Academic Requirements
  • CCNM - Toronto Campus
    Prerequisite Courses
    To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Naturopathy degree program, applicants must have completed a three or four year bachelor’s degree in any discipline at an accredited institution. The following courses need to be completed prior to admission; CCNM offers online prerequisite courses in chemistry, biology, physiology, and psychology.
    Required Courses
    General Biology
    Credit hours: 6
    Units: 1.0
    Requirements:
    May be fulfilled either by a one-year biology course or by two semesters of courses such as anatomy, botany, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, or zoology.
    Physiology
    Credit hours: 6
    Units: 1.0
    Requirements:
    May be fulfilled either by a one-year physiology course or a oneyear anatomy and physiology course.
    Chemistry
    Credit hours: 6
    Units: 1.0
    Requirements:
    May be filled either by a one-year chemistry course or two semesters of any chemistry. General, organic and/or biochemistry courses would be accepted towards this requirement.
    Psychology
    Credit hours: 3
    Units: 0.5
    Requirements:
    May be fulfilled either by one semester of introductory psychology, health psychology, developmental psychology, or other similar courses.
    Humanities Elective
    Credit hours: 6
    Units: 1.0
    Requirements:
    Acceptable courses may include: sociology, economics, organizational behaviour/management, English, history, women’s studies, etc. This elective must include an essay-writing component. Foreign language courses are not accepted towards the humanities prerequisite.
    Credit will only be given for the completion of prerequisites when a grade of C-minus (60 per cent) or better is earned.
    For September admission, courses must be completed by August 31 of the year of application. For January admission, courses must be completed by December 31.
    Applicants should have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 on a four-point scale (equivalent to B+). A lower grade point average (minimum 2.7) may be acceptable, depending on the applicant’s academic history, interview, essay, references and career-related experience.
    Additional Recommended Courses
    We also recommend that applicants complete courses in some or all of the following areas to prepare for the ND program curriculum:
    • Anatomy
    • Genetics
    • Sociology
    • Biochemistry
    • Microbiology
    • Statistics
    • English composition
    • Organic chemistry
    • Environmental science
    • Physics
    For further information on prerequisite sciences, please contact the Admissions and Student Services Department at 1 (866) 241-2266 ext. 245 or info@ccnm.edu.
    Proficiency in the English Language
    CCNM curriculum is delivered in English; applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language fluency. If your postsecondary studies were completed in a language other than English, proof of English proficiency must be submitted. CCNM’s minimum requirements are:
    • IELTS (academic): minimum overall band score of 6.5 or higher (on a 9 point scale)
    • TOEFL iBT: minimum 86 out of 120 (CCNM TOEFL DI Code: 0245)
    • CAEL: minimum overall band score of 60 or higher (on a 90 point scale)
    Experienced Students
    A limited number of exceptions are made for experienced students who have completed three years towards a University bachelor’s degree (90 credit hours, 15 full courses). Applicants should have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 (equivalent to B+).
    A minimum 2.7 grade point average may be acceptable, depending on the applicant’s academic history, interview, essay, references and career-related experience. Applicants must have the minimum prerequisites as outlined in the admission requirements and a minimum of four years of work and life experience outside of university. Please note that possessing the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.
  • CCNM - Boucher Campus
    CCNM - Boucher Campus calculates a cumulative grade point average for all courses that constitute a degree. For a candidate to be considered a competitive applicant, the Admissions Committee expects a degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.
    For candidates who have a cumulative GPA below the expected minimum but who have completed additional degree(s) (e.g., a second bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, doctorate, or first professional degree), the Admissions Committee may consider additional education when assessing academic preparation.
    Prerequisite Courses
    Applicants must show a minimum final grade of 60 per cent (equivalent to C) in each required prerequisite course. The expected overall minimum cumulative science GPA is 2.5 to compete for the limited program seats.
    Prerequisite courses are to be completed no more than seven (7) years before an application for admission, with the following exception: if an applicant has a science prerequisite course completed more than seven years before application. Admissions will consider that course updated if the student has taken another science course within the seven years that requires the older science course as a prerequisite.
    English/humanities and psychology courses completed more than seven years before application may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    CCNM offers online prerequisite courses in chemistry, biology, physiology, and psychology.
    Required Courses
    Biology
    Credit hours: 6
    Units: 1.0
    Requirements:
    May be fulfilled by introductory or general biology, commonly titled Biology I, Biology II, Principles of Biology, General Biology, or Introduction to Biology.
    This requirement may also be satisfied by three (3) credit hours of general/introductory biology, which can include ecology, evolution, or microbiology courses. Plus 3.0 credit hours of another appropriate biology, such as botany, cell biology, genetics, zoology, physiology, cellular, or molecular biology.
    Please note: anatomy courses do not satisfy the biology requirement.
    General Chemistry
    Credit hours: 3
    Units: 0.5
    Requirements:
