Academics

Your ND First Year: In Person or Online?

Woman in classroom smiling at computer

Which Pathway to Becoming a Doctor is Right for Me? 

At the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), we know that no two future doctors are exactly alike.

That’s why we offer two different pathways to begin your Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) journey— study in person or online for your first year of the program. This allows your to choose which best supports your life, learning style, and long-term goals:

Option 1: All In-Person 

Our in-person track is the traditional route for those who thrive in collaborative, on-campus learning. You’ll build relationships with fellow students, faculty, and patients while gaining clinical experience early and often.

Best for you if you want: 

  • Daily face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers 
  • Immersive, hands-on classroom and lab experiences from day one 
  • Immediate access to NUNM’s teaching clinic and campus community 
  • A structured learning environment with built-in support systems 

The in-person experience also gives you a strong foundation in physical examination, anatomy, and hands-on modalities from the very start. 

Option 2: First-Year Online

Our first-year-online track offers the same rigorous coursework as the in-person program, but in a virtual format during your first academic year. You’ll connect with classmates and instructors through live Teams sessions and dynamic online platforms.

Best for you if you want: 

  • Greater flexibility to balance school with work or family life 
  • To stay rooted in your home community while beginning your ND education 
  • A lower relocation barrier for your first year 
  • High-quality virtual learning designed by experienced naturopathic faculty 

After your first year online, you’ll arrive on our Portland campus in August to experience a month of hands-on lab courses, getting you ready to transition to full-time, in-person learning for the rest of your time at NUNM.  

How Do I Choose? 

There’s no wrong answer—both tracks lead to the same degree and clinical training outcomes. The question is, What learning environment sets you up for success in your first year of medical school? 

Ask yourself: 

  • Do I learn best through face-to-face interaction and immediate hands-on practice? 
  • Do I need the flexibility to manage other life responsibilities while I study? 
  • Am I ready to relocate now, or would a gradual transition better fit my circumstances? 

Frequently Asked Questions

Naturopathic physicians in the United States and Canada are licensed differently across states and provinces due to variations in regulatory standards and legal requirements, resulting in a variety of regulations governing their practice. Learn more about naturopathic licensing from state to state.
The online first-year ND program at NUNM mirrors the intensity of the in-person ND medical program. Over three terms (Fall, Winter, and Spring), students complete 26 credits per term, totaling 312 instructional hours. Expect roughly 21 hours of weekly self-paced online coursework and 5 hours of scheduled synchronous tutorials. Students should dedicate 1–2 hours of study, group work, assignments, and exam prep per instructional hour. This workload is estimated to be around 60+ hours per week. View the ND curriculum.
Not entirely. In the first year of online naturopathic school, around 80% (20–22 hours) of instruction is asynchronous, allowing students to access course materials conveniently. The remaining 20% (4–6 hours) consists of scheduled tutorials with faculty that require attendance.
Tutorials will be delivered via a hybrid model: independent work, group work, and scheduled synchronous sessions. Labs will be postponed to in-person intensive practicums. Students will complete approximately 14 weekly lab hours during the program’s second year.
While 80% of the online ND program offers flexible, asynchronous learning, the workload averages over 60 hours per week (26 instructional hours + 52 study/assignment hours). Similarly, the on-ground program is a large time commitment. This academic intensity, often unprecedented before medical school, leaves little time for employment. If considering part-time work, it’s advised to experience the first term before committing, as the workload might be more demanding than anticipated.
No, the online naturopathic medicine courses are solely available for the first year of the ND program.

Need help deciding?

Still unsure? Our Admissions team is here to help you think it through. 

To learn about both pathways, schedule a call with an Admissions Counselor or attend an Info Session. 

Whether you start on campus or online, you’ll be joining the nation’s flagship institution for naturopathic medical education—committed to training compassionate, competent, and confident doctors: