Northwestern Health Sciences University: A Leader in Integrative Healthcare Education

Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) is a private institution dedicated to creating a healthier world through its person-centered approach to health education and practice. The university offers a diverse range of evidence-informed programs and experiences across the healthcare spectrum, from its roots in chiropractic to acupuncture, massage therapy, and undergraduate health sciences. NWHSU welcomes students considering careers in health sciences, practitioners looking to enhance their skills, and individuals seeking care at one of its multidisciplinary clinics.

A History of Growth and Innovation

Founded in 1941 as Northwestern College of Chiropractic, the university has significantly grown and influenced the practice of natural healthcare in Minnesota and beyond. Dr. John B. founded the college, which was initially housed on the sixth floor of the W. T. Grant Department Store in downtown Minneapolis. Starting with just three students, the college quickly outgrew its space and relocated in 1949 and again in 1974. By 1983, the college had reached capacity, necessitating a new building.

In 1999, Northwestern College of Chiropractic merged with The Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies, founded by Minnesota acupuncture pioneer Edith R. Davis. This merger reflected the university's expanding focus on natural healthcare modalities.

Also, in 1999 the university changed its name to Northwestern Health Sciences University to reflect its new identity as a leader in natural healthcare education, clinical services, and research. And in 2000 the university created the Massage Therapy Program. The Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Program was added in 1999 and the Massage Therapy Program in 2000, making Northwestern Health Sciences University one of the country’s first natural healthcare universities.

Accreditation and Recognition

NWHSU is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university is also pioneering the field of integrative care, creating new and collaborative ways to provide patient-centered care. These relationships have strengthened the quality of NWHSU's academic and research programs.

Academic Programs

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers 11 academic programs that include:

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Chiropractic
Message Therapy
Medical Assisting
Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nutrition
Post Baccalaureate Pre-Health
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Undergraduate Health Sciences

Chiropractic

Founded in 1941, the College of Chiropractic offers a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The full-time day program consists of more than 4,300 credit hours over 10 trimesters and is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education. The college has established a clinical system that includes several natural care centers, more than 150 community-based private-practice clinics, and final-term preceptorship opportunities around the world. The average age of chiropractic students is 25.88.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

The College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is the largest and oldest school in Minnesota offering master's degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. In 1999, the Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies merged with NWHSU, creating the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

The curriculum for the Doctor of Chinese Medicine program provides about 3,000 hours of didactic and clinical instruction in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, and related studies such as Tui Na, Qigong, introductory Chinese language skills and practice management. The program takes three years of full-time enrollment to complete. The curriculum for the Master of Acupuncture program is similar to that of the Chinese medicine program but does not include herbal studies. The average age for acupuncture and Chinese medicine students is 31.69.

Massage Therapy

The School of Massage Therapy is the only massage therapy school in Minnesota to receive accreditation from the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). In 2000, NWHSU created the Massage Therapy Program and graduated its first class in the spring of 2002. The 36-semester credit, 780-hour program emphasizes a foundation in the basic sciences, more than 340 hours of hands-on lab experience, and a structured clinical experience within the School of Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic and other community sites.

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Allied Health Programs and the College of Health and Wellness

In June 2019, NWHSU announced that the Higher Learning Commission approved the transfer of students in the Twin Cities area whose educational plans were interrupted by the sudden closing of Argosy University. The HLC approved accepting students transferring from Argosy in five degree programs:

Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology
Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy
Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology

These five degree programs are now part of NWHSU's curriculum and degree offerings.

Campus and Facilities

Northwestern Health Sciences University is located on a 25-acre campus in suburban Bloomington. The 230,000-square-foot main building was formerly a junior high school but has since been renovated to accommodate the university. It contains laboratories, lecture halls, classrooms, a library, a bookstore, three public clinics, an auditorium, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, a research center, and a swimming pool. Construction projects include the addition of the Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies and the Greenawalt Library.

Student Life

With limited enrollment, NWHSU ensures a small student-to-faculty ratio, providing students a high degree of individual attention by experienced clinical faculty. Currently, 941 students are taking classes at Northwestern. Nine percent of students on campus are a minority or non-resident alien. Currently 56 percent of students are from Minnesota. Other states with a significant number of students attending Northwestern include Wisconsin (13 percent), North Dakota (7.5 percent), South Dakota (5.6 percent), and Iowa (3 percent).

Northwestern Health Sciences University has numerous student clubs and organizations, comprising groups of students who share a common interest, either social or professional. The organizations reflect a wide range of interests, including an array of professional, political, social, and recreational groups. Included among these organizations are networks for international students and women students, opportunities for public speaking and engagement in public affairs, as well as the study of chiropractic methods and philosophy. These organizations provide ready opportunities for participation in these and other special interests, and for personal and professional growth.

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Research

Northwestern Health Sciences University's Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, located on the Bloomington campus, houses a natural health care research center. The center's two newest studies, focusing on back-related leg pain and integrative care for low back pain, pushed the university over the $7 million mark in total funding from federal agencies over the institutions entire history (since 1941). In addition, Northwestern Health Sciences University's research efforts are now being expanded to the other academic programs on campus.

Cost and Financial Aid

The school's tuition and fees are $12,015. The average net price for federal loan recipients is $27,715. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $43,760.

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