How to Get a DO, ND, or MD in Alternative Medicine

The Many Faces of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The government agency National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) notes that the concept of alternative medicine encompasses a range of therapy options. Here are just a few categories of alternative medicine, with examples of treatments and techniques found in each:

• Alternative Medical Systems: Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy, and traditional Chinese or Tibetan medicine
• Biologically Based Therapy: herbalism, natural health, macrobiotic consumption
• Body-based Therapy: medical acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy
• Mind/Body Therapy: yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, sound therapy, visualization

Degree and certificate programs are found in many of the above therapies, including chiropractic care (D.C. degrees), massage therapy, and natural health. For this guide, we focus on doctoral level education found in alternative medical systems like osteopathy, naturopathy, and homeopathy rather than PhDs in fields like nutrition or natural health. Medical degrees in alternative medicine allow you to work in a clinical practice, while the focus of PhD programs is on teaching or conducting research.

Comparing DO and MD Degrees

Many parallels can be drawn between the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, including:

• Prerequisites: Students in both DO and MD medical colleges must first earn bachelor's degrees
• Medical Training: Both DOs and MDs complete four years of basic medical education
• Residencies: Both groups complete internships and residencies, typically for three to six years beyond medical school
• Licensure: Both groups must pass examinations to earn a state license

Just like MDs, doctors of osteopathic medicine can choose a number of specialties in which to practice medicine, such as:

• Pediatrics
• Family practice
• Psychiatry
• Surgery
• Obstetrics

In short, DO graduates receive similar training and enjoy a similar status as their MD counterparts. The biggest difference is in their philosophy of practice. Osteopathic doctors recognize and practice alternative and complementary medicine designed to treat the whole person rather than just a specific ailment.

Other Degrees in Alternative Medicine: NDs and OMDs

The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree offers another choice in alternative medicine doctoral degrees. Practitioners use a holistic method of health care, and patients enjoy the benefits of nutrition, acupuncture, counseling, natural care, botanical medicine, and other alternative strategies. The ND is less common than the DO, and the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges only recognizes seven programs.

As with a DO, training to earn your ND in alternative medicine requires many of the same steps as an MD degree. Students must have a bachelor's degree before beginning medical school training. Coursework in anatomy, physiology, biology, botany, developmental psychology, and physiology are recommended.

The Doctor of Oriental Medicine (OMD) is a new concept developed by the National Oriental Medicine Accreditation Agency. To date, no accredited program has been created by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) that meets the high educational standards they require, but such a program could happen in a matter of years.

Today, acupuncturists may practice with a master's degree plus licensure. There is currently no provision to grandfather in acupuncturists without an OMD degree into the system, and workers in states without established practice requirements may be required to earn the new doctoral degree.

Campus-Based Versus Online DOs in Alternative Medicine

Are you considering an online doctorate degree in holistic medicine, naturopathy, or another aspect of alternative medicine? Earning an online DO in alternative medicine comes with advantages over the traditional campus-based program. Benefits include:

• Freedom of online access to learning tools
• Self-paced structure allows for specialized learning
• No attendance requirement saves travel time and money

Of course, you should be sure that your chosen school is accredited by a third-party accrediting board recognized by the U.S. Department of Health. Meanwhile, campus-based DOs in alternative medicine come with their own set of advantages, including:

• Clinical hands-on practice with real patients
• Face-to-face contact with instructors and peers
• Access to alternative medicine materials and products

No matter which style of education you choose, be sure you're aware of the positives and negatives of each type. If you select an online doctoral program, consider one that offers an internship or practicum so you don't lose the opportunity for hands-on training.

One of the most popular alternative medicine online doctoral degrees may be the Doctor of Education (EdD) in holistic health and wellness. The educational doctorate prepares students to work in high-level education or administration related to alternative medical colleges and universities. Because no clinical practice is required, the EdD is a popular online option.

Establishing a List of Potential Alternative Medicine Degrees

Begin your research for potential doctoral degree programs by visiting the resources below. No matter your degree or training interests, these resources can help you establish a list you can use to make initial contact with colleges and universities in the field.

• The AANMC keeps a list of affiliated alternative medicine schools in North America. Schools listed meet federal and academic standards for excellence, as determined by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. You may request information through their Web site.

• WorldWideLearn.com maintains a database of doctoral alternative medicine colleges and universities. Degrees represented include a range of clinical and education-related programs. Students may request information from the schools using WorldWideLearn.com's simple forms.

• The NCCAM maintains a database of predoctoral and postdoctoral training opportunities in complementary and alternative medicine. Some programs are designed to work with students who have not yet earned a doctoral degree, while others offer postdoctoral training to those who hold a doctoral degree but are interested in additional alternative medicine training opportunities.

The above resources are a free and simple way to begin your research process into alternative medicine degree programs. Conducting thorough research ahead of time is the best way to find an on-campus or online doctoral program that truly suits your needs and goals as a student in the medical field.

