Courses

Fall 2026 Courses

BTI 507O Biblical Survey

Course Description

3 credits
MACP students only.
This course is a survey of biblical literature that focuses on its genres, literary forms, cultural contexts, and history of reception. Students will confront the risks and rewards of reading ancient texts, the role the reader’s social location plays in the act of reading, and wrestle with how these texts can remain in living conversation with contemporary questions and crises. Special attention will be paid throughout to the voices and experiences of marginal figures in the text.

BTI 507S Biblical Survey

Course Description

3 credits
MACP students only.
This course is a survey of biblical literature that focuses on its genres, literary forms, cultural contexts, and history of reception. Students will confront the risks and rewards of reading ancient texts, the role the reader’s social location plays in the act of reading, and wrestle with how these texts can remain in living conversation with contemporary questions and crises. Special attention will be paid throughout to the voices and experiences of marginal figures in the text.

BTI 575BO Special Topics: Biblical Interpretation as Public Theology

Course Description

2 credits
This course investigates the intersection of biblical exegesis, interpretation, and public theology, with a deliberate focus on critical biblical interpretations (communal and responsive approaches including, but not limited to, African-American, Womanist, Asian and Asian American, Latinx, Postcolonial, Environmentalist, Childist, Feminist, Queer, Disability Studies, etc.) as a primary lens. Students will explore how to deploy, contest, and reclaim sacred texts in the public square in order to address systemic injustice, state violence, gender marginalization, and ecological crises. By interrogating the hidden biases of dominant, Eurocentric interpretative methods and traditions, the course equips religious leaders, activists, and scholars to articulate a public theology that centers the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Through course readings, cultural analysis, and constructive projects, students will learn to translate rigorous biblical criticism into transformative public discourse.

CSL 502R History & Systems

Course Description

3 credits
This course offers students a survey of the historical counseling theories and practices. Each theoretical model is evaluated through the lens of psychodynamic methodology and its efficacy in working with diverse populations and settings. Students will increase their awareness of the lineage that precedes the “birth” of Western psychology, and examine spiritual, relational, and community practices that offer an alternative to Western psychology.

This course is associated with the Fall term residency.

CSL 502S History & Systems

Course Description

3 credits
This course offers students a survey of the historical counseling theories and practices. Each theoretical model is evaluated through the lens of psychodynamic methodology and its efficacy in working with diverse populations and settings. Students will increase their awareness of the lineage that precedes the “birth” of Western psychology, and examine spiritual, relational, and community practices that offer an alternative to Western psychology.

CSL 511O Vocational & Occupational Direction

Course Description

3 credits
The course will examine theories of career selection and development. The course is also a consideration of the necessary tension between vocation and occupation and introduces several assessment tools as it explores lifestyle and career decision-making issues. Career counseling models and techniques will also be examined as the student considers their career choice as a vocational call.

CSL 524O Introduction to Counseling Children & Adolescents

Course Description

2 credits
Prerequisite: CSL 510

This course is designed to engage students in exploring therapeutic work with children and adolescents. Through reading, research, class-time, and role play, this course will provide a foundation to facilitate growth and development in clinical work with children and adolescents.

CSL 530O Internship I

Course Description

Prerequisites: CSL 502, CSL 503, CSL 510, CSL 517, IDS 521, CSL 553, CSL 543, CSL 545 (Recommended: CSL 509)

The purpose of the counseling Internship is to provide a professional setting for interns to gather experience and to receive supervision regarding their clinical work. This setting will provide the intern with supervised experiences in preparation for professional practice as a counselor. The Intern will have an opportunity to develop and practice these skills in a variety of clinical settings under the guidance of an on-site supervisor.

Concurrent with a student’s Internship experience, the Internship I & II courses provides a setting for students to observe, explore and learn from their clinical experiences, specifically, what arises within the clinical hour, including pre-session and post-session. This setting allows each student the opportunity to discuss and learn from their Internship experiences.

In addition to the scheduled class time there are two required trainings for this course:
(1) Orientation: TBA
(2) Balint Training: TBA

CSL 530S Internship I

Course Description

Prerequisites: CSL 502, CSL 503, CSL 510, CSL 517, IDS 521, CSL 553, CSL 543, CSL 545 (Recommended: CSL 509)

The purpose of the counseling Internship is to provide a professional setting for interns to gather experience and to receive supervision regarding their clinical work. This setting will provide the intern with supervised experiences in preparation for professional practice as a counselor. The Intern will have an opportunity to develop and practice these skills in a variety of clinical settings under the guidance of an on-site supervisor.

Concurrent with a student’s Internship experience, the Internship I & II courses provides a setting for students to observe, explore and learn from their clinical experiences, specifically, what arises within the clinical hour, including pre-session and post-session. This setting allows each student the opportunity to discuss and learn from their Internship experiences.

In addition to the scheduled class time there are two required trainings for this course:
(1) Orientation: TBA
(2) Balint Training: TBA

CSL 544O Assessment, Appraisal, and Diagnosis

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 510, IDS 520, IDS 521
Corequisite: CSL 553

This course is part of a two-course sequence that covers Assessment, Appraisal, and Diagnosis and Psychopathology. The CSL 544 course focuses on an introductory overview of the process of assessment, appraisal, diagnosis, and treatment, while the CSL 545 course focuses on the application of assessment, appraisal, diagnosis, and treatment of personality disorders/disorders of self and co-occurring disorders. Both courses include the following, with different respective emphases.

