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.

Non-Discrimination Policy
Pursuant to university Policies 1013 and 2001, 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 and how you can handle inquiries.

Programs

Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Master of Science

GPA Requirements:
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) in completed bachelor’s program.
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
  • A well-written personal statement discussing experiences in and fit for the profession
  • Complete a successful interview (video conference, phone, or face to face) with the director or designee (interview will only be scheduled after applicant has submitted a completed university application meeting the minimum requirements including fee payment)
  • Pass a comprehensive criminal history background check (requirement at admission)

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Home

Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Doctor of Education, Sport and Performance Specialization

GPA Requirements:
Minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA in completed bachelor’s or a cumulative 3.0 GPA in a master’s program.
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
  • A well-written personal statement discussing experiences in and fit for the professions of counseling and sport and performance consulting using a personal, career, or academic experience
  • Complete a successful interview (video conference, phone, or face to face) with the director or designee (interview will only be scheduled after applicant has submitted a completed university application meeting the minimum requirements including fee payment)
  • Pass a comprehensive criminal history background check (requirement at admission)

Doctor of Education - Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Sport and Performance Specialization Home

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
  • 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

Human Biology – Bachelor of Science

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. 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.
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 quarter credits (0-29.3 semester credits)
Sophomore 45-89 credits (30-59.3 semester credits)
Junior 90-134 credits (60 - 89.3 semester credits)
Senior 135+ credits (90+ semester credits)
Transfer Credit
Up to 135 quarter credits (90 semester credits) toward the bachelor’s degree are accepted from any regionally-accredited college or university. A maximum of 12 quarter credits (8 semester 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 25 percent of the 180 credits required 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

Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine – Master of 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 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Required Course Minimum Considerations
biology one course There are a number of places to get your prerequisites done. Contact your advisor for recommendations.
physiology or anatomy and physiology one course There are a number of places to get your prerequisites done. Contact your advisor for recommendations.
biochemistry one course Biochemistry is required to have been successfully completed within eight years of the start of your program. If your biochemistry coursework dates back longer than eight years, you may be required to complete a recent course for college credit. UWS offers a course in biochemistry to fulfill this prerequisite.
nutrition one course Contact your advisor for recommendations.
medical terminology one course Contact your advisor for recommendations.
*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 may 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

Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine – Graduate Certificate

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 There are a number of places to get your prerequisites done. Contact your advisor for recommendations.
physiology or anatomy and physiology one course There are a number of places to get your prerequisites done. Contact your advisor for recommendations.
biochemistry one course Biochemistry is required to have been successfully completed within eight years of the start of your program. If your biochemistry coursework dates back longer than eight years, you may be required to complete a recent course for college credit. UWS offers a course in biochemistry to fulfill this prerequisite.
nutrition one course Contact your advisor for recommendations.
medical terminology one course Contact your advisor for recommendations.
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

Sport and Performance Psychology – Master of Science

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) or first professional degree
GPA Requirements:
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 please contact admissions.
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

Sport and Performance Psychology – Doctor of Education

Minimum Education:
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent)
GPA Requirements:
Minimum GPA in a master’s program of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 please contact admissions.
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 - Doctor of Education Home

Sport and Performance Psychology Graduate Certificates

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) or first professional degree
GPA Requirements:
Minimum GPA in a master’s program of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 please contact admissions.
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

Sports Medicine – Master of Science

Minimum Education:
Current UWS Chiropractic students who have earned a bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) may apply for entry into the master’s in sports medicine during their 5th quarter and start the program in their 6th quarter concurrently with the chiropractic program. Students can graduate with both a DC and master’s in sports medicine degree in three years.
GPA Requirements:
Minimum 2.5 GPA in health care degree program, including a concurrent program such as the UWS DC program.
Minimum Experience
Applicants who are not currently UWS chiropractic students must have a first-professional degree in a field of health care that included coursework equivalent to at least 23.5 quarter credits or 16 semester credits in neuromuscular diagnosis/treatment, biomechanics, soft tissue therapies/rehab or physiological therapeutics.

Applicants who are currently enrolled in the UWS chiropractic program must have a bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) and 6th quarter (4th semester) status or above in the UWS chiropractic program.

Concurrent enrollment may be considered for applicants with a bachelor’s degree who are also enrolled in a first professional health care degree program outside of UWS that includes coursework similar to the content in the first 5 terms of enrollment at in the UWS chiropractic program.
Applicant Review
Each applicant will be reviewed individually, taking into consideration academic achievements, professional accomplishments and experience in the field.

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