Navigating Bastyr University: A Comprehensive Student Portal Guide

Bastyr University, a pioneer in science-based natural medicine since 1978, offers a unique educational experience focused on holistic healthcare disciplines. Founded by Les Griffith, ND; William A. Mitchell, Jr., ND; and Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., ND; along with Sheila Quinn, the university was named after Dr. John Bastyr, a respected Seattle naturopathic physician and their teacher. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Bastyr University, its programs, services, and resources, with a focus on helping students navigate their academic journey.

A Legacy of Holistic Education

Bastyr University stands as an independent institution dedicated to holistic healthcare disciplines, with centers in Kenmore, Washington, and San Diego, California. The university is renowned for its research-based curriculum and practical clinical training, offering students hands-on experience through teaching clinics and community health initiatives. By fusing contemporary scientific research with traditional therapeutic methods, Bastyr prepares graduates for employment in integrative medicine, nutrition, counseling, and other holistic healthcare fields.

Originally named John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bastyr University has expanded its academic offerings to include bachelor's degrees, master's courses, specialized doctorates, and training in various areas such as natural healing methods, acupressure techniques, dietary sciences, botanical medicines, counseling services, and obstetrics. The university's motto, "Vis medicatrix naturae," translates to "Nature's Healing Power," reflecting its core philosophy.

Academic Programs and Opportunities

Bastyr University offers a diverse range of programs across various disciplines, allowing students to align their vision with the university's integrated approach to education, research, and clinical service. These programs include:

Acupuncture
Exercise Science
Herbal Sciences
Human Biology
Midwifery
Naturopathic Medicine
Nutrition
Psychology
Public Health

Although the school started as a naturopathic medicine college, Bastyr University now offers more than 20 degree and certificate programs.

Read also: Bastyr University Fees

Bastyr University (BU) courses and degree programs blend holistic principles with core scientific education to prepare students for professional practice.

Key Courses & Degrees

Bachelor’s: Health Psychology, Herbal Sciences, Nutrition & Culinary Arts
Master’s: Acupuncture, Nutrition, Midwifery, Public Health, Counseling Psychology
Doctoral: Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture
Certificates: Chinese Herbal Medicine, Holistic Studies

Campus Life and Locations

Bastyr University has two campuses - the main campus in Kenmore, Washington, and a second campus in San Diego, California. The University also has two teaching clinics - Bastyr Center for Natural Health located in Seattle, Washington and the Bastyr University Clinic, which shares the location with the San Diego campus.

Bastyr University’s campuses:

Bastyr Kenmore Campus (Seattle Area): Bastyr’s main campus is located in Kenmore, Washington, on a scenic 51-acre site near Lake Washington and Saint Edward State Park with features like classrooms, labs, a student village, and medicinal plant gardens.
Bastyr San Diego Campus: A second campus in San Diego, California, offers select graduate programs and includes teaching clinics, labs, classrooms, and study spaces just a few minutes from beaches and natural preserves.
Bastyr Virtual & Online Options: Bastyr also supports 100% online degree programs for students who need flexible, remote learning

The Kenmore campus site is on 51 acres near Lake Washington, combining natural surroundings with academic facilities that support study, clinical training, and community engagement. Students often enjoy small class sizes, close interactions with faculty, and opportunities for hands-on practice within the university’s teaching clinics. There is a strong emphasis on whole-person wellness and integrative, immersive learning experiences, creating an environment tailored to students interested in holistic health professions.

Student Support Services

Bastyr University is committed to providing resources and services that support students throughout their academic journey.

Read also: Shaping Health Leaders

Student Access Support (SAS) Office

The mission of the Student Access Support (SAS) Office is to provide resources and services designed to encourage and support the inclusion of students with disabilities into Bastyr University’s diverse community. The SAS Office assists in creating an accessible university community where students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of the educational environment. We cooperate through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff to promote students' equal access to all of Bastyr University’s programs and strive to fully reflect the diverse communities in which we live, learn, and work.

Housing Services

Finding housing can seem overwhelming, but whether you are at the Kenmore or San Diego campus, we have resources to help assist you in exploring options. At the Kenmore campus, Bastyr University offers students an on-campus sustainable living option in the form of the Student Village, the first student housing project on the West Coast to receive the highest green building classification: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification.

Bastyr University’s students' village, Kenmore, is LEED- registered and sustainable, offering furnished single suites with shared kitchens, lounges, bike storage, laundry facilities, and WIFi. Residents share common study areas reflecting the university's wellness ethos. At the San Diego campus, Bastyr does not offer on-site housing, so students are responsible for arranging their own accommodations through off-campus options.

Student housing near Bastyr University :

Theory U District, Seattle - Starting from USD 1,309 per month
Yugo Seattle Lothlorien, Seattle - Starting from USD 1,309 per month
Novo Apartments, Seattle - Starting from USD 1,100 per month
Jupiter Apartments, Seattle - Starting from USD 1,215 per month
Alta Studios, Seattle - Starting from USD 999 per month

Library Services

The BU Libraries are located on campus in Kenmore, WA and San Diego, CA and serve to provide access to and delivery of university level sources and library instruction to students, faculty, and staff in support of the research and instructional mission of Bastyr University.

