Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Program

Program Overview

Integrative Medicine
We believe in bringing together professionals from a broad range of medical specialties for the benefit of patients and the health care industry as a whole.

Broad-Scope, Patient-Centered Care
We prepare our students to evaluate and address the full range of factors affecting human health. You'll learn to diagnose and treat each of your patients based on a thorough evaluation of their unique health history and profile. You won't base your care on just one symptom or one type of treatment, instead you'll learn to think in terms of "whole health healing." You'll draw from a wide range of healing modalities and work together with experts from other medical fields whenever it will benefit your patient. 

Outstanding Facilities
Our gross anatomy laboratory houses over 40 human cadavers. In it, you will personally perform complete human dissection rather than learn by prosection or virtual instruction. Additionally, our Training and Assessment Center allows you to practice evaluation and diagnostic techniques with "standardized patients". These are just a few of the many facilities you will enjoy as a student. 

Accreditation
National University's Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program was granted candidacy by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) on March 9, 2008. Candidacy is not accreditation and does not ensure eventual accreditation, but it is a status of affiliation with the Council that indicates the naturopathic medicine program is progressing toward full accreditation. Candidacy status allows NUHS graduates to sit for the NPLEX examinations which are the gateway to practice in licensed states. National University is also a member of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) which was established to propel and foster the naturopathic medical profession by actively supporting the academic efforts of accredited and recognized schools of naturopathic medicine.

Unique Approach

National University, is one of only two schools in the country to provide chiropractic, naturopathic and acupuncture/oriental medicine degree programs on one campus.  Naturopathic students are trained in an integrative medicine setting, alongside first-professional students from our Chiropractic and Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine programs. In our Lombard clinic, you'll also interact with our resident MD who works with student interns. 

Academic Superiority
National University has a long history of academic rigor and excellence. We have long maintained the highest admission standards for our chiropractic program and remain the only institution to require a baccalaureate degree for entry.  With these standards in mind, we established the requirement of a baccalaureate degree for entry into the naturopathic medicine program.  

Unparalleled Career Preparation
Health care is moving towards a model of integration and needs trained healers who can work together for effective patient management. Our broad-scope provides in-depth training in diagnoses and patient management. Our program also teaches you how to function in an integrative medicine setting. You'll have confidence in making and sharing your diagnoses with colleagues, and serving as a valued member of an integrative medical team. This ensures that you are prepared for the future of integrated health care.

History of Excellence
National University has over 100 years of success in training dedicated physicians and practitioners of natural medicine. Although our current Naturopathic program started in 2006, this discipline is not new to the university. National University offered a program in naturopathic medicine from the mid-1920's until 1952.

Our Curriculum

National University's distinctive and innovative curriculum provides you with a comprehensive base in human biology and anatomy and extensive hands-on training in diagnosis and treatment - we train you to think like a physician. 

You will also have a strong emphasis in physical medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, research and business. The naturopathic program is a three phase program. 

Phase I, Basic Sciences

• One full year of anatomy and physiology in our anatomy lab
• Perform complete human dissection rather than learning by prosection or virtual instruction

Phase II, Clinical Sciences

• Learn how to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of ailments
• Explore advanced homeopathy and botanical medicine courses
• Gain valuable business knowledge on how to ethically promote and market your practice

Phase III, Clinical Practice

• Experience your internship through one of a variety of clinical opportunities

Nine Competencies
At National University, we base our entire curriculum for all professional degrees on helping students achieve what we have identified as the Nine Competencies. The Nine Competencies provide a comprehensive education in health care that will benefit our graduates in their future professional careers. Learn more »

Distinctive Curriculum
View trimester-by-trimester courses, course descriptions, and the course schedule. Learn more »

Internships

Each ND student serves a full year clinical internship. National University offers many exciting internship options that give you the experience and confidence you need to prepare for your future as a physician. 

At the National University Whole Health Center, you'll learn first-hand how to practice naturopathic medicine as primary care medicine under clinical supervision. You'll have access to professionals from other specialties, our residents, our faculty clinicians, as well as our diagnostic imaging and MRI Center. 

In addition to learning clinical applications of naturopathic medicine and proper documentation procedures, you will learn important personal and business skills you'll need to help build your own practice. 

Your clinical experience can be completed at our on-campus Whole Health Center in Lombard and at two non-profit clinics in Chicago serving the uninsured and underprivileged. Observations are also available to ND interns at the Cancer Treatment Center in Zion, IL.                   

Other Program Opportunities

Dual Degrees
Students who earn their ND degree at National University have the option to earn a second degree (DC, MSOM or MSAc) through dual enrollment. By also completing a chiropractic, acupuncture or oriental medicine degree, students increase their knowledge and skill as a practitioner and broaden practice opportunities. Because there are shared courses between the programs, there will be a reduction of the total number of hours needed to complete the second degree. Students are not eligible to begin dual enrollment until the third trimester of their initial or primary program of study. 

Post Graduate Programs
After graduation, students may pursue a number of post-professional programs such as our masters and residency programs. Of course, there are also a wide variety of continuing education classes offered which allow graduates to maintain their professional licensure.