Western University of Health Sciences
Encyclopedia
Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) is a non-profit, private
, graduate school
for the health profession
s. The university campus includes 11 major buildings on 22 acres (8.9 ha) in downtown Pomona, California
.
Founded in 1977 with a student body of 36, it now has more than 2,600 students. The College of Veterinary Medicine (opened 2003) was the first to open in the country in 20 years. WesternU is one of the largest graduate schools for the health professions in California
, offering 18 programs in nine colleges.
All of the health care programs have professional accreditation, and the university is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
. The D.O. program is also accredited by the American Osteopathic Association
.
The university is home to the nationally renowned Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy.
The University's recent $100-million expansion accommodated its three newest colleges -- dentistry
, podiatry
and optometry
-- as well creating a new home for the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.
Private 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...
, graduate school
Graduate school
A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned a previous undergraduate degree...
for the health profession
Health profession
The health care industry, or medical industry, is the sector of the economic system that provides goods and services to treat patients with curative, preventive, rehabilitative, palliative, or, at times, unnecessary care...
s. The university campus includes 11 major buildings on 22 acres (8.9 ha) in downtown Pomona, California
Pomona, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
.
Founded in 1977 with a student body of 36, it now has more than 2,600 students. The College of Veterinary Medicine (opened 2003) was the first to open in the country in 20 years. WesternU is one of the largest graduate schools for the health professions in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, offering 18 programs in nine colleges.
All of the health care programs have professional accreditation, and the university is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
. The D.O. program is also accredited by the American Osteopathic Association
American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association is the representative member organization for the over 78,000 osteopathic medical physicians in the United States...
.
Institutional mission
To produce, in a humanistic tradition, health care professionals and biomedical knowledge that will enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities.Colleges and degrees offered
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) and the branch campus of COMP NorthwestCollege of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, NorthwestCollege of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Northwest is a non-profit, private, medical school for osteopathic medicine located in Lebanon in the U.S. state of Oregon...
: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) - College of Veterinary Medicine: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- College of Allied Health Professions: Doctor of Physical TherapyDoctor of Physical TherapyThe Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Physiotherapy is a post-baccalaureate three-year degree conferred upon successful completion of a professional clinical doctoral level professional or post-professional physical therapist education program for the licensed physical therapist...
(DPT); Master of ScienceMaster of ScienceA Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
(MS) in Health Sciences; Master of Science (MS) in Physician AssistantPhysician assistantA physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
Studies - College of Graduate Nursing: Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse PractitionerNurse practitionerA Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education . Additional APRN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist s, CNMs, and CNSs...
(MSN/FNP); Master of Science in NursingMaster of Science in NursingA Master of Science in Nursing is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree also may prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse administrator, health policy expert, or clinical nurse leader...
(MSN); Master of Science Nursing Entry (MSN-E); Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate Doctorate Of Nursing Practice (DNP) - College of Pharmacy: Doctor of PharmacyDoctor of PharmacyA Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional doctorate degree in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a first professional degree, and a prerequisite for licensing to exercise the profession of pharmacist.-Kenya :...
(PharmD); Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies (MSPS); Mid-Career Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) - College of Dentistry: Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- College of Optometry: Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- College of Podiatric MedicineCollege of Podiatric MedicineThe College of Podiatric Medicine at Western University is a podiatric medical school based in Pomona, California. It is one of nine podiatric medical schools in the United States. The school was founded in 2009 with a inaugural class of 38 students....
: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) - Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science in Medical Sciences
Impact in the community
WesternU's state-of-the-art Patient Care Center, which opened in May 2010, includes a Medical Center, Foot & Ankle Center, Eye Care Center, Dental Center and Pharmacy. The Medical Center offers primary care services to more than 10,000 clients a year.The university is home to the nationally renowned Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy.
The University's recent $100-million expansion accommodated its three newest colleges -- dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
, podiatry
Podiatry
Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their...
and optometry
Optometry
Optometry is a health care profession concerned with eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans. Optometrists, or Doctors of Optometry, are state licensed medical professionals trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision,...
-- as well creating a new home for the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.