What courses do I need?
Do I need an associate's degree?
Bastyr University does not require an associate's degree for entry as long as you have the equivalent of 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits).
What courses do I need before I come to Bastyr?
In order to transfer, you will need 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits) completed prior to enrollment at Bastyr. This coursework should incorporate general education, basic proficiency and specific science requirements that will prepare you for the rigorous curriculum in your junior and senior years.The integrated human biology program has different requirements. See the prerequisites for this program.
Basic Proficiency and Science Requirements: Basic proficiency and science requirements include coursework in chemistry, biology, mathematics and other relevant preparation for completion of your bachelor’s degree at Bastyr. Basic proficiency and science prerequisites vary between programs, and it is important to read the prerequisite pages carefully and meet with an admissions adviser to review your unofficial transcripts before you apply. Although you can apply while prerequisites are still in progress, all must be completed prior to enrolling at Bastyr.
All basic proficiency and science coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Get more specific program prerequisites information here.
General Education Requirements: General education requirements include arts/humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and electives of varying amounts. Together with your basic proficiency and science requirements, the general education requirements will bring your total prerequisite requirements to 90 quarter credits/60 semester credits. Although credits cannot be counted in both the basic proficiency and science and the general education categories, any surplus credits will carry over into appropriate general education areas as necessary. An admissions adviser can help you determine exactly how your credits will transfer.
| Arts/humanities | 15 quarter credits |
| Social sciences | 15 quarter credits |
| Natural sciences | 12 quarter credits (No add'l natural sciences required for Integrated Human Biology) |
How do I know which specific courses to take?
Check our course equivalency guides below for basic proficiency and science requirements for the exercise science, health psychology, herbal sciences, and nutrition programs. If your state or school is not listed, check with an admissions adviser to make sure you are taking the correct sciences. Equivalency guides for other programs will be added as they become available.
For your general education requirements, you can complete courses from a variety of departments based upon your interests.
Humanities |
Social Science |
Natural Science |
|---|---|---|
|
Art |
Anthropology Communication Theory Economics Geography History International Studies Political Science PsychologyPsychology majors may not use psychology courses to satisfy social science distribution requirements. Sociology Women's Studies |
Astronomy Atmospheric Sciences BiologyNutrition majors may not use nutrition courses in a biology department to satisfy natural science distribution requirements. Botany Chemistry Earth Science Geology Logic or Philosophy of Logic Mathematics (College Algebra and above) Oceanography Physical Anthropology Physical Geography Physics Statistics Zoology |
Course equivalency guides for basic proficiency and science requirements (For exercise science, health psychology, herbal sciences, and nutrition programs):
- Washington Community Colleges
- California Community Colleges
- Oregon Community Colleges
- Utah Community Colleges
Where should I complete my prerequisite coursework?
You can complete your prerequisite coursework at any regionally accredited college or university of your choosing.Regional accrediting agencies are recognized by the American Council on Education Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. Bastyr University does not accept credit from institutions with national accreditation. Generally speaking, most community colleges are regionally accredited. If you have questions about the accreditation of the school you are attending, please contact the admissions office. Community and junior colleges are ranked the same, so choose the college that offers the courses that you need and is convenient to your location. The community college does not need to specialize in natural health sciences.
Some prerequisites may be taken via distance learning from a regionally accredited college.
What is the minimum transfer GPA?
The minimum GPA for Undergraduate transfer is 2.75. All basic science and proficiency coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better. All courses used for transfer credit must be college-level.
The registrar's office will calculate a transfer GPA using your prerequisite coursework. The GPA on your transcript may differ from the transfer GPA that is calculated for you at Bastyr. For courses that have been repeated, the higher grade will be used.
I Need Clarification About Prerequisites
Important Note: All students should schedule an appointment with an admissions adviser to go over all transfer credits and determine the status of your prerequisites. During or prior to your scheduled appointment, your admissions adviser will go over your unofficial transcripts and complete an unofficial undergraduate transfer guide worksheet to help you understand your transfer credits. This is not an official evaluation. Once you have submitted an application and your official transcripts have been received, the registrar's office will complete an official evaluation of your transfer credits.
