Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Study To Become a Naturopathic Doctor

The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD) program at University of Western States (UWS) prepares students to take a whole-person and individualized approach to health and healing. It integrates the principles of functional medicine throughout the naturopathic program. Graduates of this doctorate program learn to consider the whole person including the patient’s diet, lifestyle, environment, genetics, and physical, mental, and emotional health as well as other factors that influence health and well-being.

Including functional medicine principles in the UWS naturopathic doctor program distinguishes it from other NMD programs. Naturopathic medicine and functional medicine are science-based, patient-centered approaches to achieving and maintaining health by addressing the root cause, not just suppressing symptoms. Functional medicine’s focus on the biochemical and genetic individuality, and the diet and nutrition of each patient, integrates well with the full range of assessments and treatment modalities of naturopathic medicine.

The NMD degree is a rigorous doctoral program offered on campus in Portland, Oregon. Our naturopathic medical students develop the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic skills they need to build successful careers in natural and integrative medicine. Before applying, prospective students should acknowledge that our medical program includes these features: 

  • Courses are taught through interactive lectures, hands-on labs, supervised clinical rotations, and team-based learning that prepares students for real-world patient care.
  • Admission requires a bachelor’s degree along with prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and related sciences.
  • The holistic medicine degree blends patient-centered care with evidence-based natural therapies to help prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of health conditions.
  • NMD graduates must obtain licensure before prescribing pharmaceutical medications or performing invasive procedures. Licensure requirements vary by state. 

Demand for Naturopathic Doctors 

The field of naturopathic medicine has shown continuing demand due to increased importance on preventive and holistic medicine. Naturopathic medicine has recently experienced a resurgence as an increasingly health-conscious public utilizes natural therapies as a complement or alternative to more conventional approaches to medicine.

Naturopathic doctors commonly treat conditions like digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, chronic pain, and cardiometabolic issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prediabetes using natural and holistic care.

The comprehensive nature of naturopathic medicine lends itself well to those looking for a more individualized health care experience. Learn more about potential naturopathic careers that graduates of our integrative medicine degree may pursue, including how to become a naturopathic doctor.

Naturopathic Medicine vs Holistic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a type of holistic medicine, but they aren’t exactly the same. 

  • Holistic medicine considers the whole person, encompassing mind, body, and lifestyle, when treating illness. 
  • Naturopathic medicine follows this approach, utilizing natural therapies such as nutrition, herbal medicine, and lifestyle counseling, in conjunction with science-based diagnostics. 

At University of Western States, our NMD students learn to combine holistic care with evidence-based practice to help patients achieve long-term wellness.

Accreditation

The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the programmatic accreditor for naturopathic medical education programs in the United States and Canada. Programmatic accreditation is a multi-step process and the UWS Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program will be actively engaged in the process as the timeline determined by the accreditor allows.

University of Western States was granted candidacy status by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the professional accrediting agency for naturopathic medicine programs, on April 24, 2025. Candidacy is not equivalent to accreditation and does not ensure eventual accreditation; however, it signifies that the naturopathic medicine program is recognized by the council and is progressing toward accreditation.

For information, contact: CNME, PO Box 178, Great Barrington, MA 01230; (413) 528-8877.

“This recognition confirms the progress we have made in developing a quality program and allows us to move forward with continued program development.”
– Marcia Prenguber, ND, FABNO
Dean, College of Naturopathic Medicine

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NMD Program Mission Statement

To prepare ethical, skilled and caring naturopathic physicians as life-long learners, trained to serve their communities by providing evidence-informed, whole person, individualized health care, in partnership with other health care professionals, for the betterment of patients and society. 

Our Campus

University of Western States has a rich history in the Pacific Northwest and has ensured the longevity, sustainability and growth of health care education in the region. Our current campus is an impressive facility, located at 8000 NE Tillamook St. in Portland, Oregon, offering modern amenities to support our highly esteemed educational programs, such as our Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program. Take a video tour of the campus!

