[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/cnme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cnme-home-1.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Naturopathic Education” text_orientation=”center” module_class=”et_animated et_animated et_animated et_animated” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”3.5em” content_font_size=”47px” subhead_font_size=”25px” subhead_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”rgba(125,147,178,0.19)” background_blend=”soft-light” max_width_tablet=”50px” animation_style=”fade” title_font_size_tablet=”30px” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_title=”text-shadow: 1px 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, .8);” custom_css_subtitle=”text-shadow: 1px 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);” global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”]
\n[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section – Overview of Naturopathic Medical Education” module_id=”overview” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|8%||8%” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Overview of Naturopathic Education” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The Council on Naturopathic Medicine (CNME) accredits doctoral programs in naturopathic medicine (ND programs) in the U.S. and Canada that are offered by multipurpose universities and by naturopathic doctor colleges that focus solely on providing naturopathic medical education. These programs, which choose to voluntarily seek CNME accreditation, emphasize the use of natural modalities\u2014such as nutrition, lifestyle counseling and botanical medicine\u2014in maintaining wellness and treating illness. The comprehensive program of study also includes coursework in the biomedical and clinical sciences similar to what is studied in DO, DC and MD programs, as well as hands-on clinical training. CNME-accredited ND programs qualify graduates for licensure in the U.S. and Canada.<\/p>\n
All of the CNME-accredited naturopathic doctor schools\/programs (ND programs) are primarily campus-based and typically take four years to complete. These programs may also incorporate online\/distance education coursework, as well as hybrid courses that combine online and in-person components. The CNME does not, however, accredit ND programs that are taught entirely or primarily using online\/distance education instruction.<\/p>\n
To be eligible for accreditation, a naturopathic doctor school\/program must meet CNME\u2019s rigorous accreditation standards. These standards cover program length and content, clinical training requirements, faculty qualifications, student services, student and program assessment, facilities, and library resources\u2014among other areas. CNME accreditation ensures that students receive a high-quality medical education that prepares them for licensed practice.<\/p>\n
For information on Council on Naturopathic Medical Education\u2019s accreditation standards, see Part Four of the CNME Handbook of Accreditation for Naturopathic Medical Programs<\/a>: Accreditation Standards for Naturopathic Medicine Programs<\/em>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cnme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/blurb-leaf.png” url=”https:\/\/cnme.org\/accredited-programs\/” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”30%” global_colors_info=”{}”] Becoming a naturopathic doctor is a life-affirming and rewarding career choice. Naturopathic medicine supports human health on multiple levels\u2014physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual\u2014and contributes to the well-being of the natural environment by raising awareness of the importance of organic and naturally raised food and a healthy environment.<\/p>\n The first step to becoming a naturopathic physician is to find the college or university that is right for you. Visit our list of CNME-accredited naturopathic doctor (ND) programs<\/a> to find links to the various naturopathic doctor schools and programs, and to learn more about requirements for admission. Like DO, DC and MD programs, admission to an ND program requires completion of a number of undergraduate science courses that include biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry.<\/p>\n Training naturopathic medicine and licensure as an ND can open up a variety of career paths. While most NDs establish a private practice or enter into an existing naturopathic medical practice, in some cases NDs work in collaboration in a variety of clinical settings with MDs, DCs, DOs, acupuncturists, and other healthcare practitioners\u2014and they are trained to refer patients for emergency and other situations when necessary. It should be noted that while training in naturopathic medicine may open up a diversity of career options for individual practitioners, CNME\u2019s accreditation standards are not intended to prepare graduates for practice in conventional or integrative medical hospitals and clinics, and the CNME does not in any way represent that such career options will be available to graduates of CNME-accredited and candidate programs.<\/p>\n After graduation from a naturopathic medicine program, some naturopathic physicians choose to further their education and develop their professional skills by entering into a postdoctoral residency program<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/cnme.org\/naturopathic-accreditation\/” button_text=”Naturopathic Accreditation” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”]
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\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/cnme.org\/naturopathic-residencies\/” button_text=”Naturopathic Residencies” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”]
\n[\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#7d93b2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”25px|0px|26.5469px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cnme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/education.jpg” alt=”Students who choose an accredited naturopathic medicine program can know that their education meets approved standards for becoming a licensed naturopathic physician.” title_text=”Students who choose an accredited naturopathic medicine program can know that their education meets approved standards.” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12″ header_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Photo courtesy of Bastyr University<\/em>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”50px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”0px|||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Students who choose an accredited naturopathic medicine program can know that their education meets approved standards for becoming a licensed naturopathic physician.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section – A Career in Naturopathic Medicine” module_id=”career” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|8%||8%” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – A Career in Naturopathic Medicine” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nA Career in Naturopathic Medicine<\/h1>\n