Exploring the Programs at National University of Natural Medicine

The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) and the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) offer a range of programs in natural medicine. This article explores the various programs available at these institutions, including Naturopathic Medicine, Classical Chinese Medicine, and other related fields.

National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM)

History and Accreditation

The National University of Natural Medicine is the oldest programmatically accredited naturopathic medical school in North America. NUNM began in the early 1950s in response to the termination of the naturopathic program at Western States Chiropractic College. Members of the profession from Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia planned the founding of the school, and in May 1956, Charles Stone, W. NCNM opened other satellite campus locations in Seattle and Kansas. By 1995, the college began negotiations to purchase its current location in downtown Portland. Classes were relocated to this campus in September 1996, and clinical education was housed in two clinics: the Natural Health Center and the Pettygrove Clinic.

NUNM's main building was constructed in 1912 as an elementary school in the Portland Public Schools system, named Failing School, for former mayor Josiah Failing. It was a replacement for an 1883-built wooden school building with that name, located about two blocks away, which was torn down in 1922. The NUNM building was designed by Whitehouse & Fouilhoux, the architectural firm of Morris H. Whitehouse and Jacques Fouilhoux. Failing School closed in spring 1959, and the building was used by Portland public schools for a vocational training program for graduates beginning in fall 1959. In June 1996, Bill Naito's company, H. Naito Corporation, purchased the building, with tentative plans to convert it into condominiums. Bill Naito said that part of his motivation was to save the historic structure. Naito died suddenly in May 1996, and the plans to convert the building were dropped. A few months later, in September 1996, the Naito Corp.

Academic Programs

NUNM has four colleges/schools: the College of Naturopathic Medicine, the College of Classical Chinese Medicine, and the School of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies. It offers seven professional graduate degree programs:

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)
Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM)
Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM)
Master of Acupuncture (MAc)
Master of Science in Nutrition
Master of Science in Global Health

Undergraduate programs include nutrition and integrative health sciences. NUNM also offers two Bachelor of Science completion degrees and three Master’s degrees available 100% online.

NUNM Health Centers

The NUNM Health Center is a teaching clinic where licensed naturopathic doctors and acupuncturists work with and train students. It is owned and managed by the university. Located near downtown Portland, the National University of Natural Medicine provides integrative primary care and natural healthcare services, including Naturopathic and classical Chinese medicine, to diverse patient populations in the Pacific Northwest. NUNM Health Centers offer a full spectrum of Naturopathic and Chinese medicine care to meet the unique needs of each patient. These health centers are staffed by naturopathic physicians, Chinese medicine practitioners, and clinical nutrition providers, along with medical students and interns in a team-based model. The Lair Hill Health Center is a Tier 3 Patient-Centered Primary Care Home as certified by the Oregon Health Authority.

NUNM Health Centers offer integrative health services, including naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and care for the whole family in Portland. They treat a wide range of conditions with integrative care tailored to each individual, from chronic illness to everyday wellness, helping patients heal naturally and thrive.

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) Program at NUNM

The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) program at NUNM prepares students to become primary care physicians focused on natural and holistic health. The curriculum covers various modalities, including botanical medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, and physical medicine.

Financial Considerations

In 2024, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that students who pursued doctorates of naturopathic medicine typically took on high levels of debt. For NUNM, the median loan was $263,594, and the median earnings were $34,431, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 766%.

National University of Health Sciences (NUHS)

Overview

National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) offers a comprehensive classical curriculum in traditional naturopathic medicine while preparing students to become first-contact, primary-care doctors. NUHS provides a unique preparation for the real world of healthcare today through learning in an integrative medicine environment.

Read also: Eligibility for National Awards

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) Program at NUHS

At NUHS, students can earn their Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree in as little as 10 trimesters. Students attend school year-round and may complete the program in three years and four months. National University’s distinctive and innovative curriculum provides a comprehensive human biology and anatomy base and extensive hands-on training in diagnosis and treatment, training students to think like a physician. The program strongly emphasizes physical medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, research, and business.

As a naturopathic physician student, you will study the same basic sciences as an MD. NUHS offers full-fledge year-long naturopathic clinical internship opportunities.

Campus and Facilities

National University is conveniently located 15 miles from the city of Chicago with easy access by car or Metra train. Facilities include:

Hydrotherapy suite: Students treat patients using the therapeutic benefits of water.
Herbal dispensary: A fully stocked dispensary carries a wide variety of homeopathic remedies, botanical medicines, tinctures, and herbs.
Modern classrooms: Utilizing state-of-the-art technology such as SMART boards.
Gross anatomy laboratory: Housing more than 40 human cadavers, allowing students to learn by hands-on dissection rather than prosection or virtual instruction.
Anatomage Table: A technologically advanced digital visualization system for anatomy education.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree program is accredited by The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Accreditation allows NUHS graduates to sit for the NPLEX examinations, which are the gateway to practice in licensed states.

Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX)

In order to practice in licensed states or Canada, students must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX) conducted by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). They must also apply for licensure in the state or province in which they plan to practice.

Naturopathic Medicine: A Critical Perspective

While naturopathic medicine emphasizes natural and holistic approaches to health, it has faced criticism and controversy.

Concerns and Criticisms

Critics argue that some naturopathic practices lack scientific evidence and may be based on pseudoscience. Some have described certain naturopathic practices as "essentially witchcraft" and an "oxymoron". Concerns have been raised about the level of training and the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors.

Accreditation and Regulation

The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as the national accrediting agency for programs leading to Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND or NMD) or Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) degrees. Accreditation by CNME allows graduates to sit for the NPLEX examinations, which are required for licensure in many jurisdictions.

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