Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences

Southwest College

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, founded in 1992, educates in the art and science of naturopathic medicine to prepare students to be conscientious and caring health care providers. The mission of the college is to prepare students to become naturopathic physicians educated and trained in the principles and practice of naturopathic medicine and to serve the public by providing quality education, research and natural medical care in the science and art of health promotion, disease management and prevention based upon these principles.

Academic Programs

• Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) Program (four-year professional medical program).
• Non-Degree coursework

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is the philosophy of treating disease and restoring health using natural therapies. It strongly promotes prevention in health care and a non-invasive approach to treatment including: acupuncture and oriental medicine, homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutritional counseling, mind-body medicine, hydrotherapy and physical medicine.

Naturopathic physicians (NDs) attend a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical program and are educated in all of the same basic sciences as in conventional medical school. Studies concentrate on holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. Graduates sit for professional board exams to become licensed as naturopathic doctors within licensed states or as jurisdiction allows.

Curriculum

The ND program features a wide variety of effective natural therapies including botanical and homeopathic medicines, nutrition, acupuncture, manipulation and counseling. The curriculum offers a strong foundation in biomedical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology along with physical, clinical, and laboratory diagnosis.

The Southwest College Clinical Training Program is unique among medical schools and the first of its kind in naturopathic medicine. The Program provides students with an integrative approach to medicine while encompassing natural therapy philosophies and emphasizing the practical information necessary to establish a successful practice. ND students gain experience at the SCNM medical center where clinical education is overseen by SCNM Clinical Faculty in addition to multiple clinical training opportunities through Southwest College's network of Elective Sites including private practices, outpatient clinics, hospitals and academic centers. Distinctive program elements include:

• Clinical training at a state-of-the-art Medical Center
• Competency with natural modalities and patient management skills
• Patient contact experience in ND, MD, DC and DO offices
• Clinical Experience in local hospital rotations.

Career Opportunities

The ND program prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities:

• Primary Care Doctors (respecting the integrated relationship of body and 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

Admissions Process

Applicants must submit a completed application, a non-refundable fee of $65, official transcripts and three letters of recommendation. Applicants will be contacted for an interview upon receipt of all materials.

A baccalaureate degree and the following course-work must be completed prior to matriculation:

• 8 semester credits General Chemistry w/lab
• 12 semester credits General Biology w/lab
• 4 semester credits Organic Chemistry w/lab
• 6 semester credits English (3 in composition)
• 6 semester credits Psychology
• 6 semester credits Humanities

Applicants are required to take one college level course in Physics which must be algebra based, lab is optional. It is highly recommended that course content include mechanics, vectors, electricity, thermal physics, and fluid statics and dynamics.

Natural Medicine Open House

March 11, 2006 5pm - 8pm
or
March 20, 2006 9am - 5pm

The Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center

The Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center is a full-service, primary-care medical facility specializing in integrated medicine. The largest facility of its kind in the state, the Medical Center offers a wide range of treatments for both acute and chronic health conditions. Services provided involve patient evaluation and treatment with a full range of natural therapeutics and modalities. SCNM allows patients the opportunity to choose natural healthcare from experienced medical professionals.

Additionally SCNM serves as an integrated teaching facility for the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Centrally located in Scottsdale, between Phoenix and the tri-city area (Mesa, Chandler and Tempe), the Medical Center ensures a wide diversity of patient populations.

The Phoenix Metro Area

The health-oriented Southwest is ideally suited to exposing students to a wide variety of health-care alternatives alternatives, in addition to providing the widest scope of practice within naturopathic medicine. Tempe is a sophisticated city and center of culture and learning. The Phoenix Metropolitan area, "Valley of the Sun," enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year, with temperatures averaging 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Recreational activities in local areas include hiking, mountain biking, golfing, tubing on the Salt River, boating and swimming in one of our major lakes and sky diving. You name it, Arizona has it - and the most beautiful weather in which to do it.

Southwest College is approved by the Arizona Board for Private Post-Secondary Education and is accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (recognized by the U.S. Department of Education). All applicants are evaluated on an individual basis without regard to race, sex, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or marital status.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to find out more, please Request Information.