Schools with naturopathic medical programs are colleges or universities that are regionally-accredited by US Department of Education regional accrediting agencies.  The naturopathic medical programs within regionally-accredited schools are separately accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), a US Department of Education specialized accrediting agency.

Note:  Two (2) CNME-accredited schools are located in Canada, where there is not a regional accrediting system like in the USA.

 

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Below are answers to frequently asked questions about schools with naturopathic medical programs in the USA.

 

What schools currently have CNME-accredited or CNME-provisionally accredited programs that offer a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine (naturopathy)?¹

There are currently 9 schools in North America that have CNME-accredited or CNME-provisionally accredited programs that offer a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine (naturopathy).

The CNME-accredited schools that offer a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine are:

• Bastyr University (BU) – Kenmore, Washington, USA
• Bastyr University California (BUC) – San Diego, California, USA
• Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM) – New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
• Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) – Lombard, Illinois, USA
• National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) – Portland, Oregon, USA
• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences (SCNM) – Tempe, Arizona, USA
• University of Bridgeport (UB) – Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA

The CNME-provisionally accredited school that offers a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine is:

• Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez (SUAGM) Universidad del Turabo (UT) – Gurabo, Puerto Rico

 

Which US Department of Education regional accrediting agencies accredit schools with naturopathic medical degree programs in the USA?²

The US Department of Education regional accrediting agencies that accredit schools with naturopathic medicine degree programs in the USA are:

• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Bastyr University (BU) – Kenmore, Washington, USA
  • Bastyr University California (BUC) – San Diego, California, USA
  • National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) – Portland, Oregon, USA
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
  • National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) – Lombard, Illinois, USA
  • Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences (SCNM) – Tempe, Arizona, USA
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
  • University of Bridgeport (UB) – Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez (SUAGM) Universidad del Turabo (UT) – Gurabo, Puerto Rico

 

Do naturopathic medical schools have a required entrance examination that is the same between all of the schools?³

No, there is not currently a required entrance examination, such as the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), that is the same between all of the naturopathic medical schools.  The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) has not developed its own examination for entrance into naturopathic medical schools.

The MCAT was developed and is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for entrance into allopathic medical schools.

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) has not developed its own examination for entrance into osteopathic medical schools.  Applicants take and submit AAMC MCAT scores.

Most, but not all, allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in the USA require submission of AAMC MCAT scores as a part of the application and admission process.

 

What is the central application service for applying to naturopathic medical schools?⁴

The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Centralized Application Service (NDCAS) is the central application service for applying to naturopathic medical schools.  NDCAS is a service of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC).

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is the central application service for applying to allopathic medical schools.  AMCAS is a service of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is the central application service for applying to osteopathic medical schools.  AACOMAS is a service of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).

 

REFERENCES

1. What schools currently have CNME-accredited or CNME-provisionally accredited programs that offer a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine (naturopathy)?

   • Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. CNME Accredited and Candidate Programs.  Accessed on 2016 Mar 25.
   • Bastyr University.  Bastyr University.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • Bastyr University California.  Bastyr University California.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • Bastyr University.  School of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 16.
   • Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine.  Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.  Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • National University of Health Sciences.  National University of Health Sciences.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • National University of Health Sciences.  College of Professional Studies.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 16.
   • National University of Natural Medicine.  National University of Natural Medicine.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • National University of Natural Medicine.  College of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 16.
   • Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences.  Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • University of Bridgeport.  University of Bridgeport (UB).  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • University of Bridgeport.  Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) Degree Program.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 16.
   • Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez – Universidad del Turabo.  Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez Universidad del Turabo.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 15.
   • Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez – Universidad del Turabo.  Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud.  Accessed on 2017 Mar 16.

2. Which US Department of Education regional accrediting agencies accredit schools with naturopathic medical degree programs in the USA?

   • U.S. Department of Education – Office of Postsecondary Education. The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs:  Accreditation – Agency List.  Accessed on 2016 Aug 03.

3. Do naturopathic medical schools have a required entrance examination that is the same between all of the schools?

   • The Princeton Review. Bastyr University – School of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2016 Apr 03.
   • Purdue University. Center for Pre-Professional Advising – Career Guide:  Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.).  Accessed on 2016 Apr 03.
   • Association of American Medical Colleges. Taking the MCAT® Exam.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • Association of American Medical Colleges. About the MCAT® Exam.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. AACOM Reports on Applicants.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.

4. What is the central application service for applying to naturopathic medical schools?

   • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Centralized Application Service. Welcome to NDCAS.  Accessed on 2016 Apr 12.
   • Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Centralized Application Service:  Welcome to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Centralized Application Service (NDCAS).  Accessed on 2016 Apr 12.
   • Association of American Medical Colleges. American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).  Accessed on 2016 Apr 12.
   • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Welcome to AACOMAS.  Accessed on 2016 Apr 12.
   • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. AACOM Application Service (AACOMAS):  The AACOMAS Advantage.  Accessed on 2016 Apr 12.