Admission Requirements

Programs are listed below in alphabetical order. Click on the (+) next to the program you’re interested in to view requirements.

Program Start Dates
For the majority of our programs, quarters begin on the first Monday of January, April, July and October each calendar year. Please view our academic calendar for the official start dates of each program, as well as other important dates throughout the year.

Admission Policies
The goal of the admissions process is to recruit and admit candidates who are most likely to succeed in the UWS educational programs, will go on to pass licensing exams, and will succeed as health care professionals. The application process is designed to afford maximum opportunity for prospective students to present the fullest picture of themselves. University of Western States admits students of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, sex or age to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the university. Find out more about this policy.

Programs

Diagnostic Imaging and Residency

Minimum Experience:
Eligible for or hold an Oregon license to practice chiropractic within six months of starting in the program. All residents must acquire an Oregon license before they can progress into the third quarter of their residency.

Any resident who has not acquired an Oregon license shall be subject to immediate dismissal from the program without opportunity to return. Any resident who fails to maintain a sanction-free license to practice will be subject to sanction up to termination of employment without opportunity to return.
Minimum Education:
Prior to beginning the residency program, earn a DC degree from a chiropractic college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education.
GPA Requirements:
3.0 on 4.0 scale a doctor of chiropractic program GPA of at least a 3.0 in obtained radiology courses, without receiving any grade lower than a “C” in any radiology course.
Candidate Selection
+ Residency selection committee makes recommendations of applicants for an on-campus interview.
+ Applicants will be sent notification of acceptance/rejection as a candidate for an on-campus interview.

Application process requires:

  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from the department chairperson or head of radiology at your alma mater, another DACBR, and a faculty member outside the radiology department.
  • Letter of intent
  • Current vitae
  • Original, official transcripts from the applicant’s DC program
  • For more information, download the Radiology Residency Handbook.

Diagnostic Imaging and Residency Home

Doctor of Chiropractic

Minimum Education:
90 semester credits of specified undergraduate coursework
GPA Requirements:
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
*Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 but above 2.75 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Required Course Credit Minimum Considerations
Physical and Life Sciences 36 quarter credits/24 semester credits UWS recommends a pre-medical foundation as the best preparation for the DC curriculum. Such courses typically include a full year sequence of biology, general chemistry, organic and/or biochemistry, and physics with related labs.
Lab 18 quarter credits/12 semester credits Lab credits can fall anywhere within the 135 quarter credit / 90 semester credit minimum.
Major Although the majority of UWS DC students have completed undergraduate programs in biology, chemistry, kinesiology or zoology, there is no "best" major for continuing on into chiropractic study. Your choice of major should be guided primarily by your own intellectual interests and aptitudes.
Canadian and International Students credit conversion Three semester credits is typically equivalent to one half-year course.
Total Credits Required 135 Quarter | 90 Semester
Need Credit?
Prerequisite Fulfillment Program
The UWS pre-professional science program is designed to help prospective students fulfill the academic requirements for entrance into the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
Undergraduate Completion Program
The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology is a degree completion program that is available to all current UWS Doctor of Chiropractic students as well as UWS alumni.
Undergraduate Preparation
The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at University of Western States is a rigorous first-professional doctoral degree program whose graduates are trained as primary care chiropractic physicians. Applicants are expected to have undergraduate preparation similar to that of other professional doctoral health care professions. UWS admission requirements are guided by the academic standards and prerequisites established by the Council on Chiropractic Education. UWS admission requirements also reflect institutional expectations of candidates.

Application process requires:

  • Official transcripts and resume/CV
  • Statement of purpose and supplemental essays
  • Two professional recommendations
  • Personal interview

Doctor of Chiropractic Home

Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) or first professional degree
GPA Requirements:
Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
*Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 but above 2.50 must achieve a median score on the GRE or MAT to qualify.
Concentration Prerequisite Courses
Health and Wellness Promotion biology, anatomy and physiology
Nutrition biology, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, introduction to nutrition
Notes:
Applicant Review
Each applicant will be reviewed individually, taking into consideration academic achievements, professional accomplishments and experience in the field. Applicants with special situations who do not meet the admissions criteria may submit an application and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Technology Requirements
Since this is an online program, you must have access to a reliable computer, basic computer skills and a dependable connection to the Internet.
Need Credit?
Prerequisite Fulfillment Program
The UWS pre-professional science program is designed to help prospective students fulfill the academic requirements for entrance into the Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program.

