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Required Abilities & Skills

Questions? 503.552.1660 / Toll-free 877.669.8737 or admissions@ncnm.edu

NCNM 's goal is to broadly prepare students for the practice of naturopathic or Chinese medicine. This goal is achieved in part by undergraduate medical education, postgraduate medical education, and preparation for life-long learning. Modern medical education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of skills and professional attitudes and behavior. Our faculty has the responsibility to graduate the best possible practitioners and physicians; thus, admission into NCNM is offered to those who present the highest qualifications for the study and practice of naturopathic or Chinese medicine.

Technical Standards

Applicants to NCNM must possess the following general qualities: critical thinking, sound judgment, emotional stability and maturity, empathy, physical and mental stamina, and the ability to learn and function in a wide variety of educational settings. In all phases of medical education, students of medicine must use their intellectual ability and must maintain emotional stability, particularly when under stress. Graduates of NCNM must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and render a wide spectrum of patient care.

Motor Skills

Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers. Candidates should be able to execute motor functions necessary to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients.

Sensory and Observational Skills

Candidates must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in experiments as required by the NCNM curriculum. They must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance as well as close at hand and be able to obtain a medical history directly from the patient, while observing the patient's medical condition. This observation necessitates the functional use of vision, hearing and other sensory modalities.

Communication Skills

Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively both orally and in written form with patients. At times these skills must be performed in clinical settings when time for communication may be limited.

Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Skills

These skills include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Problem-solving and diagnosis, the critical skills demanded of physicians, require all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Behavioral and Social Skills and Professionalism

Empathy, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions process and throughout a student's medical education. Candidates must possess the emotional well-being required for the full use of their intellect; the ability to promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients; and the capacity to develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively when stressed. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function within the uncertainty inherent to the variety of clinical problems patients present.

In summary, the mission of National College of Natural Medicine faculty is to prepare students for the comprehensive practice of medicine. NCNM , in accordance with Section 504 of the 1974 Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Public Law-101-336), has established the aforementioned essential functions of medical students and physicians. National College of Naturopathic Medicine will consider for admission applicants who demonstrate the ability to perform or learn to perform the essential skills listed in this Technical Standards section. NCNM must ensure that patients are not placed in jeopardy by the students or physicians as a result of substantially impaired intellectual, physical, or emotional functions. Students will be assessed not only on their scholastic accomplishments, but also in their physical and emotional capacities to meet the full requirements of the school curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners of naturopathic or Chinese medicine.

Students who believe they may not meet the criteria listed above should contact the Dean of Student Affairs to discuss his or her specific circumstances. The Dean will coordinate assessment and accommodations as deemed appropriate. Unresolved issues concerning a student's ability to meet these standards may result in delay or disqualification of the student's admission or registration.