Who makes up your student body?
What are the admission or application deadlines?
How does the Southwest College naturopathic medicine program compare
to other schools?
What is the scope of practice for a naturopathic physician?
What are graduates doing with an ND degree?
What states or provinces license NDs?
Do insurance companies cover naturopathic medicine?
I understand that Southwest College is accredited. What does this
mean?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes up your student body?
We have a diverse group of students at Southwest College. Students come from across the United
States and internationally as well. Students also come from very diverse backgrounds and different age
groups. One-third of our students have been involved in the health care in some manner. Some students come to us after having
personally experienced the benefits of naturopathic medicine and others have only read about its benefits in healing. The
average age is 31 and about 65% of our student body is female. Southwest College currently has a student body of 340 students.
Click here for some quick facts about SCNM
What are the admission or application deadlines?
Southwest College currently offers prospective naturopathic medical students the choice of enrollment twice a year: Spring and Fall. Prospective students are encouraged to submit all application materials as early as possible for consideration. Southwest College accepts applications for admission as early as one year prior to the intended start date. Priority deadlines include December 1 of the prior year for the Spring entry and by February 1 for the Fall entry. Download or fill out the request form here.
How does the Southwest College Naturopathic
Medicine program compare to other schools?
There are currently four US colleges and one Canadian college offering
the ND program as recognized by the CNME. Though each school prepares you for the same national licensing exam, we feel our
school is unique in a variety of ways:
- Integrated clinical education where students train with NDs, MDs and DOs in office, medical center and hospital
settings.
- Best conditions and atmosphere for learning. Arizona offers the widest
scope of practice for NDs anywhere in the country. Therefore, our students gain real-life clinical experience in an actual
integrated medical model.
- Beautiful campus in sunny Arizona.
- We are noted as being very innovative. We are one of the youngest colleges which can allow for easier modification
to the existing curriculum and more opportunity for creativity.
- Because our college size is relatively small, we have a very close community. We have a supportive community
both in staff and students. Come and visit, sit in on some classes and experience Southwest College for yourself.
- Southwest College was the first naturopathic medical college to create a Career Center, focused on working
with students and alumni to find the career opportunity of your dreams. We also acknowledge that you need business skills
prior to graduation to begin your own practice. Business classes are incorporated in the program to advance your management
and business detail.
- We have visiting faculty teach for one week at the start of each quarter. We call these courses Intensives.
This program allows students to gain exposure from national and international experts in the field and an opportunity to network.
Download a brochure: Why SCNM?
What is the scope of practice for a naturopathic
physician?
The main healing modalities for an ND include acupuncture, homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutritional medicine, mind-body
medicine and physical medicine. Other areas include natural childbirth, minor surgery, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, etc. Your
scope of practice varies from state to state depending on the state's individual laws. For example, in the state of Arizona
NDs have a very wide scope of practice and can administer antibiotics, and controlled substances. This is not the case in
other states. For specific and extensive professional information, please visit the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians'
website at www.naturopathic.org.
In states that are unregulated, an ND is considered a Naturopath, not a physician. They
can offer nutritional advice, administer herbs and homeopathics. However, in states that are licensed, ND's are able to perform
labwork diagnosis, incorporate soft tissue and trigger point therapy, perform X-rays and a host of other tests. ND's are able
to take out malpractice insurance and can bill some insurance companies.
Click here for more information.
What are graduates doing with an ND degree?
Licensed graduates of an ND program have many options. Naturopathic physicians work in group practices that may include MDs, Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Acupuncturists. Other Naturopathic physicians open up a private practice or may work as a consultant for a natural foods company, vitamin company or herbal company. NDs can focus on areas such as natural childbirth or act as a primary care physician. They may conduct research, write, teach or lecture. In a recent Southwest College study, it was discovered that 47% of graduates work in or open their own Naturopathic medical office/clinic and 48% go into practice in an integrated clinical setting (with other health-care practitioners such as MDs, DOs or DCs for example).
The Southwest College ND program prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities:
- Primary Care Doctors (respecting the integrated relationship of body & mind while combining the wisdom
of traditional healing with the rigor of scientific methods)
- Medical and natural product industry consulting
- Medical and herbal sales/marketing
- Scientific research and writing
Again, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians' website is a wealth of information
on this topic. Check them out at www.naturopathic.org.
See our Alumni Highlight Page.
What states or provinces license NDs?
The following preliminary information is provided for the applicant. Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility
to contact the individual jurisdiction, in the state/province that he/she intends to practice, for the most current information
regarding licensing.
Alaska 907-465-2534; Arizona 602-542-3095; California; Connecticut 860-509-7568; Hawaii
808-586-2701; Idaho; Kansas; Maine 207-624-8603; Montana 406-444-3737; New Hampshire 603-228-0407; Oregon 503-731-4045; Utah
801-298-0126; Vermont 802-298-0126; Washington 360-664-3230; Manitoba 204-956-1555 Ontario 416-236-4593
Saskatchewan 306-664-3244
The following states/provinces are actively pursuing licensing legislation:
Massachusetts, New York, Florida,
Colorado, Texas, Alberta,
Nova Scotia.
Click here for more licensing information.
Do insurance companies cover naturopathic medicine?
Legislation was passed in Connecticut, Washington and Alaska which allows all ND work to be covered by insurance.
There are some insurance groups in Arizona and other states that are beginning to cover natural
therapies. For instance, the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center has recently signed an agreement with CIGNA, a major health
care provider. Through this agreement, employees of Maricopa County are covered under CIGNA and have visits to NDs covered
by insurance. Naturopathic medicine is health oriented and ultimately would save insurance companies many dollars. Naturopathic
physicians do need to refer in certain cases where mainstream medicine is better suited, but there are many cases where natural
approaches can cure, improve and prevent many of the conditions we see prevalent today.
I understand that Southwest College is accredited.
What does this mean?
This means that the college has been accredited by the CNME (Council on Naturopathic Medical Education) and universities.
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education is the accrediting agency for Naturopathic Medical Colleges and Universities
in the United States and Canada.
Students and graduates of naturopathic colleges and programs accredited, or candidates for accreditation, with CNME are eligible
to apply for the Naturopathic Physician Licensing Examinations as administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic
Examiners.
Southwest College is also accredited with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools. Southwest College is approved by the Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Board of Medical
Examiners and the Arizona Board of Private Post-Secondary Education.
Click here for more information. |
