Natural Therapy Colleges in Ireland

The College of Naturopathic Medicine, Dublin:
The College of Naturopathic Medicine is one of Ireland’s largest, most highly-respected and well-known natural medicine training providers, with colleges in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. Our Naturopathy Foundation Courses (Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study, and Naturopathic Practical) form the basis of our training and provide CNM students with a firm grasp of Naturopathic principles and therapies, before proceeding to specialisation in Homeopathy, Acupuncture, and/or Herbal Medicine. For those studying Naturopathic Nutrition, Naturopathy Study and Naturopathic Practical are optional courses.

- To provide thorough training in Biomedical Sciences, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy and Nutrition.

- To deliver a high level of instruction for students in terms of excellence in teaching and length of study, with the aim of educating highly competent professionals who work for the betterment of the public’s health and well-being.

- To provide students with a rich and broad understanding of the therapies and diagnostics available to restore the body’s diminished ability to heal itself.

- To continue to raise the profile of Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy and Nutrition by providing training at the highest level, in accordance with the latest advancements in the field, thus increasing the acceptance of these therapies world-wide.

CNM offers four diploma courses:

- Acupuncture
- Herbal Medicine
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathic Nutrition

Study Options
- Full time, weekends and weekdays (Dublin only)
- Part time, weekends (all colleges - Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick)

Intake Dates
Typically, students enrol for the Autumn (Oct) and Spring (Feb) semesters. However, since our Biomedicine and Naturopathy courses are built around a modular system, new students can join a course throughout the year.

Examples
Depending on your study schedule, the diploma courses can be completed in 3 to 6 years.

Full time study
Year 1: Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study and Naturopathic Practical
Years 2 and 3: Specialist training (Acupuncture, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine or Homeopathy)

Part time study
Year 1: Biomedicine
Year 2: Naturopathy Study
Year 3: Naturopathic Practical
Years 4 and 5: Specialist training (Acupuncture, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine or Homeopathy)

In 2004 the government appointed the National Working Group on the Regulation of Complementary Medicine to oversee standards of training in complementary medicine. The CNM has been involved with this process and is helping to set very high standards in the field so that standards of training here in Ireland will equal the highest standards set internationally.

In the current climate of regulation, it is essential that complementary medicine programmes are accredited by Irish associations acknowledged at government level. The CNM has top Irish accreditation for all its programmes.

Nutrition
CNM runs a three year part-time nutritional therapy programme which has been accredited by IANT - the Irish Association of Nutritional Therapy. CNM is a member of the NTC School Forum.

Naturopathy
The CNM runs a state of the art four year part-time naturopathic training programme, this gives graduates eligibility for membership of the professional association representing naturopaths in Ireland - CINP - Council of Irish Naturopathic Practitioners. The CNM is currently the only school in Ireland which trains naturopaths to this level.

Herbal Medicine
Our herbal medicine programme gives the graduate eligibility for membership of the IRH - Irish Register of Herbalists - which is a member association of the National Herbal Council. Very shortly it will be essential to be registered with the Council in order to practise as a professional herbalist in Ireland.

Acupuncture
Our acupuncture programme gives the graduate eligibility for membership of the I.AC.B (Irish Acupuncture Board). This board is one of only four Irish acupuncture associations acknowledged at government level and involved in the setting of standards in acupuncture in Ireland.

Homeopathy
Accredited by the HMAI (Homeopathic Medical Association of Ireland).

CNM has developed an exclusive alliance with Charles Sturt University (CSU) in New South Wales, Australia, which allows CNM students and graduates to enrol into the Bachelor of Health Science Degree (Complementary Medicine). The CSU Degree programme is a distance learning course which starts each February and can be completed in 1 or 2 years. CSU offers the further opportunity for ongoing study to obtain a Master’s Degree, or a PH.D. in Complementary Medicine.

Charles Stuart University is Australia’s leading distance learning University, being responsible for the on-line education of over 28,000 students. CSU was awarded a "University of the Year" award in Australia, for its nationally recognised ability to reflect the needs of today’s society, and responsiveness to the need for life-long learning in a changing world.