Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

The National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, is North America’s first and most renowned naturopathic medical school. At NUNM, we offer a meticulously crafted four-year program that paves the way for you to achieve a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).

Our program seamlessly integrates traditional naturopathic modalities with modern clinical healthcare practices and principles with modern clinical training, guided by renowned faculty who enable you to shape the future of naturopathic medicine.

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Your First Year: In-Person or Online

Experience flexibility with our innovative and unique online option for the first year, allowing you to complete 25% of your ND degree remotely. Join us at NUNM to experience the most comprehensive naturopathic program in North America and become an integral part of shaping the future of healthcare.  

By the Numbers

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Optional
First Year Online

Program Length:
4 or 5 Years 

Total Credits:
302 Hours

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Per Credit Cost:
$522

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Clinical Training in Naturopathic Medicine

Clinical training in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program will expose you to the most diverse patient population of any naturopathic medical school. Students at NUNM learn real-world clinical skills starting in year one, completing more than 1,200 clinical learning hours upon graduation. Our on-campus teaching clinic is certified as a Tier 3 Patient-Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH).

In addition to being recognized as a leader in patient-centered care, this designation allows us to serve Oregon’s Medicaid population. More than 50% of our patients are on Medicaid and for some, coming to our clinic may be the first time they see a doctor of any kind. For our students, this provides exposure to treating patients with acute, complex and chronic symptoms. 

Accreditation and Licensure 

NUNM is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The ND program is accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Both are governing bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national board examinations administered by NABNE, the basis for naturopathic licensure in states that recognize naturopathic physicians. Learn more about licensure in the United States for naturopathic physicians.  

Contact NUNM

Questions about the program or application process? Contact NUNM Admissions today!

FAQ

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
Yes, as a private, non-profit university, tuition is the same for both residents and non-residents of Oregon.
The online first-year naturopathy 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 online curriculum. (Link to online 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.
Clinical education in the first year includes 30 didactic/tutorial hours and ten clinical observation hours. Overall, 1,254 clinical training hours are required for graduation. These accumulated hours also count toward the 4,100 hour minimum necessary for accreditation by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).
Yes, first-year students will have the option to take electives. ND students are required to complete a total of 16 elective credits to enhance the breadth of their education, but we suggest that students take no more than three electives in their first year.
The tutorials will be delivered via a hybrid model: independent, group work and scheduled synchronous time. 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.
Yes, students can complete a second degree program. For some programs, it’s advised to switch to a 5 year or 6 year track.
No, the online naturopathic medicine courses are solely available for the first year of the ND program.
The 4-year naturopathic medical training prepares students to practice primary care/general medicine. Students may also pursue areas of interest via electives or certificates while studying at NUNM. Graduates may pursue additional training via specialty associations and board certification in a variety of areas, including oncology, pediatrics, gastroenterology, psychiatry, endocrinology (men’s health or women’s health), environmental health and others.

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