Bastyr University Reviews

"I just completed my first quarter in the weekend Master of Arts in Counseling Program. The professors are incredible, environment is amazing, and the people are wonderful. I am in love with Bastyr and this program is so unique there is nothing else like it. The cohort system allows you to bond with your fellow classmates and you feel as though you have a cushion of support always. The dynamic and topics covered are so diverse and current- the programs focus in holistic care is so unique and is what I believe to be the future of mental health care. Not only will you learn concepts here, but you will be given the opportunity to apply them. It is my second quarter and we are already beginning to practice micro-skills with a real volunteer client. I am impressed by this school all around so far and would recommend it to anyone looking for s well rounded, holistic mental health care focus within an intimate setting. The only cons are the lack of diversity, it is a dominantly female population, and the cost of tuition is pretty high. But you get what you pay for and Bastyr is well worth it!"

"Research of the core faculty and staff shows they are some of the most knowledgeable and talented doctors internationally. Many of them are fine teachers as well. The western science courses offered to this program leave much to be desired, however. The campus is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen yet the course work is so demanding, I nearly never get to enjoy my surroundings other than from my dorm window."

"The quality of the education is second to none. The location of the California campus is like paradise and good for studying."

"The MSN/DPD program at Bastyr University is both rigorous and rewarding. I'm very glad that I chose this school to get my masters and I would recommend it to anyone seeking a masters in nutrition. The pros are small class sizes, excellent teachers, and a sense of community. The cons are poor public transportation and high tuition."

"There are many pros about Bastyr university where I feel that the faculty and staff support the students on every level, there is a level of compassion to teach and build strong connection with each individual. there is a great sense of community in at Bastyr"

"I would recommend this graduate program to anyone with an innate and passionate desire to provide therapy and counseling in the mental health field. Bastyr University utilizes a holistic approach to all of their programs and the Counseling Program is no exception. I feel as though I am learning how to be the best counselor that I can be while learning an integrated approach that addresses mind, body, and spirit as while accounting for biological, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the client."

"The ND graduate program is intense, as medical school should be. The greatest thing about the program, faculty and staff is that they really do have your future success in mind. There is very little diversity however, the ration of men to women is 20% to 80%, and the cost of living is a bit higher than most places, but I think this is due to the costs of living the Bastyr life (organic food, non GMO, green ect)."

"The Masters of Nutrition/ Dietetics program at Bastyr is competitive and can be an intense workload. Thankfully the faculty, TAs, and other students are very supportive. I am already learning a ton and love the focus on whole foods nutrition. I love the connection with the Bastyr clinic and love being able to get discounted treatments, like acupuncture. There is a huge focus on health and lots of interesting speakers and events that are health focused. I only wish the school had an actual gym, more variety of recreational activities, more diversity, and that we had more time to focus on our lives outside of school."

"Bastyr University is one of the leading Naturopathic Universities in the country. It was my number one choice and after five years that decision remains the same. The school has an excellent program in preparing your for the Medical field and the National Board Exams. It is a prestigious four year university that emphasizes the same curriculum as a regular MD school, however we also learn about botanical and physical medicine. The goal is to treat the root cause in any health condition."

