Phone: (612) 343-4787
Email: dan.nelson@northcentral.edu
Office: Kingsriter Center

• B.S. – North Central, 1986
• M.A. – St. Mary's University, Counseling Psychology, 1989
• Ph.D. – University of Minnesota, Educational Psychology, 1998

In his nineteenth year as a North Central faculty member, Dan Nelson speaks with authority and insight on relevant issues to his students. A multiple year recipient of Who's Who Among America's Teachers, he advises Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, and chairs the psychology department at NCU.

Dan has also held several adjunct professor positions at other Twin Cities schools such as Bethel University and Northwestern College. Students enjoy learning from a professor who brings substantial experience into his teaching as Dan does, having worked as a psychiatric assistant, a counselor and a psychotherapist.

Although he is originally from Aberdeen, South Dakota, Dan now lives locally with Kari, his wife, his children, Ryan and Danielle, and Lily the cat. When he's not cultivating the minds of college students, he enjoys spending time getting involved with his kids, such as coaching baseball or fast-pitch softball.

Publications and Presentations

• Nelson, D. (1999). The development of moral judgment, religiousness, and general knowledge: A longitudinal study of Bible college students. Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota.
• Nelson, D. (2000). Multiple methods for analyzing moral judgment development using the Defining Issues Test. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 7, 25-43.
• Nelson, D. (2004). Bible knowledge and moral judgment: Knowing Scripture and using ethical reasoning. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 13(1), 41-60.
• Nelson, D., & Nelson, K. (2005). The use of principles for organizing the introductory psychology course. Psychology Learning & Teaching, 4(2), 95-101.
• 2001—Minnesota Psychological Resources, "Fostering morality in the psychotherapeutic setting"
• 2002—Council on Christian Higher Education, national conference, "Pentecostalism in the classroom: Articulation and application"
• 2004—Minnesota Psychological Resources, "Integrating faith and work"

Professional Associations

• American Psychological Association
• Minnesota Psychological Association