PART A: Assessment, Appraisal: This part focuses on the principles of assessment, appraisal, and diagnosis in a multicultural society as related to diagnosis and current DSM, various assessment instruments: achievement, aptitude, intelligence, interest, and personality will be addressed as well as supervision in administering, scoring, and interpreting assessment tools. Here students examine the principles of educational, psychological, and vocational assessment in a counseling context, including concepts necessary for the selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of individual and group tests.

Part B: Diagnosis: This part focuses on the major mental disorders as defined by the current DSM including an introduction to the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, appropriate psychopharmacological interventions, biological bases of behavior, and spiritual dimensions of these disorders. Here students explore the impact of culture and emerging technologies on the treatment of individuals and groups.

CSL 544S Assessment, Appraisal, and Diagnosis

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 510, IDS 520, IDS 521
Corequisite: CSL 553

This course is part of a two-course sequence that covers Assessment, Appraisal, and Diagnosis and Psychopathology. The CSL 544 course focuses on an introductory overview of the process of assessment, appraisal, diagnosis, and treatment, while the CSL 545 course focuses on the application of assessment, appraisal, diagnosis, and treatment of personality disorders/disorders of self and co-occurring disorders. Both courses include the following, with different respective emphases.

PART A: Assessment, Appraisal: This part focuses on the principles of assessment, appraisal, and diagnosis in a multicultural society as related to diagnosis and current DSM, various assessment instruments: achievement, aptitude, intelligence, interest, and personality will be addressed as well as supervision in administering, scoring, and interpreting assessment tools. Here students examine the principles of educational, psychological, and vocational assessment in a counseling context, including concepts necessary for the selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of individual and group tests.

Part B: Diagnosis: This part focuses on the major mental disorders as defined by the current DSM including an introduction to the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, appropriate psychopharmacological interventions, biological bases of behavior, and spiritual dimensions of these disorders. Here students explore the impact of culture and emerging technologies on the treatment of individuals and groups.

CSL 553R Pre-Internship: Counseling Practicum

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisites: IDS 520, IDS 521, CSL 510
Corequisite: CSL 544

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to clinical training and prepare them for their upcoming internship experience. This lab course combines field experience and observation with competency-based instruction and small group learning. Students will complete a total of 25 hours of observation of mental health services. Students will deepen and apply the stance and skills developed in IDS 520 and IDS 521 in order to gain familiarity with mental health systems and the counseling profession.

CSL 553S Pre-Internship: Counseling Practicum

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisites: IDS 520, IDS 521, CSL 510
Corequisite: CSL 544

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to clinical training and prepare them for their upcoming internship experience. This lab course combines field experience and observation with competency-based instruction and small group learning. Students will complete a total of 25 hours of observation of mental health services. Students will deepen and apply the stance and skills developed in IDS 520 and IDS 521 in order to gain familiarity with mental health systems and the counseling profession.

CSL 570O Infant Observation I

Course Description

1 credit

This course introduces the experience of early formation, development in the infant, and the infant in relationship to their mothering figure, other primary caretakers, as well as ultimately to the birthing of the infant’s mind. Infant observation focuses on the primary relationships, primitive anxieties, defenses, which later inform clinical work with children, adolescents, and adult patients in psychotherapy. This in vivo learning experience takes place through a weekly observation of the infant with their mothering figure, primary caregiver in their home environment.

CSL 573O Elements of British Object Relations I

Course Description

This course introduces British Object Relations theory and fundamental concepts of British Object Relations. This course builds from the experiences in Infant Observation; i.e. the experience of early formation, development in the infant, and the infant in relationship to their mothering figure, other primary caretakers, as well as ultimately to the birthing of the infant’s mind.

CSL 575BO Special Topics: Advanced Research

Course Description

2 Credits
This course will provide students with practical resources and knowledge to either conduct a pilot study of a research project or take a piece of writing further towards a publishable state. Additionally, students will gain experience in presenting their ideas to their peers, and also gain experience in reviewing, editing and giving feedback on the research/scholarly ideas of their peers. This class is open to both MATC and MACP students who have fulfilled the prerequisites for this course: MATC students must successfully complete at least 3 discipline specific courses (or have successfully completed CSL 516); MACP students must have successfully completed CSL 516. Prior to the beginning of the term, students will be asked to: 1) submit a brief description of their topic; and 2) choose if they would like to conduct a pilot study, or revise (and further) a piece of writing.

FI First Year Frameworks

Course Description

This non-credit orientation course is intended to provide incoming students with context for learning methods employed at The Seattle School, academic resources and other information to help them be successful in the classroom.

IDS 501O Intersections: Interdisciplinary Inquiry & Psychological Frameworks

Course Description

2 credits
Corequisite: IDS 504
This course introduces students to the realm of interdisciplinary inquiry with psychology as the primary lens. Students will explore and articulate conceptions of personhood and the self, drawing from psychological theories, personal histories, and social location. Through reflective exercises, students will examine the nature of the self in their own lived experiences. Additionally, the course emphasizes the development of skills necessary for constructing well-organized, coherent, and scholarly written works, while adhering to APA style guidelines.

IDS 504O Critical Reading Lab

Course Description

1 credit
Corequisite: IDS 501
Critical Reading Lab is a companion class to the first term Common Curriculum classes. In this course, students explore what it means to know and to learn within the graduate curriculum, particularly as it relates to interdisciplinary and integrative work. Students will explore various ways of knowing as part of a journey of discovery in a smaller group format with other students.

