2026-2027 UWS Academic Catalog
College of Graduate Studies
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The College of Graduate Studies offers the following master’s degrees, certificates, doctoral degrees and a microcredential in the health sciences.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine
Occupational Therapy
Sports Medicine
Sport and Performance Psychology
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the College of Graduate Studies programs is to provide training for students to develop the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors necessary to further their professional contribution through the application of evidence-based practices, critical thinking, effective decision making and professional integrity in the delivery of services.
Admission Requirements - College of Graduate Studies
- Applicants must meet the minimum GPA and specific admission requirement for the program to which they are applying. See each specific program section.
- Applicants are not required to submit GRE results unless the applicant’s GPA is below 2.75.
- Official transcripts from all college and universities attended.
- Two letters of recommendation for some programs (see program section specifics).
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Original essay(s) (250-500 words). Essays may not be AI assisted.
- Must be able to operate a computer equipped with necessary technical capacity and have a dependable connection to the internet.
- Prospective students for whom English is not their native language must provide proof of adequate English language skills. UWS accepts official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (PTE), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), PTE Academic, Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), Cambridge English B2, Duolingo English Test, or Successful completion of English Language Programs accredited by the Commission of English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) at any U.S. and/or overseas institution listed through the CEA website. This requirement does not apply to an applicant who either earned an undergraduate or graduate degree or who earned at least 60 credit hours from a university in which the language of instruction was English. The minimum scores for each test are listed in the table below:
| English Proficiency Test |
Minimum Score Required |
| TOEFL iBT |
89 |
| IELTS |
6.5 |
| Duolingo |
120 |
| PTE (academic) |
56 |
| CEFR |
B2 |
| Cambridge English B2 |
175 |
Valid scores are required. TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, and Duolingo scores are valid for two years after the test date.
Additional individual assessment is made during the admission process regarding the applicant’s demonstrated competence in reading, writing, and speaking English. If questions arise regarding competency in language skills, further testing may be required before entrance.
Program-specific admission requirements are listed below under each program.
Changing to a New Concentration
After admission to the program, students enrolled in applicable programs may request to change their program concentration by contacting their student success advisor to initiate a concentration change. See table below for eligible concentrations by program.
| Degree Program |
Potential Concentrations |
| MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
- No concentration
- Rehabilitation Counseling concentration
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| MS, Sport and Performance Psychology |
- No concentration
- Positive Coaching concentration
- Applied Practice concentration
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| EdD, Sport and Performance Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization |
- No concentration
- Sport and Performance Psychology Consulting concentration
- Rehabilitation Counseling concentration
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| EdD, Sport and Performance Psychology |
- No concentration
- Positive Leadership and Administration concentration
- Sport and Performance Psychology Consulting concentration
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Transfer Credit and Course Association
The number of credits a student may transfer toward their College of Graduate Studies program from another accredited institution is limited as follows.
- A student in the doctor of occupational therapy program may transfer in no more than 9 semester credits.
- Transfer credit is not accepted for the graduate certificate in applied sport and psychology (Cert-ASP).
- A student completing the Master of Science in sports medicine, physical and rehabilitative assessment concentration may transfer up to 28 quarter credits from a doctor of chiropractic program.
- A student in any other College of Graduate Studies program may transfer in no more than 16 quarter credits.
Credits must be earned within the past 7 years to be considered for transfer (exception granted for those holding an active DC license and an active Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician credential). A student must request evaluation of transfer credit during the application process. See Policy 2007 Transfer Credit for additional conditions related to credit transfer.
The number of credits that can be associated between degrees in the College of Graduate Studies is limited as follows.
- A student completing the Master of Science in sports medicine, physical and rehabilitative assessment concentration may associate 28 quarter credits from the UWS doctor of chiropractic program.
- A student in the doctor of occupational therapy program may associate up to 9 semester credits between UWS programs and must not exceed 9 semester credits of total transfer credit and course association.
- For all other programs in the College of Graduate Studies:
- If no previous UWS degree was earned, all completed UWS courses that count toward the new degree program may be associated.
- If a previous UWS degree has been earned, the student may associate up to 24 quarter credits between UWS programs and must not exceed 24 quarter credits of combined transfer credit and course association.
Background Checks
To help create a safe campus community for patients, students, employees, guests, and others, UWS requires background investigation and verification reports for students in nearly all academic programs. See Policy 1009 Student Background Investigation and Verification Reporting Requirement for additional information.
Identification Requirement
Students accepted into any program with a start date on or after January 1, 2025, must provide identification as part of the admissions process. A student accepted into a program who does not provide approved identification prior to the start of the term is not permitted to start the program until identification is received. Acceptable forms of ID can be found at Policy 2001 Admission Requirements.
Licensure
To practice in a licensed health care profession, each provider must fulfill the requirements of the licensing board of the jurisdiction in which the individual chooses to practice. In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education, University of Western States (UWS) provides information pertaining to professional licensure and certification for all relevant programs. These requirements vary widely and are regulated by the laws and rules of each jurisdiction. Furthermore, the requirements change over time. Students should contact their state or provincial licensing board for information regarding licensure.
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