Pre-Naturopathic Medicine
Essential Courses
| Course # | Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| BI 105 | Biological Diversity and Ecology | 3 | None |
| BI 121 | Biology Lab I | 1 | BI 105 (corequisite) |
| BI 106 | Structure and Function of Cells and Organisms | 3 | BI 105 and CH 105 |
| BI 122 | Biology Lab II | 1 | BI 105 and BI 121; CH 122 (corequisite) |
| CH 105 | Organic Chemical Concepts I | 3 | None |
| CH 121 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 | CH 105 (corequisite) |
| CH 106 | Organic Chemical Concepts II | 3 | CH 105 (with C or better) |
| CH 122 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 1 | CH 121; CH 106 (corequisite) |
| CH 230 | Intro to Bioinorganic Chemistry | 3 | CH 105 |
| CH 250 | Analytical Chemistry | 5 | Ch 115 or CH 230 |
| PC 200 | General Physics I | 3 | PC 206 (corequisite) |
| or | |||
| PC 202 | Introductory Physics I | 3 | MA 130 and PC 206 (corequisite) |
| PC 206 | Physics Lab I | 1 | PC 200 or PC 202 (corequisite) |
| PC 201 | General Physics II | 3 | PC 200; PC 207 (corequisite) |
| or | |||
| PC 203 | Introductory Physics II | 3 | PC 202 and MA 130; PC 207 (corequisite) |
| PC 207 | Physics Lab II | 1 | PC 201 or PC 203 (corequisite) |
| PY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | None |
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | None |
| EN ___ | English Course | 3 | Varies |
Important Notes:
- These courses reflect most but not all program requirements for the four naturopathic medical schools in the U.S. The two in Canada also require Biochemistry. Check the specific schools you are considering. Also recommend botany, dynamics of biological processes, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, microbiology, foreign language (especially Spanish), ecology, economics, business courses, communication courses, ethics, counseling, and speech courses.
- Naturopathic medicine is an emerging health care field that is currently licensed in only 14 states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington ), the district of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- This course list does NOT represent a POE, nor does it cover College requirements. Design a POE in an academic area in consultation with your advisor.
- Make sure to have an advisor on the Health Professions Committee, perferably Dr. Kirchhof-Glazier.
- In addition to your course work you are urged to gain some experience in naturopathic medicine over breaks or during the summer.
Competitive credentials:
- GPAs vary for the different schools and range from minimum required of 2.5 to 3.0
- Prerequisite course grades need to be C or better.
- MCAT is NOT required
Helpful websites:
American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges: http://www.aanmc.org
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians: http://www.naturopathic.org/
Bastyr University: http://www.bastyr.edu/
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine: http://www.ccnm.edu/
National College of Naturopathic Medicine: www.ncnm.edu
University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine: http://www.bridgeport.edu/naturopathy/index.html
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam.nih.gov/
Georgetown University CAM Masters Program: http://www.georgetown.edu/departments/physiology/cam/
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine: http://www.binm.org
SUGGESTED CORE PROGRESSIONS FOR
Pre-NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Regular Start and No Study Abroad Junior Year
Bolded courses are offered only in the indicated semester and/or require a specific sequence due to Juniata prerequisites. Non-bolded courses are either offered in both semesters or represent open-ended choices, making them more flexible in when they can be taken.
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | BI 105 | Biology Lab II |
| Biology Lab I | Organic Chemistry Concepts II (if C or better in OCC I) and Lab | |
| Organic Chemistry Concepts I and Lab | Psychology |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Year | BI 106 | Analytical Chemistry |
| Bioinorganic Chemistry | English course | |
| Sociology |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year | Physics I and Lab | Physics II and Lab |
Finish the Junior Year courses for either the regular start or delayed chemistry progression no later than the summer before the year you intend to apply OR during senior year (this latter plan may delay your application until after you graduate from Juniata).
If you delay the start of Organic Chemistry I to the spring of freshman year be aware that Organic Chem Lab I is offered ONLY in the fall and Organic Chem II lab is offered ONLY in the spring. Also consider whether or not it is wise in your particular situation to take Organic Chem II with Bioinorganic Chemistry your sophomore year.
If you study abroad the SAFEST strategy is to take ALL prerequisite courses for professional school in the U.S., which may require you to take courses in the U.S. over the summer, preferably at a 4 year institution. However, if this is extremely difficult for your situation, check with the professional schools you wish to attend to see if they will accept courses taken abroad and if so, get their response in writing. Also if you have a Biology POE and will not have BI 207 by the time you go abroad, check with the Biology Department to see if there is a Cell and Molecular course you can take abroad that will enable you to take upper level biology offerings at Juniata your senior year that require BI 207 (ex. Physiology, Immunology, and Microbiology)
Be mindful of your POE courses, which are NOT indicated here. For example, if you have a Biology POE, you will need to take Freshman seminar the fall of your freshman year, Frontiers of Biology either semester your sophomore year, and Biology 207 at your earliest opportunity after completing Bioinorganic Chemistry.