Canadian Students
Students from across Canada choose University of Western States to receive a rigorous, evidence-based health sciences education relatively close to home.
Your Future Starts in the States
Whether studying online or abroad at our campus in Portland, Oregon, UWS offers Canadian students like you a life-changing academic opportunity backed by more than 120 years of experience.
Our Canadian Community
Our largest international demographic, Canadians represent roughly 35% of UWS’ entire student population.
Practical Training Opportunities
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows you to train with an employer that relates directly to your chosen field of study. CPT is an integral component of your curriculum and occurs before the end of your program. Training must take place at an authorized training site in the U.S. through our Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE) program.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and allows you to remain in the U.S. for up to 12 months after graduation for additional training related directly to your chosen field of study. You may also elect to do OPT during the program.
The STEM-Designated OPT Extension allows students who earned a B.S. in Human Biology degree from UWS to extend their student visa for an additional 24 months after the initial 12 months of OPT has finished.
Our chiropractic students also consistently perform well on exams administered by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB).
Learn more about these practical training opportunities at studyinthestates.dhs.gov.
Licensure in Canada
The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree program is designed to provide education sufficient for licensure in all U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and other foreign jurisdictions.
Each state and Canadian province has their own unique licensure requirements and scope-of-practice regulations. It is your responsibility to carefully review these requirements and regulations before pursuing licensure in your chosen geographic location.
Our Programs
Each program at UWS is built on a foundation of evidence-based practice, scientific research, and a culture of continuous innovation.
Doctor of Chiropractic
The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program is a rigorous yet streamlined doctoral degree program that prepares you for professional licensure in just three years. The DC program is one of the most popular choices for our Canadian students.
Graduate Programs
We offer a diverse range of graduate programs designed to prepare you for careers in health care, nutrition, counseling, and human performance. Many programs are available in online or hybrid formats.
Applying to UWS
Applying to University of Western States is a straightforward process, and our admissions team is here to support you every step of the way. Canadian students follow the same general application process as domestic students, with a few additional considerations for international documentation.
Follow these simple steps below to begin your application
Request Information
Review Requirements
Apply Online
Submit Supporting Documentation
Canadian Applicant Benefits:
- Transcript Evaluation: Transcripts from Canadian institutions are typically evaluated internally by UWS, allowing you to avoid the time and cost of using a third-party credential evaluation service.
- English Proficiency: If you completed your education at an English-language institution, you may not need to submit an English proficiency test.
- Student Entry Process: Unlike other international students, you don’t need to attend a U.S. consulate interview when entering the United States for study.
Canadian Student Aid and Scholarships
Many Canadian students fund their education through a combination of provincial student aid, professional student lines of credit, and scholarships. Depending on your program and province of residence, you may be eligible for Canadian government student loans, private funding, or institutional scholarships to help support your studies.
Northern Advantage Scholarship
The Northern Advantage Scholarship provides an accessible and affordable education at UWS for Canadian students. Eligible full-time Canadian international students may receive a 25% discount applied to their tuition each term if they maintain good academic standing while enrolled at University of Western States.
Learn more about international student aid, the Northern Advantage Scholarship, and other opportunities that may be available to you with the buttons below.
Housing in Portland
Finding the perfect place to live is an exciting part of relocating to Portland for your studies. While we do not offer on-campus housing, students discover plenty of apartments, shared housing, or rental homes in welcoming neighborhoods all around campus.
Visit the Portland page for more resources and housing guidance.
Studying in the United States
If you plan to study on campus at University of Western States, you will enter the United States with F-1 student status, which allows international students to study in the country.
If you are coming from Canada, the process is similar to that of other international students, with one important difference: you do not need to attend a visa interview at a U.S. consulate or obtain an F-1 visa stamp before entering the United States. The sections below explain what to expect as you prepare to study in the United States.
Once you are admitted to an eligible on-campus program and submit the required financial documentation, UWS will issue your Form I-20, an official document required for international students studying in the United States.
You will need to provide proof of financial support for at least one academic year of study, which may include:
- Bank statements or letters from a financial institution
- Proof of a line of credit
- Scholarship award letters
- Government or provincial financial aid documentation
- Financial sponsorship documentation from a parent or sponsor
After all required documents are received and processed, UWS will issue your I-20 and send it to you so you can prepare for entry into the United States.
Canadian citizens do not need to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or attend a visa interview. Instead, you will present the following documents* when entering the United States:
- Your I-20 form issued by UWS
- Your SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
- A valid passport
You may enter the United States up to 30 days before the start date listed on your I-20. At the port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will review your documents and admit you in F-1 student status.
*We also recommend having your I-20 application, associated financial documents, and acceptance letter on-hand the first time you cross a port of entry.
While studying on campus, you must maintain F-1 student status throughout your program. This includes:
- Enrolling full time each academic term (a minimum of nine credits per quarter)
- Maintaining a valid passport
- Completing your studies by the end date indicated on your I-20 (or applying in advance for an extension if needed)
- Ensuring your I-20 has a valid signature every 10-12 months
- Reporting address changes to the Designated School Official (DSO) within 10 days
- Following all U.S. immigration regulations for international students
UWS’ Designated School Official (DSO) is available to support international students with questions about documentation, travel signatures, and maintaining status while studying in the United States. Contact them at [email protected].
Questions About Studying at UWS?
Our admissions team is happy to help answer any questions you may have about admissions requirements, student visas, or preparing to study at UWS as a Canadian student.