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Naturopathic physician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a naturopathic physician. Naturopathic physicians usually study alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems, biology, or medicine. 43% of naturopathic physicians hold a doctoral degree, and 41% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 208 real naturopathic physician resumes to see exactly what naturopathic physician education sections show.
The most common colleges for naturopathic physicians are the Bastyr University and the Bastyr University.
There are also many online naturopathic physician courses to help get the education required to be a naturopathic physician.
What education do you need to become a naturopathic physician?
What degree do you need to be a naturopathic physician?
- Doctorate, 43%
- Bachelor's, 41%
- Master's, 10%
- Associate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a naturopathic physician?
Most common colleges for naturopathic physicians
| Naturopathic physician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bastyr University | 33.80% |
| National University of Natural Medicine | 12.68% |
| National University of Health Sciences | 9.86% |
| Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences | 8.45% |
| University of Bridgeport | 5.63% |
Best majors for naturopathic physicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alternative And Complementary Medicine And Medical Systems | 40.7% |
| 2 | Biology | 8.8% |
| 3 | Medicine | 8.8% |
| 4 | Food And Nutrition | 4.4% |
| 5 | Anthropology | 3.3% |
Best colleges for naturopathic physicians
The best colleges for naturopathic physicians are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A naturopathic physician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for naturopathic physicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become naturopathic physicians.
1. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
2. Wayne State University
Detroit, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$13,097
Enrollment
17,114
3. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,633
Enrollment
17,321
4. Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,244
Enrollment
15,557
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
20 best online courses for naturopathic physicians
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1. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
2. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative
Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...
3. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Advanced Diploma
A complete program in one course, This Diploma is an Encyclopedia in The Natural Medicine field...
4. Doctor of Natural Medicine
This course is a mini encyclopedia in natural medicine field...
5. Case Studies in Personalized Medicine
Learn how advances in biomedicine hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, drug treatments, and disease prevention: where are we now, and what does the future hold? This course will present short primers in genetics and mechanisms underlying variability in drug responses. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate principles of how genetics are being brought to bear on refining diagnoses and on personalizing treatment in rare and common diseases. The ethical and...
6. COVID-19 Training for Healthcare Workers
COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across the globe and all providers must be prepared to recognize, stabilize and treat patients with novel coronavirus infection. Following completion of this short course physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will have a unified, evidenced-based approach to saving the lives of patients with COVID-19, including those who are critically ill. Learning modules are broken into short videos presented in a richly illustrated and compelling manner. The...
7. Introduction to Longevity Medicine
A Medical Guide to Longevity Medicine for Physicians...
8. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
9. Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care
In this course, you will be able to develop a systems view for assessing and managing pain in the palliative care setting. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1) Describe the pain problem in the palliative care setting; 2) Assess a person’s pain, 3) Explain the benefits of integrative therapies and pharmacologic strategies to manage pain...
10. Everyday Chinese Medicine
This course aims to serve as an education platform on Chinese medicine (CM) for the general public. Our primary goal is to empower healthcare choices by promoting awareness and practical application on CM diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as regulation on CM services and herbal products using international examples. In the first part of this course, learners will develop skills in applying basic theory of Chinese medicine (CM) for understanding health and illnesses, and be able to...
11. Herbalism:: Medicinal Mushrooms Certificate
Learn the top mushrooms used in holistic and natural medicine that are most effective, safe and easily available...
12. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - European Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in real-world situations...
13. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
14. Health for All Through Primary Health Care
This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...
15. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...
16. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training
Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...
17. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes
COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...
18. Herbalism:: Introduction & Medicine Making Certificate
Take charge of your health with herbal medicine. Using herbs and natural holistic medicine is easy, effective and safe...
19. Deep Tissue Massage: Neuromuscular Therapy Certificate
Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective form of Deep Tissue Massage for pain relief (2 CEUs)...
20. Herbalism:: Growing Top Medicinal Plants Certificate
Growing your own herbal medicine is easy and allows you to have quick access to medicinal plants when you need them...
Top 10 most affordable universities for naturopathic physicians
The most affordable schools for naturopathic physicians are Augusta University, university of colorado denver, and florida international university.
If the best universities for naturopathic physicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for naturopathic physicians.
1. Augusta University
Augusta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$8,604
Cost of attendance
20,618
2. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
In-state tuition
$9,283
Cost of attendance
22,243
3. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
4. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Cost of attendance
24,718
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Cost of attendance
69,109
7. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
8. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,633
Cost of attendance
19,235
9. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Cost of attendance
24,568
10. Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO • Private
In-state tuition
$7,666
Cost of attendance
21,702
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for naturopathic physicians
The hardest universities for naturopathic physicians to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for naturopathic physicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for naturopathic physicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
8. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for naturopathic physicians
The easiest schools for naturopathic physicians to get into are Augusta University, mcphs university, and st. catherine university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a naturopathic physician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for naturopathic physicians.
1. Augusta University
Augusta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
80%
SAT average
1,172
2. MCPHS University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,144
3. St. Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Admissions rate
73%
SAT average
1,124
4. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,132
5. Westminster College
Fulton, MO • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
1,133
6. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,124
7. Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,016
8. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,120
9. Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,281
10. Wayne State University
Detroit, MI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,127
Average naturopathic physician salary by education level
| Naturopathic physician education level | Naturopathic physician salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $173,376 |
| No Education | $169,412 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $169,888 |
| Master's Degree | $187,373 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $135,126 |
Naturopathic physician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025