Transfer and Advanced Standing Students Admissions
Transfer Students
Bastyr University accepts transfer students from naturopathic, medical, osteopathic and chiropractic schools, and other accredited professional programs, on a space-available basis. For transfer consideration, credits must be earned from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency or from an institution accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Transfer students are considered for admission in accordance with the following general guidelines:
- Applicants must meet the same entrance requirements as candidates for the first-year class.
- Applicants who wish to transfer credits from prior coursework must demonstrate satisfactory completion of courses that are equivalent in content and quality to courses given at the University. Satisfactory completion equals a grade of achieved competency, a C or above, or a 2.0 or above.
- Applicants must provide an official transcript from the college or program from which the transfer is being requested; the transcript should demonstrate that they are leaving in good academic standing. They should be prepared to submit additional documentation to support a thorough evaluation.
- Transfer applicants must submit a $150 transfer evaluation fee.
- Transfer applicants from another CNME approved Naturopathic medical program may transfer to the Kenmore campus up to 40% of the total number of credits required for graduation from the Bastyr University naturopathic medical program in addition to completing of most or all of their clinical work at Bastyr University.The transfer of credit to the San Diego campus is limited by rules set by the California Bureau for Postsecondary Education (BPPE), so that no more than 45 credits may be transferred to Bastyr University, San Diego.
- Transfer applicants who can demonstrate passing of the NPLEX-1 exam may be able to transfer all of the first and second year basic science classes at once without providing syllabi.
Advanced Standing Status Based on Prior Medical Education
Applicants who graduated from accredited chiropractic, medical or osteopathic colleges may be eligible for advanced standing in the Bastyr University naturopathic medicine program. Up to one third or 100 credits may be transferred to the Kenmore campus; students must complete at least two-thirds of the program and do all of their clinical work at Bastyr University. The transfer of credit to the San Diego campus is limited by rules set by the BPPE, so that no more than 45 credits may be transferred to Bastyr University, San Diego.
In those instances where the maximum number of advanced standing transfer credits is granted, it will take a minimum of three years (11 quarters) to complete the program. Placement depends upon the amount of coursework completed in the original program, similarity of the course content and credits, age of the courses and performance in these courses. A student must provide documentation that shows the competencies of the Bastyr University course have been met. Course waivers and/or credit transfers are considered only for those courses in which applicants demonstrate a grade of achieved competence, a C or above, or a 2.0 or above. An exam to determine competency may also be required. Advanced standing applicants must complete all of the course and credit requirements in effect at the time of their enrollment in the Bastyr University naturopathic medicine program. Final waiver and/or transfer credit decisions rest with the dean of the school in which the curriculum is taught.
Advanced standing is determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on the type of degree program completed, the courses taken and the number of years in practice.
Applicants who are eligible for advanced standing must submit a $150 advanced standing evaluation fee.
Applicants who can demonstrate successful completion of the USMLE Step 1 exam, or equivalent osteopathic exam, within the past seven years may have all the first and second year basic science credits transferred at once, without providing individual course syllabi. However the non-basic science credits are not transferable. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis for those who passed board exams more than seven years ago.
Applicants must submit a catalog of course descriptions for the years they attended their professional program and should be prepared to submit additional documentation to support a thorough evaluation. Additionally, advanced standing students should submit a copy of their medical license and a copy of their medical board exam scores/certificates (if applicable). If an advanced standing student is found to be deficient in some area(s) of study, s/he may be required to complete additional courses at Bastyr University. For more information on advanced standing status admission policies and procedures, contact the admissions office.