University of Western States

What is the history of University of Western States?

University of Western States (UWS) traces its history to 1904 and has long been associated with chiropractic education. Its development from a chiropractic-focused institution into a university offering additional health-related graduate programs explains its specialized identity today.

The institution was formerly known as Western States Chiropractic College. Its current name reflects a broader academic portfolio that includes fields such as clinical mental health counseling, nutrition and sport and performance psychology. UWS is not a conventional four-year college with a wide range of undergraduate majors; applicants should evaluate it primarily as a health-professions university.

What are the faculties and departments at University of Western States?

UWS organizes its academics around health and human-performance programs rather than a broad set of liberal arts colleges. Its best-known professional credential is the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

Other program areas include human nutrition and functional medicine, clinical mental health counseling, sports medicine, and sport and performance psychology. Credentials and delivery formats differ by program: a clinical doctorate has different prerequisites and in-person training demands from a master's program with online coursework. Applicants should use the catalog for their intended program to check its current degree title, required clinical experiences and state-specific professional requirements.

What is the location of University of Western States?

University of Western States is in Portland, Oregon. Its location matters most to students whose programs require campus instruction, laboratory work or supervised clinical training; students in online programs may have a different relationship with the campus.

Portland is an urban area with public transportation and a regional health-care workforce. A prospective commuter should check the address and schedule for their particular classes or clinical placement rather than assume that every activity occurs at one site. Portland International Airport is the nearest major airport for students traveling to the city.

What is the mission and vision of University of Western States?

UWS presents its educational purpose in terms of health-professions training, patient care and an integrated approach to health. That stated focus is consistent with its concentration in chiropractic and related disciplines.

Prospective students can assess what that philosophy means in practice by examining a program's curriculum: how it teaches evidence appraisal, the scope of clinical training and how it addresses collaboration with other health professionals. A mission statement describes institutional priorities; it does not, by itself, establish the effectiveness of a treatment or the quality of an individual program.