Naturopathic Medical Education

From Health Facts

To obtain a naturopathic medical credential (ND) in North America the following naturopathic medical educational standards must be met:

• Prerequisites including three years of pre-medical sciences at a University with a cumulative grade point average 3.00 on a four point scale. Prerequisites vary by naturopathic medical college but typically include: biology, biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, introductory psychology and humanities.
• Successfully graduate from a 4-year, full-time accredited naturopathic school
• pass standardized exams after the 2nd and 4th year of study.
• pass provincial or state regulatory requirements
• meet the continuing medical education requirements of their provincial or state regulatory boards

Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges

• The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education is responsible for the accreditation of naturopathic medical colleges.
• The Association of Academic Naturopathic Medical Colleges represents the accredited naturopathic colleges in North America. The current accredited naturopathic colleges in North America are:
  • Bastyr University
  • Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
  • Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
  • National College of Natural Medicine
  • National University of Health Sciences
  • Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
  • University of Bridgeport

Areas of Training

Naturopathic Doctors undergo training similar to medical doctors plus they include the naturopathic disciplines. The four areas of training in the four year, full-time Naturopathic Medicine curriculum includes:

1. Basic Sciences This area of study includes anatomy, physiology, histology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology and pathology.
2. Clinical Disciplines Diagnostic medicine areas of study are physical and clinical diagnosis, differential and laboratory diagnosis, radiology, naturopathic assessment and orthopaedics.
3. Naturopathic Therapies There are six major disciplines that define the areas of naturopathic practice. Each discipline is a distinct area of practice and includes both diagnostic principles and practices as well as therapeutic skills and techniques.
4. Clinical Experience All students must complete 1,500 hours of clinical requirements and demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of Naturopathic Medicine prior to graduation.

• The Academic Prerequisites
• To compare an ND and MD program refer to the AANMC website
• To learn more about History of Naturopathic Medical Education