Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession that combines the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science. Naturopathic physicians are trained as primary care providers who diagnose, treat and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions, while addressing disease and dysfunction at the level of body, mind and spirit. They concentrate on whole-patient wellness through health promotion and disease prevention, attempting to find the underlying cause of the patient’s condition. They provide individualized, evidence-informed therapies that balance the least harmful and most effective approaches to help facilitate the body’s inherent ability to restore and maintain optimal health.
Quick Facts:
- Degree Required: To become an Naturopathic Physician, you must complete a four-year degree from a naturopathic medical program. Look for a program that is accredited by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges.
- Entrance Exam: The MCAT is accepted but not required
- Centralized Application Service: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Centralized Application Service (NDCAS);Some programs may have supplemental materials. Be sure to check each program's requirements. Not all programs participate in NDCAS. Check this list to see the participating programs.
- Application Timeline: The NDCAS application opens late August of the year preceding planned matriculation. Applicants should plan to apply early in the cycle.
- Recommendation Letters: NDCAS requires a minimum of 3 reference letters and will accept up to 5. It is recommended that at least 1 be from a science faculty member. Check with each individual school to determine their requirements.
- Interviews: Naturopathic medical programs require an interview as part of the application process.
- Eight Naturopathic Programs in the US (none in Texas).
Pre-Requisite Courses:
- Biology: BIOL 1361/1161 & BIOL 1362/1162 (*BIOL 1306/1106 & BIOL 1307/1107)
- Biochemistry: BCHS 3304
- Human Physiology: BIOL 3324
- General Chemistry: CHEM 1331/1111 & CHEM 1332/1112 (*CHEM 1311/1111 & CHEM 1312/1112)
- Organic Chemistry: CHEM 3331/3221 & CHEM 3332/3222 (*CHEM 2323/2123 & CHEM 2325/2125)
- Physics: PHYS 1301/1101 and PHYS 1302/1102
- Psychology: PSYC 1300 (*PSYC 2301)
- Statistics: MATH 2311 (*MATH 1342)
- English: ENGL 1303 & ENGL 1304 (*ENGL 1301 & ENGL 1302)
*Course names/numbers effective Fall 2021
Requirements vary widely by school. This list does not include all courses that may be required by Naturopathic Medical programs. Additionally, schools have differing policies for accepting AP/IB credits to fulfill prerequisites. Students are responsible for verifying the prerequisite coursework and AP/IB policies of the schools to which they plan to apply.