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Online Herbal Medicine Degree Programs
Online Herbal Medicine Degree Programs
A few schools offer certificates in herbal medicine or classes for graduate degrees in naturopathic and Oriental medicine. Read on to find out about the online and on-campus options available to you and how online learning works. Get information about classes, career options and required licensing.
What Kind of Herbal Medicine Degrees Are Available to Me?
Herbal medicine programs are largely available at the graduate level. A few institutions offer 1-year graduate certificate programs in herbal medicine to students with a bachelor's degree.
If you want an introduction to acupuncture and other alternative medicines, consider a 4-year Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAOM) degree. A Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) program is also available to those who want to pursue advanced studies in this field.
A Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) program is for students who want to study a wide range of treatments, such as Oriental, homeopathic or botanical medicine. You'll need to have completed a science-intensive bachelor's degree program to be admitted.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Levels</b> </td><td> Certificate, master's, doctorate</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Prerequisites</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree (preferably science-intensive)</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Online Availability</b> </td><td> Online options are rare, but some classes and certificates may have an online option</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Common Courses</b> </td><td> Botanical medicine, acupuncture, anatomy and physiology, herbal theory, pharmacology</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Career Options</b> </td><td> Herbalist, Oriental medicine practitioner, naturopathic practitioner, naturopathic consultant, researcher</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $82,420 (<i>for health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 0% (<i>for health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WillIBeAbleToCompleteTheseProgramsOnline">Will I Be Able to Complete These Programs Online?</h3><p>There are some schools offering online graduate certificate programs in herbal medicine, but these are rare, and most will still have in-person requirements, such as clinical rotations. To attend lectures in a virtual classroom and even conduct research in a virtual library, these programs will require you to have a broadband Internet connection and an updated browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Some schools may also require you to use media viewing software, such as Real Player or Adobe Acrobat Reader.
</p><p>You will probably not be able to find MAOM or DAOM programs online. Likewise, ND programs will only be offered on campus. These programs require extensive clinical rotations and labs.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypeOfClassesWillITake">What Type of Classes Will I Take?</h3><p>In an herbal medicine graduate certificate program, your curriculum is comprised of both human and plant science courses. These programs provide you with an overview of how to treat illnesses and injuries with botanical sources. You can also learn how to develop a naturopathic business.
</p><p>A master's degree program in Oriental medicine will include courses in acupuncture, point location, meridian theory, anatomy and physiology. Oriental medicine programs will also include classes on herbal theory, herbal therapeutics, Qi Gong and Eastern biomedical concepts. Advanced courses in a doctoral degree program include pharmacology and orthopedics. Some doctoral programs also focus on the use of Oriental and herbal medicine to treat pain resulting from cancer treatments.
</p><p>An ND program will offer you courses like mind-body medicine, pharmacology, nutrition, botanical medicine, practice management and homeopathy. Most ND programs will also require you to complete clinical internships and take a clinical exit exam.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithACertificateOrMasterSDegree">What Can I Do With a Certificate or Master's Degree?</h3><p>A graduate certificate in herbal medicine can train you to work in a clinic or store as an herbalist, according to some schools. They may also allow practicing acupuncturists or other health care professionals to focus on herbal medicine at the graduate level.
</p><p>An MAOM can prepare you to practice Oriental medicine. Most states require acupuncturists or practitioners of Chinese herbology and bodywork to become licensed. These states require that you graduate from a program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). You must also pass a series of written exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
</p><h3 id="section---HowAboutADoctoralDegree">How About a Doctoral Degree?</h3><p>With a DAOM you can also practice Oriental medicine. According to some schools' program websites, you can also pursue research or teaching opportunities.
</p><p>An ND can prepare you to work as a naturopathic practitioner, naturopathic consultant or researcher, according to some schools. In states that license NDs, you can work as a primary care physician who specializes in naturopathic medicine. Students who complete a state-recognized naturopathic doctoral program and pass the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners' Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX) can become licensed physicians.</p>
