Prerequisites
In support of the mission and objectives of National University of Health Sciences and the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Degree Program, all students must complete the following specific prerequisite courses before entering the program:
- 6 semester hours of English language skills
- 3 semester hours of Psychology
- 15 semester hours of Social Sciences/Humanities
- 6 semester hours of Biological Sciences*
- 12 semester hours of Chemistry**
- 6 semester hours of Physics and related studies***
Anatomy (human or comparative) and biochemistry are recommended courses in the biological sciences.
* The biological sciences requirement must be met with two or more courses of unduplicated content, and include pertinent related laboratory experiences that cover the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the courses.
** At least 3 semester hours of chemistry must be general or inorganic chemistry, and at least 6 hours of chemistry must be organic chemistry and/or biochemistry. At least 6 semester hours of the chemistry courses must include pertinent related laboratory experiences that cover the range of material presented in the didactic portion of the courses.
*** This requirement may be met with either two unduplicated physics courses (of which one must include a pertinent related laboratory that covers the range of material presented in the didactic portion of the course), or 3 semester hours in physics (with laboratory) and 3 semester hours in biomechanics, kinesiology, statistics or exercise physiology.
Social Sciences and Humanities include, but are not limited to, most courses in economics, Education, History, Political Science, Psychology, Anthropology, Art/Drama/Music (History or Appreciation course only), Languages, Literature, English, Logic, Philosophy, and Religion. Please contact the Office of Admissions to check whether a particular course will satisfy the Social Science/Humanities prerequisite.
All courses must be taken at an accredited institution and must be transferable at the baccalaureate level.
All courses must be completed with a "C" grade (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher. A grade of "C-" is not satisfactory unless it is equivalent to a 2.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Degree and GPA Requirements
Students must have earned a baccalaureate degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale). Note: Beginning Fall 2013, applicants will be required to have a baccalaureate degree and a minimum GPA of 3.00. Those between a 2.75 and 2.99 may be considered for admission under an Alternative Admissions Track Plan (AATP).
Academic Options
Students who desire a naturopathic education but have undergraduate degrees in non-science majors, or those who fall short of the required science credit hours to meet National University admission requirements, may enroll in the NUHS Prerequisite Program. Under the prerequisite program, students can finish the above prerequisites *, **, *** in an accelerated format during two eight-week mini-terms prior to starting their doctoral program.
Students who have not completed their baccalaureate degree may enroll in the NUHS Bachelor of Biomedical Science Degree completion program. it is designed for students with a two-year/associate's degree or 60 semester hours of general education credits, who wish to earn a bachelor's degree to prepare for a career in science or health care.
Students who are in the process of completing the prerequisites or the bachelor's degree are still welcome and encouraged to apply. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 1-800-826-6285 to speak with an admissions counselor regarding admission.
Technical Standards
In addition, ND students must read and understand the technical standards for the ND program.
