Spiritual Vitality
Academic Excellence
Empowered Engagement
The Northwest University Church Partnership Program
Northwest University Church Partnership Program - 1
What is the CPP?
How does the CPP academic program work?
The Northwest University Church Partnership Program (CPP)is a unique program that allows local churches and ministries to offer accredited Northwest University Associate and Bachelor’s degreesas part of their internship or staff development programs.
Academics, Internships, Relationships –The goal of the NU CPP is to blend the best of what Northwest does (Academics), with local church and ministry training (Internships) in a highly supportive environment (Relationships). The CPP coordinator (from the local church or internship) is key to this relational aspect of the CPP.
Current Partners –As of fall 2015 the CPP serves 29 partner churches and ministries in five states with over 200 students.
AA/BA Degrees –CPP Partners may offer an AA, an Associates of Ministry Leadership and three BA Degrees (Ministry Leadership, Psychology, and Business Management)through their CPP.
Academically Accredited Classes –Northwest University offers degrees in partnership with local CPP affiliates with the highest level of accreditationavailable—the same level as all major colleges and universities. CPPstudents earn college credits that transfer to other colleges or universities as part of a local church internship program. CPP courses can be applied toward the completion of other NU degrees as a traditional student on campus or in our online programs.
Financial Aid – Because NU’s accreditation, students are eligible to receive federal financial aid (grants and loans) for tuition costs and other fees.
Online Classes – All courses are offered online so any student may complete their degree by taking only online classes. For this reason, class size is not an issue. You can start with as few as one student.
How does the CPP academic program work? (Continued)
CPP Practicum and Internship Programs
Academic Program Structure – The CPP runs on a 15-week semester system divided into two seven-week sessions(Session A/Session B) per semester. Full-time students take two 3-creditcourse per session (four course per semester) for 12 credits per semester. The typical Associate degree will take about two years.
Live Instructors– If a Partner has ten or more students taking a specific class, Northwest will hire a (qualified) live instructor from the church or ministry. Potential live instructors must have a master’s degree in the course discipline. Live instructors use NU’s pre-approved learning outcomes, textbooks, and assignments. Class meeting times are scheduled at a weekly time that fits the local church or ministry’s ministry schedule and internship program.
The Missing Component – Local church and ministry internships are the key component of a CPP partnership. The CPP is designed to provide what most churches and ministries feel is the missing link to their internship training programs:accredited academic degrees.
College Credit for Internships – Practicums are an important and distinctive aspect of the CPP, allowing studentsthe option of earning three college credits for each semester of training in the local CPP Partner’s internship program.“Internship” refers to the program the CPP Partners run to train and develop students. “Practicum” refers to the structure NU establishes for partner internship programs – clearly defining learning objectives, internship assignments and requirements, and assessments – allowing NU to award credit for internship program participation.
Internship Programs – The CPP provides tools and support that help local churches establish or develop their internship program, particularly through guided interaction with other CPP Partners. Our goal is to help partners share their expertise in internship training, not to dictate the structure or format of local church internships.
FAQ – Northwest University Church Partnership Program - 1
How much does the CPP cost?
How Does the CPP Benefit the Local Church or Ministry?
Why is Northwest University doing this?
Student Costs – The CPP has a highly discounted cost of $278 per credit, plus an optionalInternshipFee of $1300 per semester (2016 rate). That is a total cost of $9,272 per year with Internship Fee, $6,672 per year without internship fee, for up to 30 credits per academic year. Partners may have additional costs for special trips or services.
Internship Fee – Each CPP Partner may choose to charge students an optional InternshipFee of $1300 per student per semester to offset some costs involved in operating their CPP. This fee is eligible for federal financial aid. Once all tuition cost are paid, this fee is returned to the Partner in order to fund costs associated building their CPP program and supporting their students.
Church Costs –The CPP program is paid for by students, without direct cost to the church. Students pay for their education and the InternshipFee helps pay for the costs associated with offering the CPP.
Teaching Opportunities – Because CPP classes can be facilitated by live instructors from the CPP Partner, churches are provided with an entirely new avenue of leadership development.
