You’re considering a career as a Naturopathic Doctor. That’s wonderful!
Advancing education, healthcare, and research in support of the art and science of natural medicine is precisely why we exist, and this article is designed to better educate you on the options you have in achieving your career goals.
The practice of naturopathic medicine is a distinct system from other forms of health care. It’s an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosing, treating and preventing disease.
Where other forms of medicine might focus on treating symptoms, naturopathic medicine focuses on restoring and optimizing a person’s wellness. It’s a patient-centered, whole-person approach to care.
Studies show that there is a growing demand for naturopathic care, where patients frustrated with the limitations of conventional medicine are seeking alternatives that improve their specific health needs.
Given the growing interest in naturopathic medicine’s whole-person approach to care, institutions like ours have created multiple pathways that you can take advantage of in advancing your career goals of becoming a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
Sometimes one of the biggest hurdles in achieving your career goals is knowing where to start.
What are the requirements? What are my options? What do I need to know in order to succeed?
At NUNM, we want to do all that we can in order to prepare you for the road ahead, from application to graduation.
Here are some of the most important details you need to know about attending NUNM in pursuit of achieving your Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree.
Becoming a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine: Prerequisites
As you might expect, there are prerequisites for admission into a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.
Most prominently, you must have completed a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree from an accredited university or college.
A bachelor’s degree alone will not make you eligible for this program. Completed college-level coursework in chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, English composition, psychology, and humanities are required before entering NUNM’s Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.
Additionally, we strongly recommend that you have completed coursework in anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, immunology, and microbiology before entering the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.
Read more to see the comprehensive list of NUNM’s Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine prerequisites.
Becoming a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine: How to Apply
As with many in-demand fields of study, NUNM’s Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program has an admissions process.
Application requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be considered for admission:
- Submit your $75 non-refundable application fee
- You must submit your official transcripts from all former schools attended
- Include a current resume or CV
- Your personal statement of intent
- A Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Primary Care essay
- Bachelor’s degree (accredited college, university, or foreign equivalent)
- Program-specific prerequisites (Passed with a grade of C or better)
- A letter of recommendation
We strongly encourage every applicant to make certain that their application is complete, including all required associated documents — we do not review incomplete applications.
Read more about NUNM’s application requirements.
For students who have already been admitted to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, it is critical that you complete NUNM’s Enrollment Requirements, including the submission of your Statement of Intent, immunization records, background check, and other required precautionary measures.
Becoming a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine: Tuition and Fees
An education in natural medicine is demanding, but we’ve designed our Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program to limit many of the pressures students can face, allowing you to focus on the rigors of studying medicine.
The fear of ongoing financial burden is a hindrance for many students, one that NUNM has given careful consideration to when streamlining our curriculum.
At NUNM, we’ve redesigned our Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program to provide students with greater financial accessibility at an exceptional value.
We ensure the most competitive tuition rates among accredited Doctor of Naturopathic programs, and have created flexible pathways that reduce time and cost without compromising clinical excellence.
At NUNM, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree requires a total of 269 credits in order to complete the program, at $538 per credit.
It’s important to also remember that there are additional investments outside of credit hours, including textbooks, diagnostic and personal equipment, and lab fees and technology fees.
While that might feel daunting, remember that there are options available to you that can help ease the financial burden associated with university costs, including financial aid and scholarships.
Out of state residents can even enjoy the same tuition costs as Oregon residents.
Keep in mind that this isn’t just an investment in school, it’s an investment in your future, and an investment in your ability to deliver great care to your community.
Read more about the financial investment associated with a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree.
Becoming a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine: Your Options
If you have concerns about juggling your life responsibilities, academics, and the financial investment of university life, rest assured knowing that NUNM has taken these realities into consideration, and created different pathways for students with diverse needs and expectations.
NUNM is the only Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program to offer:
- A fully online first year
- 3.5-, 4-, and 5-year program options, where your first year can be online or on campus
The good news is that whether you choose your first year to be in-person or online, it results in the same Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree. There’s no penalty in studying online.
Consider your lifestyle needs. Consider your learning style.
If you’re someone who thrives in collaborative environments, enjoys immersive classroom experiences, and excels in more structured learning environments, then an in-person learning experience might be the option for you.
If you’re a person who needs more flexibility in their schedule in order to balance work, life, and school commitments, and thrives in self-motivated learning situations, then consider the benefits of online learning for your first year.
Again, it’s the same comprehensive coursework, mirroring the same intensity as the in-person experience, but you have the option to choose what’s best for your lifestyle.
With NUNM, you have the opportunity to learn real-world clinical skills over the course of your 4,100 learning hours, leading to a fruitful career as a Naturopathic Doctor.
We encourage you to contact us, visit our campus, or attend a virtual event so you can learn more about achieving your goal of becoming a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
Contact us today for more information. We look forward to learning more about you!