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.
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.
Message from the President
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, 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 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 any of 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. We welcome you to our community.
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: 952-885-5409
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 four 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.
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
(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
500 Lake Street, Suite 204
Excelsior, MN
Phone: (952) 212-2434
Website: https://acahm.org/
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
The Massage Therapy Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
900 Commonwealth Place
Ste 200-331
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Phone: (202) 888-6790
Website: 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
JCERT
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
Website: 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
Website: 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
2026-2027 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
FALL TERM 2026: September 9 to December 22, 2026
| Date |
Day |
Milestone
|
| September 7 |
Monday |
Holiday - Labor Day (No Classes) |
| September 8 |
Tuesday |
New Student Orientation |
| September 9 |
Wednesday |
Full Term, Online Programs Session A & Accelerated Session 1 Begin |
| October 2 |
Friday |
Incomplete Grades for Summer 2026 turn into Failing Grades |
| October 12 |
Monday |
Holiday - Indigenous Peoples Day (No Classes) |
| October 27 |
Tuesday |
Online Programs Session A & Accelerated Session 1 End |
| November 4 |
Wednesday |
Online Programs Session B & Accelerated Session 2 Begin |
| November 26-27 |
Thurs-Fri |
Holiday - Thanksgiving (No Classes) |
| December 18 |
Friday |
Full-Term Classes End |
| December 19 |
Saturday |
University Commencement |
| December 22 |
Tuesday |
Last day of Term. Online Programs Sessions B & Accelerated Session 2 End |
WINTER TERM 2027: January 6 to April 20, 2027
| Date |
Day |
Milestone |
| January 1 |
Friday |
Holiday - New Year's Day (No Classes) |
| January 5 |
Tuesday |
New Student Orientation |
| January 6 |
Wednesday |
Full Term, Online Programs Session A & Accelerated Session 1 Begin |
| January 18 |
Monday |
Holiday - Martin Luther King Day (No Classes) |
| January 29 |
Friday |
Incomplete Grades from Fall 2026 turn into Failing Grades |
| February 15 |
Monday |
Holiday - President's Day (No Classes) |
| February 23 |
Tuesday |
Online Programs Session A & Accelerated Session 1 End |
| March 3 |
Wednesday |
Online Programs Session B & Accelerated Session 2 Begin |
| April 16 |
Friday |
Full-Term Classes End |
| April 17 |
Saturday |
University Commencement |
| April 20 |
Tuesday |
Last day of Term. Online Programs Sessions B & Accelerated Session 2 End |
SUMMER TERM 2027: May 5 to August 17, 2027
| Date |
Day |
Milestone |
| May 4 |
Tuesday |
New Student Orientation |
| May 5 |
Wednesday |
Full Term & Online Programs Session A Begin |
| May 25 |
Tuesday |
New Student Orientation 2nd Summer Start.
Second Summer Start Chiro T1, PBPH, BS in HB & Accelerated Session 1 Begin
|
| May 28 |
Friday |
Incomplete Grades from Winter 2027 turn into Failing Grades |
| May 31 |
Monday |
Holiday - Memorial Day (No Classes) |
| June 18 |
Friday |
Holiday - Juneteenth (No Classes) |
| June 22 |
Tuesday |
Online Programs Session A Ends |
| June 30 |
Wednesday |
Online Programs Session B Begins |
| July 5 |
Monday |
Holiday - Independence Day (No Classes) |
| July 7 |
Wednesday |
Accelerated Session 1 Ends |
| July 8 |
Thursday |
Accelerated Session 2 Begins |
| August 13 |
Friday |
Full-Term, Chiro T1, PBPH, BS in HB Courses End |
| August 17 |
Tuesday |
Last day of Term. Online Programs Sessions B & Accelerated Session 2 End |