2024-2025 University Catalog

Northwestern Health Sciences University

For more than 75 years, Northwestern Health Sciences University has been building an international reputation for excellence in professional education, patient care, clinical research and community engagement. Our University is committed to providing students with individual attention from an outstanding faculty and staff; with a rigorous, well-rounded curriculum; and with hands-on clinical training designed to prepare students to become skilled, knowledgeable health care providers.

Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) was organized in 1999 to provide education, research, clinical care and community service in natural health care disciplines. NWHSU offers its students leadership in educational program standards, a commitment to limited enrollment and an emphasis on ethical, successful practice. The University accepts the challenge of extending this leadership role to meet its new and broader mission and purposes.

Many faculty members and instructors are active health care practitioners, blending real-world experiences with technique and skill in the classroom and lab.

As you explore NWHSU you’ll discover an exceptional educational experience and an unwavering commitment to excellence embodied in our students, faculty and staff.

Our Mission

Northwestern Health Sciences University prepares the next generation of health care professionals to deliver and advance health care.

Our Vision

We are a premier health sciences university creating a healthier world. Live, Learn, Serve Healthy!

Our Values 

• Accountability

• Collaboration

• Excellence

• Innovation

• Respect

• Service

 

Our Promises

  • We cultivate caring and are by nature invested in the personal success and well-being of others.
  • We listen deeply and with open minds to fully appreciate other perspectives.
  • We look beyond symptoms to understand cause, then co-create solutions.
  • We embody integrity and innovation; blending mastery with forward thinking.
  • We practice intellectual humility and continuously engage in learning.
  • We bridge the worlds of seen and unseen, of knowledge and action, of past and future.
  • We foster physical, spiritual, and emotional health in ourselves and others.
  • We bring generosity of spirit to our work and take joy in what we do together.
  • We are united in purpose; earning one another’s trust and respectful of our differences

Message from the President

 

President Bushway Framed

 

Welcome to Northwestern Health Sciences University! We're so glad you've chosen our university to further your education in health care.

Our mission is to prepare the next generation of health care providers, and we believe that our communities need the sort of expertise you will develop with us to address our nation's health crises. At Northwestern Health Sciences University, you will receive an evidence-based education grounded in sciences, learn in a community of passionate healers, be exposed to cutting edge practices in integrative healthcare and gain hands-on clinical experience.

We invite you to consider all of our academic programs within our three colleges: the College of Health and Wellness, College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and the College of Chiropractic. We're confident you'll find the academic rigor within our curricula that will lead to a comprehensive education in health sciences.

Graduating from NWHSU prepares you for a future in your chosen field, whether your goal is to work in a clinic, in a larger organization, or to open your own practice. You will get an immediately useful health sciences education from dedicated people working in the fastest-growing fields of health care.

This education is transformational, both for you as an individual and the patients you will treat in our clinics, our community, and around the world. By the time you earn your degree, you will already be a skilled, well-rounded experienced healthcare provider, ready to provide outstanding patient care.

You have an important role to play in the future of person-centered healthcare. I hope you will join us. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Deborah Bushway, Ph.D.

President and CEO

 

General Information

Admissions:

The Office of Admissions

Northwestern Health Sciences University

2501 West 84th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55431

Telephone: (952/800) 888-4777, ext. 409

FAX: (952) 888-6713

Email: admit@nwhealth.edu

Website: www.nwhealth.edu

 

University Facilities

The University’s principal facility resides on a 25-acre site in Bloomington, Minnesota. The 300,000-square-foot facility includes ten lecture halls, biological science laboratories, methods laboratories, library, computer labs, athletic facilities, auditorium, cafeteria and three clinical environments. The University maintains additional clinical facilities around the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

 

Accreditation, Approvals and Legal Status

Northwestern Health Sciences University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at Northwestern Health Sciences University is awarded programmatic accreditation by The Council on Chiropractic Education, 10105 E. Via Linda, Suite 103 - 3642, Scottsdale, AZ, 85258-4321, Phone: (480) 443-8877, Website: www.cce-usa.org.

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM)
The following programs offered by Northwestern Health Sciences University are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):

(1) Master of Acupuncture and (2) Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization, including a Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization degree completion track.

Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.

ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level. ACAHM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone 952/212-2434; https://acahm.org/

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
The Massage Therapy Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). 

