Study at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

"Naturopathic medicine is a healthcare discipline that uses its founding principles of treating the whole person, treating the cause and healing power of nature."

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Evidence-based, innovative and flexible

The National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine offers diverse innovative academic programs that are leading the way in advancing Naturopathic Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine and Integrative Medicine education and practice across the globe.

Our courses are designed and taught by industry-leading experts, and are underpinned by a novel pedagogical framework, which aim to optimise teaching and learning, and augment the student experience. The strong focus on critical enquiry, clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice also serves to prepare students for success in whatever career pathway they choose. Our courses also move away from outdated uni-disciplinary focused teaching, toward interprofessional learning to enable graduates to work more effectively in integrative health care teams.

With flexible learning and delivery methods, our courses are accessible worldwide and enable students to navigate their studies around their work and life commitments.

Graduates of our groundbreaking courses develop the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare them for varied opportunities, including working with diverse patient groups, teams and communities, across a range of professional settings.

“Patient-centeredness and evidence-informed clinical practice are at the core of everything we do. From naturopathic principles to lifestyle changes and integrative medicine, we are dedicated to teaching the next generation of clinical practitioners who will shape the future of healthcare.”

Browse our courses

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is a key healthcare discipline that uses a holistic, person-centred and collaborative approach to prevent and/or treat ill health in diverse populations.

More about naturopathic medicine

Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle Medicine is an internationally recognised discipline that takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to health and chronic disease management.

More about lifestyle medicine

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Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine uses a preventative, coordinated and team-based approach to treat complex and chronic conditions, with the patient being at the centre of care.

More about integrative medicine

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Not sure what study options are right for you?

Curious about our courses and which one might be the best fit for you? Click below to explore detailed information about each program, including a downloadable course structure document that outlines the units and their study format.

Explore a range of health options

Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle)

The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) is a foundation degree for students wishing to pursue a career in health, naturopathic medicine or lifestyle medicine. The degree builds a solid foundation in human health, including health science, social science, clinical science, scientific enquiry, naturopathic medicine and lifestyle medicine. Students will also gain a theoretical and practical understanding of health promotion and be able to apply this knowledge to a community engagement project/activity.

To practice as a Clinical Naturopath, students must complete a Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and a Master of Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years. This is the only four-year program in Naturopathic Medicine offered in Australia where students will graduate with a Masters degree.

Download the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) course structure
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Expand your scope of practice

Master of Naturopathic Medicine

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine prepares students for entry into professional naturopathic medicine practice. Naturopathic medicine practitioners are primary healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, manage and prevent disease and dysfunction across the lifespan. Naturopathic medicine practice is underpinned by a patient-centred, holistic, integrated and evidence-based approach, focusing on promoting health and well-being, avoiding harm, and addressing the underlying causes/risks of ill health.

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine equips you with extensive experience to excel in specialised and integrative healthcare settings. These include acute care, aged care, palliative care, and/or integrative health clinics working alongside medical doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.

If you are a health care professional who holds a bachelor's degree in a clinical health-related discipline (e.g. nursing, midwifery), or you have completed the Southern Cross University Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle), the Master of Naturopathic Medicine will qualify you as a clinical naturopath.

Download the Master of Naturopathic Medicine course structure

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Elevate your knowledge

Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine provides an introduction to advanced study in naturopathic medicine. The course is ideal if you are a recent naturopathy graduate wishing to develop specialised knowledge or a practitioner looking to expand your skills, attributes and career opportunities. The course also provides a pathway for graduates wanting to undertake further postgraduate or higher degree studies.

View the course details

Download the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Naturopathic Medicine course structure.

Master of Advanced Naturopathic Medicine

For naturopaths wanting to expand their knowledge of evidence-based practice and naturopathic philosophy, the Master of Advanced Naturopathic Medicine allows graduates to develop further their skills and knowledge in specialised areas of practice and research.

A research-informed approach to curriculum development provides a strong evidence-based foundation to all units, which span specialised topic areas such as gut health, integrative mental health, women’s health, reproductive health and food as medicine. A capstone research project builds upon foundational research skills, enabling graduates to conduct practice-based research and improve patient outcomes.

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Download the Master of Advanced Naturopathic Medicine course structure.
Australia’s only Master of Integrative Medicine

Master of Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine (IM) is a healthcare model where practitioners work together in interdisciplinary teams to understand and address the factors contributing to illness in each individual. Patients are central to IM and remain active in co-designing and managing their care. IM specialises in preventive medicine and treating complex and chronic conditions. Demand for integrative medicine services is high across all regions nationally and internationally and all healthcare sectors; however, current evidence indicates that the current workforce supply is failing to meet that demand.

The Master of Integrative Medicine is Australasia’s only postgraduate qualification in integrative medicine and aims to prepare the health workforce to deliver evidence-based integrative health care. It is suitable for qualified naturopaths or healthcare professionals who hold a bachelor's degree in a clinical health-related discipline (e.g., nursing, midwifery).

Graduates of this degree will be able to confidently and effectively deliver integrative care to aid in the management and prevention of chronic disease and improve patient outcomes.

Download the Master of Integrative Medicine course structure
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Study at the home of Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle medicine practice is underpinned by six pillars: diet and nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation, alcohol harm reduction, sleep and stress, and social connection. The discipline aims to drive change in health behaviours and health service delivery.

A large percentage of chronic disease risk can be attributed to lifestyle behaviours. However, assisting individuals to modify their lifestyle remains an ongoing challenge for many health practitioners.

Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine

The Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine is designed for health practitioners working in general medicine, allied health, nursing or other health disciplines who wish to develop foundational skills and knowledge in the field of lifestyle medicine. The course assists practitioners in prescribing lifestyle interventions and facilitating behaviour change to support the prevention and management of chronic disease and to improve patient outcomes.

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Download the Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine course structure

Master of Lifestyle Medicine

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is tailored for healthcare professionals across general medicine, allied health, nursing, and related fields. It provides essential knowledge and skills in lifestyle medicine, equipping practitioners to more confidently implement lifestyle-based interventions and drive behavior changes that aid in the prevention and management of chronic diseases, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is taught by leaders in the field and uses an evidence-based approach to examine the principles and practices of lifestyle medicine, including determinants of health, clinical processes and models of care, and strategies and interventions for preventing and managing disease. A capstone research project also enables students to investigate an area of interest in depth.

View the course details

Download the Master of Lifestyle Medicine course structure

Trade in your CPD

We acknowledge your hard-earned CPD, allowing you to complete fewer units and graduate sooner. You can now convert your CPD into credit points towards your Lifestyle Medicine degree.

HLTH3001 Independent Study Health Science has been approved for inclusion in both the Master of Lifestyle Medicine and the Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine. This allows for the awarding of advanced standing to students with approved CPD.