University Quick Facts

minneapolis stone arch bridge

Location

  • Bloomington, Minnesota (pop 85,000) – a safe, quiet suburb of Minneapolis
  • Close to major freeways, shopping centers, airport and other amenities typical of a major metro area

Campus

  • Occupies 300,000 square feet on 25 scenic acres

Academic programs and degrees

College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine:

  • Master of Acupuncture (M.Ac.)
  • Master of Oriental Medicine (M.Om.)

College of Chiropractic:

  • Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
  • Bachelor of Science in Human Biology degree completion (B.S.)

School of Massage Therapy:

  • Certificate
  • Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

College of Undergraduate Health Sciences:

  • Undergraduate courses
  • Accelerated sciences courses
  • Bachelor of Science in Human Biology degree completion (B.S.)

Status

  • Private, nonprofit
  • Fully-accredited university
  • 3 professional programs in natural health care
  • Undergraduate courses to help fulfill entrance prerequisites
  • Cited in Minnesota statute as a research institution along with the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic

Faculty

  • 138 full and part-time
  • Teaching, research and clinical faculty
  • 78% of all faculty hold the highest degree in their respective field

Student-faculty ratio (Winter 2012)

  • 5:1  College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
  • 16:1  College of Chiropractic
  • 7:1  School of Massage Therapy
  • 9:1  College of Undergraduate Health Sciences

Enrollment (Winter 2012)

  • 798 total
  • 125  College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
  • 568  College of Chiropractic
  • 73  School of Massage Therapy
  • 32  College of Undergraduate Health Sciences

Financial aid

  • 95% of students receive state and federal loan assistance
  • Student default rate on federal student loans only 2%
  • Grants and scholarships available

Program length

College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine:

  • Acupuncture – 8 trimesters, 2 2/3 years
  • Oriental Medicine – 9 trimesters, 3 years

College of Chiropractic – 10 trimesters

School of Massage Therapy:

  • Certificate (Day schedule) – 3 trimesters, 11½ months
  • Certificate (Evening schedule) – 4 trimesters, 15½ months
  • A.A.S degree – 3 to 5 trimesters, 11½ to 19½ months

Enrollment dates

College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – January and September 

College of Chiropractic – January and September

School of Massage Therapy:

  • Day schedule – January and September
  • Evening schedule – May

College of Undergraduate Health Sciences – January, May and September

Student life and support

  • More than 40 student clubs and organizations
  • Peer tutoring, adjusted course schedules, academic counseling and disability services
  • Substantially reduced fees for health care at campus clinics, including family members

Clinical services

  • Northwestern is the largest provider of natural healthcare services in Minnesota
  • A University public and teaching clinic system
  • Chiropractic, acupuncture, Oriental medicine, massage therapy, nurse practitioner, naturopathic and healing touch services

History

  • Founded in 1941 as the Northwestern College of Chiropractic
  • In 1986, created chiropractic radiology consulting service
  • In mid 1980’s, developed first community-based internship program in all of chiropractic education
  • In 1999, became of the one of the nation’s first natural healthcare universities by adding programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and massage therapy
  • In 2000, secured first federal grants for research in low back and neck pain
  • In 2008, major expansion created new library, classrooms, student and alumni center, videoconferencing capability and digital radiology lab

Alumni

Stats

  • Total alumni = 6,798 (including 262 in Canada, Mexico, and other foreign countries)
  • Alumni live in 50 states and 17 countries

Services

  • 3 alumni associations for career development and networking
  • Promotional opportunities in alumni publication Northwestern Naturally
  • Use of Alumni House for campus visits
  • Alumni and career services office

Employee life

  • Substantially reduced fees for health care at campus clinics, including for family members
  • Tuition remission and reimbursement for classes at the University and other institutions
  • Use of campus amenities including gym, swimming pool and fitness center

Annual and regular events

  • Homecoming, Symposiums, Forums and Continuing Education
  • Co-sponsor of Bloomington city-wide Halloween party
  • Mallard ducks hatching in our courtyard every spring!
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