IDS 504S Critical Reading Lab

Course Description

1 credit
Corequisite: IDS 501
Critical Reading Lab is a companion class to the first term Common Curriculum classes. In this course, students explore what it means to know and to learn within the graduate curriculum, particularly as it relates to interdisciplinary and integrative work. Students will explore various ways of knowing as part of a journey of discovery in a smaller group format with other students.

IDS 520R Listening Lab: Part I

Course Description

2 credits total ; taught over 2 terms
This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

NOTE: Labs/times chosen for fall will carry over into winter term.

IDS 520S Listening Lab: Part I

Course Description

2 credits total ; taught over 2 terms
This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

NOTE: Labs/times chosen for fall will carry over into winter term.

RES Residency

Course Description

This course will house materials related to the residency for the current term. A specific schedule will be provided in advance of the residency.

Please visit https://theseattleschool.edu/residencies/ for more information.

SFD 518O Way of Life

Course Description

1 credit

As we grow, learn and change, it is important to pay attention to how we want to be formed. The rhythms, relationships and practices of our lives can contribute to the ways that we are formed, integrated and sustained. We will experiment with practices of body, mind, and soul to craft unique Ways of Life for each person at this moment of their life and moments beyond.

TCE 534O Practices of Change: Apprenticeship in the Arts

Course Description

3 credits

The MATC Apprenticeship is a faculty supervised community-based learning opportunity that forms the foundation of the capstone integrative portfolio. Students will self-select a community development, ministry, or artistic organization that can help them fine tune their creative, entrepreneurial, and service skills. Based on the mission of the selected community service organizations, students will establish an applicable learning contract with an on-site supervisor and successfully complete the required number of hours of apprenticeship.

TCE 534O Practices of Change: Apprenticeship in the Arts

Course Description

3 credits

The MATC Apprenticeship is a faculty supervised community-based learning opportunity that forms the foundation of the capstone integrative portfolio. Students will self-select a community development, ministry, or artistic organization that can help them fine tune their creative, entrepreneurial, and service skills. Based on the mission of the selected community service organizations, students will establish an applicable learning contract with an on-site supervisor and successfully complete the required number of hours of apprenticeship.

TCE 534O Practices of Change: Apprenticeship in the Arts

Course Description

3 credits

The MATC Apprenticeship is a faculty supervised community-based learning opportunity that forms the foundation of the capstone integrative portfolio. Students will self-select a community development, ministry, or artistic organization that can help them fine tune their creative, entrepreneurial, and service skills. Based on the mission of the selected community service organizations, students will establish an applicable learning contract with an on-site supervisor and successfully complete the required number of hours of apprenticeship.

TCE 543O God, Gender, and Sexuality

Course Description

2 credits
This course explores the interaction between the theological concepts of God, Gender, and Sexuality. The goal of this class is to survey, compare and contrast, and evaluate various perspectives on God, gender, and sexuality from the depth and breadth of the Christian tradition, with special reference to critical social theory around gender and sexual identity. This class will examine the doctrine of God and Theological Anthropology, while engaging with how to critically examine doctrine through such lenses as feminist theology, queer theology, and liberation theology. This is a contextually oriented class that seeks to articulate and re-contextualize the various loci of theology such as prolegomena, the Triune God, sin, human persons, sexuality, and gender.

TCE 546O Constructive Theology: Issues, Critiques, and Doctrine

Course Description

3 credits
Required course for MATC students. This course does NOT count as core theology for MACP students.

This course prepares students to think critically about the task of doing constructive theology. The goal of this course is to survey, compare and contrast, and evaluate various contextual, constructive, and interdisciplinary perspectives on the doctrines of God, Creation, Theological Anthropology, and Pneumatology from the depth and breadth of the Christian tradition. Students will be able to articulate an understanding of what God is doing in the world, with implications for how they think, listen, live, and lead.

TCE 575AO Special Topics: From Empire to Accompaniment: Selected Readings in the US/Central American Encounter

Course Description

1 credit
This selected readings course examines the historical relationship between the United States and Central America, with particular focus on Guatemala and El Salvador. Together the instructor and students will explore how the politics of imperialism have shaped the region's enduring struggles with poverty, lack of educational access, homelessness, addiction, and gang violence — and how these realities are inseparable from the theological and cultural frameworks used to justify them. Through directed readings, film study, and cross-cultural dialogue with subject matter experts, students develop a substantive understanding of how colonial wounds have contributed to the complexity of immigration, and therefore immigrant lives, in the present moment.

Course meeting dates:
9/25 9:00-10:00am
10/16 9:00-12:00pm
11/6 9:00-12:00pm
11/20 9:00-12:00pm
12/4 9:00-12:00pm

TCE 575BO Special Topics: From Empire to Accompaniment: Selected Readings in the US/Central American Encounter

Course Description

2 credits
This selected readings course examines the historical relationship between the United States and Central America, with particular focus on Guatemala and El Salvador. Together the instructor and students will explore how the politics of imperialism have shaped the region's enduring struggles with poverty, lack of educational access, homelessness, addiction, and gang violence — and how these realities are inseparable from the theological and cultural frameworks used to justify them. Through directed readings, film study, and cross-cultural dialogue with subject matter experts, students develop a substantive understanding of how colonial wounds have contributed to the complexity of immigration, and therefore immigrant lives, in the present moment.

