Are you ready to apply for one of the graduate programs offered at NUHS, including doctor of chiropractic medicine, doctor of naturopathic medicine, master of science in acupuncture, or master of science in oriental medicine?

Here are 3 steps to successfully apply to the graduate degree program of your choice:

1. Understand GPA and Degree Requirements

The first step in applying to a graduate program is to understand the requirements.

For the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and Doctor of Naturopathic  (ND) programs at NUHS, you must have:

• a baccalaureate degree prior to entry
• a minimum, cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Those between 2.75 and 2.99 may be admitted under an Alternative Admissions Track Plan (AATP).
• prerequisite coursework – students are expected to have completed a total of 24 credit hours in life and physical science coursework before entering the DC or ND programs.

Tip to remember:

If you have a bachelor’s degree but don’t have all the necessary science required for admission in to our DC or ND programs, you may enroll in the prerequisite program to complete those courses. If you do not have a bachelor degree, you can enroll in the BS in Biomedical Science completion degree program at NUHS where you can take the necessary science coursework and earn a bachelor’s degree necessary to progress.

Tip to remember:

If you are interested in an advanced health care degree, it’s important to choose the right undergraduate classes now so you will be both prepared for professional degree programs and able to meet requirements for admission. So if you’re currently an undergraduate student, check out our suggested course outlines where we’ve listed specific courses at major universities and colleges that will meet NUHS admission guidelines.

For the Master of Science in Acupuncture (MSAc) and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) programs, a baccalaureate degree is not required, however, you should have earned:

• 60 undergraduate semester credit hours for the MSAc program
• 90 undergraduate semester credit hours for the MSOM program
• a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale)

2. Submit Required Documents

You will be required to submit the following documents for admission:

A completed online or paper application with a $55 application fee.
National University has a rolling admission schedule, which means that you can apply for entry into any of the three trimesters, Fall (September), Spring (January), or Summer (May). 

Tip to remember:

Apply Early! NUHS programs are competitive, so it is important for you to apply as early as possible — ideally, 9-12 months before your starting trimester. This allows time for submission, review, and evaluation of required documents. If your intended start term is sooner, contact the Admissions office right away to determine the next steps.

Tip to remember:

Don’t worry if you haven’t completed your undergraduate degree yet. All documents aren’t required to be submitted at the same time. You can start the application process while still completing your prerequisite coursework and even receive a conditional admission, which will reference your outstanding requirements.

Write three short essays. (400-500 words).
You will be required to submit three essay responses that will allow us to better understand your reasons for selecting your program of study and your desire to pursue a degree at National University. Give thoughtful consideration to your answers and be sure to follow the stated guidelines.

Tip to remember:

You don’t have to submit the essays with your application if you need more time to write them. Spend more time on writing excellent essays, rather than rushing through them. It’s not looked upon negatively if you send them separately from your application.

Provide two character references.
You will need to provide character references from your past or current professors, employers, or physicians that you may have shadowed.

Tip to remember:

References must be mailed or emailed to NUHS directly from the person writing the reference. We will not take a reference (even if it’s in a sealed envelope) delivered by an applicant.

Provide all official undergraduate college transcripts.
We will need transcripts from every undergraduate institution you have attended – even if you only took a few classes at a school. Allow for enough time for your undergraduate institution to forward official transcripts. The time that is required for this varies from school to school.

Tip to remember:

Don’t wait, you can submit unofficial transcripts for an evaluation and provide official documents as soon as they’re available.

3. Complete Admission Interview

You will be required to have a phone interview with your admission counselor. You will be asked a series of questions, the responses to which will become part of your admissions file. That process will allow us to better understand you, your career goals, and your reasons for applying to NUHS.

Tip to remember:

In addition to your phone interview, it’s important to communicate in a professional manner with your admission counselor at all times. If you are deemed eligible for admission, it’s your counselor who submits you to the admission committee for review, so it’s important to remember that your interaction with your counselor matters.

What happens next?

If you are admitted into one of the professional programs, you will be notified by an admission letter. You will also be asked to pay a $225 seat deposit in order to hold your place. It’s important that you pay that deposit promptly as it’s the only thing that will guarantee your spot in the class.                  

NUHS has an amazing group of Admission counselors who will be there for you every step of the way during the admission process. Feel free to contact the NUHS admissions office for any questions by phone at 1.800.826.6285 or by email at [email protected].

Learn how you may be able to qualify for federal student aid or scholarships to finance your degree from NUHS. Download our complimentary finance guide today by clicking on the link below.

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