Doctor of Integrated Indigenous Medicine – DIIM

The online Doctor of Integrated Indigenous Medicine (DIIM) program at the National University of Medical Sciences (USA) is an advanced professional doctoral program dedicated to the academic study and clinical application of Indigenous healing arts and bodywork. The program integrates traditional healing knowledge with modern biomedical sciences to prepare graduates for leadership roles in education, research, and clinical practice within the field of Indigenous medicine and integrative healthcare.

This is an online program but we do offer optional practical training.  Students without prior health education complete the program in four years. Healthcare professionals without doctoral degrees may complete the program in two years, while those already holding doctoral-level credentials may complete the program in an accelerated one-year format.

We are establishing a  teaching clinic in California where students may complete clinical internship in Indigenous medicine. Services will be offered free of charge to the public.  A teaching farm will follow. Students will gain hands-on experience growing and preparing herbs at the Pourgol Botanical Gardens in California. At this moment participation is on voluntary basis. Later we may make clinical internship mandatory.

Undergraduate Admissions

A bachelor’s degree in any field is required for admission into the Doctor of Integrated Indigenous Medicine (DIIM) program. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree may enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Osteopathic Manual Practice -BSc (OMP), which is offered as a dual degree alongside the DIIM. Upon completion, students graduate with both a Bachelor of Science in Osteopathic Manual Practice and a Doctor of Integrated Indigenous Medicine.

This dual degree pathway allows students to earn two degrees in a shorter time while reducing overall tuition costs. Graduates are then prepared to work as both a tribal health practitioner and an osteopathic manual practitioner.

Program Accreditation

Graduates of the DIIM program may qualify to join a national Indigenous health authority, enabling them to practice across all 50 states as tribal health practitioners.

Scholarship

For a limited time, students may receive up to $41,000 in scholarships when enrolling in the combined triple-degree ND/DIIM/PhD program. This allows them to graduate with three degrees while paying tuition equivalent to just one, effectively receiving full scholarships for ND & PhD programs. This initiative is designed to encourage students to study Indigenous medicine alongside naturopathic medicine and osteopathic manual practice, preparing them for broader clinical opportunities. Graduates may then qualify to join an Indigenous Health Authority and pursue licensure as tribal health practitioners across all 50 states, with an expanded scope of practice. This scholarship applies exclusively to the following programs: the Doctor of Integrated Indigenous Medicine (DIIM), the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and the Doctor of Philosophy in Osteopathic Clinical Sciences (PhD).

Doctor of Integrated Indigenous Medicine (DIIM) Curriculum

There are 3 different curriculums for the DIIM program:

1. Curriculum for category 1 students (4 years) without previous health education
2. Curriculum for category 2 students with previous health education (2 years)
3. Curriculum for category 3 students who have a doctoral degree (1 year)

Curriculum for category 1 DIIM students (4 years, 8 semesters)

Semester 1

Human Physiology – Study of the normal function of the human body, including cellular physiology, organ systems, and homeostatic regulation. This course provides foundational knowledge essential for understanding health, disease, and therapeutic intervention.

Human Anatomy – Comprehensive study of human anatomical structures including musculoskeletal, neurological, and visceral systems, with emphasis on clinical relevance for practitioners of manual and traditional medicine.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Theory, Philosophy and Methods – Introduction to the philosophical foundations and theoretical principles of Indigenous healing traditions, including cultural perspectives on health, balance, and spiritual well‑being.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 1 – Practical introduction to traditional Indigenous healing arts and bodywork methods focusing on basic techniques used to restore musculoskeletal balance and improve energy flow.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 2 – Continuation of foundational Indigenous healing arts and bodywork training with expanded techniques and clinical applications in pain management and functional restoration.