Meet our Naturopathic Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

Naturopathic doctors diagnose, prevent, and treat acute and chronic illnesses to restore and establish optimal health by supporting the person’s inherent self-healing process. Rather than just suppressing symptoms, naturopathic doctors work to identify underlying causes of illness and develop individualized treatment plans to address them. In partnership with the patient, the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine integrates the following approaches to create specific, comprehensive, and personalized plans:

  • Remove obstacles to health
  • Stimulate the self-healing mechanisms
  • Strengthen weakened systems
  • Correct structural integrity
  • Use natural substances to restore and regenerate
  • Use pharmacologic substances to halt progressive pathology
  • Use high-force, invasive modalities: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy

Learn more about naturopathic doctors and how they practice.

Naturopathic doctors complete a four-year, in-residence medical program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. The curriculum includes a minimum of 4,100 hours of classroom and clinical training. NMD students receive education in biomedical sciences and various natural therapies, including clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and counseling. The final two years of their education typically involve clinical internships under the supervision of licensed professionals to gain real-world experience. It’s important to note that the accrediting body for these programs does not recognize online degrees, emphasizing the importance of hands-on training. Learn more about naturopathic physician education, training, and licensing.

Currently, doctors of naturopathic medicine are licensed in 26 jurisdictions in the United States, including 23 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more about where naturopathic physicians can receive licensing.

Licensed naturopathic physicians have completed accredited medical training, including more than 4,100 hours of classroom and clinical training with a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and natural therapies. State laws regulate them, and they can prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and perform minor surgeries in some states. Unlicensed naturopathic physicians, in contrast, do not have formal or regulated training and lack the legal authorization to practice as medical professionals. Learn more about the scope and standards of practice for licensed NDs.

Naturopathic physicians and conventionally trained doctors often collaborate to provide care for patients with chronic diseases, cancer, chronic pain, or those seeking to improve overall health and well-being. Naturopathic physicians bring unique diagnostic tools and natural therapies such as clinical nutrition, acupuncture, and botanical medicine. This integrated approach can open new pathways for treatment and potentially reverse chronic conditions. View detailed examples and further reading on this collaborative care model.

Prescribing rights vary, and their scope of practice. In most jurisdictions, naturopathic doctors can prescribe medications. Doctors of naturopathic medicine can prescribe medications in states where they are licensed.

According to data collected from Lightcast, naturopathic physicians in the United States make an average of $100,00 per year. Similar to other medical professions, a naturopathic physician’s salary may vary by state, environment, experience, and demand.

Many naturopathic doctors work in private or group medical practices. However, a growing number of naturopathic doctors practice in hospitals, urgent care centers, community health clinics, academic and research institutions, and other companies that produce or distribute natural or consumer products. Learn more about naturopathic doctors and where they practice.

A doctor of naturopathic medicine (NMD) is a health care provider who uses conventional and integrative therapies to support the body’s healing processes. A doctor of naturopathic medicine is trained to diagnose and treat medical conditions by focusing on functional and proactive prevention. They use non invasive therapies such as nutrition, lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine, and homeopathy, to treat the whole person rather than just their symptoms. This approach ensures that all factors influencing health, wellness, and disease are considered, including mind, body, and spirit.

The UWS Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program integrates a functional medicine approach into the NMD curriculum. Naturopathic and functional medicine are science-based, patient-centered approaches to achieving and maintaining health through natural methods. Functional medicine’s focus on the biochemical and genetic individuality, and the diet and nutrition of each patient, integrates well with the full range of assessments and treatment modalities of naturopathic medicine.

UWS was granted candidacy status by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the professional accrediting agency for naturopathic medicine programs. Candidacy is not equivalent to accreditation and does not ensure eventual accreditation; however, it signifies that the naturopathic medicine program is recognized by the Council and is progressing toward accreditation.

Since the CNME granted UWS candidacy status, NMD students who have completed the first six quarters of the program are eligible to sit for Part I of the NPLEX licensing exam, and graduates of the program may sit for Part II of the NPLEX exam, as well as apply for licensure.

Our NMD program will proceed to the next phase of achieving programmatic accreditation, which parallels the candidacy status application process.

Transfer students will need to submit their ND/NMD transcripts for evaluation. Transfer credit will be awarded on a case-by-case basis and advanced placement in the NMD program determined after evaluation.

Though a part-time job may be possible, full-time work plus a full-time in-person program will be difficult to achieve. Part-time work may set you behind in your NMD coursework, which takes approximately 3.5 years as a full-time program. Classes are offered Monday through Friday, and clinical rotations may include Saturdays.

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