Northwestern Health Sciences University
Encyclopedia
Northwestern Health Sciences University is a natural health care university
located in Bloomington, Minnesota
, a suburb of Minneapolis. The university has educational programs in chiropractic
, Oriental medicine
, acupuncture
, therapeutic massage, and human biology
. The university was founded in 1941 by John B. Wolfe, DC.1
Previously Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Northwestern Health Sciences University has been an international leader in natural health care education, patient care, and research for nearly 70 years.2 Since 1991, Northwestern’s Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies has become one of the largest natural health care research institutions in the world, garnering more than $7 million in federally funded studies.3 Additionally, Northwestern’s five public clinics form the largest natural health care system in Minnesota.4
institution, receiving most of its funding through tuition
, research grants, and contributions. It comprises three colleges and schools: Northwestern College of Chiropractic, the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and the School of Massage Therapy. Each program has its own dean
and administration and operates autonomously from the other programs.5 Northwestern is accredited by the North Central Association.6
Founded in 1941, Northwestern College of Chiropractic (NWCC) offers a doctorate degree in chiropractic. The full-time day program consists of more than 4,300 credit hours over 10 trimesters
. The students may also complete a bachelor of science
degree in human biology while enrolled in the chiropractic program.7
The College has pioneered a clinical system, with several natural care centers, more than 150 community-based private-practice clinics, and final term preceptorship opportunities around the world. The University's public clinic system records more than 65,000 patient visits a year, making Northwestern the largest provider of natural health care services in Minnesota.8
The Doctor of Chiropractic program offered by the University is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic education. 9
The Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MCAOM) is the largest and oldest school in Minnesota offering master's degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
. Founded in 1990 as the Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies, MCAOM has established itself in the Twin Cities area as a provider of education and clinical services in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. MCAOM student interns provide services in the Edith Davis Teaching Clinic on the University campus, and health care clinics and community agencies in the metropolitan area.
The master's degree programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine emphasize the mind, body and spirit inherent in traditional Chinese medicine. MCAOM has gathered a multi-national faculty. The curriculum for the Master of Oriental 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 Oriental medicine program, but does not include herbal studies. This program includes more than 2,300 hours of instruction, taking two and two-thirds years of full-time enrollment to complete.10
The Master of Acupuncture and Master of Oriental Medicine programs offered by the University are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.11
The School of Massage Therapy is the only massage therapy school in Minnesota to receive accreditation from the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). The 36-semester credit, 780-hour program emphasizes a solid 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. Students receive a professional certificate in massage therapy upon successful completion. Students may enroll in either a day or evening program.12 The day program requires three academic trimesters to complete; the evening program requires four. 13
. The 230000 square feet (21,367.7 m²) main building was formerly a junior high school, but has since been renovated to accommodate the university containing s laboratories, lecture halls, classrooms, a library, a bookstore, three public clinics, an auditorium, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, a research center, and a swimming pool. 16. Construction projects include the addition of the Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies and the Greenawalt Library. The university is currently constructing a 48000 square feet (4,459.3 m²) Wolfe-Harris Center for Excellence.14
Founded on June 2, 1941, with just three students, Northwestern College of Chiropractic was first housed on the sixth floor of the W. T. Grant
Department Store on Nicollet Avenue
in downtown Minneapolis
. The college quickly outgrew the space and relocated in 1949 to 2222 Park Ave. in Minneapolis.15
In 1974 Northwestern moved to a former Catholic
grade school at 1834 Mississippi Blvd. in St. Paul. Over the next decade, the College continued to grow. By 1983 it had reached capacity and a new building was needed. Thanks to a $500,000 donation from Dan Gainey, a grateful chiropractic patient and owner of Jostens
Inc., the college moved to its current site in Bloomington.
Fifty-two percent of students on campus are female
. In the acupuncture and Oriental medicine program, 78 percent of students are female; in the chiropractic program, 45 percent, and in the massage therapy program, 88 percent.
Nine percent of students on campus are a minority
or non-resident alien. In the acupuncture and Oriental medicine program, 9 percent of students are a minority or non-resident alien; in the chiropractic program, 7.7 percent, and in the massage therapy program, 9 percent.
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). A total of 27 states are represented at Northwestern.