Evaluating Doctoral Degree Programs in Alternative Medicine

Whether you're considering a campus-based or online doctoral degree in alternative medicine, it's important to get the facts on accreditation before you choose a school. Accreditation means that a third-party accrediting board, recognized by the U.S. Department of Health, has put their seal of approval on the school in question. Earning a degree from an accredited school means you can feel confident that:

• Your degree is valued at the same level as other accredited degrees
• Your degree qualifies you to legally practice in the field
• Your training allows you to practice in the field with confidence

It should be noted that the Better Business Bureau is not a third-party academic accrediting board. For the final word on the credentials of your chosen campus-based or online doctoral degree program, contact the U.S. Department of Education for more information and guidance.

Narrowing Down Your Doctoral Degree Program Choices

Beyond researching accreditation, there are a few simple steps you can use to narrow down your potential doctoral degree programs in alternative medicine. Take a look at the following categories, and think about how they apply to your list of potential schools.

• Faculty: Learn more about the faculty at each alternative medicine school. Do they have clinical experience in the field, or is their training limited to the research and teaching side of alternative medicine? Your own career goals can help determine which type of faculty could be a good fit for you.
• History: While alternative medicine itself is an ancient practice, schools within the discipline are often relatively new. Research the history of each potential school and learn more about its accreditation history, its engagement with the surrounding community, and success stories within the school.
• Alumni: A successful alumni group can speak volumes to the strength of a doctoral degree program. Ask admissions officials for alumni success stories and statistics on alumni job placement rates including tenure track teaching and research positions as well as clinical practitioners.

• Requirements: Depending on your specific degree, the requirements for admission will vary greatly. Remember that more competitive schools will require more from applicants, including test scores, letters of recommendation, and supplementary application requirements. Note that each doctoral program will likely include an application fee.
• Community: A close-knit community can add to the strengths of an alternative medicine doctoral degree program. Learn more about the academic community from alumni groups, academic counselors, and the departments themselves. Your individual disposition as a student should help inform which intellectual community would suit you best.

Once you've considered each of the above elements, you should be able to narrow your potential schools down to just a few programs. This process is essential, and can save you time and money in the application process as you apply only to the schools that best fit your needs.

More Resources for Doctoral Students

WorldWideLearn.com is prepared to help guide you into a doctoral program that suits your needs. Take a look at some of the academic and career resources offered by the site:

• Funding Your Schooling? Use the Financial Aid section for advice and helpful information regarding financial aid for your doctoral program. Learn how to apply for government loans and grants, learn the difference between grants and loans, and take advantage of alternative medicine scholarships and funding programs.

• Curious About Careers? Learn more about working in alternative medicine within the Career Assessment section. Browse the career quizzes, recruiter resources, and articles designed to inform you about the educational and career world.

• Considering Majors or Minors? Whether you're looking for a specialization or unsure about your program choice, use the Guide to College Majors to help narrow down your options. Learn more about clinical training options within the discipline.

• Looking for General Knowledge? Browse the Education Resources page for information on school accreditation, and general facts on campus-based and online doctoral degree programs.

Whether you're returning to alternative medicine education after years of work experience, or you're adding on to recently acquired education, you can benefit from the resources found at WorldWideLearn.com. The helpful links above are offered as a free information portal for anyone considering taking the next step in their alternative medicine education.

Join the Alternative Medicine Community

As you earn your DO or ND in alternative medicine, you should make an effort to learn more about other members within the community you have joined. Consider the following professional organizations, conferences, and scholarly journals related to the study and practice of alternative medicine:

• Professional Organizations: American College for Advancement in Medicine, American Academy of Environmental Medicine, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance, National Ayurvedic Medical Association, The American Massage Therapy Association, American Herbalists Guild, American Institute of Homeopathy, American Osteopathic Association
• Conferences: Personalized Metabolic Nutrition Seminar, Annual World Congress On Anti-Aging Medicine & Regenerative Biomedical Technologies, Fellowship In Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine, International Academy Of Oral Medicine & Toxicology Annual Meeting, Annual Cancer Convention, Annual Non-Clinical Careers For Physicians Conference, Mind-Body Medicine Professional Training Program
• Scholarly Journals: Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Chinese Medicine, The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine

Completing your DO, ND, or MD in complementary and alternative medicine means joining a world of professionals who believe in the power of traditional holistic healing. Your doctoral degree prepares you for a lifetime of clinical healing, helping patients who are looking for an option beyond the traditional health care diagnosis. In that sense, these terminal degrees connect you to centuries of medical theory and practice.

Sources

• Acupuncture Today. .New Acupuncture Accrediting Body Formed.
• American Osteopathic Association. What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
• The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. What About Online Naturopathic Degree Programs.
• The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. ND Education Requirements
• The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. The AANMC Member Schools.
• HealthWorld Online. Professional Associations- Alternative Medicine.
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Training and Career Development Opportunities.