Earn Your ND In Portland, Oregon
Choosing to pursue your doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine is an exciting decision, one that will fundamentally change the course of your life.
It’s important not only to choose what you want to study, but also where you want to study to achieve your next big goal.
In our opinion, Portland, Oregon — home of NUNM — is one of the best places in the world to earn your ND. Here’s why.
Portland Has a Rich History in the World of Naturopathic Medicine
Portland has a long history as a distinct city in the Pacific Northwest, rich in the arts, music, delicious food, and with no shortage of natural beauty to enjoy. You’re never more than a short drive away from scenic mountains, the Pacific Coast, or a dense forest hike.
And while those elements make Portland a truly unique place to call home, it also has a rich history in pioneering the field of Naturopathic Medicine.
Since our founding in 1956, NUNM has led the way in naturopathic education and evidence-based research, both in Portland and worldwide.
Not only is Portland the home of NUNM, the oldest accredited Naturopathic Medicine university in North America, but it’s earned a reputation as one of the country’s leaders in mainstreaming the understanding and embracing natural medicine, largely due to its abundance of institutions, and open-mindedness toward a whole-person approach to healthcare..
In fact, Oregon, along with Washington state and Hawaii, were among the first states in the U.S. to formalize and offer licenses in naturopathic medicine, and Oregon offers what is considered the broadest scope of practice in the country. .
Portland — and all of Oregon — Offers a Broad Scope of Practice
Licensing and scope of practice for Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine varies by state. These distinctions often influence a student’s decision of where they want to study naturopathic medicine and can even influence where they ultimately practice.
Currently, 26US states and territories, and 6 Canadian provinces offer licenses to NDs.
Oregon is considered a leader in the scope of practice for NDs, with an innovative scope of practice that includes an ND’s ability to act as a patient’s primary care provider (PCP), thanks to programs like NUNM’s, which educate its ND students in naturopathic primary care medicine.
This education in primary care allows licensed NDs to diagnose and treat acute and chronic disease via conventional Western and naturopathic medical techniques, as well as perform minor surgery.
Additionally, licensed NDs in the state of Oregon are authorized (via registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration) to write prescriptions for, administer, and dispense certain pharmaceutical drugs.
The scope of practice for NDs in Oregon also includes:
- Botanical Medicine
- Clinical Nutrition
- Homeopathic Medicine
- Mind/Body Medicine
- Minor Surgery
- Natural Childbirth/Midwifery
- Physical Medicine
NUNM graduates are highly skilled clinicians, working in private clinics, allopathic settings, health departments, drug treatment facilities, in research and academia, and more.
And although it might seem like little more than a perk, studying naturopathic medicine in a beautiful, supportive environment like Portland, Oregon indeed has a positive impact on the experience ofNUNM students.
Earn Your ND at NUNM for the Education and the Environment
What they say about Portland is really true — it’s a city that never feels too big, filled with an almost disproportionate abundance of art, music, food, coffee, and culture. An hour from the ocean. An hour from the mountains. Hiking, biking, and more.
It really does have something for everyone, including a supportive, forward-thinking naturopathic medicine community, firmly rooted here at NUNM.
At NUNM, we’re proud of our deep-rooted history in establishing the value and effectiveness of natural medicine education and evidence-based research, and we’re proud of where we’re doing it.
If you’d like to learn more about what makes studying for your ND in beautiful Portland, Oregon so special, contact us today. We’d love to help you take the next step in your education and career.