"Bastyr is set in the lovely St Edwards park in Kenmore Washington surrounded my dense forest with gorgeous trails leading down the the banks of lake Washington. The campus host one of the largest botanical medical gardens in the northwest, and both the garden and forest act as a living classroom for students in the various natural medical related programs, mostly at the graduate level. Over the last decade bastyr has developed incredibly strong, rigorous , and unique bachelors of sciences degrees in Nutrtion, exercise science, human integrated biology, clinical psychology, culinary arts, and the only bachelors degree of its kind, the one I graduated from, herbal sciences. All programs are very biochemistry and research intensive, and are e essentially premed for those interested in pursuing graduate natural health degrees such as masters of science in acupuncture and East Asian medicine (the program I'm currently enrolled on), Nutrtion, health psychology and doctorate in naturopathic medicine. There are also numerous certificate programs such as holistic landscape design and incredible classes, workshops, CEUs and other activities on the campus all the time. This is a serious school for serious students who wish to work hard and have a career in medicine and make a significant impact note health of their communities. This is not like regular medical school in the way you do not come out with a gauaranteed job, you have to hustle and create your career, but you will have just as many loans as an MD who will be making six figures their first year out. That is not the reality in natural healthcare, so consider hay before entering the field. Bastyr is a small, young, private school growing stronger and stronger each year. There are numerous acupuncture schools in the us, some really great ones by I chose to stay at nastyr for numerous reasons including the integrative community of friends and colleagues that you naturally build, the amazing clinic(located in seattle) and array of incredible, knowledgable supervisors who are pioneers in the fields, the beautiful campus, ability to work at off sites clinic sites in more mainstream wal there settings, and the people who work at bastyr that make it what it is. I've some amazing great instructors there, and some not so great one, and that is denote ly an area where hey an work on improvement, but its hard for such a small school in a not very well funded field and I understand this. Make no mistake however, the majority of the faculty is too notch, leading experts on their fields, the people who write the text books, its like that. The staff of so helpful and really there for us students. I've worked in the library for 3.5 year and had to give an astounding hand to the abilities library staff that provides us with a style of the art medical research library and all the resources we could ever need, try truly are the best. Overall I would chose bastyr again always if I had to do it over. If you are passionate about health, want to make a difference. and ready to work hard, this is the place for you! These programs are very rigorous and physically, mentally, and emotionally intense and taxing, so be ready!"

"This graduate program is a rigorous and science-based one that prepares students for work as naturopathic physicians. All the staff at Bastyr University (from Admissions to Academic Advising, to Financial Aid to the Faculty) has been incredibly helpful and welcoming."

"Bastyr University is a natural science based school that has a small population of about 1,000 students and is one of an even smaller community of accredited naturopathic medicine education programs. My education has been one-of-a-kind, which is exactly how I will dedicate my practice as a Registered Dietitian. My dream of practicing medical nutrition therapy has always included Bastyr and I am incredibly thankful to be a part of that community. The drawback from this program is the expense to complete this program. As a graduate program it is highly demanding thus limiting time available for working to support living expenses and tuition costs. I am proud to be a student at Bastyr University in the MSN/DPD program."

"pros- small school so it is easy to communicate with teachers. Cons- living expenses in this area are expensive"

"Bastyr University has the best Naturopathic Medicine program in the country! They come at learning from all angles and work to give all learning styles something to sink their teeth into. Bastyr is adaptive, responsive and highly receptive to its students wants and needs. If natural health is something you are interested in there is no better place to learn. The community is incredibly engaged and passionate about what they are doing!"

"Bastyr is the best Naturopathic Medical college in the United States. It has a great program and I feel like the education is a good preparation for my future career as an ND/LAc. Difficulties included being away from my family and finding the time to work, amidst all the studying. I wouldn't change my decision one bit if I were to do it all over again!"

"It is a good university and staff and personnel are very nice."

"Pros: Sets up students to sit for Boards. Great exposure to relevance of studies to real world applications. Opportunity to explore the cultural and historical roots of program. Amazing campus environment. "Small town" kind of feel- everyone knows everyone. Cons: Expensive city to live in means more loan money taken out to survive on. There is so much to do locally it can be a distraction from studies. "Program Isolation" or the blinders effect occurs- students from different programs don't tend to interact much."

"Pros- Love the community. The academic vigor is present and encouraging to grow as well. Cons-Poor financial aid. Classes are not possible to do only online."

"I am currently a new enrollee. I haven't begun courses yet but I have been working to get into this specific program for 7 years. This is a major goal and I am thrilled to be accepted to the program."

"The pros of this midwifery program is that it is a low residency program allowing ease of participation in practicum rotations; it is one of only two MEAC accredited programs that offer a masters degree allowing more career opportunities; teachers from different midwifery practices and backgrounds; small cohort allowing for closer sisterhood; open door policy of administration and faculty and staff; support in matching students with appropriate midwifery preceptors and practicum sites; opportunities to meet and work with leaders in the birthing community. The cons are financial aide does not cover living expenses and once practicum begins it is nearly impossible to have a job; very few scholarships are available; federal and most state loan repayments and scholarships not available."