Semester 2

Clinical Biomechanics – Study of mechanical principles of human movement and their clinical implications in musculoskeletal health, posture, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 3 – Advanced practical training focusing on therapeutic sequences used in traditional Indigenous healing arts and bodywork for systemic balance.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 4 – Expanded training in Indigenous healing techniques with emphasis on integration with modern musculoskeletal assessment.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 5 – Clinical application of Indigenous healing arts and bodywork techniques for chronic pain, functional disorders, and overall wellness.

Spiritual Healing in Indigenous Medicine – Exploration of the role of spirituality, ceremony, and traditional healing practices in Indigenous healthcare systems.

Semester 3

Medical Microbiology –  Study of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites and their role in human health and disease.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 6 – Intermediate clinical training in traditional Indigenous manual healing techniques.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 7 – Further development of therapeutic skills used in Indigenous healing arts and bodywork practices.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 8 – Integration of Indigenous healing arts and bodywork techniques with holistic patient care models.

Physiology & Pathology of the Mind in Indigenous Medicine – Study of mental health from both biomedical and Indigenous healing perspectives.

Semester 4

Diagnosis and Symptomology – Principles of clinical diagnosis including symptom interpretation and patient history evaluation.

Orthopedic Examination – Clinical orthopedic testing methods used to assess musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunction.

Neurology: Part 1 – Introduction to structure and function of the nervous system with clinical relevance for manual practitioners.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 9 – Advanced therapeutic protocols in Indigenous medicine.

Integrated Indigenous Medicine: Part 10 – Final advanced training module emphasizing clinical integration of Indigenous healing arts and bodywork techniques.

Semester 5

Neuro-Diagnosis – Advanced neurological assessment techniques for evaluating functional and structural disorders.

Pathology – Study of disease mechanisms, cellular pathology, inflammation, and tissue degeneration.

Immunology – Examination of the human immune system including innate and adaptive immunity and its role in disease prevention.

Business Management – Part 1 – Introduction to healthcare business principles including clinic management, ethics, marketing, and professional development.

Fundamentals of Indigenous Botanical Medicine – Introduction to traditional Indigenous herbal medicine including plant energetics, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications.

Semester 6

Neurology: Part 2– Expanded study of neurological function and clinical implications for holistic healthcare practice.

Clinical Nutrition – Scientific and traditional nutritional principles for supporting health, metabolic balance, and disease prevention.

Business Management – Part 2 – Advanced practice management topics including entrepreneurship, regulatory compliance, and leadership.

Indigenous Botanical Medicine Materia Medica – Detailed study of medicinal plants used in Indigenous traditions including pharmacological properties and therapeutic indications.

Indigenous Botany and Plant Identification – Practical identification of medicinal plants and their ecological relationships.

Semester 7

Auxiliary Therapy & Physical Modalities – Use of complementary physiological therapeutic modalities including heat (thermotherapy), cold (cryotherapy), sound (ultrasound), light (laser), electrotherapy (IFC, TENS), and mechanical treatments (traction/distraction), IAST, etc.

Lower Limb Patient Assessment – Comprehensive clinical assessment of hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions.

Practical Indigenous Botanical Pharmacy – Preparation and compounding of herbal medicines including tinctures, teas, powders, and topical formulations.

Applied Indigenous Phytotherapeutics – Clinical application of medicinal plants in treatment of common health conditions.

Phytotherapy and Indigenous Medical Herbology – Study of plant‑based medicine within Indigenous healthcare traditions.

Semester 8

Sports Nutrition & Weight Loss Management – Nutritional strategies for athletic performance, metabolic health, and weight management.

Radiology – Diagnostic Imaging and MRI – Introduction to interpretation of diagnostic imaging including X‑ray and MRI relevant to musculoskeletal medicine.

Indigenous Botanical Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions – Use of herbal medicine to support recovery from musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain.

Traditional Indigenous Mind Body Healing – Study of holistic approaches integrating mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

Thesis – Investigative Research Project – Independent doctoral research project exploring Indigenous medicine, healing arts, or integrative healthcare.