Master of Naturopathic Medicine

2024 course information for Domestic Students
2024 course information for International Students

updated 6:02 AM on Wed, 24 May

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

IELTS
View full English language requirements
Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
2 years full-time
Location
Gold Coast, Lismore
Gold Coast, Lismore
Start date
March, July
February, June
Course code
1209350
Course abbreviation
MNatMed
Credit points
192
Equivalent units
16
CRICOS
View in availability and fee details
Fees
Commonwealth supported
Fees
View in availability and fee details

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Course overview

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, with a focus on promoting health and wellbeing, avoiding harm, and addressing the underlying causes/risks of ill-health.

Graduates of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine will develop a clear scope of practice across diverse clinical settings, a strong focus on patient-centred care, a solid understanding of the role of naturopaths within healthcare teams and the contemporary healthcare landscape, knowledge and skills in clinical reasoning, critical thinking, research methods and evidence-based practice. 

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine has two graduate-level entry points. 

Students with an eligible degree in a health-related field who want to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine may apply for this degree. The total full-time duration of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine for these students is two years. 

Graduates of the Southern Cross University Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) receive eight units of advanced standing into this Master of Naturopathic Medicine as part of our 3+1 pathway to become a clinical naturopath. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years (3-year Bachelor and 1-year Masters).

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, with a focus on promoting health and wellbeing, avoiding harm, and addressing the underlying causes/risks of ill-health.

Graduates of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine will develop a clear scope of practice across diverse clinical settings, a strong focus on patient-centred care, a solid understanding of the role of naturopaths within healthcare teams and the contemporary healthcare landscape, knowledge and skills in clinical reasoning, critical thinking, research methods and evidence-based practice. 

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine has two graduate-level entry points. 

Students with an eligible degree in a health-related field who want to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine may apply for this degree. The total full-time duration of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine for these students is two years. 

Graduates of the Southern Cross University Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) receive eight units of advanced standing into this Master of Naturopathic Medicine as part of our 3+1 pathway to become a clinical naturopath. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years (3-year Bachelor and 1-year Masters).

Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.

Entry requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

An applicant for admission to the Master of Naturopathic Medicine must have completed:

  1. the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) at Southern Cross University; or
  2. a Bachelor degree in a clinical health discipline or equivalent, such as Nursing, Osteopathy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic or Medicine; or
  3. study and professional experience determined by the Course Coordinator to be equivalent to a or b..

To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:

  1. completed Year 12 in Australia or comparable senior secondary study in another country as set out in the ELP Senior Secondary Study Schedule; or
  2. achieved:
    1. an International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic test score equal to or above IELTS 7.0 with no band less than 7.0; or
    2. a Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic overall test score equal to or above 68 with no communicative score less than 68; or
    3. a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based (TOEFL iBT) overall test score equal to or above 96 with no reading/listening score less than 24, no writing score less than 27 and no speaking score less than 23; or
    4. an SCU College English Language Exit Test Score equal to 7.0.  Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.

The ELP IELTS Equivalency Schedule does not apply to this course.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score or equivalent7.0
Reading7.0
Writing7.0
Listening7.0
Speaking7.0

About the course

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine prepares students for practice as a clinical naturopath. The course enables students to develop knowledge and skills in naturopathic practice, with a strong focus on naturopathic philosophy, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, lifestyle medicine, mind-body medicine, integrative health care, evidence-based practice and patient-centredness.

The 16 units of study in this course, including 15 core units and 1 elective unit, centre around three key themes:

Profession and Principles will be discussed in Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1-3 units.

Practitioner and Practice knowledge and skills will be developed across a range of discipline-building units:

  • Pre-clinical units include Nutritional Medicine, Botanical Medicine and Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1-7
  • Professional clinical placement units include Clinical Naturopathic Placement 1-3
  • Elective units include Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis and Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport.

Patient and Population will be discussed across several core and elective units:

  • Core units include Practice-based Health Research
  • Elective units include Health Research Project A, Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts, plus Evidence Translation and Implementation in Health Care.

Graduates of the Southern Cross University Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) will receive 8 units of advanced standing into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine.

Domestic students

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3

International students

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3$31,920 ($3,990 per unit)108576G
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3$31,920 ($3,990 per unit)108576G

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

How to apply

Where and when do you want to study?

Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.

Australian/Domestic students

International students studying in Australia

View domestic application details View international application details

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Naturopathic Medicine, students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (196 credit points) comprising:

  1. 15 core units (180 credit points) and
  2. 1 option unit (12 credit points).

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details


Course structure


Schedule of units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Core Units
NATM5010Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1 and 2: Foundations and Conduct
NUTR2001Nutritional Medicine
NATM2001Botanical Medicine
NATM2002Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity
NATM3001Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems
NATM3002Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems
NATM3003Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems
HLTH5009Practice-Based Health Research
NATM3004Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems
NATM5008Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 6: Cancer and Haematological System
NATM5009Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 7: Multi-morbidity and Complex Cases
NATM6007Clinical Naturopathic Placement 1
NATM6008Clinical Naturopathic Placement 2
NATM5011Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Transition to Practice
NATM6009Clinical Naturopathic Placement 3

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
HLTH5010Evidence Translation and Implementation in Health Care
HLTH1003Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport
MHNS5004Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
HLTH6007Health Research Project A
CMPL5001Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis


Unit groups

Option Units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
HLTH5010Evidence Translation and Implementation in Health Care
HLTH1003Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport
MHNS5004Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
HLTH6007Health Research Project A
CMPL5001Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis

Why choose SCU?

Excellence in research

Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.

Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018

Top 200 Young Universities

Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

Outstanding student support

5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Good Universities Guide 2021

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcome

Apply evidence-based clinical-decision making frameworks, using traditional knowledge, research evidence, established theories and critical thinking, to contemporary Naturopathic Medicine practice across a range of health settings.

Critically and creatively evaluate and respond to actual and potential health problems impacting individuals, families and communities in alignment with naturopathic principles and philosophies.

Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scope of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies with a high level of academic and professional integrity.

Apply a specialised, integrated body of knowledge derived from the physical, biological, behavioural, clinical and socio-cultural sciences across a range of healthcare settings and populations.

Apply proficient clinical skills that enable competent and safe practice as a naturopathic medicine practitioner.

Critically reflect on current skills, knowledge, attitudes and practices to direct scholarly inquiry and ongoing personal and professional development.

Apply expert verbal and written communication skills that drive appropriate patient and population outcomes across diverse settings.

Facilitate collaboration between a diverse range of individuals, groups and interdisciplinary teams.

Demonstrate respect and respond to the socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups in diverse settings.

Display social responsibility and advocacy for others in the community and within the broader healthcare setting.


Assessment methods

A variety of assessment methods are used in this course including essays, case studies, presentations, discussion forums, portfolios and literature reviews. Each unit includes up to three assessment items.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including tutorials, workshops, practicals, clinical placements, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit-to-unit.

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may engage in a combination of podcast or video-linked presentations, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit-to-unit.

Career opportunities

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine enables graduates to practice as a clinical naturopath.

As a clinical naturopath, graduates will be qualified to work in private practice, as well as a range of integrative and acute healthcare settings, such as aged care, palliative care or an integrative health clinic.

Professional placement

This course includes professional experience learning. There are regulatory requirements that students must meet before commencing professional experience placements. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Professional recognition

This course has been approved by the following associations:

  • Australian Natural Therapist Association (ANTA)
  • Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA)
  • Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
  • Complementary Medicine Association (CMA)

This course has been accredited by Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH).

Ask a question

Domestic future
students

Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.

International future
students

Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.

Current
students

Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.

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