What Is Bastyr University?

Updated

Bastyr University is a health sciences university built around the intersection of science and nature, offering degree programs in naturopathic medicine, nutrition, exercise science, herbal science, and related fields. It enrolls students both on campus and online, and it operates a natural health center that serves as a teaching clinic. If you are considering a career in integrative or natural health, or you want to understand what kind of institution Bastyr is before applying, the sections below cover its academic focus, program formats, and clinical operations.

Academic Focus

Bastyr describes itself as a place "where science and nature converge." Its curriculum centers on health and wellness disciplines that combine conventional scientific training with natural and integrative approaches. The university's stated framing — "Transformed Self. Transformed World." — signals an emphasis on personal and professional transformation through health education.

Degree Programs

Bastyr offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with a mix of on-campus and online formats.

Program Level Format Focus
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) Doctoral On campus (fall cohort) Naturopathic medicine
Master of Science in Exercise Science Graduate Online Movement science, personalized exercise program design, industry certifications
Master of Science in Integrative Nutrition Graduate Online Whole-food nutrition, culinary medicine, counseling skills, disease prevention
Bachelor of Science in Herbal Science Undergraduate completion — Herbal science; foundation for the ND program
MSN-DPD, MW, BSH, DAC Completion Various — Listed among fall cohort programs

The online graduate degrees are positioned as flexible options for advancing a career. The MS in Integrative Nutrition examines how diet, lifestyle, environment, and culture shape health, and is delivered in a student-centered online format. The MS in Exercise Science prepares graduates to design personalized exercise programs.

Admissions Process

Bastyr outlines a four-step admissions path for prospective students:

  1. Chat with your Admissions Advisor.
  2. Sign up for a Faculty FAQ session.
  3. Meet with Financial Aid (contact via email; a scheduling link was noted as coming soon).
  4. Chat with a recent Bastyr graduate or schedule a campus tour.

Fall cohorts start September 24, according to the homepage.

Clinical Services

Bastyr operates the Bastyr Center for Natural Health. As of January 2026, the center's Wallingford clinic operations relocated to the Kenmore campus. The university states this move consolidates teaching, learning, and clinical care under one roof, improving efficiency and reducing travel for faculty and students. This means prospective patients and students should look to the Kenmore campus for clinic services rather than the former Wallingford location.

Campus and Community

Bastyr maintains a Kenmore campus that hosts events such as memorial services and campus tours. The university publishes news about alumni and institutional developments — for example, alumna Dr. Wendy Weber was appointed director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), and alumna Dr. Sarah Lane gave a major gift to fund the university's future. Student and alumni testimonials, such as that of herbal sciences student Ellen Edgerton, emphasize vitality and holistic philosophy.

Who Bastyr Is For

Bastyr is likely a fit if you want a health sciences education that integrates natural and conventional approaches, you are interested in naturopathic medicine, nutrition, exercise science, or herbal science, or you need a flexible online graduate program. It may not be the right choice if you are looking for a conventional allopathic medical school or a purely research-focused institution, since its identity is explicitly tied to the convergence of science and nature.

To decide, review the specific program page for your field of interest, confirm the format (on campus vs. online) and start term, and begin the admissions steps above.