Council on Naturopathic Medical Education
Accrediting naturopathic doctoral programs in
the U.S. and Canada
Our Mission
Our mission is quality assurance. The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education serves the public by accrediting doctoral programs in naturopathic medicine in the U.S. and Canada that meet or exceed our educational standards.
Purpose of Accreditation
The Council’s in-depth accreditation process promotes high-quality naturopathic education and training, and safe and effective practice. Our educational standards provide the basis for licensing/regulating naturopathic doctors in the U.S. and Canada. CNME is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit doctoral programs in naturopathic medicine.
CNME does not accredit online or distance education programs.
Naturopathic Medicine: An Overview
Blending modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine.
Naturopathic Education
ND programs educate students in a range of natural modalities as well as in biomedical and clinical sciences, and complete two years of clinical training.
Naturopathic Accreditation
Accreditation process promotes high-quality naturopathic education and training, and safe and effective practice.
CNME-Accredited Programs
Graduates of CNME-accredited programs are qualified for licensure in Canada and the U.S.
Public Comment Notice
Regarding Initial Accreditation for the Doctoral Program in Naturopathic Medicine offered by the Universidad Ana G. Mendez at its campus location in Gurabo, Puerto Rico
At its meeting scheduled for January 24, 2021, the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)—a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency for doctor of naturopathy (ND) programs—will hold a hearing and decide on whether to grant initial accreditation to the ND program offered by the Universidad Ana G. Mendez at its campus location in Gurabo, Puerto Rico.
This notice invites written comments from state postsecondary education agencies; institutional and programmatic accrediting agencies; naturopathic licensing agencies; administrative staff, faculty, and students of colleges and programs affiliated with CNME; national, state and provincial associations of naturopathic physicians; and other organizations and individuals who wish to offer comments on the qualifications for reaffirmation of accreditation of the ND program.
In order for an ND program to be eligible for initial accreditation, it must be in substantial compliance with CNME’s current accreditation standards, policies, and eligibility requirements, as published in CNME’s Handbook of Accreditation for Naturopathic Medicine Programs (November 2020 edition). Public comments on the qualifications for accreditation must reference the applicable accreditation standards, policies, and eligibility requirements. A PDF copy of the Handbook of Accreditation may be downloaded from the CNME website and can also be provided by email upon request.
Written comments must include the name, position title (when applicable), and address of the person making the submission. The comments CNME receives are made available upon request and without attribution to the institution to which the comments pertain; in particular, the CNME keeps confidential the name of the commenter if he/she is currently involved with the institution (e.g., student, staff, faculty), and does not release them to any other third party.
Comments should either be emailed (use the “Contact Us” link) or mailed (CNME, PO Box 178, Great Barrington, MA 01230) to the Council by January 16, 2021.
Please direct any questions to Daniel Seitz, JD, EdD, Executive Director—phone: 413-528-8877.
Photo courtesy of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic physicians look beyond surface symptoms to determine the underlying causes of illness and provide natural approaches for restoring health.