Our application process requires:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
  • Statement of purpose and supplemental essays 

  • Two letters of recommendation 

  • Resume or CV

Exercise and Sport Science Home

Bachelor of Science in Human Biology

GPA Requirements:
Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above in the DC program to qualify, and also to complete the degree. Transfer credits from prior undergraduate courses will not contribute to the cumulative GPA, unless they are from courses offered through UWS.
Minimum Academic Credits:
The prerequisites for the bachelor’s program are identical to those for the chiropractic program.
Class Standing
A student’s class standing is determined by the total number of transfer credits awarded, not by the number of years of college study or by the completion of an associate degree.
Class Awarded Credits Needed
Freshman 0-44 credits
Sophomore 45-89 credits
Junior 90-134 credits
Senior 135+ credits
Transfer Credit
Up to 135 credits toward the bachelor’s degree are accepted from any regionally-accredited college or university. A maximum of 12 quarter credits of vocational/technical credits are accepted. Credit by examination through testing programs such as CLEP, DANTES, NY Board of Regents College Examination, or college challenge exams are accepted for humanities and social science credits. These credits must be listed on a transcript from an institution with regional accreditation. The following types of credit are not accepted toward the degree:
  • Courses numbered below college level (e.g., remedial courses or courses below 100 in the course numbering system)
  • Repeated courses
  • Courses completed at an institution that is not regionally-accredited
  • Courses taken as non-credit
  • ESL courses not completed at a regionally-accredited institution
  • Continuing Education courses
Academic Standing
A student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the completion of the BS degree requirements to be eligible to receive the degree. Transfer credits from prior undergraduate courses will not contribute to the cumulative GPA, unless they are from courses offered through UWS (e.g., online undergraduate courses, courses from the massage program). For current chiropractic program students, continuing enrollment in the BS program is contingent upon eligibility for continuing enrollment in the DC program through the first five quarters of the program. Students transferring to UWS from another chiropractic or health-professions school who apply to the bachelor’s program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Residency Requirement
Students must complete at least the last 25 percent of the credits for the degree while in residence as a matriculated student at UWS.
UWS Alumni
BS degree applications submitted by UWS DC program alumni will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Graduates who have not completed the evidence-informed practice course sequence will be required to take additional courses in order to meet the learning objectives of the program. These additional courses are biostatistics, baccalaureate writing preparation, and the baccalaureate project preparation seminars.
These courses must be taken in sequence except for biostatistics, which can be taken at any time. These additional courses are graded on a Pass/No Pass basis. These courses can be completed from a distance and take approximately 6 to 12 months to complete. Students can enroll in fall, winter, spring, or summer.
It is possible to be exempt from the biostatistics course if an elementary statistics course was taken at another regionally-accredited institution and passed with a C or better and was not used to fulfill the physics requirement for entry into the chiropractic program. The other courses must be completed through UWS.

Human Biology Home

Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) or first professional degree
GPA Requirements:
Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
*Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Required Course Minimum Considerations
biology one course Get your prerequisites done faster and more affordably with StraighterLine.
physiology or anatomy and physiology one course Get your prerequisites done faster and more affordably with StraighterLine.
biochemistry one course UWS offers a course in biochemistry to fulfill this prerequisite.
nutrition one course Waived if you have a background in the health care field.
medical terminology one course Waived if you have a background in the health care field.
*For each prerequisite, labs are not a requirement for entry.
Notes:
Applicant Review
Applicants with special situations who do not meet these criteria may submit an application and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Technology Requirements
Since this is an online program, you must have access to a reliable computer, basic computer skills and a dependable connection to the Internet.
Application Schedule
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interested students should contact an advisor as soon as possible to secure priority admissions consideration.
Need Credit?
Prerequisite Fulfillment Program
The UWS pre-professional science program is designed to help prospective students fulfill the academic requirements for entrance into the Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program.

Application process requires:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
  • Current resume or CV
  • Statement of purpose/supplemental questions 

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal interview (over the phone or in person) 


Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine Home

Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine

Minimum Education:
Master’s or Doctoral degree in a health care discipline (DC, ND, MD, DO, NP, PA, etc.)
Required Course Minimum Considerations
biology one course Get your prerequisites done faster and more affordably with StraighterLine.
physiology or anatomy and physiology one course Get your prerequisites done faster and more affordably with StraighterLine.
biochemistry one course UWS offers a course in biochemistry to fulfill this prerequisite.
nutrition one course Waived if you have a background in the health care field.
medical terminology one course Waived if you have a background in the health care field.
Technology Requirements
Since this is an online program, you must have access to a reliable computer, basic computer skills and a dependable connection to the Internet.