The average age of chiropractic students is 25.88. The average age for acupuncture and Oriental medicine students is 31.69. The average age for massage therapy students is 27.54.17
Student organizations include Activator Methods Club, Active Isolated Stretching Club, Aerobics and Fitness Club, Animal Chiropractic Club, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Research Club, the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Student Organization of the Midwest, Applied Kinesiology Club, Body by God Club, the Canadian Club, the Charrette Extremity Protocols Club, Chiropractic Neurology
Club, Club Mariposa, Diversity Club, Energy Healing Club, Enterpreneur Club/Fast Track To Success, the Fitness Center Club, Flag Football, Functional Medicine Club, Gonstead Club, Graston In Action Club, Herb Club, Hockey Club, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, the Martial Arts Studies Club, Massage Therapy Club, Motion Palpation Club, Nei Jing Club, Northwestern Golf Club, Northwestern Women in Health Care, On Purpose Club, Our Rhythm Club, Pediatric Club, Roots and Shoots, the Student American Chiropractic Association, the Student International Chiropractic Association, the Student Ambassador Club, Student Senate, The Master Minds Club, The Nia Technique Club, The Practice of Practice Club, The Rock Club, Torque Release Technique Club, Yearbook, and Yoga Club.19
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
located in Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
, a suburb of Minneapolis. The university has educational programs in chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
, Oriental medicine
Oriental medicine
Oriental medicine is a collective term for several types of medicine practiced in the Orient and/or the East.Under Oriental medicine is understood:* Traditional Chinese medicine* Traditional Korean medicine* Kampo...
, acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
, therapeutic massage, and human biology
Human biology
Human Biology is an interdisciplinary area of study that examines humans through the influences and interplay of many diverse fields such as genetics, evolution, physiology, epidemiology, ecology, nutrition, population genetics and sociocultural influences. It is closely related to...
. The university was founded in 1941 by John B. Wolfe, DC.1
Previously Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Northwestern Health Sciences University has been an international leader in natural health care education, patient care, and research for nearly 70 years.2 Since 1991, Northwestern’s Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies has become one of the largest natural health care research institutions in the world, garnering more than $7 million in federally funded studies.3 Additionally, Northwestern’s five public clinics form the largest natural health care system in Minnesota.4
Organization
Northwestern Health Sciences University is a privatePrivate university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
institution, receiving most of its funding through tuition
Tuition
Tuition payments, known primarily as tuition in American English and as tuition fees in British English, Canadian English, Australian English, New Zealand English and Indian English, refers to a fee charged for educational instruction during higher education.Tuition payments are charged by...
, research grants, and contributions. It comprises three colleges and schools: Northwestern College of Chiropractic, the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and the School of Massage Therapy. Each program has its own dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
and administration and operates autonomously from the other programs.5 Northwestern is accredited by the North Central Association.6
Founded in 1941, Northwestern College of Chiropractic (NWCC) offers a doctorate degree in chiropractic. The full-time day program consists of more than 4,300 credit hours over 10 trimesters
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
. The students may also complete a bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in human biology while enrolled in the chiropractic program.7
The College has pioneered a clinical system, with several natural care centers, more than 150 community-based private-practice clinics, and final term preceptorship opportunities around the world. The University's public clinic system records more than 65,000 patient visits a year, making Northwestern the largest provider of natural health care services in Minnesota.8
The Doctor of Chiropractic program offered by the University is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic education. 9
The Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MCAOM) is the largest and oldest school in Minnesota offering master's degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession...
. Founded in 1990 as the Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies, MCAOM has established itself in the Twin Cities area as a provider of education and clinical services in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. MCAOM student interns provide services in the Edith Davis Teaching Clinic on the University campus, and health care clinics and community agencies in the metropolitan area.
The master's degree programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine emphasize the mind, body and spirit inherent in traditional Chinese medicine. MCAOM has gathered a multi-national faculty. The curriculum for the Master of Oriental Medicine program provides about 3,000 hours of didactic and clinical instruction in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, and related studies such as Tui Na
Tui na
Tui na , is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, fire cupping, Chinese herbalism, t'ai chi, and qigong....
, Qigong
Qigong
Qigong or chi kung is a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation...
