From MD to ND: The Rise of Naturopathic and Alternative Medicine
- Sienna Eve Benton
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
Six Colleges Offering Naturopathic ND Accredited Programs by CNME. Holistic Health is Gaining Academic Ground and Professional Recognition Across America and Canada
As the demand for alternative and holistic medicine continues to grow, more colleges and hospitals are responding by offering a wider range of alternative treatments for disease and illness. However, this growth raises an important question: how do we ensure that practitioners providing these treatments are properly qualified?
In the past, holistic medicine lacked formal educational systems to be recognized as legitimate medical practice. Yet, as research progresses, many alternative treatments have demonstrated significant health benefits. Disciplines such as chiropractic care, herbalism, acupuncture, massage therapy, sound medicine, and aromatherapy are now increasingly studied and integrated under a new professional framework known as naturopathic medicine.
Naturopathic medicine supports health on multiple levels, physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual. It also promotes environmental well-being by emphasizing the importance of organic and naturally raised foods along with a healthy environment. Pursuing a career as a naturopathic doctor is both life-affirming and rewarding, offering a holistic approach to health and healing.
Obtaining a naturopathic doctor degree is the essential first step toward becoming a licensed practitioner in the Canadian provinces and U.S. states where naturopathic medicine is regulated. To qualify for professional licensure, candidates must graduate from a naturopathic program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Additionally, graduates must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX), which is required for licensure in both Canada and the United States. Only graduates of CNME-accredited programs are eligible to take this comprehensive exam.
So where are these programs offered and who oversees the accreditation?
The accreditation and oversight of these programs are managed by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). To ensure high-quality training, the CNME has established standards for residency sites and the schools that sponsor them. The Council’s Committee on Postdoctoral Naturopathic Medical Education regularly reviews residency programs and their sponsors to make sure they comply with CNME requirements.
Another is the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges The AANMC works to support its member schools by promoting the development and preservation of the naturopathic medical profession. It aims to improve education, research, operations, and patient care, while also increasing the visibility of each school and fostering collaboration with like-minded organizations.
The mission of the AANMC is to strengthen the success of its members by promoting high-quality, innovative, and accessible naturopathic medical education and research. It advocates for a holistic and rigorous educational experience, greater public awareness, ongoing research, and strong clinical training within community health settings.
Its vision is to establish naturopathic medical education as a respected and high-quality option for those pursuing a career as a physician.
Naturopathic postdoctoral residency programs provide advanced training for naturopathic doctors and sometimes include opportunities to assist in teaching ND students. These programs usually last one or two years and take place in various settings such as school clinics and private practices. They focus on clinical practice while also offering continuing medical education, research, and scholarship opportunities.
Accredited Programs by the CNME include:
1.
Naturopathic Medicine Program
Ontario campus
Naturopathic Medicine Program
British Columbia campus
CNME accreditation was granted to CCNM’s ND program in September 2000 and last reaffirmed in May 2020
2.
Naturopathic Medicine Program
Lombard, IL
CNME accreditation was granted October 2012 and last reaffirmed in October 2022
3.
Naturopathic Medicine Program
Portland, Oregon
CNME accreditation was granted April 1991 and last reaffirmed in May 2022
4.
(Formerly, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences)
Naturopathic Medicine Program
RoadTempe, Arizona
CNME accreditation was granted in November 1999 and last reaffirmed in May 2019
5.
Naturopathic Medicine Program
Gurabo, Puerto Rico
CNME accreditation was granted in January 2021
6.
Naturopathic Medicine Program (Washington State campus)
Kenmore, Washington
Naturopathic Medicine Program (California campus)
San Diego, California
CNME accreditation was granted to the ND program in April 1987. At its May 16, 2025 meeting, the CNME Board of Directors decided to continue the deferral of reaccreditation of the ND program.
Upcoming CNME Candidate Programs:
Naturopathic Medicine Program
Portland, Oregon
Initial CNME candidacy was granted to UWS’s Naturopathic Medicine Program on April 24, 2025.
Holistic and naturopathic medicine are gaining widespread recognition across North America. What was once considered outside the scope of conventional care is now being embraced by accredited educational institutions and integrated into mainstream healthcare. As more colleges train future naturopathic doctors and more hospitals explore the value of whole-person care, the movement toward natural and preventive medicine continues to grow. With increased research and regulation, naturopathic medicine is becoming a respected and viable path for those seeking both professional careers and alternative healing options.
In the United States, the number of hospitals offering complementary and alternative medicine has increased significantly. In 1998, only 8 percent of hospitals offered such services. By 2010, that number had risen to 42 percent. Among cancer centers, adoption is even more widespread. Studies show that over 75 percent of National Cancer Institute-designated centers now offer therapies such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, and yoga. These trends reflect a growing awareness of the benefits of integrating traditional healing practices with modern medicine.
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