Application process requires:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities 

  • Current resume or CV
  • Statement of purpose/supplemental questions
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal interview (over the phone or in person) 


Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine Home

Certificate in Massage Therapy

Minimum Education:
High school diploma, its foreign equivalent or a General Educational Development diploma (GED) by the start of the program 

GPA Requirements:
UWS enrolls students with a wide variety of educational experiences therefore, it is recommended that applicants have at least a 2.0 GPA in their most recent educational setting or a sectional score of 450 or better on their state GED exam. Additionally, for best preparation, UWS recommends high school students complete at least one year of the following high school classes: biology, chemistry, physics and math, through algebra.
Applicants Must:
+ Be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program
+ Be physically able to perform all job duties of a licensed massage therapist (LMT)
Financing and Success:
For more information on program completion, debt and job placement visit www.uws.edu/mt-gedt.

Application process requires:

  • Official high school transcripts or GED 

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended 
colleges and universities
  • Statement of purpose and supplemental essays 

  • One professional recommendation 

  • Interview

Massage Therapy Home

Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) or first professional degree
GPA Requirements:
Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
*Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 but above 2.50 must achieve a median score on the GRE or MAT to qualify.
Applicant Review
Each applicant will be reviewed individually, taking into consideration academic achievements, professional accomplishments and experience in the field. Applicants with special situations who do not meet the admissions criteria may submit an application and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Technology Requirements
Since this is an online program, you must have access to a reliable computer, basic computer skills and a dependable connection to the Internet.

Application process requires:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
  • Personal statement 

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV

Sport and Performance Psychology Home

Doctor of Education (EdD) in Sport and Performance Psychology

Minimum Education:
Master’s degree (or baccalaureate degree for dually enrolled MS-EdD students) from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent)
GPA Requirements:
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required based on the student’s GPA.
Additional Admission Requirements for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization
Each applicant for the clinical mental health concentration is reviewed holistically to take into consideration personal and professional experience and accomplishments that support the student’s preparedness, suitability and mental fitness for the counseling profession.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Clear a comprehensive background check
• Interview with program director or clinical faculty • Submit an acceptable, original essay on how s/he would apply the knowledge, skills, practices, and ethical standards of the counseling professions including empowerment, resilience, optimal development, multicultural competence, and holism to promote the wellbeing of individuals, families, groups, and the diverse systems that support them.
Applicant Review
Each applicant will be reviewed individually, taking into consideration academic achievements, professional accomplishments and experience in the field. Applicants with special situations who do not meet the admissions criteria may submit an application and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Technology Requirements
Since this is an online program, you must have access to a reliable computer, basic computer skills and a dependable connection to the Internet.
Technical Standards and Required Abilities
UWS requires students to demonstrate the physical, cognitive, emotional, professional and social capacity to be a competent practitioner in respective course of study. Applicants should review Policy 1206 Technical Standards to determine whether they are able to meet the standards of the program in which they intend to enroll with or without reasonable accommodations. If students demonstrate documented need for accommodation in any of these areas, the university will determine the extent to which it can reasonably accommodate the student’s needs. Regardless of disability status or accommodation, all students must successfully complete the requirements of their program to earn the degree.

Application process requires:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
  • Personal statement 

  • Two letters of recommendation 

  • Resume or CV 


Sport and Performance Psychology Home

Sport and Performance Psychology Graduate Certificates

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) or first professional degree
GPA Requirements:
Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
*Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 but above 2.50 must achieve a median score on the GRE or MAT to qualify.
Technology Requirements
Since this is an online program, you must have access to a reliable computer, basic computer skills and a dependable connection to the Internet.

Application process requires:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
  • Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation 

  • Resume or CV 


Sport and Performance Psychology Home

Master of Science in Sports Medicine

Minimum Experience:
A first-professional degree and practice in a field of health care including but not limited to neuromuscular diagnosis/treatment, biomechanics, soft tissue therapies/rehab or physiological therapeutics or coursework equivalent to at least 23.5 quarter credits or 16 semester credits.
Minimum Education:
A Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) and 6th quarter (4th semester) status or above in a first professional health care degree program that includes coursework similar to what is stated above.
GPA Requirements:
Minimum 2.5 GPA in health care degree program, including UWS DC program.
Applicant Review
Each applicant will be reviewed individually, taking into consideration academic achievements, professional accomplishments and experience in the field.
Need Credit?
Prerequisite Fulfillment Program
The UWS pre-professional science program is designed to help prospective students fulfill the academic requirements for entrance into the Sports Medicine program.

Our application process requires:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities 

  • Statement of purpose and supplemental essays 

  • Two letters of recommendation 

  • Resume or CV 

  • Attend an on-campus informational session or participate in an in-person or telephone interview

Sports Medicine Home