Explore how Canadian students thrive in UWS chiropractic programs that meet U.S. and Canadian licensure, offering support, training, and global career prep.
Each year, Canadian students enroll at University of Western States (UWS) to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree that prepares them for professional practice in both the United States and Canada. With an accredited curriculum aligned to cross-border regulatory standards, UWS offers a practical pathway for students planning to complete licensure and build careers in Canadian health care systems.
UWS’ Doctor of Chiropractic program emphasizes evidence-informed, patient-centered care while meeting the educational requirements necessary for Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) licensure. For Canadian students seeking broad clinical training and professional flexibility, this approach supports long-term career readiness across jurisdictions.
Explore how UWS empowers Canadian students to turn their goals into meaningful chiropractic careers.
Why Canadian Students Choose UWS for Chiropractic Education
Canadians make up 35% of the UWS student population, choosing to study at UWS due to a combination of program accessibility, licensure alignment, and professional preparation. UWS’ Doctor of Chiropractic program provides a more efficient pathway to licensure, allowing students to complete the program in three years. Canadian programs typically are designed to be completed in four years.
Geographic Access and Program Availability
For students from Western Canada, UWS’ location in Portland, Oregon offers a practical alternative to Canadian chiropractic programs, which are largely concentrated in Eastern Canada. Combined with cross-border accreditation, this proximity allows students to train in the U.S. while preparing for Canadian practice requirements. Additionally, the DC program at UWS has two intakes every year, allowing students more flexibility and access to the program.
Small Cohorts and Faculty Instruction
UWS delivers chiropractic education in small class and lab settings, supporting direct faculty instruction and applied learning. Coursework is grounded in evidence-informed care, with a focus on diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision-making, and patient management. This structure allows students to consistently apply foundational science to clinical scenarios encountered later in training.
“It is a great privilege to be a graduate from such an esteemed educational institute,” says. David Peeace, DC, a 1996 graduate of UWS. “This has instilled in me to give back to our esteemed profession.”
Proven Exam Success and Career Flexibility
UWS has a strong reputation for high board exam pass rates, reflecting the academic rigor and personalized support that prepare students for success. The ability to train in the United States while preparing for licensure in both countries offers unmatched flexibility after graduation. Some students return to Canada to care for their communities, others stay in the U.S. to gain experience, and some go on to practice internationally. See where UWS graduates are practicing around the globe.
A Cross-Border Alumni Network
UWS graduates benefit from a cross-border alumni network in the United States and Canada. For Canadian chiropractors, the network provides practical support during licensure, early career transitions, and practice development. These connections help graduates build professional relationships that support long-term career mobility on either side of the border.
Meeting Canadian Chiropractic Licensure Requirements with UWS
Preparing for licensure in two countries requires early planning and regulatory alignment. UWS’ Doctor of Chiropractic program is structured to support Canadian students throughout this process.
- UWS’ program meets the standards of the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) as well as U.S. regulatory boards, ensuring students are ready for licensure on either side of the border.
- Accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), the program meets educational requirements across all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories.
For Canadian students, this means their academic training aligns with CCEB exam content and competency expectations.
- Core coursework includes anatomy, physiology, neurology, biomechanics, and diagnostic imaging
- Program structure supports eligibility for both U.S. and Canadian licensure exams
- Advisors familiar with Canadian regulatory requirements assist students with exam timelines and documentation
Because licensing requirements vary by province, UWS encourages students to stay informed and connected with their local regulatory bodies. The university’s admissions and advising teams are always available to help interpret requirements and ensure a smooth path to professional practice.
Curriculum and Testing Support
The UWS curriculum is designed to prepare students for clinical practice and board examinations simultaneously.
Students progress through foundational sciences before advancing into technique labs, diagnostic training, and clinical education. All coursework emphasizes evidence-informed practice and clinical applicability.
To support licensure readiness, UWS offers:
- Individualized academic advising
- Small-group exam preparation sessions
- Faculty mentorship for CCEB exam planning and scheduling, helping students stay on track while balancing coursework and clinical training
This combination of rigorous academics and personalized support helps students develop effective study strategies, clinical reasoning skills, and exam readiness prior to graduation.
Hands-On Clinical Training That Prepares Canadian Students to Practice
UWS’s approach to chiropractic education is rooted in experience. Students start gaining practical skills early: first in technique and simulation labs, then through direct patient care.
From Labs to Clinics
Early lab work allows students to build confidence with adjustments and assessments in a low-pressure setting. As they advance, they transition to the university’s on-campus clinic and affiliated health care sites, where they work with real patients under faculty supervision.
Real-World Learning
During clinical training, students treat a wide range of patient presentations under faculty supervision. These experiences support the development of communication skills, diagnostic confidence, and treatment planning, which are essential for independent practice.
Preparation That Travels
Clinical training reflects interdisciplinary and preventive care models common in Canadian health care systems, supporting graduates as they transition back into practice environments across provinces. Canadian students may be able to complete part of their clinical training in Canada. Depending on the province, their clinical training in Canada could be up to nine months.
Resources and Support for Canadian Students at UWS
UWS provides structured support services that address the logistical and regulatory needs of Canadian students.
Admissions, Advising, and Licensure Guidance
Admissions and international student teams assist with visa processes and relocation planning. Academic advisors support course sequencing, exam preparation, and licensure planning specific to Canadian requirements.
Financial Aid and Cross-Border Planning
Financial aid counselors help Canadian students navigate government loan options, UWS scholarships, and external funding sources, providing clarity around tuition and cost planning.
Housing and Student Life Resources
UWS assists students in identifying housing near campus and encourages participation in professional and academic organizations that support networking and career development.
Alumni Network in Canada
Canadian alumni remain engaged with the university through mentorship and professional networking, offering guidance on licensure, clinic development, and career transitions after graduation.
How UWS Graduates Succeed in Canadian Health Care
UWS graduates return to Canada prepared to integrate into a range of chiropractic practice settings. With a strong foundation in evidence-informed practice and patient-centered care, UWS alumni transition smoothly into professional life, whether opening private practices, joining interdisciplinary clinics, or pursuing further research and specialization.
For example, Jennifer Forbes, DC, a 2000 graduate, opened her own clinic in 2002 and now oversees a multidisciplinary practice in British Columbia.
Canadian alumni consistently demonstrate strong CCEB exam performance and report confidence entering practice due to extensive clinical training and academic preparation. Many graduates contribute to community health through patient education, clinic leadership, and professional service.
By combining accredited U.S. training with Canadian licensure preparation, UWS graduates bring adaptable clinical skills and cross-border perspective to the Canadian health care system.
Grow Your Future in Chiropractic Care
For Canadian students, University of Western States offers a clear and practical pathway to chiropractic practice. Through accredited education, structured licensure preparation, and hands-on clinical training, UWS prepares graduates to meet professional standards in both the U.S. and Canada, helping to strengthen access to chiropractic care.
Explore our resource hub for Canadian students at UWS, or learn how UWS can help you prepare for a chiropractic career in Canada and the United States.
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