Natural Health: Doctoral Degree
If you are passionate about alternative health options, you may consider obtaining a doctoral degree in the field. This article contains information about accredited programs and what you will learn as part of a doctoral program.
What Is a Natural Health Doctoral Degree Program?
<p>A doctoral degree program in natural health provides you with advanced training on one or more holistic medicine disciplines/specialties. Holistic medicine combines conventional medical science with alternative medical practices to treat patients through dietary changes, lifestyle changes and other natural therapies. Doctoral degrees in natural health may focus on naturopathic medicine, acupuncture or oriental medicine.
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Format</b></td><td>In-class or online, though online programs from some schools aren't accredited and won't lead to professional licensure</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Degree Focus</b></td><td>Acupuncture, oriental medicine, naturopathic medicine</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Health Courses</b></td><td>Cardiology, gastroenterology, nutrition, oncology</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Other Requirements</b></td><td>Internship</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)*</b></td><td> 8% growth <i>(for dietitians and nutritionists)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)*</b></td><td> $63,090 <i>(for dietitians and nutritionists)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3>
<p>You train to provide treatment for conditions that are typically handled by primary care physicians and/or some specialists, ranging from high blood pressure to cancer. Your curriculum for naturopathic medicine includes training in traditional life sciences such as pathology, microbiology, anatomy, biochemistry, histology and neurophysiology. But then you also learn natural health disciplines, such as oriental medicine, homeopathy and hydrotherapy. Your coursework consists of classroom instruction and clinical training.
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<p>If your doctoral degree program is specific to acupuncture and oriental medicine, your coursework covers conventional Eastern and Western medical disciplines and subjects. Topics may include gastroenterology, cardiology, oncology, nutrition and sports medicine. Natural health coursework may include Chinese techniques and system-based acupuncture. You may also need to participate in a clinical internship.
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<h3 id="section---CanIEarnThisDegreeOnline">Can I Earn This Degree Online?</h3>
<p>Doctoral degree programs in natural medicine are available online; however, as of 2011, they are highly controversial within the alternative medicine community. While some authorities accredit online programs, such as the American Naturopathic Medical Board, the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) and others do not.
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<p>The CNME only accredits programs that offer residential/on-campus curriculums. Because of this restriction, if you complete an online doctorate program in naturopathic medicine, you would not be eligible to sit for the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX) issued by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. You may be eligible to receive board certification through the American Alternative Medical Association and the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board, but these agencies were not registered with the U.S. Department of Education as of 2012.</p>