Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING
Chapter 246-836 - Naturopathic physicians
Section 246-836-180 - Standards for approval of colleges of naturopathic medicine

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 246-836-180

Current through Register Vol. 24-24, December 15, 2024

The following standards shall be used by the board in considering a naturopathic college's application for approval:

(1) Objectives. The objectives of the college shall be clearly stated and address the preparation for the naturopathic physician to provide patient care. The implementation of the objectives should be apparent in the administration of the college, individual course objectives, and in the total program leading to graduation.

(2) Organization.

(a) For independent naturopathic colleges, the institution shall be incorporated under the laws of the state of its residence as an education corporation. Control shall be vested in a board of directors composed of naturopathic physicians and others. No less than one-third plus one of the directors shall be naturopathic physicians. Under no circumstances shall more than one-third of the directors have administrative or instructional positions in the college. The directors must demonstrate their knowledge of the objectives of the college through policy decisions, support of college programs and active participation in college governance, and selection and oversight of the chief administrative officer.

(b) For naturopathic colleges governed by a multidiscipline university, the institution shall be incorporated under the laws of the state of its residence as an education corporation and control vested in a governing board of directors or trustees composed of qualified members with diverse professional backgrounds. At least one of the directors shall be a naturopathic physician. Under no circumstances shall more than one-third of the directors have administrative or instructional positions in the institute. The institute shall have an established means by which the college can formally, regularly, and effectively communicate to the governing body its needs for resources and provide input on relevant institutional and programmatic issues.

(3) Administration. The education and experience of directors, administrators, supervisors, and instructors should be sufficient to ensure that the student will receive educational services consistent with institutional objectives. The administration of the college shall be such that the lines of authority are clearly drawn. The college shall present with its application a catalog and a brief, narrative explanation of how the administration of the college is, or is to be, organized and how the administrative responsibility for each of the following is, or is to be, managed:

(a) Faculty and staff recruitment;

(b) Personnel records management;

(c) Faculty pay scale and policies;

(d) Standards and practices relating to evaluation, improvement of instruction, promotion, retention and tenure;

(e) Admissions policies including procedures used to solicit students;

(f) Development and administration of policies governing rejection and retention of students, job placement, and student counseling and advising services;

(g) Curriculum requirements;

(h) Tuition and fee policies; and

(i) Financial management policies.

(4) Financial condition. The college shall demonstrate its financial stability by submitting certified audits once every three years and, reports, or other appropriate evidence annually.

(5) Records. The college shall maintain a detailed system of records for each student beginning with application credentials through the entire period of attendance. The records, including matriculation, attendance, grades, disciplinary action, and financial accounts, shall be the permanent property of the college, to be safeguarded from all hazards and not to be loaned or destroyed.

(6) Educational credentials.

(a) Upon satisfactory completion of the educational program, the student shall receive a degree from the college indicating that the course of study has been satisfactorily completed by the student.

(b) In addition, for each student who graduates or withdraws, the college shall prepare, permanently file, and make available a transcript which specifies all courses completed. Each course entry shall include a title, the number of credits awarded, and a grade. The transcript shall separately identify all credits awarded by transfer or by examination.

(c) Upon request, all student records and transcripts shall be made available to the board.

(7) Catalog. The college shall publish a current catalog at least every two years containing the following information:

(a) Name, mailing address, and physical address of the school;

(b) Date of publication;

(c) Admission requirements and procedures;

(d) A statement of tuition and other fees or charges for which a student is responsible and a statement on refund policies;

(e) A school calendar designating the beginning and ending dates of each term, vacation periods, holidays, and other dates of significance to students;

(f) Objectives of the college;

(g) A list of trustees (directors), administrative officers and faculty members including titles and academic qualifications;

(h) A statement of policy about standards of progress required of students, including the grading system, minimum satisfactory grades, conditions for interruption for unsatisfactory progress, probation, and reentry, if any;

(i) A description of each course indicating the number of hours and course content, and its place in the total program;

(j) A description of facilities and major equipment, including library, laboratory and clinical training facilities;

(k) Statements on the nature and availability of student financial assistance, counseling, housing, and placement services, if any;

(l) A statement indicating whether the college is recognized by other agencies or associations for the licensing or certification of naturopathic physicians; and

(m) Any other material facts concerning the college which are reasonably likely to affect the decision of the potential student.

(8) Admission policies and procedures. The college shall not deny admission to a prospective student because of gender, race, color, religion, physical handicap and/or ethnic origin.

(9) Attendance. The college shall have a written attendance policy.

