Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine - Illinois campus

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a system of primary health care focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. It is dedicated to nature's healing powers and is distinguished by principles that underlie and determine its practice. These six principles are: First Do No Harm, Treat the Whole Person, Identify and Treat the Causes, The Healing Power of Nature, Doctor as Teacher and Promoting Wellness.

Naturopathic Philosophy
At National University, there is a focus on teaching traditional naturopathic philosophy and clinical theory rather than simply naturopathic methods and modalities. Naturopathic philosophy focuses on treating the individual, not simply the disease or diagnosis, and treating holistically which means looking at all the factors that comprise health with the ultimate goal of restoring balance and supporting the natural healing process.

Naturopathic Treatments
Naturopathic physicians are highly trained practitioners who utilize traditional and modern therapies to manage a broad range of health conditions. Treatment modalities can include nutrition, botanical medicine,  homeopathy, and minor surgery.  National University ND students are extensively trained as thorough diagnosticians to identify the appropriate treatment for their patients.

Source: American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)

Naturopathic Careers
The field of naturopathic medicine continues to grow with more than 5,000 practicing physicians in North America, a number that has tripled in the last 10 years. At National University, our ND graduates have trained alongside students from the chiropractic and oriental medicine programs and are therefore well prepared for careers in today's increasingly integrated health care environments.

Naturopathic Medicine Licensure
To practice as a naturopathic physician in the U.S. or Canada, students must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX) conducted by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). They must also apply for licensure in the state or province in which they plan to practice. Students are responsible for familiarity with the state's or province's scope of practice and licensing and renewal requirements through their state, provincial or territorial licensing board.

The professional organization representing naturopathic physicians in the U.S. is the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). In Canada, the national association is the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).

Program Overview

Our Curriculum

You can earn your Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree in as little as 10 trimesters. Students attend school year round and may complete the program in three years and four months.  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

Learn more about the program's curriculum by viewing:  

• Course Schedule
• Trimester-by-Trimester Courses
• Course Description
• Six Competencies

You may also explore our  Flex Track schedules which allow students wishing to go at a slower pace to take a reduced course load each trimester.

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. 

Accreditation

National University's Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program was granted accreditation by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) on October 13, 2012. Accreditation 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, 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.

Strengths

Consider National University for its distinct advantages and be well-prepared for the career that awaits you.

Integrative Learning

Students learn in the classroom with students in other health programs, as well as treat patients collaboratively within an integrative clinic. National University's focus on collaborative learning encourages students to become colleagues rather than competitors. This better prepares them for future careers in today's integrated health care. Additionally, NUHS students can expand their career credentials through enrolling in dual degree programs.

Naturopathic Philosophy

The Naturopathic program at National University emphasizes the teaching and application of the principles of Naturopathic philosophy and clinical theory, not simply Naturopathic therapies.

We train students to focus on whole health healing and to treat the individual rather than the disease. This includes looking for underlying imbalances and supporting the natural healing process through holistic treatments.

Basic Science Curriculum 

At National University, the rigorous basic science coursework provides a foundation for applying the biomedical sciences to understanding the evolution of patient conditions and engineering a plan that will help them return to health. These solid basic sciences also support the student in becoming a well-versed diagnostician.

Clinical theory courses, early in the curriculum, and continued through the program, aid students in applying the basic science knowledge they are acquiring to the understanding of the root causes of disease, and symptoms. A couple great example is our Basic Science Applications: Determinants of Health and Applied Clinical Theory.

Homeopathy Instructors

Our homeopathy instructors offer some of the best instruction in homeopathy that you will find in North America. They combine their dedication to teaching homeopathy according to its basic principles along with a vast clinical experience, and a total commitment to mentoring students. In addition, you can choose a specialty rotation in homeopathic medicine during your clinical internship.

Campus Location and Facilities

National University is conveniently located 15 miles from the city of Chicago with easy access by car or Metra train. Students come from across the country and internationally, creating a diverse student body.

In our Hydrotherapy suite, students treat patients using the therapeutic benefits of water. Our fully stocked herbal dispensary carries a wide variety of homeopathic remedies, botanical medicines, tinctures and herbs. ND students also experience botanical herb cultivation in the NUHS Botanical Garden.

Students are taught in modern classrooms utilizing state-of-the-art technology such as SMART boards. Our gross anatomy laboratory housing over 40 human cadavers, allows you to learn by hands-on dissection rather than prosection or virtual instruction. In addition to hands-on dissection, NUHS offers The Anatomage Table, today's most technologically advanced digital visualization system for anatomy education. Active learning continues in our  Training and Assessment Center where you will work with "standardized patients" to develop your clinical and communication skills. Learn more about our facilities »

Internships

Each ND student serves a full year clinical internship and National University offers many exciting internship options.

At the National University Whole Health Center, you'll learn first-hand how to practice under clinical supervision. You'll have access to professionals from other specialties, as well as our Diagnostic imaging Center. 

Your clinical experience can be completed at our on-campus Whole Health Center in Lombard or in Aurora, and includes a one-trimester internship in our Salvation Army clinic helping the medically underserved. Additionally, National University is committed to developing new internship opportunities in various states and locations that will provide students with exposure to a diverse patient population.

During your internship phase you will also participate in weekly Grand Rounds, where students and experts share knowledge, research, and experience on various patient conditions.

Postgraduate Programs

After graduation, students may pursue a number of postprofessional programs such as our master's and residency programs or select from a variety of continuing education classes offered.

Additionally, there are many exciting residency programs offered nationwide for ND graduates. NUHS grads are accepted into many of the most prestigious residencies, such as those at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Other Program Opportunities

Dual Degrees
Students also have the option to earn a second degree (DC, MSOM or MSAc) through dual enrollment, increasing their knowledge and skill as a practitioner and broadening practice opportunities. Due to the 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 until the third trimester of their initial or primary program of study.

Advanced Scholars Program
Through NUHS' bachelor of science program, you can earn a BS degree and a ND degree in less time and at less cost by enrolling in the Advanced Scholars Program. Your first year in the ND program will count toward both degrees, giving you the chance to finish both a BS and ND degree in 6.5 years.

UWS/NUHS Collaborative Program
National University and University of Western States offer a special collaborative program whereby DC students and graduates from UWS will automatically receive advanced standing in our ND program allowing students to earn their ND degree in a shorter time frame and with substantial cost savings.

Homeopathic Medicine Rotation
The Naturopathic Medicine Program includes the study of homeopathy, and provides opportunities to hone skills learned in the classroom. Students are required to complete one constitutional case in the NUHS Whole Health Center, and also have the opportunity to supplement their studies through optional observations and scheduling additional constitutional cases.

A homeopathy rotation through the Center for Integral Health (CIH) provides students with the experience of working with patients under direct supervision and expand their knowledge of homeopathic modalities. Students are eligible to earn primary hours for direct patient care, such as conducting intakes and follow-ups with patients, and secondary hours for observing the management of acute and chronic homeopathic cases.

Student Research
Our evidence-based curriculum includes opportunities to work on research projects independently, or alongside faculty research mentors.

Jonathan Otten - ND Student
Jonathan co-authored an article on how vitamin D affects the health of the central nervous system. He worked with faculty member Dr. Daniel Richardson, and saw his article published in The Original Internist.

Darius Lembert - ND Student
Darius co-authored an article on abnormal postural changes in children with cerebral palsy that was published in the international journal, The Medical Science Monitor.

See more student research success stories »