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Certificate in Functional Medicine

The Functional Medicine Certificate is designed for current naturopathic medical students who would like to gain knowledge and training in functional medicine. It is recommended for naturopathic medicine students who wish to pursue functional medicine specialty or primary care medicine with a functional health focus, through residency and/or future employment. The university partners with the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) for training. Students will complete the certificate using a combination of Bastyr required courses and clinical shifts incorporating content from IFM courses. Program faculty are trained in both naturopathic and functional medicine.
The program is 1 year in duration, taken concurrently with the last year of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program. Courses may be offered on weekdays, evenings, or asynchronously. All courses are offered remotely, except clinic shifts and preceptorship. Once all requirements are complete, the student will receive a Certificate in Functional Medicine. In addition, at completion of the program the student will have completed all courses required to become an IFM Certified Practitioner (IFMCP). They may complete the remaining requirements to achieve IFM certification after graduation. For more information on the IFM certification process, go to The Institute for Functional Medicine. 
There is no licensing for practitioners of functional medicine.
The program is offered on both the Seattle and San Diego campuses.

Expected Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate competency is using functional medicine assessment tools to evaluate and diagnose patients.
  • Develop and organize individual treatment protocols using lifestyle, diet, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, botanicals, and mind-body/behavioral interventions to address dysfunction within the GI, Hormone, Immune and Cardiometabolic systems, as well as issues related to Environmental Health or Bioenergetics.
  • Provide patient-centered clinical services using a functional medicine approach combined with naturopathic clinical theory.

Admissions Criteria

Naturopathic Medicine students may apply for the program in the Winter of their 3rd year. Students must be in good academic standing and have an interest in functional medicine. To apply, students submit a resume or CV, application with essay questions, and a transcript. Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee and applicants will be informed at the start of spring quarter. Applications are accepted for start in the summer quarter.

Degree Requirements

Year I

Summer

FM8301Intro to Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice

3
FM8302Functional Medicine Grand Rounds 1

0.5
FM8801Functional Medicine Clinical Rotation

2
FM8810Functional Medicine Preceptorship

1.0
Total Credit Hours:6.5

Fall

FM8303Advanced Practice of Functional Medicine in Gastroenterology

2
FM8304Advanced Practice of Functional Medicine in Cardiometabolic Conditions

2
FM8305Functional Medicine Food Plans

0.5
FM8306Functional Medicine Grand Rounds 2

0.5
FM8802Functional Medicine Clinical Rotation

2
Total Credit Hours:7.0

Winter

FM8307Advanced Practice of Functional Medicine in Endocrinology

2
FM8308Advanced Practice of Functional Medicine in Immune Conditions

2
FM8309Functional Medicine Grand Rounds 3

0.5
FM8803Functional Medicine Rotation

2.0
Total Credit Hours:6.5

Spring

FM8310Advanced Practice of Functional Medicine in Environmental Health

2
FM8311Advanced Practice of Functional Medicine in Bioenergetics

1.5
FM8312Functional Medicine Case Writing

1
FM8313Functional Medicine Grand Rounds 4

0.5
FM8804Functional Medicine Clinical Rotation

2.0
Total Credit Hours:7.0

Total Requirements

Credits unique to the program                             19
Credits part of the ND program                                                                 9
Total Requirements       27 

Curriculum and course changes in the 2024-2025 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2024-2025 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.