(10) Curriculum. The curriculum of the college shall be designed and presented to meet or exceed the requirements of this chapter. Each student shall complete a minimum of three thousand hours instruction, which shall include no less than two hundred post-graduate hours in the study of mechanotherapy. Minimum clinical training shall be one thousand one hundred hours, of which no less than eight hundred hours shall be training with student actively involved in diagnosis and treatment in accordance with RCW 18.36A.050(3). The remainder, if any, may be preceptorships overseen by the college. The clinical training shall be in naturopathic procedures. The following standards are intended not as an exact description of a college's curriculum, but rather as a guide for the typical acceptable program. It is expected that the actual program taught by each naturopathic college will be prepared by the academic departments of the college to meet the needs of their students and will exceed the outline present here. The board's policy is to preserve the autonomy and uniqueness of each naturopathic college, and to encourage innovative and experimental programs to enhance the quality of education in colleges of naturopathic medicine.

(a)

Basic science

Anatomy (includes histology and embryology)

Physiology

Pathology

Biochemistry

Public health (includes public health, genetics, microbiology, immunology)

Naturopathic philosophy

Pharmacology

(b)

Clinical sciences

(i)

Diagnostic courses

Physical diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis

Laboratory diagnosis

Radiological diagnosis

(ii)

Therapeutic courses

Matera medica (botanical medicine)

Homeopathy

Nutrition

Physical medicine

(includes mechanical and manual manipulation, hydrotherapy, and electrotherapy)

Psychological medicine

(iii)

Specialty courses

Organ systems (cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, EENT, gastroenterology)

Human development (gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics)

State law and regulations as they relate to the practice of naturopathy

Medical emergencies

Office procedures

(iv)

Clinical externship/preceptorship

(11) Academic standards. The college must regularly evaluate the quality of its instruction and have a clearly defined set of standards of competence required of its students. Promotion to each successive phase of the program and graduation shall be dependent on mastery of the knowledge and skills presented in the program.

(12) Faculty. Faculty members shall be qualified by training and experience to give effective instruction in the subject(s) taught; advanced degrees in their respective disciplines are expected. The faculty should participate in development and evaluation of curriculum instructional methods and facilities; student discipline, welfare, and counseling; establishment of administrative and educational policies; scholarly and professional growth. Provisions shall be made to allow and encourage faculty involvement in these noninstructional functions, including a plan for peer observation and evaluation among faculty. The college shall not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, color, religion, physical handicap, or national or ethnic origin in the recruitment and hiring of faculty. The college shall have stated policies on faculty hiring, compensation, fringe benefits, tenure, retirement, firing, grievance, and appeals procedures. The college shall submit to the board for each faculty member a resume which includes the following information.

(a) Academic rank or title;

(b) Degree(s) held, the institution(s) that conferred the degree(s), the date(s) thereof, and whether earned or honorary;

(c) Other qualifying training or experience;

(d) Name and course number of each course taught;

(e) Other noninstructional responsibilities, if any, and the proportion of the faculty member's time devoted to them; and

(f) The length of time associated with the college.

(13) Library. The library shall be staffed, equipped, and organized to adequately support the instruction, and research of students and faculty.

(14) Clinical training. The clinical facilities shall be adequate in size, number, and resources to provide all aspects of naturopathic diagnosis and treatment. There shall be properly equipped rooms for consultation, physical examination and therapy, and a pharmacy, a laboratory, and radiological equipment each consistent with the definition of practice in chapter 18.36A RCW as now or hereafter amended. A licensed and adequately experienced naturopathic physician must be in direct supervision of and have final decision in the diagnosis and treatment of patients by students, and must be present in the clinic at all times when the clinic is open.

(15) Physical plant, materials and equipment. The college shall own or enjoy the full use of buildings and equipment adequate to accommodate the instruction of its students, and administrative and faculty offices. There shall be adequate facilities for the safekeeping of valuable records. The plant and grounds, equipment, and facilities shall be maintained in an efficient, sanitary, and presentable condition. All laws relating to safety, sanitation, and other regulations concerning public buildings shall be observed. There shall be sufficient personnel employed to carry out proper maintenance.

(16) Cancellation and refund policy. The college shall maintain a fair and equitable policy regarding refund of the unused portion of tuition fees and other charges in the event a student fails to enter the course, or withdraws at any time prior to completion of the course. Such a policy shall be in keeping with generally accepted practices of institutions of higher education.

(17) Other information. The applicant college shall provide any other information about the college and its programs as required by the board.

Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.160, 2011 c 41, and 2011 c 40. 12-13-104, § 246-836-180, filed 6/20/12, effective 7/21/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.060. 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-836-180, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-836-180, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.060(1). 89-02-051 (Order PM 815), § 308-34-460, filed 1/3/89.

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