University of Western States

Located in Portland, Oregon, a beautiful city situated in the Pacific Northwest, the area embraces innovative approaches to health and well-being, making it the ideal locale to learn, develop and practice the whole-person health care taught at University of Western States.

Discover a new kind of health sciences education at University of Western States (UWS). Founded in 1904, UWS is an integrated health sciences university with an enduring commitment to educating health care professionals. The university motto, “For the good of the patient” guides every aspect of the institution. UWS is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Why UWS?

Founded in 1904

96.5% of students feel well prepared for patient/client work*

*FY23 Student Feedback Survey Results

Hands-on training with real patients at our Connected Whole Health Clinic

Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

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.

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Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine (CNFM)

UWS offers a Master of Science and a graduate certificate program in clinical 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.
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Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Our Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is an accelerated hybrid educational experience that allows aspiring occupational therapists to jump-start their careers without sacrificing the high-quality training needed to provide exceptional care. Through rigorous coursework, clinical experience, evidence-informed practice, and interprofessional collaboration, students learn to help individuals, groups, and communities develop and maintain the ability to perform everyday activities central to health, identity, and well-being.

We have meticulously designed our curriculum and fieldwork experiences to maximize hands-on learning while minimizing the number of trips students need to make to campus. Our program requires only three on-campus residencies for in-person fieldwork; these are five to seven days in length and take place in the first year of study.
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Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs at University of Western States (UWS) emphasize a systems-based approach in which students consider the influence of families, groups, teams, and organizations on individual mental health and performance.

UWS offers two clinical mental health counseling programs: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Ed.D. in Sport and Performance Psychology: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization.

Graduates from both CMHC programs may earn a Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Certificate upon completion of their degrees.
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Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP)

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.
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Sports Medicine

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.
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Whole-Person Health Education

Passionate about the health sciences field and want to make a true difference in the lives of others? Our meticulously crafted curriculum prepares you to help individuals rebuild their lives, regain independence, and return to the activities that give life meaning.

“I chose UWS based on characteristics that were very important to me. UWS is widely recognized as the most evidence-based chiropractic university in the nation. I wanted to select a university and feel comfortable knowing that I was receiving a sound education and UWS delivers that.”

Isaias Zerufael

Student, Doctor of Chiropractic Program