    It is strongly recommended that six (6) completed credit hours of general chemistry help prepare for the rigours of the program.
    General Chemistry
    Credit hours: 3
    Units: 0.5
    Requirements:
    It is strongly recommended that six (6) completed credit hours of general chemistry help prepare for the rigours of the program.
    Organic Chemistry
    Credit hours: 3
    Units: 0.5
    Requirements:
    Acceptable courses must have at least three (3) credit hours of general chemistry as a prerequisite.
    Biochemistry
    Credit hours: 3
    Units: 0.5
    Requirements:
    Acceptable courses must have at least three (3) credit hours of general chemistry as a prerequisite. It is strongly recommended to also have at least three (3) credit hours of organic chemistry as a prerequisite. Courses are 200- or 300- level and are typically titled Introduction to Biochemistry or Biochemistry.
    A course that satisfies the biochemistry prerequisite includes the structure, function, and metabolism of the four major biomolecules (carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, proteins) and provides an overview of basic cellular biology and processes essential to life.
    Psychology
    Credit hours: 3
    Units: 0.5
    Requirements:
    May be fulfilled by introductory, general or developmental psychology. It is strongly recommended that applicants complete additional psychology or counselling credits to prepare for the rigours of the program.
    English / Humanities
    Credit hours: 3
    Units: 0.5
    Requirements:
    May be fulfilled by courses such as academic writing, anthropology, English, history, literature, philosophy, sociology, women’s studies, etc. Coursework must include written components that add up to at least 40 per cent of the total coursework. Applicants may be required to write a short essay at the time of the interview to demonstrate academic writing ability.
    Please note: foreign language courses are not accepted towards the humanities prerequisite.
    *According to PTIB bylaws and CCNM -Boucher Campus policy, minimum program admission requirements may not be waived.
    Additional Prerequisite Information
    Prerequisite courses must be at the 100 level or above and taken at a recognized Canadian or regionally accredited American postsecondary institution, or the equivalent, as assessed by either ICES or WES. Lab courses do not fulfill the required prerequisite credit hours, nor are they included in calculating prerequisite grades.
    The CCNM - Boucher Campus may, at its discretion, accept prerequisite preparatory courses from other Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) approved institutions. This option is generally reserved for students who apply as transfer students from other CNME approved institutions.
    Students who started a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program at a CNME-approved institution but are not applying as a transfer student may, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, be able to use credits completed at the issuing institution to satisfy prerequisites provided at least a 60 per cent (equivalent to C) was attained and the credits earned are at least equivalent to 3 credit hours or a half-year course.
    Courses accepted as a prerequisite may not be used for transfer credit. Students must provide an official transcript showing successful completion of all prerequisites before the first day of the CCNM - Boucher Campus program.
    In cases where an official transcript indicating successful completion of a prerequisite course is not available before the first day of the program, with pre-approval from the Chair of the Admissions Committee, a letter sent directly from the Registrar or Records Office of the issuing postsecondary institution may be used as proof of successful completion until an official transcript is received.
    Recommended Courses
    We recommend that, in addition to the prerequisite courses, applicants complete courses in some or all of the following areas to prepare for the ND program curriculum:
    • Anatomy
    • Business
    • Calculus
    • Cell Biology
    • Community/Cultural Studies
    • Ecology
    • Environmental Studies
    • Genetics
    • Global/International Studies
    • Leadership
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Microbiology
    • Nutrition
    • Philosophy
    • Physics
    • Physiology
    • Religious Studies
    • Research
    • Sociology
    • Statistics
    Proficiency in the English Language
    CCNM’s curriculum is delivered in English; all applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient English language fluency to fully participate in the learning process. If an applicant’s post-secondary studies were completed outside of North America in a language other than English, proof of English proficiency must be submitted to CCNM - Boucher Campus. Our minimum requirements are indicated below:
    • TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 23 in each testing section. TOEFL scores over three years old at the time of application will not be accepted.
    • IELTS: minimum overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each testing section. IELTS scores over three years old at the time of application will not be accepted.
    Transcript(s)
    Official transcripts from an applicant’s post-secondary educational institution(s) must be sent directly (either by mail or email) from the issuing institution to CCNM - Boucher Campus Admissions.
    Students who attended an institution outside of Canada or the United States must submit a “comprehensive evaluation” from either International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) or World Education Services (WES). Please submit the transcript(s) directly to CCNM - Boucher Campus Admissions:
    Mail:
    Admissions Department, CCNM - Boucher Campus
    435 Columbia St, Suite 230
    New Westminster, B.C., Canada V3L 5N8

Statement of Equal Opportunity

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine works to ensure that the principles of the Canadian Human Rights Act are reflected in our dealings with all of our constituents: Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, same-sex partnership status, family status, or handicap.

This applies to all matters of the College.