They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship. Naturopathic physicians have complete diagnostic rights and complete prescriptive rights for all natural medicines and prescription rights for specific legend drugs. Naturopathic physicians can also perform office surgery and vaccinations, have the authority to direct RNs, and are approved by the public health office to issue birth and death certificates. To become admitted to Bastyr's naturopathic medicine degree program, students must have a pre-med education. The requirements are quite stringent and admission to the program is competitive.
Students explore the philosophy of naturopathic medicine in case studies and individual projects.
The integration of naturopathic theory and basic medical sciences is encouraged. An introduction to world medicines is presented through the healing traditions of China and India. In the second year, a sequence of courses related to the clinical sciences is designed to prepare students for clinical rotations by encouraging clinical application of concepts previously studied in the basic medical sciences. Foundational information for the naturopathic modalities of botanical medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, counseling and naturopathic manipulation are also taught at this time. Instruction in these courses includes laboratory work, case studies and videotaping.