Diplomas

Diploma in Naturopathy

Naturopathy is not a therapy but a philosophy of health, combining vitalistic principles with biological sciences. All civilisations have used natural means to assist the body’s natural healing processes. Naturopathic medicine today draws on these ancient understandings and integrates it with modern day scientific knowledge. The scope of practice of Naturopaths includes a large range of healing modalities such as nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, body work and stress management techniques.

The central approach is always to address the underlying causes of disease and to treat the person – not their symptoms. The focus is to facilitate and promote the body’s self-healing mechanisms, restoring harmony in the mind, body and spirit.

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease."- Thomas A. Edison

Course Outline

Course Duration

Workshop Requirements

Examination Requirements

Portfolio of Evidence

Entry Criteria

Intakes

Fees

Career Pathways

Course Curriculum

Course Outline

This qualification provides core knowledge and skills for clinical practice as a professional Naturopath.

Subjects studied include:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Practice
• Nutrition
• Iridology
• Relaxing massage
• Therapeutic massage
• Aromatherapy
• Zone therapy
• Lymphatic drainage
• Flower essences
• Tissue salts
• Herbs
• Homeobotanicals
• Homeopathy
• First Aid - this is not included in your fees. It is the responsibility of the student to undertake a First Aid course to complete the Diploma in Naturopathy.

At the successful completion of year one, students will have a firm understanding of the principles and philosophies of naturopathy, and will gain a National Certificate of Relaxation Massage and a Certificate of Natural Therapies. By the completion of year two a National Certificate of Complementary Therapies is awarded. Upon final graduation of year three students can register with the NZ Society of Naturopaths and Naturopaths of New Zealand as registered naturopathic practitioners.

Course Duration

This diploma is 3 years full time (approximately 30 hours per week) or 6 years part time (approximately 15 hours per week).

Workshop Requirements

Workshops are a compulsory and essential part of training, offering students the opportunity to expand and develop their skills, network with fellow students and benefit from the knowledge of our tutors. The workshops are very interactive with lots of practical skills both taught and assessed.

For Naturopathic students it is compulsory to attend a workshop for each year of study. You are required to attend a 5 day workshop for Year 1 and Year 2, and a workshop of two weeks duration during Year 3.

Effective 2009 the year three workshop has been extended to two weeks duration. The second week supports the development of clinical skills through supervised Clinical Practice and case discussions, as well as covering additional modalities such as Ayurveda for Naturopaths, External Therapeutic Applications, Natural Fertility, Relaxation and Stress Management Techniques and presentations by guest speakers.

Students who apply for accredited prior learning of certain units will be required to attend a year one workshop for refresher and assessment prior to receiving a Certificate in Natural Therapies.

Students must not confirm any travel arrangements until workshop bookings are scheduled and confirmed by the Student Support Officer. The College reserves the right to cancel workshops where, in rare cases, the minimum number of students required is not met. Students must consider this when making travel arrangements. It is therefore recommended that ‘flexi options’ be considered when confirming travel arrangements.

Workshop Dates

The workshop you will be booked into will depend on your enrolment date and whether you are studying full time or part time. For further details contact the Student Support Officer on 0800 759 0218.

Examination Requirements

At the end of Year 3 students undertake final theory and practical examinations. Where unit assessments have practical components these will be assessed during workshops. In addition, students undertake theory tests during Year 2 and 3 workshops.

Portfolio of Evidence

Throughout the course of the Diploma, students are required to gain practical experience to support their learning. Before proceeding each year and prior to final graduation being awarded, a Portfolio of Evidence must be submitted to the College. This is a clinical record of all practical work completed throughout your training.

The minimum requirement over the three years is 500 hours, including 150 hours of massage practical, 150 hours of naturopathic consultations and 200 miscellaneous hours. It is the student's responsibility to gain these hours. This practical experience greatly enhances the student's advancement as a professional practitioner. Diploma of Naturopathy students are required to submit a copy of their Portfolio of Evidence to the College at the end of each year of study.

Entry Criteria

Applicants must have completed Year 11 or equivalent secondary school education, must be at least aged 18, able to read, speak and comprehend English language (for international non-English speaking applicants a level 6.5 IELTS).

Intakes

There are five intakes per year in January, March, May, July and September. For more information go to the enrolment section.

Fees

Course fees are $2400 per year. Text book costs, medical equipment and administration fees are in addition to this. For detailed information on fees please go to the enrolment section.

Career Pathways

• Private clinical practice
• Integrative practice with doctors, nurses, physiotherapists or other complementary therapists
• Natural health product company representatives and product consultant
• Working along side midwives in pre conceptual, pregnancy and post natal health care
• Teaching workshops and community education
• Working with businesses on Staff Wellness programmes
• Owning and managing health, whole food and organic stores
• Working as an advisor or consultant to health stores, herbal dispensaries or pharmacies
• Growing medicinal herbs and manufacturing herbal products
• Working in specialist areas

Course Curriculum

Please note that the following curriculum is new for students enrolling into the first year of the Diploma in Naturopathy in 2010. If you are an existing student please contact us for details on your next years curriculum.

YEAR 1, MODULE 1

To complete year one and to gain the National Certificate in Relaxation Massage you are required to hold a current First Aid Certificate. You may be required to complete a Comprehensive Two Day First Aid Course or Refresher training as appropriate. The cost of any training is the responsibility of the student. A copy of your valid First Aid Certificate must be sent into the College.

YEAR 1, MODULE 2

YEAR 1, MODULE 3

YEAR 2, MODULE 4

YEAR 2, MODULE 5

YEAR 2, MODULE 6

YEAR 3, MODULE 7

YEAR 3, MODULE 8

YEAR 3, MODULE 9

To gain the Diploma in Naturopathy you are required to hold a current First Aid Certificate. You may be required to complete a Comprehensive Two Day First Aid Course or Refresher training as appropriate. The cost of any training is the responsibility of the student. A copy of your valid First Aid Certificate must be sent into the College.