, 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 Oriental medicine program, but does not include herbal studies. This program includes more than 2,300 hours of instruction, taking two and two-thirds years of full-time enrollment to complete.10
The Master of Acupuncture and Master of Oriental Medicine programs offered by the University are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.11
The School of Massage Therapy is the only massage therapy school in Minnesota to receive accreditation from the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). The 36-semester credit, 780-hour program emphasizes a solid 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. Students receive a professional certificate in massage therapy upon successful completion. Students may enroll in either a day or evening program.12 The day program requires three academic trimesters to complete; the evening program requires four. 13
Campus
Northwestern Health Sciences University is located on a 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) campus in suburban BloomingtonBloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
. The 230000 square feet (21,367.7 m²) main building was formerly a junior high school, but has since been renovated to accommodate the university containing s laboratories, lecture halls, classrooms, a library, a bookstore, three public clinics, an auditorium, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, a research center, and a swimming pool. 16. Construction projects include the addition of the Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies and the Greenawalt Library. The university is currently constructing a 48000 square feet (4,459.3 m²) Wolfe-Harris Center for Excellence.14
Founded on June 2, 1941, with just three students, Northwestern College of Chiropractic was first housed on the sixth floor of the W. T. Grant
W. T. Grant
W. T. Grant or Grants was a United States-based chain of mass-merchandise stores founded by William Thomas Grant that operated from 1906 until 1976. The stores were generally of the variety store format located in downtowns.-History:...
Department Store on Nicollet Avenue
Nicollet Avenue
Nicollet Avenue is a major street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and three of its suburbs. It passes through a number of locally well-known neighborhoods and districts, notably Eat Street in south Minneapolis and the traffic-restricted Nicollet Mall in the city's downtown.It began as a military road...
in downtown Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. The college quickly outgrew the space and relocated in 1949 to 2222 Park Ave. in Minneapolis.15
In 1974 Northwestern moved to a former Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
grade school at 1834 Mississippi Blvd. in St. Paul. Over the next decade, the College continued to grow. By 1983 it had reached capacity and a new building was needed. Thanks to a $500,000 donation from Dan Gainey, a grateful chiropractic patient and owner of Jostens
Jostens
Jostens is an American company providing yearbooks and class rings for various high schools and colleges as well as championship rings for sports, including the Super Bowl rings....
Inc., the college moved to its current site in Bloomington.
Students
Currently 864 students are taking classes at Northwestern. The chiropractic program has 683 students; the acupuncture and Oriental medicine program has 112, and the massage therapy program 64 students.Fifty-two percent of students on campus are female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
. In the acupuncture and Oriental medicine program, 78 percent of students are female; in the chiropractic program, 45 percent, and in the massage therapy program, 88 percent.
Nine percent of students on campus are a minority
Minority group
A minority is a sociological group within a demographic. The demographic could be based on many factors from ethnicity, gender, wealth, power, etc. The term extends to numerous situations, and civilizations within history, despite the misnomer of minorities associated with a numerical statistic...
or non-resident alien. In the acupuncture and Oriental medicine program, 9 percent of students are a minority or non-resident alien; in the chiropractic program, 7.7 percent, and in the massage therapy program, 9 percent.
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). A total of 27 states are represented at Northwestern.
The average age of chiropractic students is 25.88. The average age for acupuncture and Oriental medicine students is 31.69. The average age for massage therapy students is 27.54.17
Student activities
Northwestern Health Sciences University has 42 student organizations, which comprise 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 many 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. The University also provides and sponsors extracurricular clubs and activities throughout the year including aerobics, hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, mountain biking, skiing, and martial arts.18Student organizations include Activator Methods Club, Active Isolated Stretching Club, Aerobics and Fitness Club, Animal Chiropractic Club, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Research Club, the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Student Organization of the Midwest, Applied Kinesiology Club, Body by God Club, the Canadian Club, the Charrette Extremity Protocols Club, Chiropractic Neurology
Chiropractic Neurology
Chiropractic Neurology is a subspecialty of chiropractic practice. There are currently 10 specialties recognized by the American Chiropractic Association...
Club, Club Mariposa, Diversity Club, Energy Healing Club, Enterpreneur Club/Fast Track To Success, the Fitness Center Club, Flag Football, Functional Medicine Club, Gonstead Club, Graston In Action Club, Herb Club, Hockey Club, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, the Martial Arts Studies Club, Massage Therapy Club, Motion Palpation Club, Nei Jing Club, Northwestern Golf Club, Northwestern Women in Health Care, On Purpose Club, Our Rhythm Club, Pediatric Club, Roots and Shoots, the Student American Chiropractic Association, the Student International Chiropractic Association, the Student Ambassador Club, Student Senate, The Master Minds Club, The Nia Technique Club, The Practice of Practice Club, The Rock Club, Torque Release Technique Club, Yearbook, and Yoga Club.19