Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

The naturopathic doctor (ND) degree program integrates both scientific and holistic viewpoints in a rigorous, science-based natural medicine curriculum. The program includes more than 4,100 hours of didactic and clinical instruction.
Length of Program: Four years for full-time students, five years for the extended track or dual-degree options.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington, and San Diego, California.

Testimonials

Program Overview

At Bastyr University, we know that your goal is to transform the health and well-being of all communities. To become an extraordinary doctor, you need an exceptional medical education that integrates health, science and nature. Bastyr’s Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree program offers a rigorous curriculum that blends conventional and nature-based medical practices to prepare you for a successful career in natural health sciences. 

Program Highlights

  • A holistic approach to medicine. Naturopathic students are trained to treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors. 
  • Extensive clinical training. Beginning in the Fall Quarter of their first year, students receive extensive training at the University's teaching clinics, as well as several community clinics in the San Diego and Seattle areas. 
  • Post-graduate training. Additionally, Bastyr offers a well-developed residency program for graduates of the naturopathic medical program.
  • World-class education. Bastyr’s passionate faculty, strong academic advising program and small class sizes assure students are given the knowledge and guidance they desire. 
  • A multi-disciplinary curriculum. Students are afforded the opportunity to explore other natural health care disciplines in the University's other degree programs. 
  • Exceptional learning envrionment. A research institute at our Seattle campus supported in part by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allows students to engage in numerous research projects, including studies on botanical medicines, herbal supplements and complementary oncology therapies.
  • Study abroad opportunities. Students have the opportunity to study overseas in Germany, Nicaragua, East Asia, for example, for two- or three-week experiential education trips. Studies include spa medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy and more, all while learning about the roots of naturopathic medicine.

Career Opportunities

A career in naturopathic medicine offers a life’s work helping people thrive.

  • Naturopathic doctor working as a primary natural care physician in private practice or in an integrative medicine clinic
  • Research in natural medicine
  • Naturopathic consultant/advocate in industry, insurance or the political arena
  • Wellness entrepreneur
  • Natural medicine spokesperson/advisor
  • Rural community doctor
  • Dietary supplement entrepreneur or natural products specialist
  • Corporate wellness educator
  • Public health administrator
  • Natural medicine author/public speaker
  • Faculty member in a naturopathic or conventional medical institution

Campus Locations

Seattle, Washington Campus

Set in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Bastyr’s expansive Seattle-area campus provides a serene, natural environment for students to deepen their health education. Our campus is located in the Seattle suburb of Kenmore, Washington, and encompasses 51 acres along the shore of Lake Washington. 

At our Seattle-area campus, you’ll enjoy dynamic classroom environments and unique facilities for research, laboratory and clinical experiences. Our campus location also affords you easy access to the rich cultural experiences of the Seattle metropolitan area and unlimited exposure to the natural wonders of the Puget Sound region.

 

San Diego, California Campus

Located in sunny San Diego, Bastyr’s idyllic California campus is perfectly situated to provide students with endless opportunities for healthy living and a world-class educational experience. Our San Diego campus is just 15 miles north of downtown and sits just a short drive away from the stunning coastal wilderness of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.

Bastyr’s California campus offers many of the same state-of-the-art facilities and clinical experiences as our Seattle location. Additionally, Bastyr students benefit from exposure to the life science industry and integrative health community of San Diego — resulting in robust research and career opportunities.

Clinical Sites

Clinics

Community Care Clinics

At Bastyr's teaching clinics as well as at off-site community care clinics, you are trained to be a primary care physician capable of treating a broad spectrum of patients. This training emphasizes the highest standards in patient assessment, differential diagnosis, medical record documentation, referral practices and patient follow-up.  

You will learn from faculty who are outstanding physicians and recognized leaders in their fields. Your shift supervisor encourages, leads and directs each patient/clinician encounter while allowing you gradually increasing levels of autonomy. The clinic’s natural, non-invasive approach takes into account the whole person to resolve chronic health problems and support a healthy lifestyle that helps prevent illness.

General Requirements

Length of Program

Tuition and Financial Aid

Speak to an advisor today to learn more about tuition costs or to find out about our financial aid programs!

 

Curriculum

An Integrated, Hybrid Curriculum That Focuses on Real-World Experiences

Naturopathic medicine students immediately gain real-world experience in the classroom as well as in a clinical setting through Bastyr University’s integrated, hybrid curriculum.

In the fall semester of their first year, students begin clinical training as observers at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle or Bastyr University Clinic in San Diego. This allows them to bring patient stories and real clinical experiences back to the classroom. Reference our curriculum table for the course schedule, lecture and clinic hours and total contact hours. 

To help students think more like doctors instead of scientists from the start, disciplines such as anatomy and physiology are combined with case study classes and clinical experience. Throughout the curriculum, faculty coordinate their lessons to help students learn how the concepts connect and how the disciplines work together to support the rest of the body. Expected learning outcomes of graduates can be found in the course catalog.

Contact an advisor to learn more about the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.

Post-Graduate Residency Program

Bastyr University has a well-established residency program at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health and a Bastyr University Clinic. In addition, the University has several affiliate residency training programs. The School of Naturopathic Medicine is a recognized sponsor of postdoctoral naturopathic medical education by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). 

All of these programs are highly competitive and attract graduates from other institutions as well as from Bastyr University. Each residency is a closely supervised program in which a resident progresses from a purely observational role into an independent role over the course of one year. This progression is monitored and facilitated by a faculty mentor and program administrator.

For questions regarding the application process or on the available residency programs, please contact Dr. Gary Garcia, Bastyr’s Director of Graduate and Community Medicine at (206) 834-4124 or via email at ggarcia@bastyr.edu.

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