Course meeting dates:
9/25 9:00-10:00am
10/16 9:00-12:00pm
11/6 9:00-12:00pm
11/20 9:00-12:00pm
12/4 9:00-12:00pm

WWO Writing Workshop

Course Description

The Writing Workshop provides a foundational understanding of the writing process and of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology’s academic writing standards. This seminar-style class is an opportunity to become familiar with different types of writing required at The Seattle School, learn the appropriate use of academic sources, and receive feedback about your writing. In addition, you’ll review the basics of thesis statements, evidence, paper organization, revision, library research, citation style, and sentence style and grammar. Peer review and small- and large-group discussion will be used extensively in this workshop; thus, the Writing Workshop is appropriate both for the novice academic writer as well as the experienced one.

There are 2 sections of this course.
Section 1 (this section) meets as an online intensive prior to the Fall term: 9:30am-12:30pm August 17, 19, 24, 26.

Winter 2027 Courses

BTI 515O Engaging the Bible: Genre, History, and Context

Course Description

3 credits

This course guides learners to identify and employ interpretive methods for engaging the biblical text within local contexts. Learners will distinguish, locate, and critically assess the interpretive and meaning-making lenses undergirding readings of scripture and of the place/peoples they serve. The course will equip learners with exegetical tools to draw text and lived context into conversation.

BTI 515O Engaging the Bible: Genre, History, and Context

Course Description

3 credits

This course guides learners to identify and employ interpretive methods for engaging the biblical text within local contexts. Learners will distinguish, locate, and critically assess the interpretive and meaning-making lenses undergirding readings of scripture and of the place/peoples they serve. The course will equip learners with exegetical tools to draw text and lived context into conversation.

CSL 509R Social & Cultural Diversities

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisites: IDS 501, IDS 521
In this course, students will be introduced to theories and models of multicultural counseling, cultural identity development, and social justice and advocacy. By gaining a deeper understanding of power, privilege, and oppression, students will examine their own experiences and develop strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination in mental health counseling. Through deeply engaging a central theme related to counseling in diverse contexts, the course provides a framework for thinking about the effects of power and privilege for counselors and clients in ways that can be applied to topics such as aging, culture disability, ethnicity, race, religion/spirituality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status/partnership, language preference, and socioeconomic status.

CSL 509S Social & Cultural Diversities

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisites: IDS 501, IDS 521
In this course, students will be introduced to theories and models of multicultural counseling, cultural identity development, and social justice and advocacy. By gaining a deeper understanding of power, privilege, and oppression, students will examine their own experiences and develop strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination in mental health counseling. Through deeply engaging a central theme related to counseling in diverse contexts, the course provides a framework for thinking about the effects of power and privilege for counselors and clients in ways that can be applied to topics such as aging, culture disability, ethnicity, race, religion/spirituality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status/partnership, language preference, and socioeconomic status.

CSL 510R Human Growth and Development

Course Description

3 credits
Recommended Prerequisite: CSL 502
This course provides an overview of major developmental theories that include cognitive, moral/spiritual, psychological, interpersonal, and social perspectives across the lifespan from conception to death. It is understood that development does not take place in isolation. Human development is deeply embedded within and is inseparable from the context of family, social networks/traditions, race/ethnicity, and culture. Particular emphasis is placed upon the integrative and interactive functions of the self-in-relation. Formation of the self is dynamic as it is being formed, informed, and transformed within the complexities of personal and systemic influences.

CSL 510S Human Growth and Development

Course Description

3 credits
Recommended Prerequisite: CSL 502
This course provides an overview of major developmental theories that include cognitive, moral/spiritual, psychological, interpersonal, and social perspectives across the lifespan from conception to death. It is understood that development does not take place in isolation. Human development is deeply embedded within and is inseparable from the context of family, social networks/traditions, race/ethnicity, and culture. Particular emphasis is placed upon the integrative and interactive functions of the self-in-relation. Formation of the self is dynamic as it is being formed, informed, and transformed within the complexities of personal and systemic influences.

CSL 518O Group Therapy: The Healing Context of Community

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 544; CSL 553
The Group Counseling course is designed to provide students preparing to enter a helping profession with an understanding of the theory and practice of group counseling. In the course students will explore different theoretical approaches to counseling groups; basic principles of group dynamics, which include leadership tasks, group developmental stages, and member roles; and basic group counseling skills including establishing, leading, and evaluating various types of counseling groups. Consideration will be given to ethical, legal, and professional issues, and each student will have the experience of being a member in a peer-led practice group.

CSL 518S Group Therapy: The Healing Context of Community

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 544; CSL 553
The Group Counseling course is designed to provide students preparing to enter a helping profession with an understanding of the theory and practice of group counseling. In the course students will explore different theoretical approaches to counseling groups; basic principles of group dynamics, which include leadership tasks, group developmental stages, and member roles; and basic group counseling skills including establishing, leading, and evaluating various types of counseling groups. Consideration will be given to ethical, legal, and professional issues, and each student will have the experience of being a member in a peer-led practice group.

CSL 531O Internship II

Course Description

Prerequisites: CSL 530

The purpose of the counseling Internship is to provide a professional setting for interns to gather experience and to receive supervision regarding their clinical work. This setting will provide the intern with supervised experiences in preparation for professional practice as a counselor. The Intern will have an opportunity to develop and practice these skills in a variety of clinical settings under the guidance of an on-site supervisor.

Concurrent with a student’s Internship experience, the Internship I & II courses provides a setting for students to observe, explore and learn from their clinical experiences, specifically, what arises within the clinical hour, including pre-session and post-session. This setting allows each student the opportunity to discuss and learn from their Internship experiences.

CSL 531S Internship II

Course Description

Prerequisites: CSL 530

The purpose of the counseling Internship is to provide a professional setting for interns to gather experience and to receive supervision regarding their clinical work. This setting will provide the intern with supervised experiences in preparation for professional practice as a counselor. The Intern will have an opportunity to develop and practice these skills in a variety of clinical settings under the guidance of an on-site supervisor.

Concurrent with a student’s Internship experience, the Internship I & II courses provides a setting for students to observe, explore and learn from their clinical experiences, specifically, what arises within the clinical hour, including pre-session and post-session. This setting allows each student the opportunity to discuss and learn from their Internship experiences.

CSL 542O Helping Relationships I

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 502, CSL 544, CSL 553, IDS 520/521

This course is the first in a two-part series that builds on the competencies, deep listening skills, and self-reflection practices introduced in the common curriculum and Pre-Internship CSL 553. The course continues to cultivate students’ grasp of therapeutic processes, skills, and techniques crucial for effective psychotherapy treatments across the lifespan from a relational posture. The course helps students apply their clinical knowledge and theory as they begin to inhabit the role of therapist. Students will engage course content through a combination of supervised role-play experiences, reflections, and didactic teaching methods as they prepare for their internship experience.

CSL 542S Helping Relationships I

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 502, CSL 544, CSL 553, IDS 520/521

This course is the first in a two-part series that builds on the competencies, deep listening skills, and self-reflection practices introduced in the common curriculum and Pre-Internship CSL 553. The course continues to cultivate students’ grasp of therapeutic processes, skills, and techniques crucial for effective psychotherapy treatments across the lifespan from a relational posture. The course helps students apply their clinical knowledge and theory as they begin to inhabit the role of therapist. Students will engage course content through a combination of supervised role-play experiences, reflections, and didactic teaching methods as they prepare for their internship experience.

CSL 545O Psychopathology

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSL 544

This course is part of a two-course sequence that covers Assessment, Appraisal, and Diagnosis and Psychopathology. The CSL 544 course focuses on an introductory overview of the process of assessment, appraisal, diagnosis, and treatment, while the CSL 545 course focuses on the application of assessment and diagnosis of personality disorders/disorders of self and co-occurring disorders with an emphasis on psychological development. The goal of the CSL 545 course is for the student to gain an understanding of the nomenclature and application of diagnosis of character disorders/personality disorders, assessment, evaluation, and treatment modalities. Both courses include the following, with different respective emphases.

PART A: Assessment, Appraisal: This part continues to focus on the principles of assessment, appraisal, and diagnosis, specifically psychopathology, in a multicultural society as related to diagnosis of clinical syndromes and personality disorders. The course utilizes the most current DSM and various assessment instruments.

Part B: Diagnosis: This part focuses on the clinical syndromes and personality disorders as defined by the current DSM: an introduction to the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, appropriate psychopharmacological interventions, biological bases of behavior, and spiritual dimensions of these disorders. Here students explore the impacts of culture and emerging technologies on the treatment of individuals and groups.

CSL 545S Psychopathology

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSL 544

This course is part of a two-course sequence that covers Assessment, Appraisal, and Diagnosis and Psychopathology. The CSL 544 course focuses on an introductory overview of the process of assessment, appraisal, diagnosis, and treatment, while the CSL 545 course focuses on the application of assessment and diagnosis of personality disorders/disorders of self and co-occurring disorders with an emphasis on psychological development. The goal of the CSL 545 course is for the student to gain an understanding of the nomenclature and application of diagnosis of character disorders/personality disorders, assessment, evaluation, and treatment modalities. Both courses include the following, with different respective emphases.

PART A: Assessment, Appraisal: This part continues to focus on the principles of assessment, appraisal, and diagnosis, specifically psychopathology, in a multicultural society as related to diagnosis of clinical syndromes and personality disorders. The course utilizes the most current DSM and various assessment instruments.

Part B: Diagnosis: This part focuses on the clinical syndromes and personality disorders as defined by the current DSM: an introduction to the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, appropriate psychopharmacological interventions, biological bases of behavior, and spiritual dimensions of these disorders. Here students explore the impacts of culture and emerging technologies on the treatment of individuals and groups.

CSL 565O Human Sexuality

Course Description

2 credits
Human Sexuality is designed to ask questions about the nature of biological sexuality, sexual preference, sexual identity, and desire. The course will seek to explore multiple perspectives to attempt to understand such questions from scientific research, developmental theory, cultural influences, and relational experience. Contemporary scholarship from psychoanalytic literature will be assigned to formulate the bases for class discussion. Students will consider several ways of understanding and working with sexuality in their personal lives and in clinical settings, equipping them to think critically and work effectively in various cultures and systems.

IDS 502O Intersections: Biblical Traditions & Theological Formations

Course Description

2 credits
Prerequisites: IDS 501, IDS 504
Corequisite: IDS 505
This course introduces students to the realm of interdisciplinary inquiry with Christian theology as the primary lens. It will attend to the ways cultural contexts influence interpretive traditions and theological formations. Real-world implications of the doctrine of God, the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit will be engaged from an interdisciplinary framework of theology, psychology, and biblical studies. Additionally, the course emphasizes the development of skills necessary for constructing well-organized, coherent, and scholarly written works, while adhering to Chicago Turabian style guidelines.

