University of Western States: A Leader in Integrated Health Sciences Education

The University of Western States (UWS), located in Portland, Oregon, stands as a distinguished institution at the forefront of integrated health sciences education. Since its establishment in 1904, UWS has been dedicated to advancing the science and art of health care through excellence in education and patient care. This commitment is reflected in its comprehensive curriculum, evidence-informed practices, and focus on whole-person care.

A Legacy of Leadership in Chiropractic Education

Founded as the second oldest chiropractic educational program globally, UWS has a rich history of shaping the field. The university's four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree program remains a cornerstone of its academic offerings, upholding a tradition of evidence-based, whole-person care. UWS is known for its evidence-informed approach to whole-person care that combines research, strong academics and the inclusion of the practitioner’s knowledge and the patient’s or client’s personal experience in pursuing courses of treatment and evolving the way health care is administered.

Diverse Academic Programs

Beyond its renowned chiropractic program, UWS offers a range of master's and graduate certificate programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the health care industry. These programs include:

Sports Medicine: The Master of Science in Sports Medicine program is tailored for health care providers seeking specialized knowledge and skills to work with athletes and active populations.
Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine (HNFM): This program provides in-depth knowledge of nutrition and functional medicine principles.
Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP): This program focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of athletic performance.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC): This program prepares students to provide mental health services in various clinical settings.
Occupational Therapy: UWS offers a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, blending clinical expertise with innovative teaching.

UWS also offers a pre-professional science program. The pre-professional science program is a 100 % online undergraduate prerequisite fulfillment program that provide students with knowledge, skills and abilities to get started in an integrative health care professional degree program. The pre-professional science program is 100% online, which offers many advantages including schedule flexibility. The UWS library provides remote access to a wide range of full-text articles and other learning tools so online students can utilize the same resources as on-campus students. New courses are added periodically, so check back often for an updated list. Special arrangements can be made for students who need less than the number of credits indicated for each course.

Master of Science in Sports Medicine: Enhancing Skills for Athlete Care

The Master of Science in Sports Medicine program at UWS is designed for health care providers seeking specialization and enhancement of their skills and knowledge to better work with athletes and active populations. The education attained through this degree allows for opportunities in the sports industry and enhances a provider’s skills, knowledge and marketability to active and athletic populations. The degree is designed for first-professional health care degree holders, or students working toward their first professional health care degree, to build upon existing knowledge of key sports medicine content areas, such as anatomy, physiology, assessment, rehabilitation, exercise sciences and others. The skills gained in the program will also allow graduates to better integrate with sports medicine health care teams and providers. Students all take 14 core courses within the sports medicine program and then choose either the high-performance leadership or the performance nutrition concentration. Concurrent chiropractic students do not choose a concentration. They complete the masters in sports medicine with dually attributed chiropractic coursework. The MS sports medicine performance nutrition concentration guides in-depth learning related to the dietary and nutritional assessment approaches for athletic populations that optimize performance, health and recovery.

Offered primarily online, this program also requires one extended weekend hands-on lab session at the UWS campus in Portland, Oregon. Please note that the MS in sports medicine program does NOT grant professional licensure or professional certification at a state, provincial, or national level. Students and graduates of the sports medicine program are advised to contact their local, state, provincial, or national governing entity to determine what skills and scope-of-practice requirements are legal under the student or provider’s scope of practice. Yes, the UWS online classes are conducted collaboratively and dynamically, and students can schedule video calls with an instructor if they need individual time.

Concurrent Enrollment for Chiropractic Students

Yes, UWS chiropractic students can concurrently enroll in the online sports medicine degree program, which allows them to save time and money. If a student enrolls in the master’s in sports medicine program in the 6th quarter, they can finish both the chiropractic and sports medicine programs together in three years. Current UWS chiropractic students who have earned a bachelor’s degree 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. For current UWS chiropractic students, prerequisites include earning a bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) and being in the 5th quarter to apply for the sports medicine program in the 6th quarter. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA or above in the DC program and have credits of work in human anatomy/physiology.

Practical Experiences in Sports Medicine

Practical experiences in the master’s in sports medicine program at UWS are delivered through hands-on field experiences with a variety of sports and organizations. The program places importance on real-world application and adheres to high standards of safety for patients and the community. Specifically, an extended weekend lab session is required at the UWS campus in Portland, Oregon halfway through the program. Additionally, students will complete four credit hours of practicum experiences either through UWS-provided sites or a self-selected site that meets program requirements. UWS online programs are global, accommodating instructors and students from all over the world. To account for varied time zones, all class lectures, including live-streamed ones, as well as special events like expert guest lectures, are always recorded. This ensures that students can access them at a time most convenient to their schedules. These recorded lectures are available via Canvas Studio, a tool specifically designed for student learning.

Accreditation and Recognition

University of Western States is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at University of Western States is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Program was approved by The Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).

