California Health Sciences University

California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is a private, for-profit university located in Clovis, California. Founded in 2012, the school operates three academic programs, two of which offer doctoral degrees (in pharmacy and osteopathic medicine), and the third offers a masters degree in science. Graduates of the College of Pharmacy (COP) will receive the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree, graduates of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) will receive the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, and graduates of the College of Biosciences and Health Professions (CBHP) will receive the Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) degree.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine is fully accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission and has approval to operate from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

History
CHSU was founded in 2012 to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in California's underserved Central Valley region.

The first academic program launched was the College of Pharmacy in 2014, offering a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree. In 2020, CHSU established the College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) to train primary care physicians for the Central Valley, an area that previously lacked a medical school.

Prior to CHSU-COM's opening, the Fresno area was the largest city in the United States without a medical school. While UCSF Fresno, a regional campus of the UCSF School of Medicine, was established in 1975 to address physician shortages in the San Joaquin Valley, it never culminated into an independent medical school. The nearest medical schools were the UC Davis School of Medicine, 180 miles north in Sacramento, and Stanford University School of Medicine, 180 miles west in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Construction for CHSU-COM's campus broke ground in 2018, and the inaugural class commenced studies in the Fall of 2020. Upon opening, controversy surrounded CHSU's for-profit status and high tuition costs.

College of Osteopathic Medicine
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) is a four-year medical school located in Clovis, California. Established to address the need for primary care physicians in the Central Valley region, it confers a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

In December 2018, CHSU-COM received approval to begin recruiting students, with the inaugural class commencing studies in the Fall of 2020. Among the graduates, 65% secured placements in primary care specialties, and 34% opted for residencies within the Central Valley region.

CHSU-COM's curriculum includes a focus on culinary medicine, integrating nutrition and culinary skills into medical education in line with osteopathic principles. The curriculum also incorporates Spanish language training to prepare students to serve the diverse patient populations in the region.

In April 2024, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted CHSU-COM a seven-year accreditation term, the maximum accreditation term for a new medical school. The institution utilizes technology for virtual 3D anatomical training, in lieu of traditional cadaver labs for anatomy instruction. Clerkships for third and fourth-year students primarily take place in the Clovis/Fresno area, with additional opportunities in surrounding regions and other parts of California through prior arrangements.

The World Directory of Medical Schools recognizes CHSU-COM as a US medical school along with other accredited US M.D. and D.O. programs.

College of Pharmacy
The College of Pharmacy (CHSU-COP) at California Health Sciences University offers a 4-year program leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree. However, in 2020, the program encountered accreditation challenges when its pre-accreditation status with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) was withdrawn due to non-compliance with accreditation standards.

In response, CHSU initiated a new accreditation application process in 2021 for a revised, 3-year Doctor of Pharmacy program. Unfortunately, the program was denied precandidate status by ACPE in 2022, with the option to appeal. CHSU chose not to pursue an appeal.

The current 4-year program remains open with ACPE candidate status through 2024. Current students can continue their education and sit for all state and/or national licensing exams for full licensure. They also remain eligible to apply for and pursue accredited pharmacy residencies. However, applications for new students are no longer being accepted for the pharmacy program.

College of Biosciences and Health Professions
The College of Biosciences and Health Professions (CHSU-CBHP) at California Health Sciences University offers two programs leading to a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) degree. These programs include a one-year non-thesis track and a two-year thesis track. Graduates of the MSBS Program who meet specified requirements are guaranteed an interview with the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. However, admission is not guaranteed.

Campus
The California Health Sciences University campus consists of two sites, both located in Clovis, CA; one site at 120 N Clovis Ave and the second at 2500 Alluvial Ave.

The campus at 120 N Clovis Ave consists of a 30,000 sq-foot building housing the College of Pharmacy and the College of Biosciences and Health Professions. The facility also features classrooms for lectures, a student lounge, student study rooms, and faculty and administrative offices.

The campus at 2500 Alluvial Ave consists of a 90,000 sq-foot three-story building, newly constructed in 2020, housing the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Simulation Center. The facility opened for instruction for its inaugural class of medical students in the fall of 2020. The facility includes classrooms, an osteopathic skills lab, a library, study spaces, a student lounge, and a simulation center.

CHSU’s campus at 2500 Alluvial Ave consists of 110-acres with plans to eventually combine both sites into a single campus on Alluvial.

Student life
Students at California Health Sciences University (CHSU) participate in over 50 clubs and organizations. Students may participate in local community outreach and mentorship programs, such as school fairs, hands-on educational workshops, and career fairs.