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Admission Requirements

Admissions - ND, MSOM, MAc, ND/MSOM, ND/MAc
Prerequisites
Overall Preparation
Prerequisites for the ND Program
Strongly Recommended Courses (ND program)
Other Suggested Courses
Age of Course
Prerequisites for the MSOM and MAc Programs
Strongly Recommended Courses (MSOM and MAc programs)
Credit for Life Experience
Academic and Selection Factors
International Students
Criminal Disclosure
Acceptable Online Coursework

Admissions - ND, MSOM, MAc, ND/MSOM, ND/MAc
The admissions requirements for the ND, MSOM, MAc, ND/MSOM and ND/MAc professional programs are different from one another. Admissions cycles also vary for each program; please see details below.

Prerequisites
All candidates must possess a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university, or the equivalent (as determined by NCNM) from an institution outside the United States.

Historically, many great physicians have had skills and creative abilities reaching far beyond the scope of science and medicine. Well-rounded people with backgrounds in the humanities, arts, and social sciences are often excellent candidates for medical professions. At NCNM, we value and encourage a broad range of life experiences, along with the development of multiple talents. There is no advantage to holding a BS rather than a BA, as long as you have completed the program's prerequisites.

Criteria for selecting applicants for admission to NCNM's programs include motivation, intellect, and character essential to becoming a physician or practitioner of natural medicine. Applicants are considered on the basis of academic performance, maturity, and demonstrated humanitarian qualities. Work and/or volunteer experience in health care, coupled with an awareness of the field of natural medicine, is strongly recommended. The following coursework is the minimum required preparation for the study of naturopathic or classical Chinese medicine. Applicants may apply with coursework still in progress; however, prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation.

Note: If in doubt about a specific prerequisite, contact the Office of Admissions before taking the course.

Overall preparation

No specific major is advised. In addition to a strong preparation in the sciences, a broad background in the humanities and liberal arts is encouraged. Prerequisite coursework is used to determine a student's preparation for the ND, MSOM, MAc or dual-track programs. Credit will only be given for prerequisite coursework earning a C or better.

Strongly recommended courses (ND program)

•  Biochemistry or Cellular Biology

•  Anatomy

•  Physiology

•  Genetics

•  Botany

•  Statistics

•  Business and/or Marketing

Other suggested courses

•  Biomedical Ethics

•  Philosophy of Science

•  Public Speaking

•  Microbiology

•  Immunology

•  Public Health

Strongly recommended courses (MSOM and MAc programs)

•  Systems Science

•  Mythology

•  Quantum Physics

•  Philosophy of Science

•  Biochemistry

•  Cellular Biology

•  Chinese Language

Age of course

Prerequisite courses not taken within seven years of matriculation into the program are subject to review. Additional coursework may be required.

Credit for Life Experience

NCNM has no provision for awarding credit for life experience.

Academic and Selection Factors

While no minimum GPA is specified, only a small percentage of admitted applicants have below 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Candidates for admission are evaluated holistically based on:

• Dedication to service, compassion, critical thinking skills, ability to communicate, and self-discipline
• Affinity for and prior experience with naturopathic or Chinese medicine
• Letters of recommendation
• Overall scholastic record
• Understanding and appreciation of health care issues
• Other achievements

Applicants are selected regardless of race, gender, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disabilities, or any other protected class under local, state, or federal law.

International Students
International applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admissions Requirements section as well as the following:

Satisfy visa application requirements by showing adequate resources to cover the anticipated period of study and complete an international student financial statement, available upon request from the Office of Admissions.

If English is a second language, submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). National College of Natural Medicine requires a score of 550 on the written exam, or 213 on the computer exam.

Submit for evaluation transcripts that are from an institution other than an accredited U.S. or Canadian college as specified below. Transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency; see below for further information. Transcripts from Canadian Colleges do not require a third party evaluation; however, transcripts in French must have an official translation to English attached.

Only the following approved evaluation services may be used for conducting course-by-course evaluations required for international transcripts: (Costs of any required external evaluations are the responsibility of the applicant.)

International Education Research Foundation, Inc. — (310) 258-9451, www.ierf.org
Office of International Education Services — (202) 296-3359, www.aacrao.org
World Education Services, Inc. — (212) 966-6311, www.wes.org

Criminal Disclosure
NCNM requires applicants to provide any information on any criminal convictions other than a traffic violation. NCNM has this requirement for several reasons.

First, NCNM has a responsibility to ensure a safe environment for all members of our community and their property. Second, NCNM has an interest in evaluating the character, maturity, and responsibility of its applicants. Third, NCNM may academically advise students of difficulties that may arise in the course of the student’s efforts to obtain financial aid, clinical rotations, professional licensure, or other job placement. This is because financial aid, certain clinical rotations, and professional licensing boards are required by law and/or policy to exclude people who have certain convictions.

The existence of a conviction does not necessarily mean that a student will be denied admission to NCNM. Each case will be evaluated on its facts. Generally speaking, the rational relationship of the nature, severity, and recency of the crime to the interests and needs of NCNM will be assessed, and the responsibility and repentance of the person convicted will be carefully considered and weighed.

Acceptable Online Coursework
Distance Learning Courses approved for National College of Natural Medicine, ND Program prerequisites