IDS 505O Contextual Learning Lab

Course Description

1 credit
Prerequisite: IDS 501, IDS 504
Corequisite: IDS 502
This course grounds interdisciplinary inquiry within the reality of students’ everyday lives. It equips students to listen as storied, located, and bodied creatures, providing skills for ways of loving God and neighbor within their place’s ecosystem unto the common good.

IDS 505S Contextual Learning Lab

Course Description

1 credit
Prerequisite: IDS 501, IDS 504
Corequisite: IDS 502
This course grounds interdisciplinary inquiry within the reality of students’ everyday lives. It equips students to listen as storied, located, and bodied creatures, providing skills for ways of loving God and neighbor within their place’s ecosystem unto the common good.

IDS 520O Listening Lab: Part I

Course Description

2 credits total ; taught over 2 terms
This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

IDS 520O Listening Lab: Part I

Course Description

2 credits total ; taught over 2 terms
This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

IDS 521R Listening Lab: Part II

Course Description

2 credits total ; taught over 2 terms
This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

IDS 521S Listening Lab: Part II

Course Description

2 credits total ; taught over 2 terms
This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

Please note: This course will meet during the Winter Residency (see syllabus for details).

RES Residency

Course Description

This course will house materials related to the residency for the current term. A specific schedule will be provided in advance of the residency.

Please visit https://theseattleschool.edu/residencies/ for more information.

SFD 528O Practicing Pilgrimage

Course Description

1 credit

Pilgrimage has historically been understood as sacred travel that integrates body, mind, and soul. How might pilgrimage also provide a formative model for our everyday lives and the lives of those whom we serve? The practice of pilgrimage invites us as seekers to become agents of change on our journeys of transformation. In this course, students will learn about pilgrimage through study, reflection, local practice, and shared experience and develop an understanding of how the archetypes of pilgrimage - whether to distant lands or right outside the student's door - can be applied in everyday life.

TCE 541O Spirit & Trauma

Course Description

2 credits
This course explores the intersection of theology trauma studies/traumatology. In this class, we will read and compare theologies of the cross and theologies of the Holy Spirit to investigate how different theological approaches impact one's view on trauma, suffering, healing, redemption, witness, resilience, community, etc. This class is primarily focused on theological questions, but will purposefully seek out ways to bring together and find various modes of integrating theology and psychology (i.e., traumatology) throughout the class. Though the disciplines of theology and psychology utilize different vocabularies and methodologies, both seek out the wholeness and well-being of the human person, particularly in the wake of suffering, abuse, and trauma. Theology in this frame, should lead persons toward liberation and shalom, especially when life and death are closely experienced and related.

TCE 553O Collaborative Community Development: Foundations and Methods for Community Change

Course Description

3 credits

This course prepares students to engage in the practices of community development, and helps them to define theological and ethical foundations for the promotion of well-being in the communities they are called to love. Through practices of deep listening, participants will gain the skills and character qualities necessary to work in partnership with community members to foster organic, contextualized community change.

TCE 555O Gathering & Becoming: Convening Communities of Faith & Practice

Course Description

3 credits

What does it mean to gather? The history of the local church is a story of people convening in the Way of Jesus unto liberation, belonging, and service within particular contexts. The Greek word for church – ekklisia – means “gathering”; the reimagination of gathering is vital for communities of faith emerging in the wake of Christendom’s collusion of religion with political and economic powers. This course prepares leaders to convene groups as prophetic witness, formative community, and missional service unto becoming faithful communal expressions of love of God, neighbor, creation, and self. Students will be prepared as leaders to adaptively reimagine Christian gathering practices to serve the current and future needs of their particular place and all its inhabitants.

TCE 575BO Special Topics: Deconstructing Purity Culture: Personhood, Agency, & Sexual Ethics

Course Description

2 credits
A full course description is available on individual course syllabi and is particular to each course.

Spring 2027 Courses

BTI 525O Interpreting the Bible: Exegesis, Hermeneutics, and Community

Course Description

3 credits

This course guides learners to identify and employ interpretive methods for engaging the biblical text within local contexts. Learners will distinguish, locate, and critically assess the interpretive and meaning-making lenses undergirding readings of scripture and of the place/peoples they serve. The course will equip learners with exegetical tools to draw text and lived context into conversation.

BTI 525O Interpreting the Bible: Exegesis, Hermeneutics, and Community

Course Description

3 credits

This course guides learners to identify and employ interpretive methods for engaging the biblical text within local contexts. Learners will distinguish, locate, and critically assess the interpretive and meaning-making lenses undergirding readings of scripture and of the place/peoples they serve. The course will equip learners with exegetical tools to draw text and lived context into conversation.

CSL 503O Professional Ethics & Law

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisites: CSL 544; CSL 553
Corequisite: CSL 543

This course provides an overview of professional ethics and Washington State law in the practice of counseling. Students will become familiar with professional ethical norms as well as common legal regulations. Additional topics include professionalism, licensure, moral responsibility in responding to the violation of human dignity, and issues of power and privilege. Students examine the impact of their cultural locatedness on the ethical decision-making processes in light of the difficult decisions facing the professional counselor.

CSL 503S Professional Ethics & Law

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisites: CSL 544; CSL 553
Corequisite: CSL 543

This course provides an overview of professional ethics and Washington State law in the practice of counseling. Students will become familiar with professional ethical norms as well as common legal regulations. Additional topics include professionalism, licensure, moral responsibility in responding to the violation of human dignity, and issues of power and privilege. Students examine the impact of their cultural locatedness on the ethical decision-making processes in light of the difficult decisions facing the professional counselor.

