Frequently Asked Questions

Northwestern Health Sciences University advances innovative models of integrative care to lead people to live happier, healthier lives. Our goal is to transform health care through patient-centered, evidence-informed practice that optimizes health and well-being.

When you choose Northwestern Health Sciences University, you are choosing a community of healthmakers and changemakers working together to imagine and deliver the future of healthcare. For over 80 years, we’ve been educating people through our on-campus and hybrid offerings. Our online platform helps us make this life-changing education accessible to a wider population of future leaders.

High quality research, or evidence, is the most reliable, least biased way of knowing. Clinical decisions are rarely dictated by evidence; rather, evidence informs and guides clinicians to better decision making, helping them to practice the art of clinical care. This skillset is foundational and leads to sound judgment in clinical decision-making because clinicians consider a variety of factors when determining a patient’s course of care.

Our faculty are experienced practitioners, recognized thought leaders in their field, innovators, creators, and above all, passionate professionals dedicated to creating the future of integrative health. With a focus on holistic healthcare and decreasing health disparities, online courses allow our faculty to expand their reach from Minnesota to the entire United States and beyond, wherever there’s a reliable internet connection

Absolutely! Our goal is to make education accessible to all. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, and we have payment plan options available. Review our Tuition & Fees page for more information.

Northwestern Health Sciences University Online Programs are fully online, meaning that discussions, coursework, and collaboration with your peers and faculty members can happen whenever and wherever it’s most convenient for you, as long as you meet due dates and requirements outlined in the course syllabus. Certain elective courses in health coaching require 40 hours of synchronous sessions as part of certification, but core requirements and other electives do not have mandatory synchronous components. There may be opportunities for live interaction with other students, faculty members, and special events, but are communicated well in advance and recorded whenever possible so you can review later if you’re unable to attend.

Our online platform is compatible with Mac and PC operating systems. To participate in classes, you should have regular access to the Internet and your email, be familiar with creating, formatting, and attaching documents, and have a basic understanding of website navigation. Your admissions counselor can verify that your computer meets the necessary software requirements as some courses may require specific software applications commonly used in the healthcare field.

Yes! Northwestern Health Sciences University has a history of making our international students feel at home here on campus, and we feel the same way about our online community, whether attending online in the United States or abroad. Online international students follow the same application process as online students from the United States; however, additional documentation is required – including verification of English competency, documentation of financial resources, and international transcript evaluation. Please contact your admissions counselor for more information.

Fully online students living near campus are welcome to visit campus to access our De Rusha Clinic (including student discounts), fitness center, and the NWHSU Campus Store. The NWHSU Campus Store has helped the community stay healthy for decades with best-in-class vitamins, clinical products, and healthy living essentials, and offers a variety of shipping options in addition to curbside pick-up! Visit our store website to browse our products and make your purchase.

Dr. Deb Bushway is the President and CEO at NWHSU and has over 30 years of experience in higher education, with expertise in distance education, competency-based learning, and innovations designed to improve student success. She has previously served as a consultant for the Lumina Foundation regarding Competency Based Education and as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Undersecretary at the Department of Education in Washington, DC.

Graduates from the Masters of Functional & Integrative Nutrition Program at Northwestern Health Sciences University are eligible to accrue up to 250 hours of indirect Supervised Practice Experience. This opportunity is facilitated through elective courses offered within the program, contributing significantly towards the 1,000 hours of supervised practice required for obtaining the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Certification.

Our program is an ideal option for a diverse variety of healthcare professionals looking to expand their perspectives in integrative healthcare. We are educating changemakers who want to work with complex aspects of health, remove barriers to care, and empower patients to be better advocates for their own healthcare. Additionally, this degree prepares individuals for advanced doctoral-level studies in other health-related professions.

Up to nine (9) credits of equivalent prior graduate-level coursework may transfer into the MHS in Integrative Care program. To determine the transferability of prior coursework, please submit an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) to your admissions counselor for a tentative evaluation. (Course descriptions and syllabi may be requested, as needed.)