Naturopathic medical school in North America

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This article is about institutions that award the medical degree Doctor of Naturopathy. For information about these and other programs in North America and worldwide, see Naturopathy.

Naturopathic medical school in Canada and the United States is a four year graduate institution with the purpose of educating physicians in the field of naturopathic medicine.[1]

Contents

[edit] Admissions

Admission into naturopathic medical school requires a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.[2] Many applicants obtain further education before medical school in the form of Master's degrees, or other non science related degrees. Admissions criteria may include overall performance in the undergraduate years and performance in pre-medical courses[2], application essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews.

[edit] Curriculum

Once admitted to medical school, it takes four years to complete a Doctor of Naturopathy degree program, although some colleges also offer a less intensive five-year track to complete the same coursework and clinical study.

Preclinical study generally comprises the first two years and consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in core subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, histology, immunology, microbiology, pathology, pathophysiology, Physical & Clinical diagnosis, Laboratory diagnosis, and neurosciences.[3] Once students successfully complete preclinical training, they generally take step one of the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX).[4]

The second two years of study generally consist of training in natural medicine modalities such as botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, pharmacology, and physical medicine. At the same time they receive training in organ system studies like cardiology and psychology, as well as complete clinical hours as a student physician under the supervision of a licensed Naturopathic Doctor.[3] Before becoming licensed NDs, or being eligible to apply for a residency, students must pass step two of the NPLEX.[4]

[edit] Practice and Regulation

Licensed naturopathic physicians must fulfill state-mandated continuing education requirements annually, and have a specific scope of practice defined by their state's law. Graduates of the six accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America are licensed to practice as primary health care providers in 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.[5]

[edit] Accreditation

Naturopathic medical schools in the United States and Canada are accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).[1] The CNME also approves postdoctoral residency programs in naturopathic family practice and primary care.

Naturopathic curricula may be regionally accredited as well.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b About The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (2008).
  2. ^ a b Academic Prerequisites (2008).
  3. ^ a b Academic Curriculum (2008).
  4. ^ a b Description of the NPLEX examinations (2008).
  5. ^ Licensed States and Licensing Authorities (2008).

[edit] See also