CSL 512O Substance Use Disorders

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisites: CSL 544
Recommended Prerequisite: CSL 517
This course is designed to provide an introduction to foundational theories of addictive processes, principles of prevention, diagnosis and assessment, and evidenced-based treatments. Attention will be given to the full continuum of care (including: prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery), as well as how sociocultural context impacts the development and implementation of treatment for substance use disorders in diverse populations and communities.

This course meets as an intensive May 29-30 and June 5-6.

CSL 516O Research & Statistics

Course Description

3 credits
This course provides a conceptual framework for understanding common psychological research methodologies, including various types of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Students will be equipped to formulate research questions and interpret and apply psychological research to their counseling practice.

PLEASE NOTE: In addition to this course's weekly scheduled time, this class will also meet one additional time (3 hours, date TBA), online for our Joint Research Symposium. This is a required part of this course and will be part of fulfilling one of the major assignments for this course. Please plan accordingly.

CSL 516S Research & Statistics

Course Description

3 credits
This course provides a conceptual framework for understanding common psychological research methodologies, including various types of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Students will be equipped to formulate research questions and interpret and apply psychological research to their counseling practice.

PLEASE NOTE: In addition to this course's weekly scheduled time, this class will also meet one additional time (3 hours, date TBA), online for our Joint Research Symposium. This is a required part of this course and will be part of fulfilling one of the major assignments for this course. Please plan accordingly.

CSL 517O Family Systems

Course Description

3 credits

This course utilizes a didactic and experiential format in which to explore therapeutic work with family and other systems. Theoretical foundations and developments of systems theory will be explored to introduce the student to the field of couples and family therapy. Clinical work with couples and families will be considered from an ecological/systemic perspective with specific emphasis on the following family factors and dynamics: life cycle, development, attachment, and systemic issues as relevant to contemporary family cultures.

CSL 517S Family Systems

Course Description

3 credits

This course utilizes a didactic and experiential format in which to explore therapeutic work with family and other systems. Theoretical foundations and developments of systems theory will be explored to introduce the student to the field of couples and family therapy. Clinical work with couples and families will be considered from an ecological/systemic perspective with specific emphasis on the following family factors and dynamics: life cycle, development, attachment, and systemic issues as relevant to contemporary family cultures.

CSL 532A Internship III

Course Description

1 credit
Prerequisites: CSL 530, CSL 531
Students who have not completed their required hours of internship may register for internship until the hours are completed. Note that internship credits beyond the required Internship I and II do not count toward the total credits required within the degree.

CSL 543O Helping Relationships II

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 502, CSL 544, CSL 545, CSL 553, IDS 520/521, CSL 542

This course is the second in a two-part series that builds on the competencies, deep listening skills, and self-reflection practices introduced in the common curriculum and Pre-Internship CSL 553. The course continues to cultivate students’ grasp of therapeutic processes, skills, and techniques crucial for effective psychotherapy treatments across the lifespan from a relational posture. The course helps students apply their clinical knowledge and theory as they begin to inhabit the role of therapist. Students will engage course content through a combination of supervised role-play experiences, reflections, and didactic teaching methods as they prepare for their internship experience.

CSL 543S Helping Relationships II

Course Description

3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 502, CSL 544, CSL 545, CSL 553, IDS 520/521, CSL 542

This course is the second in a two-part series that builds on the competencies, deep listening skills, and self-reflection practices introduced in the common curriculum and Pre-Internship CSL 553. The course continues to cultivate students’ grasp of therapeutic processes, skills, and techniques crucial for effective psychotherapy treatments across the lifespan from a relational posture. The course helps students apply their clinical knowledge and theory as they begin to inhabit the role of therapist. Students will engage course content through a combination of supervised role-play experiences, reflections, and didactic teaching methods as they prepare for their internship experience.

CSL 564O Assessment & Treatment of Trauma & Abuse

Course Description

2 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 544

The purpose of this class is to discuss topics related to the treatment of victims/survivors of interpersonal violence (e.g., childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence). This class provides a foundation for understanding complex trauma, and trauma recovery, with a focus on trauma-informed treatment with various populations. Also included in this class, is the exploration of the professional’s response to trauma, vicarious traumatization, grief, and crisis intervention. Finally, students have the chance to review evidence-based practices in the trauma field.

This course is offered for either 2 credits OR 3 credits. If you would like to take it for 2 credits, register for CSL 564O. If you would like to take it for 3 credits, register for CSL 564CO.

CSL 564O Assessment & Treatment of Trauma & Abuse

Course Description

2 Credits
Prerequisites: CSL 544

The purpose of this class is to discuss topics related to the treatment of victims/survivors of interpersonal violence (e.g., childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence). This class provides a foundation for understanding complex trauma, and trauma recovery, with a focus on trauma-informed treatment with various populations. Also included in this class, is the exploration of the professional’s response to trauma, vicarious traumatization, grief, and crisis intervention. Finally, students have the chance to review evidence-based practices in the trauma field.

This course is offered for either 2 credits OR 3 credits. If you would like to take it for 2 credits, register for CSL 564O. If you would like to take it for 3 credits, register for CSL 564CO.

IDS 503O Intersections: Textual Integrations

Course Description

1 credit
Prerequisites: IDS 501, IDS 502, IDS 504, IDS 505
This third Intersections course guides students in the synthesis of the first two Intersections courses. With faculty advising, students will develop a working draft of a theological and psychological anthropology (spanning issues such as economics, politics, culture, etc.) that will serve as an important contribution to the portfolio particular to the student’s program of study and as a basis for their vocation.

