Online Classes for Naturopathic Medicine

Online courses in naturopathic medicine focus on eastern, alternative and holistic approaches to medicine. These courses emphasize the mind-body connection, natural medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, stress reduction and environmental medicine.

Overview of Naturopathic Courses Available Online

Though naturopathic programs recognized by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (www.aanmc.org) and the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (www.cnme.org) cannot be completed fully online, it may be possible to find individual virtual courses in the field.
Courses may be part of an associate, bachelor's or master's programs in the health sciences, a master's degree in acupuncture or nutrition or a doctorate in naturopathic or chiropractic medicine. Online continuing education opportunities are also available. Those studying naturopathy may go on to become practitioners or doctors of naturopathic medicine, chiropractors, acupuncturists or nutritionists. Medical doctors may also study naturopathy to complement a traditional medical science education.

Course Requirements

Students participating in these courses need an updated computer and browser, along with high-speed Internet access and a personal e-mail address. A word processing program, Adobe Reader, a sound card with speakers and up-to-date display are also generally required.

List of Online Naturopathic Courses

Intro to Naturopathic Medicine Course

In this course, students discuss how naturopathic medicine seeks to support health and healing of bodily systems. Key concepts, including vitalism and the mind-body connection, along with focusing on removing the cause of illness rather than treating symptoms and emphasizing personal responsibility for health, are discussed at length. Differences in the approaches to healing from the naturopathic and medical science standpoints are also thoroughly examined.

Cross Cultural Health Perspectives Course

Students discuss the role of culture in defining health. Approaches to healing, both Western and non-Western, are considered, including traditional healing and biomedical practices. Topics include a study of naturopathic medical practices from around the world, such as traditional Chinese medicine concepts like Yin and Yang, an understanding of physiology through the fundamental substances and the meridian theory.

Botanical Therapeutics Course

Course focuses on botanical medicinal therapeutics. It considers how they compare and contrast with pharmaceutical medicinal therapeutics. It also provides an overview of herbal remedies used in the United States. Topics covered include their preparation and interactions and contraindications with pharmaceuticals as well as their actions on the body. The naturopathic approach to use botanicals to treat disease rather than mask symptoms and to work with the body's own defense mechanisms are emphasized throughout.

Naturopathic Medical Ethics Course

This course introduces the values of general medical ethics, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, dignity and honesty. Students consider how to develop a framework for making ethical decisions guided by these values and the law. An emphasis throughout is placed on boundaries in naturopathic medicine, along with when to refer patients to other or supplemental treatment.