UWS is home to the second oldest chiropractic physician program in the world. The doctor of chiropractic program is a rigorous 12 academic-quarter, first-professional doctoral degree offered on campus in Portland, Oregon. The evidence-informed curriculum emphasizes an integrated approach to patient care, preparing students to work with a variety of professionals in the health care field. The program has a clinical component for hands-on experience in the evaluation and care of patients beginning as early as the first quarter.

The doctor of naturopathic medicine (NMD) program at University of Western States (UWS) prepares students to take a holistic and individualized approach to health and healing. 

Graduates learn to consider the whole-person including the patient’s diet, lifestyle, environment, genetics, physical, mental and emotional health, as well as other factors that influence health and well-being.

The inclusion of functional medicine principles in the UWS naturopathic program distinguishes it from other naturopathic programs. Naturopathic medicine and functional medicine are science-based, patient-centered approaches to achieving and maintaining health by addressing the root cause, not just suppressing symptoms.

UWS offers a Master of Science and a graduate certificate program in human nutrition and functional medicine, as well as a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) degree. These programs are offered as a collaborative endeavor between UWS and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the organization that founded and developed many functional medicine concepts in use today. Functional medicine is a science-based, patient-centered approach to achieving and maintaining excellent health through natural methods, with diet and nutrition at the forefront. Founded on a holistic view of health, our functional medicine programs leverage the biochemical and genetic individuality of each patient so that practitioners can treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. The programs are 100% online.

The clinical mental health counseling curriculum is supported by research in the field, evidence-based practices and clinical experiences provided by highly-trained faculty and emphasizes a systems approach in which students consider the influence of families, groups, teams and organizations on individual mental health and performance. UWS offers both a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Doctor of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization. The EdD program is an ideal option for candidates who may be interested in earning their clinical mental health counseling master’s and an EdD in sport and performance psychology in one streamlined program.

Both degrees can be completed fully online with consistent and meaningful contact with faculty and instructors. One of the unique features of these programs is the standardized patient component, which allows students to apply their knowledge in simulated “real-world” scenarios with specially trained actors.

The sport and performance psychology online program is designed to help provide students with the skills in positive and applied sport psychology needed to enhance performance and maximize human potential. The program’s comprehensive curriculum was specifically designed to help students complete the specialized K1-K8 coursework requirements toward becoming Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC®). UWS offers SPP programs at master’s, doctoral and certificate levels, as well as options to specialize in positive coaching, positive leadership and administration, individual studies, and clinical mental health counseling.

The sports medicine master’s program is designed for health care providers seeking specialization in the conditioning and treatment of athletes. Pursuing this degree opens up opportunities in the diverse industry and enhances a provider’s marketability to athletic populations. Students may save time and specialize in the field by completing this degree concurrently with the doctor of chiropractic program.