Pre-Health

Pre-Naturopathic Medicine

According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), naturopathic medicine “utilizes the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies to treat illness and to promote wellness by viewing the body as an integrated whole” and “above all, it honors the body’s innate wisdom to heal.” Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are primary health care practitioners and are trained in the conventional tools of diagnosis and in the use of natural therapeutics. NDs can perform minor surgery and are trained to utilize prescription drugs, though the emphasis in naturopathic medicine is on natural healing.

NDs must adhere to a specific scope of practice as defined by the law in their state. In Oregon, licensed NDs can prescribe drugs when necessary if they have a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Registration; only approved substances that are listed on the formulary compendium can be prescribed. For more information on naturopathic medicine in Oregon, see the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine website, or for information on licensure in other states, see the AANMC site.

Naturopathic schools of medicine require that applicants successfully complete a specific set of prerequisite courses prior to enrollment. Many also require a baccalaureate degree. Portland State offers a pre-naturopathic program whereby students complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance with the preparation and application process.  

Portland State University Pre-Naturopathic Medicine Course List 

Below is an outline of prerequisite courses which is subject to change. Check directly with schools for current requirements. Students should research the admissions requirements of additional naturopathic medical schools. Most naturopathic schools require an A, B, or C in all prerequisite courses. 

Pre-requisite Course(s)National University of Naturopathic Medicine (NUNM)Bastyr University
Mathematics and Statistics

MTH111Z Intro to College Math I or higher math (4 credits) 

OR

STAT243Z Elementary Statistics I (4 credits)

MTH111Z Intro to College Math I or higher math (4 credits) 
General (inorganic) chemistry with lab

General Chemistry: CH221Z/227Z, CH222Z/228Z, CH223Z/229Z (15 credits) Note: Students wishing to enroll in General Chemistry I (CH 221Z) math placement assessment and must score 60 or higher.

NUNM requires 2 terms of General Chemistry; however, the prerequisite for Organic Chemistry at PSU is CH223Z, so PSU students must complete all 3 terms. 

General Chemistry: CH221Z/227Z, CH222Z/228Z, CH223Z/229Z (15 credits) Note: Students wishing to enroll in General Chemistry I (CH 221Z) math placement assessment and must score 60 or higher.

Bastyr requires 2 terms of General Chemistry; however, the prerequisite for Organic Chemistry at PSU is CH223Z, so PSU students must complete all 3 terms. 

Biology – 1 year sequence for science majors

Principles of Biology: BI 221Z Cells, BI 222Z Organisms, BI 223Z Ecology & Evolution (15 credits)

Note: CH221Z/227Z is the pre- or co-requisite for BI221Z

NUNM only requires the first 2 terms of the sequence but completing all 3 terms is recommended  in order to move onto upper division Biology courses.

Principles of Biology: BI 221Z Cells, BI 222Z Organisms, BI 223Z Ecology & Evolution (15 credits)

Note: CH221/227Z is the pre- or co-requisite for BI221Z

 

Organic Chemistry – 1 year sequence for science majors

Organic Chemistry: CH334/384*, CH335/385* (8-10 credits)

Labs recommended: CH337, 338 (2 credits each)

Note: CH223Z is the prerequisite for this sequence

*CH384, 385 are recommended 1 credit workshop courses

Although only 2 terms are required, the full 3 term sequence is recommended to learn the full spectrum of Organic Chemistry.

Organic Chemistry + labs: CH334/337/384*, CH335/338/385*, CH336/386* (16-19 credits)

Note: CH223Z is the prerequisite for this sequence

*CH384, 385, 386 are recommended 1 credit workshop courses

Although only 2 terms are required, the full 3 term sequence is recommended to learn the full spectrum of Organic Chemistry.

Physics

Intro to Physics PH101 (4 credits)

OR

General Physics & labs: PH201/214/284* (5-6 credits)

OR

General Physics with Life Science & Medical Applications & labs: PH231/214/284* (5-6 credits)  *Not offered in the 2025/2026 academic year

Note: Math 112Z is the prerequisite for PH201; MTH 111Z is the prerequisite for PH231. There is no MTH prerequisite for PH101.

*PH284 is a recommended 1 credit workshop course

General Physics & lab: PH201/214/284* (5-6 credits)

OR

General Physics with Life Science & Medical Applications & labs: PH231/214/284* (5-6 credits)  *Not offered in the 2025/2026 academic year

Note: Math 112Z is the prerequisite for PH201; MTH 111Z is the prerequisite for PH231. There is no MTH prerequisite for PH101.

*PH284, is a recommended 1 credit workshop course

Psychology

PSY201Z Introduction to Psychology I

OR

PSY311U Human Development (preferred)

Choose one course:

  • PSY201Z Introduction to Psychology I
  • PSY202Z Introduction to Psychology II
  • PSY311U Human Development
Social Sciences

1 course from: ANTH, EC, GEOG, HST, PS, PSY, or SOC

Note: If you choose Psychology, it must be in addition to the course you choose for the Psychology requirement above. 

Not required
English Composition

Choose one course:

  • WR121Z College Writing
  • WR222 Research Papers
  • WR323 Writing as Critical Inquiry
Not required
Humanities

1 course from ART, ENG, MUS, PHL, or WR. 

Note: If you choose ENG, it must be in addition to the course you choose for the English composition requirement above. 

Not required

 

Additional Recommended Courses (not required)

CoursePSU equivalent
BiochemistryCH350 Biochemistry (4 credits) Note: CH336 is the prerequisite
Cell BiologyBI336 Cell Biology (4 credits) Note: BI334 is the prerequisite
Anatomy & PhysiologyBI301, 302, 303 Human Anatomy & Physiology with labs (4 credits each) Note: BI211 or BI207 are the prerequisites
MicrobiologyBI234 Elementary Microbiology or BI380 Microbiology (4 credits) Note: BI334 or 336 or 341 are the prerequisites
Public SpeakingCOMM 220 or COMM111Z (4 credits) 

Additional Information

University of Western States Admissions Requirements: New program for Fall 2023 admissions

National University of Naturopathic Medicine (NUNM) Admissions Requirements

  • Application deadline: For fall term entry, the application opens Sept 1 of the preceding year. The deadline is May 1 of the same year; however, the scholarship deadline is Feb 1 so applying earlier is recommended. 
  • Additional application requirements: Resume, personal statement, additional designated essay questions, and two recommendations are required. See NUNM website for information.
  • Students are encouraged to attend “Exploration Day” at NUNM.  Tour the campus; meet current students; find out more about the naturopathic professions, their history, and their futures; and explore admission criteria and the selection process. Go to the NUNM website to learn more.

Bastyr University Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Admissions Requirements

  • Application deadline: For fall term entry, the early decision deadline is November 1 of the preceding year; the priority deadline is February 1 of the same year.
  • Additional application requirements: Personal statement, two letters of recommendation, one from an academic source, one from an academic or professional source, written responses to narrative questions, and a resume. See Bastyr website for more information.

Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC)

  • The AANMC suggests that prospective naturopathic students should want to be challenged academically yet feel comfortable relying on their own intuition and creativity, be high-level critical thinkers who are flexible enough to deal with the challenge of formulating personalized treatment plans, demonstrate that they possess the internal qualities essential to becoming naturopathic physicians, including concern for others, integrity, curiosity, motivation and a strong belief in the efficacy of natural medicine, and demonstrate appropriate observational and communication skills, motor function, intellectual-conceptual abilities, integrative and quantitative abilities, and behavioral and social maturity.