NCNM offers two graduate professional degrees in accredited and recognized programs that prepare you for licensed practice in many states and provinces: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, a four-year program of clinical sciences and holistic methods of healing and disease prevention, instilled with the ancient principle of the healing power of nature. Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, a four-year program that delves deeply into thousands of years of classical Chinese methods of diagnostics and healing, using herbs, acupuncture, bodywork and therapeutic exercise.
Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest city of Portland, Oregon, NCNM provides and fosters a challenging, eclectic, and rigorous academic experience. You will be immersed in new ways of thinking about not only medicine and health care, but human beings and the world. You will be on the forefront of natural medicine, both eastern and western, and of integrated medical education, research, and patient care.
Getting to Know NCNM
NCNM is globally recognized
Established in 1956, NCNM is the oldest and one of the best known colleges of its type in the world. Because ninety percent of global health care
involves methods other than conventional western medicine, NCNM's participation in international medical education and research is routinely solicited.
NCNM graduates are in growing demand
United States health care consumers are increasingly seeking preventive,
noninvasive, and low-risk health care. Thirty-four percent of the population
used natural health care in 1990, increasing to
42% in 1997. Two-thirds of U.S. health care consumers are expected to use
natural health providers by the end of this decade. NCNM graduates are among
the best trained physicians in the world for
the delivery of such care.
NCNM attracts outstanding students
The average undergraduate GPA at NCNM is 3.4. The average age is 31. Our
students devotion to natural health care leave them more than willing to make
sacrifices to master it.
NCNM influences national policy
The integration of
conventional and alternative medicine is reshaping policies pertaining to
health care reimbursement, credentialing, research, and access. Because NCNM
educational programs blend both conventional and complementary medicine, the
opinions of its leaders and graduates have become important in the refinement
of national health policy.
NCNM programs are expanding
NCNM currently offers a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Master of
Science in Oriental Medicine. It also has a nationally certified graduate
medical education program providing residencies for naturopathic physicians.
The feasibility of additional advanced degree programs is presently being
studied in Oriental Medicine, Natural Obstetrics, and Homeopathy, as are
dual-degree programs with other higher education institutions.
NCNM meets or exceeds all pertinent regulatory
standards
NCNM is accreditated by the Council on Naturopathic Medicine for its Doctor
of Naturopathic Medicine and Graduate Medical Education programs, and by the
Accreditation Council on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for its Master of
Science in Oriental Medicine program. Effective September 1, 2004, NCNM is
accredited at both the master's and naturopathic doctoral degree levels with
the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The Northwest
Commission is one of six U.S. regional accrediting bodies recognized by the
Secretary of Education.
NCNM is at the forefront of natural medicine
research
Since the establishment of the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine within the National Institutes of Health, the
availability of federal funding for research in natural medicine has
increased. NCNM currently contributes to two NIH-funded national center
grants totaling $16 million. The opportunity for additional funding is
enormous, especially as relationships with other research institutions
mature.
Natural Medicine at NCNM
Botanical Medicine
Plant substances are powerful medicines which address a variety of problems
simultaneously with minimal likelihood of side effects.
Clinical Nutrition
Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with foods and nutritional supplements than they can by other means, with fewer
complications and side effects. Naturopathic physicians use diet, natural
hygiene, fasting, and nutritional supplementation in their practices.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of "like cures like." Clinical observation indicates that it works on a subtle, yet powerful,
energetic level, gently acting to promote healing on the physical, mental,
emotional, and spiritual levels.
Mind/Body Medicine
Mental attitudes and emotional states may influence, or even cause, physical illness. Counseling, nutritional balancing, stress management, flower
essences, biofeedback, and other therapies are used to help patients heal
psychologically.
Minor Surgery
Naturopathic physicians do in-office minor surgery, including repair of
superficial wounds and removal of foreign bodies, cysts, and other superficial
lesions.
Naturopathic
Obstetrics/Midwifery
Prenatal and postnatal care using modern diagnostic techniques is combined
with midwifery knowledge. The naturopathic approach strengthens healthy body
functions to assist in a more enjoyable pregnancy and
birth experience.
Classical Chinese
Medicine
Classical Chinese medicine is a holistic system of medicine which
combines the art and science of human care developed over millennia. The
study of classical Chinese medicine involves expanding one's concept of
science in order to gain new insights into health and healing.
Physical Medicine
Naturopathic medicine has its own methods of thera-peutic
manipulation of soft tissue, muscles, bones, and spine. NDs also use
ultrasound, diathermy, exercise, massage, water, heat and cold, and gentle
electrical therapies.
Source:
ncnm.edu