IDS 503S Intersections: Textual Integrations

Course Description

1 credit
Prerequisites: IDS 501, IDS 502, IDS 504, IDS 505
This third Intersections course guides students in the synthesis of the first two Intersections courses. With faculty advising, students will develop a working draft of a theological and psychological anthropology (spanning issues such as economics, politics, culture, etc.) that will serve as an important contribution to the portfolio particular to the student’s program of study and as a basis for their vocation.

IDS 521N Listening Lab: Part II

Course Description

Non-credit certificate students only. This is one class taught over two terms.

This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

IDS 521N Listening Lab: Part II

Course Description

Non-credit certificate students only. This is one class taught over two terms.

This lab provides opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary theory and praxis related to deep listening. By tending to the data of experience at three levels (intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group as a whole), students will cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity. The frame of Listening Lab is designed to foster a getting-to-know posture rather than a knowing posture, working within the frame of the lab to explore and express one’s own realities, internal and external, past and present, personal and collective.

SFD 520T Engaging Local Partnerships: Northwest Native American History, Spirituality, and Culture

Course Description

2 credits
This course is part of the Engaging Global Partnership series (Engaging Global Partnerships: Creating Conversations with Grassroots’ Leaders in their Context). It will focus on the spiritual formation and leadership development of Mending Wings, a Native American Youth Organization in Toppenish Washington. Students will participate in pre-trip readings focused on Native American, spirituality, theology, history and culture and a one weekend intensive hosted by Corey Greaves and the Mending Wings staff on the Yakama Reservation.

This course will meet as an intensive (dates TBA). It will be charged an additional fee of to cover the associated travel costs (total amount TBA). Students registered for TCE 544O (crosslisted with SFD 520T) will attend the travel intensive and then continue meeting online for the remainder of the term.

Questions? Please contact the course instructor.

SFD 521T The Artist's Way

Course Description

2 credits

This course is about discovering and recovering your creative self. It is for anyone interested in practicing the art of creative living. It is about both being creative and putting that creativity into practice. We will explore what it means to be an artist and a spiritual being and how the practice of creativity unblocks spirituality in our lives and can inspire and transform humanity's relationship to God, community and culture. We will also discover how creativity can enliven our academic study and vocational practice.

This course begins with an artist’s retreat; students then continue coursework asynchronously throughout the term, including regular engagement with previously established reading groups.

This course will meet as an intensive at the Grunewald Guild in Leavenworth, WA. Dates TBA. Because this is a travel course there is an additional fee (total cost TBA).

TCE 533O Theories of Change: Community Leadership

Course Description

3 credits

This course will explore how business for the common good and innovation are used in creative ways of service to communities in a variety of contexts. Students will examine how innovative practices, philanthropy, and entrepreneurial leadership can be used to heal the heart of a community. A field research component will allow the student to begin to identify and construct the competencies and dimensions of their MATC apprenticeship.

TCE 544O The Triune God & Creation

Course Description

2 credits
This course will explore the work and being of the Triune Creator (with special reference to the work of the Holy Spirit) and how understanding the Triune Creator helps to shape a dynamic eco-theology. The goal in this class is to survey the growing theological literature around the care of the earth. The lens of eco-theology intersects with the Doctrine of God and creation, Pneumatology, feminist theory, creation care, theology of place, agrarian theology, food, liberation theology, poverty and justice issues, etc. This class will weave context and doctrine together, moving back and forth between the Missio Dei to love and perfect all persons and things in the world and attending to the call of the earth toward love, justice, mercy, and humility for all of the created order

TCE 545O Beauty, Brokenness, & the Cross

Course Description

2 credits
This class will explore the concept of beauty. This exploration will be shaped by a theology of the cross (which encompasses the whole of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus) that not only leads us to a Christian understanding of beauty but to an understanding that beauty, to be true beauty, must have the power to identify, confront, and redeem that which is most ugly – even death itself. It is in this redemptive motion that we are brought to worship, which emerges from our acknowledgment of God’s redemptive power within our lives.

SFD 520T Engaging Local Partnerships: Northwest Native American History, Spirituality, and Culture

Course Description

2 credits
This course is part of the Engaging Global Partnership series (Engaging Global Partnerships: Creating Conversations with Grassroots’ Leaders in their Context). It will focus on the spiritual formation and leadership development of Mending Wings, a Native American Youth Organization in Toppenish Washington. Students will participate in pre-trip readings focused on Native American, spirituality, theology, history and culture and a one weekend intensive hosted by Corey Greaves and the Mending Wings staff on the Yakama Reservation.

This course will meet as an intensive (dates TBA). It will be charged an additional fee of to cover the associated travel costs (total amount TBA). Students registered for TCE 544O (crosslisted with SFD 520T) will attend the travel intensive and then continue meeting online for the remainder of the term.

Questions? Please contact the course instructor.

TCE 556O Listening & Leading: The Spiritual Care of Christian Communities

Course Description

3 credits
Prerequisite: TCE 555R

How does a leader, through their presence, convene groups serving the common good as a faithful expression of personal and collective love of God? This course equips spiritual leaders with tools for attending deeply to the invitation of God’s Shalom, to the particularity of their groups, to the complexity of their places, to their personal journeys, and to the systems of oppression warring against liberation and flourishing for all and everything. Students will be prepared as leaders with the practical knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for convening followers of Christ to serve the common good as a faithful expression of their love of God, love of neighbor, love of creation, and love of self.