Scholarships – CPP Partners are awarded scholarships for any NU graduate program based on the number of CPP students at their CPP.
Academics –The greatest benefit: CPP partners offer accredited NU courses and degrees as a significant aspect their internship training programs in partnership with Northwest University.
Consortium Learning – All CPPPartners are on the same academic schedule, so CPP students can take a session or a semester at other locations in our CPP Consortium (see website for list of CPP partners).
Partners in the Church’s Mission – Ultimately the CPP exists to serve the mission of local churches and ministries, bringing together the unique skills and strengths of the local church or ministry (practical ministry training),what Northwest University does best (academics), all in a highly relational environment led by the Partner’s CPP Coordinator.
New Horizons – Using non-traditional educational models,the CPP capitalizes on developments in technology and learning theory to open up new horizons ofexcellence in academic education to students for whom it was not formerly an option.
The NU Flip – The CPP is essential to a key component of NU’s vision and success, which the Northwest University Board calls “the flip. Our vision is to “flip” from a student population that is 75% traditional students and 25% nontraditional (online, adult learners, graduate programs, CPP, etc.), to a student population that is 75% nontraditional students and 25% traditional students. This results in many more options for non-traditional students.
How do we sign up?
Current Partners
California
Los Angeles – Dream Center
Modesto – One Church
San Francisco City Impact
Idaho
American Falls – Powerhouse Christian
Boise – River City Church
Eagle (ID) – Eagle LifeChurch
Hagerman – Hagerman Christian Ctr
Nampa – Christian Faith Center
Nampa – So. Idaho District (AG)
Burley – Mountain View C.C.
Oregon
Clackamas– Hillside Christian Fell.
Salem – Peoples Church
Nevada
Las Vegas – International Church
Washington
Auburn – Northwest Family Church
Bothell – Cedar Park Church
Everett – Bethany Christian Assembly
Everett – Canyon Creek Church
Federal Way – Christian Faith Center
Issaquah – Eastridge Church
Olympia – Evergreen Christian Comm.
Port Angeles – Lighthouse Christian
Renton – New Life Church
Seattle – Union Gospel Mission
Silverdale – CRISTA Camps
Silverdale – Newlife Kitsap
Spokane Valley Assembly
Tacoma – Life Center Tacoma
Yakima – Stone Church
Conversations – The first step in becoming a CPP Partner is a conversation with the Director of the Church Partnership Program, Dr. Cary Peterson (). We can discuss your questions about the CPP and explore if it may be a fit for you.
Potential CPP Partner Visit – The next step is an official visit by the CPP Director and the Provost’s Office, a “Potential Partner Visit” or PPV. The purpose of this visit is to confirm that potential partner’s facilities meetour accreditor’s educational standards, to discuss the demands and benefits of the CPP,to allow the senior leadership of the church or ministry to ask their questions, and to iron out any remaining details. A successful PPV does not obligate the church or ministry to become a CPP Partner by a specific date. It does not obligate the church or ministry at all. It simply allows Northwest to finish our “checklist” so there are no barriers to becoming a partnershould both parties determine that is the appropriate direction.
NU Provost Approval – After the PPV, our team recommends the potential CPP Partner to NU’s Provost. Acceptance decisions usually come within one week of our recommendation. At that point an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed by the Provost is sent to the potential CPP Partner for its approval.
Board Approval – The final step in becoming a CPP Partner is the church or ministry’s governing board and pastor to approve the MOU.
Fall Start – Launching your CPP for a fall semester start is strongly encouraged, although you may launch your CPP in the spring semester. The key step is identifying your CPP Coordinator. Your CPP will need to do promotion and develop your internship program. In addition, the process of getting individual students ready for classes—admissions, financial aid, student advising, registration and orientation—starts months in advance of the first day of class.
Thank you for considering the Northwest University Church Partnership Program. If you have any further questions or would like to start a conversation, contact me at any time.
Cary Peterson
Dr. Cary Peterson
CPP Director
; 425.889.5252
FAQ – Northwest University Church Partnership Program - 1