FAQ

Naturopathic doctors diagnose, prevent, and treat acute and chronic illnesses to restore and establish optimal health by supporting the person's inherent self-healing process. Rather than just suppressing symptoms, naturopathic doctors work to identify underlying causes of illness and develop individualized treatment plans to address them. In partnership with the patient, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine integrate the following approaches to create specific, comprehensive, and personalized plans:

• Remove obstacles to health.

• Stimulate the self-healing mechanisms.

• Strengthen weakened systems.

• Correct structural integrity.

• Use natural substances to restore and regenerate.

• Use pharmacologic substances to halt progressive pathology.

• Use high-force, invasive modalities: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy.

Learn more about naturopathic doctors and how they practice.

Naturopathic doctors complete a four-year, in-residence medical program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. The curriculum includes a minimum of 4,100 hours of classroom and clinical training. NMD students receive education in biomedical sciences and various natural therapies including clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and counseling. The final two years of their education typically involve clinical internships under the supervision of licensed professionals to gain real-world experience. It’s important to note that the accrediting body for these programs does not recognize online degrees, emphasizing the importance of hands-on training. Learn more about naturopathic physician education, training, and licensing.

Currently, doctors of naturopathic medicine are licensed in 26 jurisdictions in the United States, including 23 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more about where naturopathic physicians can receive licensing.

Licensed naturopathic physicians have completed accredited medical training, including more than 4,100 hours of classroom and clinical training with a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and natural therapies. State laws regulate them, and they can prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and perform minor surgeries in some states. Unlicensed naturopathic physicians, in contrast, do not have formal or regulated training and lack the legal authorization to practice as medical professionals. Learn more about the scope and standards of practice for licensed NDs.

Naturopathic physicians and conventionally trained doctors often collaborate to provide care for patients with chronic diseases, cancer, chronic pain, or those seeking to improve overall health and well-being. Combining conventional medical treatments with naturopathic approaches can enhance patient engagement and treatment outcomes. Naturopathic physicians bring unique diagnostic tools and natural therapies such as clinical nutrition, acupuncture, and botanical medicine, complementing the more traditional methods used by conventional doctors. This integrated approach can open new pathways for treatment and potentially reverse chronic conditions. View detailed examples and further reading on this collaborative care model.

Yes, naturopathic doctors have the authority to prescribe medications, though their prescribing rights can vary by state. Doctors of naturopathic medicine can prescribe medications in states where they are licensed.

According to a recent study by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges, doctors of naturopathic medicine in the United States make an average of $95,642 per year.

Many naturopathic doctors work in private or group practices. However, a growing number of naturopathic doctors practice in hospitals, urgent care centers, community health clinics, academic and research institutions, and other companies that produce or distribute natural or consumer products. Learn more about naturopathic doctors and where they practice.

A Naturopathic Medicine Doctor (NMD) is a health care provider who uses conventional and integrative therapies to support the body's healing processes. A doctor of naturopathic medicine is trained to diagnose and treat medical conditions by focusing on functional and proactive prevention. They use non-invasive therapies such as nutrition, lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine, and homeopathy, to treat the whole person rather than just their symptoms. This approach ensures that all factors influencing health, wellness, and disease are considered, including mind, body, and spirit.

The UWS Naturopathic Medicine Doctor program integrates a functional medicine approach into the NMD curriculum. Naturopathic and functional medicine are science-based, patient-centered approaches to achieving and maintaining health through natural methods. Functional medicine’s focus on the biochemical and genetic individuality, and the diet and nutrition of each patient, integrates well with the full range of assessments and treatment modalities of naturopathic medicine.

The University of Western States is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the programmatic accreditor for naturopathic medical education programs in the United States and Canada. Programmatic accreditation is a multi-step process and the UWS Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program will be actively engaged in the process as the timeline determined by the accreditor allows. The CNME has approved the application for the initial step of eligibility status. The second step in the process for Candidacy status requires that at least one group of students have completed at least the first year of the program before submitting a self-study and awaiting a site visit by the CNME. Once Candidacy status with the CNME is achieved, UWS NMD students who have completed the first 6 quarters of the program are eligible to sit for Part I of the NPLEX licensing exam, and graduates of the program may sit for Part II of the NPLEX exam, as well as apply for licensure. Upon receipt of this recognition of Candidacy status, our NMD program will proceed to the next phase of achieving programmatic accreditation, which parallels the candidacy status application process.

Yes, with an extension of several quarters of study. Many of the NMD biomedical science courses/credits apply to the chiropractic program. Contact the UWS Office of Admissions for more information at admissions@test.uws.edu.

Yes! Prerequisites are due no later than six weeks before starting the program.

Yes, but you will likely need to retake science courses completed more than seven years before starting the program.

Yes. Chiropractors, as health care providers in other disciplines, will need to submit transcripts for evaluation. Based on a review of your transcript, we will determine how much time it will take for you to complete the NMD degree.

Yes, current Doctor of Chiropractic students will have advanced standing.

Transfer students will need to submit their ND/NMD transcripts for evaluation. Transfer credit will be awarded on a case-by-case basis and advanced placement in the NMD program determined after evaluation.

The NMD degree is preparing you to become a naturopathic physician. This program requires you to be on campus for courses, labs, and clinical rotations. Some courses may be offered online, but students must be on campus starting their first quarter and should plan to spend 35-40 hours per week on campus.

Though a part-time job may be possible, full-time work plus a full-time in-person program will be difficult to achieve. Part-time work may set you behind in your NMD coursework, which takes 3.5 years as a full-time program. Classes are offered Monday-Friday, and clinical rotations may include Saturdays.

The prerequisites for the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program are 135 quarter credits / 90 semester credits of undergraduate coursework from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or equivalent credentials.

The admission information for the NMD degree program includes minimum education ​​prerequisites, the fall entry term deadlines, and application requirement details.

The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine coursework, curriculum, textbooks, and expected learning outcomes are subject to change to stay updated with the best practices of an NMD education.

The application fee for the NMD Program is $50.