National University of Natural Medicine

What is the history of National University of Natural Medicine?

National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) traces its origins to 1956, when it was founded in Portland as the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Its original purpose was to educate naturopathic physicians. The institution later expanded into other areas of integrative health education and adopted its current university name in 2016.

Those changes help explain why NUNM offers undergraduate study alongside graduate and professional programs, while retaining a particular focus on health-related fields. Applicants comparing information from different years should note that records under the university's earlier names may refer to the same institution, but not necessarily to programs that are still offered.

What are the faculties and departments at National University of Natural Medicine?

NUNM is a specialized health-sciences university rather than a broad liberal-arts institution. Its academic work centers on naturopathic medicine and related fields, including nutrition, integrative health sciences, and research-oriented graduate study.

The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine is a defining professional program. Undergraduate options have included health-sciences and nutrition pathways, while graduate offerings have included nutrition and integrative medicine research. Chinese medicine has also been an important part of NUNM's academic history. Because specialized degrees and their admissions pathways can change, applicants should check the current academic catalog for the exact credential, curriculum, and entry term they intend to pursue.

Program choice matters here: an undergraduate health-sciences degree, a research master's degree, and a clinical doctorate have different prerequisites, clinical expectations, costs, and potential professional uses. An interest in integrative health alone does not establish that a particular degree qualifies its holder for a licensed occupation.

What is the location of National University of Natural Medicine?

NUNM is in Portland, Oregon, near the city's downtown area. Its urban location places students in a metropolitan setting rather than on a self-contained residential campus.

Portland-area transit and cycling routes may be useful for commuting, but travel time depends on where a student lives and where classes or clinical assignments take place. Prospective students should map the locations relevant to their particular program, not just the main campus, before choosing housing or estimating transportation costs.

What is the mission and vision of National University of Natural Medicine?

NUNM describes its educational purpose in terms of natural medicine, health-professions education, research, and service. Its approach emphasizes integrative and whole-person health care; these are institutional priorities, not evidence that every treatment taught or studied has the same level of clinical support.

For applicants, the most useful question is how that philosophy appears in a specific curriculum. A prospective clinician can examine required biomedical science, supervised clinical training, and preparation for applicable licensing examinations. A prospective researcher can examine methods coursework, faculty interests, and opportunities to evaluate health claims critically.