Career Services

Bastyr's Career Services Office is a resource for students and alumni that provides coaching, resources, workshops and other events for professional and career development. The office provides a holistic, inclusive and developmental approach and works with students and alumni at any point within their career development journeys. Bastyr offers services designed to help students and alumni with career development, including a career support system that connects individuals with employers, facilitates job searches, and helps develop professional skills relevant to holistic fields.

Read also: Holistic Education at Bastyr

Student Life and Activities

Bastyr students find countless ways to connect. Clubs let students volunteer, have fun, find support, learn more about their interests or simply relax between studies. The list of clubs grows each year.

Examples of Student Clubs:

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) DC-FLI
Aquaponic Club
Ayurveda Club
Bastyr Art Club
Bastyr Ballers
Bastyr Board Games
Bastyr Business Club
Bastyr Capoeira Angola Club
Bastyr Christian Fellowship
Bastyr Lost Men's Club
Bastyr Meditation Club
Bastyr Multicultural Club
Bastyr Parent's Club
Bastyr Pediatrics Club

Sports Facilities

The fitness room at the Kenmore campus is free for all students to use after they sign up with Student Affairs. In addition to the new mural, the room also boasts some upgraded equipment thanks to the Student Council, which purchased (with Buechel’s expert advice) new balls, a new exercise bench, new free weights and new cubbies to store your belongings. “Making this room inviting helps show how important exercise and especially movement can be throughout our lives,” Buechel says.

Navigating the Online Portal and Resources

Bastyr University provides a range of online resources to support students in their academic pursuits.

PubMed Research: An international biomedical citation database created by NCBI, comprises over 30 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE (the largest component), life science journals, and online books. Log in to create a personal NCBI account and save search strategies.
Ulrich's: Comprises detailed information about journals, including whether or not it is scholarly.
Natural Medicines: Evidence-based nutrition, herb/supplement and health information. Content includes health topics, study summaries and study deep dives, which discuss findings in detail.
TCM-ID: The key data resource center for facilitating the research and clinical investigations of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Registrar Services

The Office of the Registrar maintains accurate academic records for each student who enrolls at Saybrook University and provides timely, accurate, and responsive services to students, faculty, staff, and the public. The registrar oversees course management, registration, transcripts, and degree certification. It also manages the retention, access, and control of academic records for present and past Saybrook students. Saybrook University works with the National Student Clearinghouse for all transcript orders. Transcripts may be ordered online.

Important Note: Saybrook does not maintain records for students who graduated from LIOS while under the auspices of Bastyr University. Saybrook University is a participant in the National Student Clearinghouse, a central repository that maintains enrollment information for more than 2,800 colleges and universities across the United States. The National Student Clearinghouse processes enrollment verifications for all Saybrook University students. Student records are maintained within the confines of, and are subject to, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

E-Learning Portal

Patent and Trademark Office) mandate that copyright-protected course materials posted on the Bastyr University e-Learning portal be password protected and restricted to students currently enrolled in the class. On the Thursday following the close of finals week, the date for which is published in the University Catalog. For any distance learning courses, Bastyr University will communicate its response or evaluation to the student within approximately 14 days of the receipt of student lessons, projects or dissertations.

To comply with copyright law and fair use guidelines, students are allowed access to current quarter course materials on Canvas one week prior to the start of the quarter and one week after the end of the quarter to review any assignments or materials and review any feedback on ending assessments and exams. No course will be opened outside of this time for students.

Accreditation and Rankings

Bastyr University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Additional Accreditations:

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs are accredited by ACAHM
Nutrition and Dietetics programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Midwifery programs approved by Washington State and accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC)
Member of the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges and the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Bastyr University Rankings Study Portals Meta Ranking Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs. Within the State of Washington, Bastyr is around #14 despite being focused on natural health and integrative medicine.

Admissions and Acceptance Rate

Bastyr University has a holistic, program-specific admissions process. Students can submit an online application via the Bastyr University portal. Transcripts and a personal statement are typically needed for the admission process, and some programs may require interviews or prerequisites.

Bastyr University's acceptance rate is between 68%-75% overall, meaning moderate selectivity. Which is well-suited for its niche programs in naturopathic medicine, nutrition, holistic health, and acupuncture. also admission rates can vary depending on program type. Those with a limited spot, such as clinical or doctoral, tend to be more selective.

Admission requirements:

Requirement	Typical Range / Details
Acceptance Rate	68-75%
SAT Score	Not required
ACT Score	Not required
Application Method	Bastyr University Online Application Portal
Intake Seasons	Fall, Spring (varies by program)

Notable Alumni

Mimi Guarneri - Prominent cardiologist and founder of the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, blending conventional and integrative approaches.
Peter J. D’Adamo - Member of Bastyr University’s first graduating naturopathic class and proponent of diet theories.
Britt Marie Hermes - 2011 graduate of the Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine program, later known for her public critique of homeopathy and aspects of naturopathic medicine.

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