Campus Life and Student Services

The University of Western States main campus is located in a bustling neighborhood, 15 minutes from downtown Portland and close to public transportation at 8000 NE Tillamook Street. The neighborhood, Madison South, offers a lively atmosphere and borders the neighborhoods of Sumner, Roseway, Parkrose, Cully, Montavilla and Rose City. Some landmarks and attractions near to campus include the Grotto, Rocky Butte Natural Area, Rose City Golf Course, and Madison High School - as well as many restaurants and coffee shops. The main campus is served by a TriMet bus stop adjacent to the site and a MAX Light Rail Station within one-quarter mile. It is also on the Tillamook Neighborhood Greenway bike route.

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Student Services

The office of student services helps all UWS students pursue academic excellence and cultivate meaningful communities by supporting co-curricular service and wellness activities. The office of student services provides tutoring, counseling, accessibility services, operates the campus testing center and serves as the liaison between the associated student body (ASB) and the university administration.

Library Services

UWS LibraryAccessMedicineDynamedMEDLINE Complete houses bibliographic information and full-text journals pertaining to research on biomedicine, pre-clinical sciences, behavioral sciences, bioengineering, health policy development, and life science. RefWorks Library Databases at UWS Medical services.

Health Services

Health Centers of UWS is the clinic system that operates in conjunction with the university. There are four locations throughout the Portland area, all offering whole-person, conservative health care, including chiropractic, massage therapy and functional medicine. There is also a diagnostic imaging clinic within the Campus Health Center that takes multiple types of insurance.

Sports and Recreation

The University of Western States fitness center is open to all students and employees. The 4,000 square foot space is outfitted with cardio and strength training equipment, as well as day-use locker rooms with shower facilities. The campus houses a meditation room University of Western States encourages students to support healthy behaviors. Each quarter students can be reimbursed $20 for participating in a physical wellness activity. It can be an exercise class, wellness event, run, gym membership or team event.

Student Clubs

The Canadian Chiropractic Club Student Alliance for Integrative Medicine (SAIM)Soccer Club Yoga ClubAssociated Student Body.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Clinical Education and Community Engagement

UWS plays a crucial role in addressing the health care challenges faced by the Portland community. The university is committed to providing high-quality care at little or no cost for underserved Portland communities.

Community-Based Clinical Education

UWS students participate in an on-campus clinical rotation followed by a nine-month Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE) program. This program allows students to gain experience in diverse clinical settings. The support from UWS doesn’t stop at coursework either. “We provide support for students prior to their clinical experience, as well as during and after,” Dr. Battaglia says. This includes help with the relocation process, arranging access to emergency contacts, and onboarding.

Preparing Students for Success

The office of career and professional development at UWS offers resources to students and alumni related to business success in their chosen field. We have refined these services over the years and continue to solicit feedback to meet the needs of both current students and alumni. We provide structured assistance to empower students and alumni to reach their professional goals.

A Vision for the Future

The University aims to advance the science and art of integrated health care through excellence in education and patient care. The vision is that quality of life and wellness are advanced through transformative education and health care. Located just minutes from downtown Portland, the University of Western States campus combines academic excellence with the vibrant culture of the Pacific Northwest. For more than a century, University of Western States has been at the forefront of emerging, whole-person health sciences education. As home to our accredited university, our Portland campus offers a range of graduate programs designed to prepare future leaders in chiropractic, functional medicine, sports medicine, naturopathic medicine, clinical mental health counseling, and occupational therapy.

Visiting the Campus

A UWS campus tour is a great way to experience university life and see firsthand what awaits you at UWS. The office of alumni relations would love to offer you a personalized tour of the new campus. Your visit will include a first hand look at clinics, classrooms, the library, the fitness center, common study areas, and more. When you arrive on the UWS campus, you may park in any Visitor parking spot, then enter the building through the main entrance at the center of campus. Once inside, please check in at the front desk at the top of the stairs. Weather in Portland, Oregon, can be variable. During extreme weather conditions, please visit the UWS homepage to ensure the campus is open.

Portland: A Vibrant City for Learning

Portland is an amazing and unique place known for its eclectic food scene and beautiful scenery for outdoor adventures. The city offers a welcoming and inspiring environment that complements your academic journey. It is well-known for its parks, bridges, and active citizens, as well as for its eco-friendliness, microbreweries, and coffeehouses. Portland is also one of the only cities in the world to host a medical school, a naturopathic college, a chiropractic college, and a college of oriental medicine. With a population of more than 600,000, its residents experience the cultural advantages of a major city, but with small-town charm.

Getting to UWS

By Air: Portland International Airport (PDX) is a short 10 minute drive from the UWS campus.
By Train: Portland’s Union Station is located in downtown Portland and is about 15 minutes away from the UWS campus.
By Bus/MAX Rail: The main campus is served by a TriMet bus stop adjacent to the site and a MAX Light Rail Station within one-quarter mile.

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