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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July
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Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
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Location
Gold Coast, Lismore
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
MNatMed
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Course code
1209350
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Credit points
192
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Equivalent units
16
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
March, June
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Duration
2 years full-time
-
Location
Gold Coast, Lismore
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
-
ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
MNatMed
-
Course code
1209350
-
Credit points
192
-
Equivalent units
16
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
-
CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
The Master of Naturopathic Medicine prepares students for entry into professional naturopathic medicine practice.
Naturopathic medicine practitioners are primary healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, manage and prevent disease and dysfunction across the lifespan. Naturopathic medicine practice is underpinned by a patient-centred, holistic, integrated and evidence-based approach, with a focus on promoting health and wellbeing, avoiding harm, and addressing the underlying causes/risks of ill-health.
Graduates of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine will develop a clear scope of practice across diverse clinical settings, a strong focus on patient-centred care, a solid understanding of the role of naturopaths within healthcare teams and the contemporary healthcare landscape, knowledge and skills in clinical reasoning, critical thinking, research methods and evidence-based practice. This course includes professional experience placements of 510 hours.
The Master of Naturopathic Medicine has two graduate-level entry points.
Students with an eligible degree in a health-related field who want to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine may apply for this degree. The total full-time duration of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine for these students is two years.
Graduates of the Southern Cross University Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) receive eight units of advanced standing into this Master of Naturopathic Medicine as part of our 3+1 pathway to become a clinical naturopath. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years (3-year Bachelor and 1-year Masters).
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“My study experience totally changed me, and my clients will benefit. Southern Cross University is very supportive of big wonderful ideas, and your lecturers just want you to succeed.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Apply evidence-based clinical-decision making frameworks, using traditional knowledge, research evidence, established theories and critical thinking, to contemporary Naturopathic Medicine practice across a range of health settings. |
GA2: Creativity Critically and creatively evaluate and respond to actual and potential health problems impacting individuals, families and communities in alignment with naturopathic principles and philosophies. |
GA3: Ethical practice Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scope of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies with a high level of academic and professional integrity. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply a specialised, integrated body of knowledge derived from the physical, biological, behavioural, clinical and socio-cultural sciences across a range of healthcare settings and populations. Apply proficient clinical skills that enable competent and safe practice as a naturopathic medicine practitioner. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Critically reflect on current skills, knowledge, attitudes and practices to direct scholarly inquiry and ongoing personal and professional development. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Apply expert verbal and written communication skills that drive appropriate patient and population outcomes across diverse settings. Facilitate collaboration between a diverse range of individuals, groups and interdisciplinary teams. |
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate respect and respond to the socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups in diverse settings. Display social responsibility and advocacy for others in the community and within the broader healthcare setting. |
This course includes professional experience placements of 510 hours. There are regulatory requirements that students must meet before commencing professional experience placements. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
The Master of Naturopathic Medicine prepares students for practice as a clinical naturopath. The course enables students to develop knowledge and skills in naturopathic practice, with a strong focus on naturopathic philosophy, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, lifestyle medicine, mind-body medicine, integrative health care, evidence-based practice and patient-centredness.
The 16 units of study in this course, including 15 core units and 1 elective unit, centre around three key themes:
Profession and Principles will be discussed in Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1-3 units.
Practitioner and Practice knowledge and skills will be developed across a range of discipline-building units:
- Pre-clinical units include Nutritional Medicine, Botanical Medicine and Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1-7
- Professional clinical placement units include Clinical Naturopathic Placement 1-3
- Elective units include Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis and Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport.
Patient and Population will be discussed across several core and elective units:
- Core units include Practice-based Health Research
- Elective units include Health Research Project A, Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts, plus Evidence Translation and Implementation in Health Care.
Graduates of the Southern Cross University Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) will receive 8 units of advanced standing into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 108576G |
| Lismore | Term 1, Term 3 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 108576G |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
The Master of Naturopathic Medicine enables graduates to practice as a clinical naturopath.
As a clinical naturopath, graduates will be qualified to work in private practice, as well as a range of integrative and acute healthcare settings, such as aged care, palliative care or an integrative health clinic.
This course has been approved by the following associations:
- Australian Natural Therapist Association (ANTA)
- Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
- Complementary Medicine Association (CMA)
- Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)
This course has been accredited by Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH).
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
An applicant for admission to the Master of Naturopathic Medicine must have completed:
- the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) at Southern Cross University; or
- a Bachelor degree in a clinical health discipline or equivalent, such as Nursing, Osteopathy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic or Medicine; or
- study and professional experience determined by the Course Coordinator to be equivalent to a or b..
To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
- completed Year 12 in Australia or comparable senior secondary study in another country as set out in the ELP Senior Secondary Study Schedule; or
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achieved:
- an International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic test score equal to or above IELTS 7.0 with no band less than 7.0; or
- a Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic overall test score equal to or above 68 with no communicative score less than 68; or
- a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based (TOEFL iBT) overall test score equal to or above 96 with no reading/listening score less than 24, no writing score less than 27 and no speaking score less than 23; or
- an SCU College English Language Exit Test Score equal to 7.0. Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.
The ELP IELTS Equivalency Schedule does not apply to this course.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score or equivalent | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Master of Naturopathic Medicine, students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (196 credit points) comprising:
- 15 core units (180 credit points) and
- 1 option unit (12 credit points).
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why Health at SCU
One of the best clinical lab facilities in Australia
Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums
5-star health ratings
We are 5-star rated in psychology, nursing and health services and support
(GUG 2023)Graduates in very high demand
Health graduates in very high demand as Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's largest and fastest growing industry
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
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- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Choose where you want to study
Gold Coast
Lismore
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
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Credit Transfer
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