary and Alternative Medicine | 4 |
| PS5126 | Lifespan Development | 4.5 |
| PS5127 | Professional Orientation, Ethical and Law Proseminar | 4.5 |
| PS6502 | MSN/MACP Special Topics | 0.5 |
| TR6811 | Clinic Nutrition Practicum 1 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15.5 |
Winter
| PS5128 | Multiculturalism, Diversity and Social Justice | 4.5 |
| PS5403 | Fundamentals of Counseling 2: Theory and Practice | 4.5 |
| PS5800 | Clinical Preparation | 0.5 |
| TR6100 | Nutritional Supplementation | 4 |
| TR6812 | Clinic Nutrition Practicum 2 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15.5 |
Spring
| PS5303 | Psychopathology | 4.5 |
| PS5304 | Trauma Counseling | 4.5 |
| PS5410 | Theory and Practice of Group Counseling | 4.5 |
| PS5803 | Clinic Experience 1 | 2 |
| TR6500 | MSN/MACP Special Topics | 0.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16.0 |
Year III
Summer
| PS6304 | Substance/Chemical Addictions | 4.5 |
| PS6312 | Counseling Chronic and Terminal Illness | 3 |
| PS6800 | Clinic Shift 2 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9.5 |
Fall
| PS6112 | Family Systems | 4 |
| PS6205 | Theory and Practice of Counseling Assessment | 4.5 |
| PS6805 | Practicum and Practicum Seminar 1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 11.5 |
Winter
| PS6103 | Research Methods and Program Evaluation | 4.5 |
| PS6114 | Career Counseling | 4.5 |
| PS6806 | Practicum and Practicum Seminar 2 | 3 |
| TR6501 | MSN/MACP Special Topics | 0.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.5 |
Spring
| PS6101 | Eating Disorder Treatment | 3 |
| PS6115 | Psychology of Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PS6333 | Psychopharmacology | 4.5 |
| PS6807 | Practicum and Practicum Seminar 3 | 3 |
| PS6830 | Exit Exam | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13.5 |
TR6811 Clinic Nutrition Practicum 1, and subsequently TR6812 Clinic Nutrition Practicum 2, will be assigned after nutrition prerequisites are completed any time after spring of year 1. Each practicum is a total of 44 hours during each quarter. In addition, a total of 4 hours are required during the interim period. PS5803 Counseling Clinic Shift #1, and subsequently PS6800 Counseling Clinic Shift #2, will be assigned after counseling prerequisites are completed, with each shift being a total of 44 hours during each quarter. In addition, a total of 4 hours are required during an interim period. See the Student Clinical Handbook for details.
Total Requirements
| Total Core Nutrition Course Credits |
52.5 |
| Total Core Psychology Course Credits |
80.0 |
| Clinic/Practicum Totals |
17.0 |
| Total Requirements |
149.5 |
Curriculum and course changes in the 2019-2020 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2019-2020 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.