Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine is designed to provide an introduction to advanced study in naturopathic medicine. This course is ideal for recent naturopathy graduates wishing to develop specialized knowledge or practitioners in the field looking to expand their skills and career opportunities.

Course Overview

The complementary medicines industry in Australia is worth an estimated $4.7 billion, and globally, close to $83 billion. Naturopathic practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills may be well-placed to support this growing field. The course covers critical aspects of naturopathic philosophy, research, and evidence-based practice, allowing students to deepen their knowledge in a specialized area of clinical practice.

Course Structure

• The course is delivered online in flexible part-time or full-time mode.
• Students will study two core units in naturopathic philosophy and research:
  • Critical Perspectives in Naturopathic Philosophy
  • Practice-Based Health Research
• Students will also choose two electives from the following units to expand their knowledge in a specialist area:
  • Cognition and the Healthy Brain
  • Integrative Mental Health
  • Integrative Gastroenterology
  • Gut Microbiome and Health
  • Integrative Women's Health
  • Integrative Reproductive Health
  • Food as Medicine
  • Foundations of Clinical Hypnosis

Learning Outcomes and Graduate Attributes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand, and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA), including:

• GA1: Intellectual rigour - Critically analyze the interplay between traditional and scientific knowledge within naturopathic medicine.
• GA2: Creativity - Develop innovative, creative, and effective responses to the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge in professional practice of naturopathic medicine.
• GA3: Ethical practice - Develop an understanding of ethical and legal principles in research.
• GA4: Knowledge of a discipline - Analyze established naturopathic theories, guiding philosophies, principles of practice, and apply these to the professional practice of naturopathic medicine.
• GA5: Lifelong learning - Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed independent judgment, adaptability, and responsibility as a learner and practitioner.
• GA6: Communication and social skills - Communicate concisely and appropriately in an oral and written form in academic, professional, and healthcare settings.
• GA7: Cultural competence - Examine contemporary naturopathic medicine practice within the context of different integrative healthcare models.

Career Outcomes

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine enables practitioners to extend their knowledge and skills in naturopathic medicine. Career opportunities exist as a naturopathic practitioner or in any number of roles within the complementary medicines industry. Students may also choose to pursue further postgraduate studies in advanced naturopathic medicine.

Requirements

• Entry requirements: A Bachelor degree in Naturopathic Medicine, or equivalent.
• Language requirements: English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are:
  • Overall IELTS score of 6.5
  • Listening minimum 6.0
  • Speaking minimum 6.0
  • Reading minimum 6.0
  • Writing minimum 6.0
• Course requirements: To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine, students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 2 core units (24 credit points) and 2 option units (24 credit points).

Fees and Scholarships

• Tuition fees are in Australian dollars and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course.
• Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year.
• In addition, students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance.
• Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery, and excursions.
• Scholarships are available and vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year, for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments.