Like a conventional doctor, dentist, or chiropractor, the naturopathic doctor first completes pre-medical studies at University.  The naturopathic student then moves on to a four year, full-time program at an accredited naturopathic college (The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is one of four such colleges in North America).  The first two years of study focus on basic medical sciences and diagnosis.  The last two years concentrated on naturopathic principles and therapeutics, including extensive clinical practice in a supervised teaching clinic.