900 Commonwealth Place
Ste 200-331

Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Phone: (202) 888-6790 

Web: comta.org 

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
The Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
email: mail@jrcert.org

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
The Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N River Road
Suite 720
Rosemount, IL  60018
773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Web: naacls.org

 

National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)

The Integrative Health and Wellbeing Coaching Curriculum is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. Completers of this program are eligible to apply for the HWC Certifying Examination to become National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC).

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Northwestern Health Sciences University is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to Minnesota Statutes sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education

1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350

Saint Paul, MN 55108-5227

Phone: (651) 642-0567

Fax: (651) 657-3866

Web: www.ohe.state.mn.us

 

Minnesota State Approving Agency

The Minnesota State Approving Agency has approved Northwestern Health Sciences University for Veterans' education benefits. Northwestern Health Sciences University is a private, not-for-profit corporation under articles and bylaws registered with the State of Minnesota, Office of the Secretary of State. The University is qualified as a 501C (3) tax-exempt organization with the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of Treasury. 501C (3) status is reserved for organizations operating for educational, religious or charitable purposes.

 

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Northwestern Health Sciences University has been approved by the state of Minnesota to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). The NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Learn more about the NC-SARA and their mission by visiting their website at nc-sara.org.

 

Program Changes

Northwestern Health Sciences University reserves the right to change or discontinue academic programs at the University’s discretion.

Academic Calendar

 

                                                                          NWHSU Horizontal Logo

 

 

2024-2025 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

FALL TERM 2024: September 4 to December 17, 2024

 Date  Day  Milestone
 September 2, 2024  Monday Holiday-Labor Day (Campus Closed)
 September 3, 2024 Tuesday New Student Orientation 
 September 4, 2024 Wednesday Full-Term, Online Programs Session A & Accelerated Session 1 Begin
 September 27, 2024 Friday Incomplete Grades from Summer 2024 turn into Failing Grades
 October 14, 2024 Monday Holiday-Indigenous Peoples Day (Campus Closed)
 October 22, 2024 Tuesday Online Programs Session A & Accelerated Session 1 End
 October 30, 2024 Wednesday Online Programs Session B & Accelerated Session 2 Begin
 November 28-29 Thurs-Fri Holiday-Thanksgiving (Campus Closed)
 December 13, 2024 Friday Full-Term Classes End
 December 14, 2024 Saturday University Commencement
 December 17, 2024 Tuesday Last Day of Term. Online Programs Session B & Accelerated Session 2 End

 

  WINTER TERM 2025: January 8 to April 22, 2025

Date Day Milestone
January 1, 2025 Wednesday Holiday-New Year's Day (Campus Closed)
January 7, 2025 Tuesday New Student Orientation
January 8, 2025 Wednesday Full Term, Online Programs Session A & Accelerate Session 1 Begin
January 20, 2025 Monday Holiday-Martin Luther King Day (Campus Closed)
January 31, 2025  Friday Incomplete Grades from Fall 2024 turn into Failing Grades
February 17, 2025  Monday Holiday-President's Day (Campus Closed)
February 25, 2025 Tuesday Online Programs Session A & Accelerate Session 1 Ends
March 5, 2025  Wednesday Online Programs Session B & Accelerate Session 2 Begin
April 12, 2025 Saturday University Commencement
April 18, 2025 Friday Full-Term Classes End
April 22, 2025 Tuesday Last Day of Term. Online Programs Sessions B & Accelerated Session 2 End

 

SUMMER TERM 2025: May 7 to August 19, 2025

Date Day Milestone
May 6, 2025 Tuesday New Student Orientation
May 7, 2025  Wednesday Full Term & Online Programs Session A Begin
May 26, 2025 Monday Holiday-Memorial Day (Campus Closed)
May 27, 2025 Tuesday New Student Orientation 2nd Summer Start. Second Summer Start Chiro T1, PBPH, BS in HB & Accelerated Session 1 Begin
May 30, 2025 Friday Incomplete Grades from Winter 2025 turn into Failing Grades
June 19, 2025 Thursday Holiday-Juneteenth (Campus Closed)
June 24, 2025  Tuesday Online Programs Session A Ends
July 2, 2025 Wednesday Online Program Session B Begin
July 4, 2025 Friday Holiday-Independence Day (Campus Closed)
July 8, 2025 Tuesday Accelerated Session 1 Ends
July 10, 2025 Thursday Accelerated Session 2 Begins
August 15, 2025 Friday Full-Term, Chiro T1, PBPH, BS in HB Courses End
August 16, 2025  Saturday University Commencement
August 19, 2025 Tuesday Last day of Term. Online Programs Session B & Accelerated Session 2 End