Am I ready for ND school?
“Am I ready for ND school?” It’s one of the most common questions our Admissions team hears. Most of the time, prospective students want to know whether they’re ready for the time, financial, and academic commitment of naturopathic medical school. Many are still working through their prerequisites when they reach out, and that’s a good time to start the conversation.
NUNM is here to help you understand everything that you need to make the prerequisite, admissions, and acceptance processes as seamless as possible so you can achieve your goal of becoming an ND.
Here are some commonly asked questions we hear in the early stages of admissions, along with answers that will help you prepare for what’s next.
Does it matter what my undergraduate degree is in?
No, it doesn’t necessarily matter what your undergraduate degree is in, but you do need to have earned your bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.
Additionally, there are prerequisite courses that you must complete before admission to NUNM’s ND program. These mirror a standard pre-med track at most undergraduate institutions.
If you’re uncertain whether or not you’ve already completed the required courses to be considered for admission, our team can review your transcripts and help you determine your options.
What prerequisites are there for an ND degree at NUNM?
You must have completed the following courses with a grade of C or better to be considered for admission to the ND program at NUNM:
- Two science major-level courses in General Chemistry, along with laboratory work
- Two science major-level courses in Organic Chemistry, though Biochemistry is acceptable as a substitute for one of these courses
- Two science major level courses in General Biology, along with laboratory courses — these studies must have included Molecular Biology and competencies may also be met through other courses, such as: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany, etc
- One college-level course in Mathematics, including Algebra, Calculus, or Statistics
- One college-level course in English Composition
- One college-level 100-level or above course in Psychology
- Two college-level courses in Humanities and Social Sciences
NUNM also strongly recommends that prospective ND students have completed courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry.
NUNM offers 3.5-, 4-, or 5-year ND programs — are these course prerequisites true for all versions of the program?
The above prerequisites apply to all tracks of the ND program, except the 3-year option.
What do I do if I don’t have all the prerequisites completed to be eligible for the ND program?
Don’t despair. While it can feel frustrating to have your educational and professional goals delayed, our team will help you get clarity on how you can quickly and efficiently complete your prerequisites to be considered for the ND program.
Prerequisites are just the first step in becoming an ND. Contact NUNM today to learn about the entire journey.
At NUNM, our mission is to advance education, healthcare and research in the art and science of natural medicine. That work starts with helping future NDs find their path. Wherever you are with your prerequisites, whether you’re just getting started or down to your last course, we’d love to talk with you about what it takes to become an ND.
If you’re passionate about building healthier communities, reach out to our Admissions team today. We’ll help you see where you stand and map out your next steps.