What if I have a WA state DTA associate's degree or a bachelor's degree?
A Washington state Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate's degree automatically completes all of your general education and basic proficiency prerequisites. It does not fulfill science prerequisites. Natural science, social science, arts/humanities, English, psychology and public speaking prerequisites will be considered fulfilled with the completion of this degree as long as you have a total of 90 quarter credits, with only one exception. Students applying to the health psychology program still need to fulfill the general psychology requirement. A bachelor's degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university will be treated like a DTA and likewise satisfies the listed requirements.
Please note that there may be some exceptions to this policy. Each DTA or bachelor's degree is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Can I test out of any prerequisites?
Placement tests through a college or university may be accepted for math competency only, but you are responsible for providing documentation of the test (notation on your transcript is not sufficient documentation). We do not offer a math competency test at Bastyr. We do not accept CLEP in place of the math competency.
Will you accept my AP/CLEP/Technical/IB credits?
- Credit may be granted for advanced placement tests with a grade of 3 or higher on the AP test. Official score reports must be sent directly to Bastyr. The report can be requested from the College Board at www.collegeboard.com.
- A maximum of 15 credits of CLEP may be accepted toward elective credit only.
- A maximum of 15 vocational-technical credits may transfer as elective credits.
- International baccalaureate (IB) credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Can I fulfill any prerequisites through life or work experience?
No credit will be awarded for work or life experience unless you have received college-credit from a regionally accredited institution.
Can I complete my prerequisites via distance learning?
Science coursework with a lab component and public speaking may not be taken via distance learning. Other prerequisites may be fulfilled via distance learning as long as the school is regionally accredited.
Please refer to our distance learning equivalencies guide for a list of preapproved distanced education courses.
We recommend that you take as much coursework as possible in a classroom setting.
Will pass/fail courses transfer?
Pass/Fail courses do not transfer for basic proficiency and science requirements unless the transcript grade key reflects that the course is equivalent to a grade of "C" or better. For general education coursework, pass/fail grades can transfer but will not be calculated in your transfer GPA.
Can I take my prerequisites at Bastyr?
Most of your prerequisites must be completed outside of Bastyr University. There are two exceptions:
- We offer a summer chemistry program that covers General Chemistry I and II in a period of eight weeks. This intensive program is challenging. Our preference is that you complete chemistry over the duration of a normal quarter or semester and use the chemistry intensive as a "plan B." You must have an introductory chemistry course prior to enrolling in Bastyr's intensive chemistry program.
- You may also take Introduction to Botany during summer quarter at Bastyr, which requires a college-level biology course prior to enrolling.
I Have More Questions
Does Bastyr require standardized test scores or letters of recommendation?
None of our programs requires standardized tests as part of the application. Undergraduate programs do not require letters of recommendation unless you are a student applying to either of the BS/MS combined programs in acupuncture or midwifery.
Can I take any courses from Bastyr's curriculum at my community college?
No more than 90 credits may be earned at a community college with the following possible exceptions (depending on your major): Anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry, microbiology, statistics, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, psychology of personality and social psychology. If any of these additional courses are taken, a maximum of 100 community college credits may transfer.
What if I am interested in your graduate programs?
While most of our undergraduate programs will fulfill many of the prerequisites for graduate and professional programs at Bastyr, each program has its own requirements and admissions advisors. It is a good idea to talk to a graduate admissions advisor if that is your ultimate goal. Learn more about our graduate and professional degree programs.
What if I still have questions?
Feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at any time with questions. Advisors are available for both phone and office appointments Monday through Friday. Unofficial transcripts can be used for unofficial advising evaluations and can be faxed or emailed to the advisors. It is recommended that every student discuss their coursework with an admissions advisor prior to applying. Email ugadvise[at]bastyr[dot]edu or call (425) 602-3332 with questions or to set up an appointment.
Admissions representatives from Bastyr also attend many transfer fairs at local community colleges in Western Washington. Check with your community college's transfer center about the quarterly fairs. Also keep your eye on the admissions recruiting calendar for times when we might be in your area. Read more transfer information in our catalog (see page 25).