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New part-time, six-year track for Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
As a response to the needs of aspiring naturopathic physicians who may have other responsibilities during the day, a new part-time, six-year track for the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine diploma has been instituted. This track for aspiring NDs holds to the same standards of quality and success as does BINM's popular full-time ND program.
If you are changing careers, need to work while you study, have personal responsibilities that require your attention, find the annual financial cost more acceptable, or simply prefer an evening and weekend course schedule, the part-time track is designed for you.
Six-Year Track starts in January 2009
The new six-year part-time classes will start January 5, 2009.
Course Load
The weekly course load will be 18-21 classroom hours per week with an anticipated home study of approximately 10-15 hours.
Class Size
In keeping with BINM's commitment to small class sizes, there will be a maximum of 35 students and a minimum of 15 in the part-time program.
Frequency of Intake
BINM plans to have one January intake for the six-year track every three years starting in 2009 then again in 2012, and 2015.
Schedule of Classes
All classes and clinic practical programs will be scheduled in the evenings and weekends: Monday through Friday from 6pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm. Classes will be held at the BINM campus in New Westminster . All students must take all classes in the order given. There are no electives.
Term Schedule
There will be four terms, each separated by a two-week break: January-March, April-June, July-August, and September-December.
Transfer From Part-Time to Full-Time Track
Once a student is enrolled in either the full-time or part-time track they are expected to remain on that track. There is no opportunity for part-time students to transfer into the full-time program at this time. The only possible opportunity would be at the half-way point, when both tracks will have completed the same number of courses. However, transfer from one track to the other is entirely at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Application Deadline
Candidates for the part-time track will be interviewed as soon as their applications are complete. Interviews and enrolment will be continuous until all seats are filled. Acceptance will be offered on a first-qualified, first-enrolled basis. Therefore, early application is highly recommended. Applicants to the part-time six-year track must meet all the standard admission prerequisites listed in the full time program.
The latest date for application FOR THE January 2009 intake is November 30, 2008.
Annual Tuition
Tuition for the first year of the six-year track will be $12,600. Annual tuition may be increased at the discretion of the BINM Board of Governors. All other fees and costs (such as books, medical equipment, anatomy lab, student association fees, etc.) are the same as for the full-time program and amount to approximately $8,000 over the course of the program. The cost of Board Examinations (NPLEX) and licensing fees are separate from the cost of education and are determined by the appropriate agencies.
Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions about the Admissions Process
A complete application consists of the following:
- Application form (Download a PDF version)
- A personal essay – minimum of two pages, double-spaced, addressing the following points:
a) A brief autobiographical sketch.
b) An explanation of why you want to practice naturopathic medicine.
c) A brief description of your experience with naturopathic medicine.
d) What you have to offer the profession of naturopathic medicine.- Your current resume , including relevant volunteer experience, certificates, diplomas and licenses.
- Three reference letters from people who are not your family and who have known you for at least three years. It is recommended that at least one of the references be from a member of a regulated profession (e.g. ND, lawyer, dentist, etc.). The letters should include:
- Your name
- The referee's name and title
- The number of years they have known you and in what capacity
- Their assessment of your character and ability to be a naturopathic doctor
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you attended.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses (see below) or proof of current enrolment for a maximum of three prerequisite courses not completed at the time of application.
- Application fee of $150.00 CDN made payable to BINM in cash, bank money order, or personal cheque. Payments by credit card will incur a 2% service fee.
Following receipt of your complete application you may be selected for a personal interview. An additional interview/assessment fee of $150.00 CDN will be due on or before your interview appointment.
All Academic Pre-Requisites must be completed by December 5, 2008
• Bachelors Degree:
A university bachelor's degree of three or four years from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or the US as listed by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials - www.cicic.ca . or as listed by the US Department of Education at ope.ed.gov/accreditation . and verified by an official transcript from the issuing institution
If the degree or any part of the degree was earned outside of the USA or Canada, the applicant must arrange for a "comprehensive course by course evaluation" of their foreign credentials to be sent to BINM from either ICES www.bcit.ca/ices or WES www.wes.org to arrive prior to the admissions deadline. This process can take up to four months so an early start is recommended.
• Specific Pre-Requisite Courses:
Applicants must have completed all of the following specific courses prior to December 5, 2008. These courses must be from a recognized post-secondary institution (as noted above) and may be taken as either online or classroom courses. The lab component of the science courses is optional.
- Biology -1 full-year (6 credit hours or two terms)
May be fulfilled by one year of general biology, or by one semester of general biology or cell biology plus one semester of genetics, anatomy, ecology or microbiology.- General Chemistry -1 full-year (6 credit hours; or two terms)
May be fulfilled by one year of general chemistry at the university level.- Organic Chemistry - 0.5 full-year (3 credit hours; or one term)
May be fulfilled by one term of organic chemistry.- Biochemistry - 0.5 full-year (3 credit hours; or one term)
May be fulfilled by one term of biochemistry.- Psychology – half-year (3 credit hours; or one term)
May be fulfilled by one 3-credit course in either Introductory Psychology; Developmental, Cognitive or Social Psychology.- English / Humanities -1 full-year (6 credit hours; or two terms)
Must include an essay component and may be fulfilled by courses in English Composition, Academic Writing, English Literature, History, Philosophy, Sociology, or Anthropology. Other essay-writing courses taught in English may be accepted at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Successful candidates must be fluent in English; applicants may be required to demonstrate their writing skills in person or through a TOEFL score of 580 (pbt) or 237 (cbt) or (ibt) 83.In addition, prospective students would benefit by completing additional courses in some or all of the following areas:
• Anatomy • Calculus • Cell Biology • Genetics • Herbology • Physiology • Microbiology • Nutrition • Physics • Research • Sociology • Statistics
A passing mark of 60% is the absolute minimum grade required for all prerequisites. It is recommended that an overall cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale (i.e. 75%) be attained for the applicant to be competitive for the limited seats available.
Credit may or may not be given for courses completed more than 10 years prior to application for admission, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Students should be prepared to show that they have kept themselves up-to-date in the sciences.For further information contact
Ms. Sue Sparlin , BA
Admissions Officer
604 777 9981
ssparlin@binm.org