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Pre-Naturopathic Medicine Program

According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), naturopathic medicine "utilizes the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies to treat illness and to promote wellness by viewing the body as an integrated whole" and "above all, it honors the body's innate wisdom to heal." Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are primary health care practitioners and are trained in the conventional tools of diagnosis and in the use of natural therapeutics. NDs can perform minor surgery and are trained to utilize prescription drugs, though the emphasis in naturopathic medicine is on natural healing.

NDs must adhere to a specific scope of practice as defined by the law in their state. In Oregon, licensed NDs can prescribe drugs when necessary if they have a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Registration; only approved substances that are listed on the formulary compendium can be prescribed.

Naturopathic schools of medicine require that applicants successfully complete a specific set of prerequisite courses prior to enrollment. Many also require a baccalaureate degree. Portland State offers a pre-naturopathic program whereby students complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance with the preparation and application process.

Portland State University Pre-Naturopathic Medicine Course List

Below is an outline of prerequisite courses which is subject to change. Students should research the admissions requirements of additional naturopathic medical schools. Most naturopathic schools require an A, B, or C in all prerequisite courses.

• Mathematics and Statistics:
  • MTH111Z Intro to College Math I or higher math (4 credits)
  • STAT243Z Elementary Statistics I (4 credits)
• General (inorganic) chemistry with lab:
  • General Chemistry: CH221Z/227Z, CH222Z/228Z, CH223Z/229Z (15 credits)
• Biology – 1 year sequence for science majors:
  • Principles of Biology: BI 221Z Cells, BI 222Z Organisms, BI 223Z Ecology & Evolution (15 credits)
• Organic Chemistry – 1 year sequence for science majors:
  • Organic Chemistry: CH334/384, CH335/385 (8-10 credits)
  • Labs recommended: CH337, 338 (2 credits each)
• Physics:
  • Intro to Physics PH101 (4 credits)
  • General Physics & labs: PH201/214/284* (5-6 credits)
  • General Physics with Life Science & Medical Applications & labs: PH231/214/284* (5-6 credits)
• Psychology:
  • PSY201Z Introduction to Psychology I
  • PSY311U Human Development
• Social Sciences:
  • 1 course from: ANTH, EC, GEOG, HST, PS, PSY, or SOC
• English Composition:
  • Choose one course:
    • WR121Z College Writing
    • WR222 Research Papers
    • WR323 Writing as Critical Inquiry
• Humanities:
  • 1 course from ART, ENG, MUS, PHL, or WR

Additional Recommended Courses (not required)

• Biochemistry: CH350 Biochemistry (4 credits)
• Cell Biology: BI336 Cell Biology (4 credits)
• Anatomy & Physiology: BI301, 302, 303 Human Anatomy & Physiology with labs (4 credits each)
• Microbiology: BI234 Elementary Microbiology or BI380 Microbiology (4 credits)
• Public Speaking: COMM 220 or COMM111Z (4 credits)

Additional Information

University of Western States Admissions Requirements

• New program for Fall 2023 admissions

National University of Naturopathic Medicine (NUNM) Admissions Requirements

• Application deadline: For fall term entry, the application opens September 1 of the preceding year. The deadline is May 1 of the same year; however, the scholarship deadline is February 1, so applying earlier is recommended.
• Additional application requirements: Resume, personal statement, additional designated essay questions, and two recommendations are required.
• Students are encouraged to attend "Exploration Day" at NUNM.

Bastyr University Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Admissions Requirements

• Application deadline: For fall term entry, the early decision deadline is November 1 of the preceding year; the priority deadline is February 1 of the same year.
• Additional application requirements: Personal statement, two letters of recommendation, one from an academic source, one from an academic or professional source, written responses to narrative questions, and a resume.

Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC)

• The AANMC suggests that prospective naturopathic students should want to be challenged academically yet feel comfortable relying on their own intuition and creativity, be high-level critical thinkers who are flexible enough to deal with the challenge of formulating personalized treatment plans, demonstrate that they possess the internal qualities essential to becoming naturopathic physicians, including concern for others, integrity, curiosity, motivation, and a strong belief in the efficacy of natural medicine, and demonstrate appropriate observational and communication skills, motor function, intellectual-conceptual abilities, integrative and quantitative abilities, and behavioral and social maturity.