Mission Statement:
To promote an environment in which naturopathic medicine is widely recognized, understood and accessible in the State of Washington.
Education & TrainingNaturopathic physicians undergo training that is similar in structure and scope to that of medical and osteopathic physicians. Naturopathic medical colleges are four-year graduate schools with rigorous admissions requirements comparable to other medical schools. The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree is awarded after classroom, clinic and practical study.
Naturopathic physicians are trained in medical sciences including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, cardiology, neurology, radiology, minor surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, embryology, pediatrics, psychology, pharmacology, minor surgery, dermatology, and clinical and physical diagnosis.
The training also includes extensive study of naturopathic philosophy and therapeutics including therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, ayurvedic medicine, hydrotherapy, manipulative therapy, and counseling. Because coursework in natural therapeutics is added to a standard medical curriculum, naturopathic doctors often receive significantly more hours of classroom education in these areas than the graduates of many leading medical schools, including Yale, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins. Comparison of ND and MD training and scope Like many states and provinces, Washington's laws require graduates of naturopathic medical schools to pass rigorous board examinations in order to qualify for licensure. Washington NDs must also complete 20 hours per year of continuing education training in order to maintain their license.
Naturopathic Medical SchoolsThe Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) presides over the accreditation process of four-year, graduate-level programs in naturopathic medicine. Students and graduates of programs accredited or pre-accredited (candidacy) by CNME are eligible to apply for the naturopathic licensing examinations administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). The American Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) was established in February 2001, to propel and foster the naturopathic medical profession by actively supporting the academic efforts of accredited and recognized schools of naturopathic medicine. The following is a list of the naturopathic schools in the U.S. and Canada that are recognized by the CNME and the AANMC.
Accredited ProgramsIn the U.S.
Bastyr University
College of Naturopathic Medicine University of Bridgeport 60 Lafayette Street http://www.bridgeport.edu/pages/3240.asp
National College of Naturopathic Medicine
National University of Health Sciences 200 East Roosevelt Road Lombard, IL 60148
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences
In Canada
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
Certified Residency ProgramsCNME also certifies postdoctoral programs in naturopathic medicine. Among these programs are naturopathic residencies that provide licensed naturopathic physicians with postgraduate training in naturopathic family care and other specialties. Naturopathic Medicine Residency Program
Family Practice Residency Program
The following links all contain information on Residency programs that are fairly well established. Currently only a few programs (Bastyr and NCNM) are fully accredited by the CNME. You may find valuable opportunities by following the other links below. Please note, we are not responsible for how current or accurate the information is on these sites.
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