Education in Naturopathic Medicine

With the rising costs of traditional medical practices, naturopathic medicinal techniques have been increasing in popularity. Focused on natural health care, naturopathic practitioners use certain foods, herbs, modified diets, and other organic techniques to help cure and alleviate common illnesses, disorders, and diseases. There are various fields of study within naturopathic medicine, such as homeopathy and herbalism, all of which aim to treat the entire person and to educate them on how to stay healthy naturally, without the use of traditional medicine or machines.

Other Community and Technical Colleges

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University of Arizona

1401 E University, Tucson, 85721
Telephone:(520) 621-2211
http://www.arizona.edu

Arkansas Tech University

Administration Bldg 200; 1509 N Boulder Ave, Russellville, 72801
Telephone:(479) 968-0389
http://www.atu.edu

Point Loma Nazarene University

3900 Lomaland Dr, San Diego, 92106
Telephone:(619) 849-2200
http://www.pointloma.edu/home.htm

Santa Clara University

500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 95053
Telephone:(408) 554-4000
http://www.scu.edu

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, , 94720
Telephone:(510) 642-6000
http://www.berkeley.edu

University of California-San Diego

9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, 92093
Telephone:(858) 534-2230
http://www.ucsd.edu

University of the Pacific

3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, 95211
Telephone:(209) 946-2011
http://www.pacific.edu

Westmont College

955 La Paz Rd, Santa Barbara, 93108
Telephone:(805) 565-6000
http://www.westmont.edu

Colorado School of Mines

1500 Illinois St, Golden, 80401
Telephone:(303) 273-3000
http://www.mines.edu

University of Colorado at Boulder

Regent Drive at Broadway, Boulder, 80309
Telephone:(303) 492-1411
http://www.colorado.edu

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Is a Career in Naturopathic Medicine Right for Me?

Naturopathic medicine, sometimes called natural or alternative medicine, is based on the belief that the body is capable of healing itself through processes of exercise, meditation, natural food, massage therapy, herbal treatments, accupuncture, and more. It also focuses on preventing illness in the long term by creating the optimum healthy lifestyle. Naturopathic practicioners will often recommend that patients combine their treatments with those of medical doctors when meainstream protocols like medication are deemed necessary. read more [+]

What Training is Required?

To become a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND), students must attend an accredited naturopathic medicine school, which can be just as intensive and competitive as medical school. The curriculum usually takes 4 years to complete, including graduate coursework emphasizing clinical practice, neurology, pharmacology, and biomedical sciences, as well as psychology, philosophy and courses relating to naturopathic medicine and theories. Students also undergo a two-year internship with close supervision and mentoring by a licensed ND.

Professionals working in naturopathic medicine careers other than a licensed MD (see below), may only be required to hold a specific certification. For more advice on choosing a training program, visit the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges or the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

What Career Options Will It Give Me?

A career in naturopathic medicine may mean working as an ND, but it can lead to careers as a researcher, author, teacher, health advocate, or consultant. As an ND you could work anywhere, in a hospital or clinic, a private practice, a teaching facility, a health or athletic club, or even a rehabilitation center.

Depending on your level of training, experience, and career path, salaries vary, but in general a naturopathic practicioner just starting out may earn $30,000 per year, which can increase to over $200,000 as their practice grows. For more information visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is There a Good Employment Outlook for Naturopathic Practitioners?

While the medical community once scoffed at naturopathy, many traditional doctors are now seeing the benefits of a hoslistic approach to medicine, choosing to combining their mainstream treatments with naturopathy. For this reason, demand for medical practitioners is on the rise. Similarly, incresing rates of cancer and other life-threatening diseases are seeing many more people turn to naturopathic medicine in order to protect their long term health by creating a healthy, natural lifestyle.