Earn an Online Degree in Naturopathy to Begin a New Career
If you have always wanted to pursue a career in the medical field but prefer a holistic approach rather than a traditional one, you might be the right candidate for a degree in naturopathy.
Although there is no set way to treat patients who are interested in naturopathic healing, there are still some strict guidelines on becoming a Doctor of naturopathic Medicine, or an NMD.
Read on to learn more about naturopathy as a whole, earning your degree online, career opportunities for graduates and what it takes to succeed in this field.
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is an alternative type of medicine that focuses on treating the entire body rather than a specific ailment. This holistic approach means that unnecessary drugs and surgeries are avoided in lieu of finding the root of the problem and addressing that rather than the symptoms.
Naturopaths typically believe in the self-healing abilities of the body and may be regarded as spiritual, although that is not always the case. Some alternative treatments used most often by naturopaths include acupuncture, chelation, yoga, meditation, reflexology, herbs, botanical medicines, opting for more nutritious diets or eliminating items like sugar and alcohol, and employing ancient or Asian practices rather than traditional Western medicine.
Typical Curriculum for Naturopathy Courses
While the duration and specificity of naturopathy courses will vary greatly depending on the degree program being pursued, students will typically study human anatomy, nutrition, acupuncture, massage, herbal remedies and their pharmaceutical counterparts, human psychology and disease.
Just like a traditional doctor of medicine, a student of naturopathy will seek to understand the most common types of disease, chronic conditions and injuries their patients are likely to have as well as how to heal them and relieve any pain.
Unlike traditional doctors of medicine, however, naturopathy students will study alternative methods less commonly seen in hospitals today. Since many patients who come to naturopaths have already seen traditional doctors, they are looking for alternative solutions to their medical problems.
Regulations and Licensing
Licensing and regulating doctors of naturopathic medicine is slightly more unusual than licensing traditional doctors of medicine. In 16 states, those who call themselves a doctor of naturopathic medicine must have a medical degree granted by an accredited institution.
In other states, however, anyone is free to give themselves the title. This makes it difficult for patients to know which naturopaths are truly accredited. In order to show your accreditation, it is best to sit for the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations, or NPLEX, to prove your education and knowledge of naturopathy.
Earning Your Naturopathy Degree Online
Thanks to the convenience and accessibility of the Internet, earning your naturopathy degree online can be more convenient, more affordable and more flexible than it would be in a traditional college campus. Some courses allow for much of the degree to be earned online, but require a clinical internship or hands-on course that better prepares students to work with patients after graduation. The online portion of the degree allows students to work at their own pace, study in their free time and avoid lengthy commutes to a brick and mortar college campus.
Career Possibilities After Graduation
After receiving your degree in naturopathy, there are several different career paths you can pursue. Some graduates will become licensed and work as doctors of naturopathic medicine while others will specialize in specific areas and work as wellness educators, holistic teachers, herbal pharmacists, consultants in hospitals or insurance companies, yoga instructors, massage therapists or acupuncturists.
Online naturopathy degrees are a great way to gain a better understanding of holistic healing, advance your career and help others daily in a medical setting.
Today's online education programs are designed with individuals just like you in mind. You can earn a degree that makes an immediate impact on your career. Find out how you can begin today to pave the way for career advancement by earning your degree online. Accredited Online Colleges and Universities provide the programs that fit your busy professional lifestyle while allowing you to reach your educational and professional goals.
Great Opportunities Available in the Field of Natural Medicine
Natural medicine, one of the fastest growing fields in the 21st century, includes specialties such as naturopathy, nutrition, herbology, massage therapies, acupuncture, and many other areas of holistic medicine. Demand for all of these careers and more will continue to increase as natural medicine becomes even more popular in this new millennium.
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Dallas-based Parker University, formerly known as Parker College of Chiropractic, is one of the world’s leading educators of health care professionals. Founded in 1982, this private, nonprofit, educational institution prepares men and women to become doctors of chiropractic. In addition, Parker University awards additional wellness-focused degrees including a Bachelor of Science with a major in Anatomy and a Bachelor of Science with a major in Health and Wellness, massage therapy certificates, and continuing education specializations and certifications.
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Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education. Eligible students can receive college credit for prior military experience and coursework—up to 75 percent of the credit needed for a Kaplan University undergraduate degree.*
Back to School Scholarship Available to All New Students Until October 22nd.
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