Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Mission Statement:

We educate naturopathic primary care physicians who care for the health and well-being of their communities, through education, research, leadership, and clinical services. Respecting the naturopathic principles, we integrate science, nature and spirit.

Students study naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University because they seek a career that resonates with their core values, including a belief in natural healing and whole-person medicine. They prepare for success as naturopathic doctors with the support of our state-of-the-art clinical training model, which prepares students to formulate effective, personalized treatment plans for patients.

This in-depth clinical training, coupled with Bastyr's robust basic sciences curriculum, is responsible for our graduates consistently earning top scores on the Naturopathic Licensing Examinations (NPLEX). And because our graduates speak the common language of science, they work as peers with other health care providers in integrative settings.

Program Features

• Beginning in fall quarter of their first year, extensive training at the University's teaching clinics, as well as at several community clinics in the San Diego and Seattle areas.
• Passionate faculty and a strong academic advising program.
• A multi-disciplinary curriculum that allows students to explore natural health care modalities in the University's other degree programs.
• A research institute 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.
• Small class sizes coupled with the University's numerous resources.
• A well-developed residency program for naturopathic doctors.
• A diverse student body drawn from all across the United States and 28 other countries.

Dual-Degree Options

Naturopathic medicine students at the Kenmore campus can broaden their therapeutic knowledge and future practice by earning a dual degree. With careful planning, adding a second professional licensure to an ND degree can benefit future clinical work by broadening the scope of your practice.

Dual-degree options for ND students at Bastyr University in Washington include:

• Master of Science in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
• Master of Science in Midwifery
• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
• Master of Public Health

Pursuing a second degree during the ND program is a rigorous undertaking, and requires students to remain in good standing in each program. Dual-degree students begin the ND program first. Then they typically apply to the additional degree program during the second year of the four-year ND track or third year of the five-year extended track, although earlier entry may be possible.

Advantages, challenges and application processes can vary for each dual-degree program. Contact ndadvise@bastyr.edu for more information.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Spa Medicine in Germany - September (annually)

Students on this two- to three-week trip study spa (or "sanitas per aqua") medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy and nature cure, and learn about the roots of naturopathic medicine in the country of its birth. There is a physical medicine prerequisite for this course. Coordinator: Dr. Aimee Huyck

Additional Opportunities

In addition to this opportunity within the naturopathic medicine program, there are study abroad/away opportunities offered by the Acupuncture Medicine and Herbal Sciences programs.

And while not affiliated with Bastyr University, the non-profit Natural Doctors International offers service learning opportunities to experience the unique combination of Nicaragua, naturopathic medicine, and teaching methods developed by educator and philosopher Paulo Freire. 

An education in naturopathic medicine requires much more than textbooks and medical equipment. Careful faculty mentorship is a significant part of Bastyr's Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.

Consistency and Quality in Training

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.

Diverse Patient Population

Between the over 40,000 yearly patient visits to Bastyr Center and our community care clinic sites in the Seattle and San Diego areas, you will have many opportunities to treat a wide variety of patient populations, including:

• Pediatrics
• Geriatrics
• Non-English-speaking
• Low-income

While the majority of shifts concentrate on general medicine, specialized training shifts also are available in:

• Homeopathy
• Physical medicine (including hydrotherapy)
• Nutrition
• Lifestyle counseling
• Environmental medicine
• Immune wellness
• Minor office procedures (such as wound repair and skin lesion removal)
• Integrative pain clinic
• Integrated acupuncture and naturopathic medicine
• Diabetes and cardiovascular disease
• ADD/ADHD
• Lyme disease

Patient Contacts/Training Hours

• You will average close to 600 patient contacts through a minimum of 1,200 clinical training hours.
• Bastyr's clinics utilize a "team care" training approach, assigning two advanced naturopathic student clinicians to one exam room with one instructor observing and supervising their work for an entire quarter.
• You will know in advance which patients you'll be seeing at the clinic each day, giving you time to properly prepare.
• You also are required to complete 132 preceptor hours shadowing health care professionals in their practices.