Best Herbalism Programs & Schools

<p>Although alternative medicine is a new and growing field, there are still several solid accredited school options and degree programs available in herbalism and the closely-related field of acupuncture. Many of these schools are exclusively devoted to the study of wellness, herbalism and Chinese medicine. The best programs offer numerous relevant degrees at the bachelor's, master's and even doctoral levels. Continuing education credits are also available at many schools. Herbalism degrees can be earned either on campus or online. The colleges detailed below are all accredited by regional governing bodies in their areas. Additionally, these schools' acupuncture degree programs are recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Characteristics of Good Herbalism Schools</b></td><td>Accreditation and multiple degree levels</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Undergraduate Degrees</b></td><td>Herbal science BS degree programs cover herb identification and application</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Master's Degrees</b></td><td>Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs teach herbal treatments and diagnosis</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Doctoral Programs</b></td><td>Clinical acupuncture practice and herbal pain management</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Post-Graduation Requirements</b></td><td>Varies by state; usually a licensing exam</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhichSchoolsOfferBachelorSDegreesInHerbalism">Which Schools Offer Bachelor's Degrees in Herbalism?</h3> <p>Although graduate-level programs in herbalism are more common, some schools do offer bachelor's degrees in herbalism. The largest and most widely recognized such school is Bastyr University, which is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges &amp; Universities and has campuses in both Kenmore, WA, and San Diego, CA. Bastyr offers a two-year Bachelor of Science in Herbal Sciences at its Washington campus. The program, which requires 90 general education credits for admission, teaches students how to identify herbs and understand their medical applications. The university also boasts a medicinal herb garden to give students hands-on experience with more than 350 types of herbs. </p> <h3 id="section---WhereCanIGetAGraduateDegreeOrCertificateInHerbalism">Where Can I Get a Graduate Degree or Certificate in Herbalism?</h3> <p>A wealth of great programs exist for students trying to become master herbalists or acupuncturists, who often use herbal tinctures in addition to inserting microscopic needles into Chinese medicine-identified energy channels on the body to treat various ailments. The Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) offers a Master of Acupuncture and Master of Oriental Medicine and has recently developed Master of Science programs in Clinical Herbal Medicine and Herbal Product Design and Manufacture that are slated to begin in Fall 2019, pending approval by their state higher education governing board. Located in Laurel, MD, and accredited by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, MUIH has been granting graduate degrees in acupuncture since 1981, when it became the first such accredited program in the nation. Its acupuncture and Oriental medicine programs take three and four years to complete, respectively, and both include clinical practice as well as academic coursework. Both programs take place on campus, although some classes can be completed online. Topics commonly covered in both programs include: </p> <ul><li>Acupuncture clinic diagnosis and treatment planning </li><li>Herbs for pain management </li><li>Herbal dispensary management </li><li>Biosciences </li><li>Chinese herbs </li><li>Being a healing presence </li><li>Chinese and Western nutrition therapy </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheBestDoctoralProgramsInHerbalism">What Are the Best Doctoral Programs in Herbalism?</h3> <p>Both Bastyr University and Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) offer Doctor of Acupuncture degrees. Each program requires a graduate degree in acupuncture from a program approved by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in order to be admitted. Course curricula differ from school to school, but tend to cover a range of different pain management modalities and treatment methods. The programs differ slightly in structure, with MUIH offering a traditional four-year program while Bastyr's program is in weekend intensive format, with classes taking place from Friday to Monday one long weekend per month over a two-year period. The programs share a strong clinical component, though, with both schools requiring hundreds of hours of clinical observation and practice in both Chinese and Western medicine settings. Bastyr doctoral students must present a final research project in order to graduate, while MUIH requires passage of a written examination and then advancement into a clinical retreat, where students must perform at least 250 patient treatments as a graduation prerequisite. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreThePostGraduationRequirementsToBecomeAnHerbalist">What Are the Post-Graduation Requirements to Become an Herbalist?</h3> <p>Though licensing requirements for herb-prescribing acupuncturists vary from state to state, virtually all states require aspiring acupuncturists to have completed at least one of the graduate-level programs detailed above. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most states grant licensure upon passage of an examination issued by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. A master's degree in herbalism, acupuncture, Oriental medicine or a related area is typically required to sit for the exam.</p>