National University of Health Sciences received accreditation for its naturopathic medicine degree program on October 13, 2012. National University of Health Sciences is now accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, a professional accrediting agency for naturopathic medicine programs. For information, contact: CNME, 342 Main Street, PO Box 178, Great Barrington, MA 01230; (413) 528-8877.

National University’s current doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND) program accepted its first students in Fall 2006, after the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and School updated the University’s affiliation status to allow it to grant the ND credential. However, accreditation from the profession’s governing body, the CNME, is a multi-faceted and multi-year process. National University received candidacy status in the CNME accreditation process in 2008, and graduated its first class of NDs in 2009. It has successfully proceeded through a series of rigorous review and accreditation steps to achieve CNME accreditation.

National University’s ND program is currently one of only seven accredited programs in North America, and the only accredited ND program in the Midwest. The institution is one of only two in the country to combine programs in naturopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, oriental medicine and acupuncture on the same campus.

“The goal of our university is to prepare medical professionals from differing specialities who can work together as colleagues, rather than competitors, to improve patient outcomes,” says Dr. James F. Winterstein, president of National University. “Our naturopathic program, although relatively new, is thriving and continues to attract an exceptionally high caliber of faculty and students.”

While National University’s is currently the newest CNME accredited ND program, the university itself may actually be one of the oldest naturopathic medicine schools in the nation. In 1926, National University absorbed the Lindlahr College of Natural Therapeutics, founded by naturopathic pioneer Henry Lindlahr, and granted the degree in natural therapeutics (the forerunner to the naturopathic medicine degree) from 1927 to 1952.

“The recent accreditation of our current naturopathic medicine program is the culmination of years of effort by our entire National University community, and many more years of planning and structural development in the institution,” says Fraser Smith, ND, assistant dean for naturopathic medicine. “This important milestone is the latest in a long line of successes for the  university, and we will move forward in continuing to expand our ND program.”

Those seeking more information on National University’s accreditation, history, or its degree program in naturopathic medicine, can call 1-800-826-6285.