Why Choose Us?
Reputation
We are the only NZQA-rated Category One college offering a degree in natural medicine. We achieved Highly Confident in Educational Performance and Highly Confident in Self-Assessment (the highest possible rating).
Established in 1967, SPCNM is now the only New Zealand Tertiary Education Organisation offering a NZQA-Approved Degree in Natural Medicine.
Please see our latest NZ Qualifications Authority EER Report about our College and our Bachelor of Natural Medicine programme.
Individual Focus
Our Academic staff value our students. Students are well supported to maximise their potential and to develop independence.
SPCNM attaches great importance to the welfare of students, offering Student Support Services. Our Pastoral Care team are experienced in dealing with problems faced by Domestic and International students, and are always available to provide support during their studies.
Our Academic Support Programme is available on our Learning Management System (Moodle) to assist students who are having difficulty with their studies. Further need will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Different Study Options
We offer part and full time courses. The BNatMed may be studied part time or full time, online or on-campus (recommended). Classes may be live-streamed for those unable to attend on-campus. Part-time courses follow the same academic calendar, so are clearly structured. There is some provision for students to apply to change their study pathway as they progress through the programme.
Third year, the clinical programme, must be studied on-campus.
College Facilities
- Purpose-built premises in NZ for teaching natural medicine
- On-campus Paua Clinic and dispensary
- On-campus teaching herb garden, which is valued by students, staff and alumni
- A well-stocked library with access to computers, electronic databases, study space and wireless internet access. Our library hosts the best collection of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) databases in New Zealand.
- Cheal Cottage – our student common room – which has a kitchen, study rooms with computers and wireless internet access. For use 7 days a week – 6am – 9pm.
Inclusivity
SPCNM welcomes applicants and students from all backgrounds and life experiences. Staff are committed to creating an accepting environment to reflect the vision, mission and values of the College.
Stakeholder Input
Our students play an important role in providing feedback about our performance and how their needs are being met. Student Voice is primarily through our student council and the students representative on our Academic Board, but also through regular feedback surveys.
Our programmes are market and industry driven with input from stakeholder groups including our own Alumni, practitioners, professional associations, Australian and international professional bodies, manufacturers and suppliers, and education advisors.
Our academic staff are leaders in their disciplines, with many of them active in their own clinical practice.
Extra-curricular Activities
SPCNM endeavour to offer students added activities in the form of immersion days (optional), Suppliers’ Expo day, Guest speakers (including internationals), shared lunches, access to suppliers webinars and seminars and Rongoa weekend workshops.
Employment Opportunities
Upon successfully completing the degree graduates can embark on a variety of rewarding careers;
- Naturopathic/Medical herbalist practitioner in private practice
- Working within an multi-disciplinary practice
- Corporate or company naturopathy/herbal medicine
- Professional advisor to a health product company
- Consultant to a health shop or pharmacy
- Teaching or community education
Or, some graduates continue on to higher study.
SPCNM provides support to students and new graduates to transition future career.
