Course summary

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).

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.

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.

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.

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)
  • Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH)

Course overview

Course code

1209350

Course abbreviation

MNatMed

Credit points

192

Equivalent units

16

Duration

2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

Duration

2 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1 N/A N/A
Lismore Term 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported

International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold Coast Term 1 $30,400 ($3,800 per unit) 108576G
Lismore Term 1 $30,400 ($3,800 per unit) 108576G

Course requirements

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

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 elective 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

Schedule of units

Title Note
Core Units
NATM5010 - Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1 and 2: Foundations and Conduct
NUTR2001 - Nutritional Medicine
NATM2001 - Botanical Medicine
NATM2002 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity
NATM3001 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems
NATM3002 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems
NATM3003 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems
NATM5001 - Practice-Based Health Research
NATM3004 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems
NATM5008 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 6: Cancer and Haematological System
NATM5009 - Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 7: Multi-morbidity and Complex Cases
NATM6007 - Clinical Naturopathic Placement 1
NATM6008 - Clinical Naturopathic Placement 2
NATM5011 - Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Transition to Practice
NATM6009 - Clinical Naturopathic Placement 3
Elective
Choose one elective from:

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors