Students can earn an associate's degree or a
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in holistic health and medicine online. The
associate's degree program prepares graduates for work in fields such as
massage therapy, meditation, herbalism and aromatherapy, while the
bachelor's degree program allows students to apply for higher-level
positions as health and wellness coaches, spa directors and dietitians.
Associate's Degree in Holistic Health and Medicine Program Overview
Students can earn an Associate of Science or an Associate of Applied Science in Holistic Health and Medicine or in Alternative Medicine. An associate's degree program focuses on treating patients through natural remedies. Holistic care is intended not only to aid a patient's physical health, but also to improve a patient's mental and spiritual well-being.The associate's degree program in holistic health and medicine is a professional program that readies students for assistant positions at spas, retreats, acupuncture offices and other holistic health clinics. Applicants usually must hold a high school diploma or GED, and some programs require applicants to undergo an electronic or phone interview with an admissions advisor.
Program Information and Requirements
The associate's degree program in holistic health and medicine generally takes two years to complete. Students in the associate's degree program must earn a passing grade on all online written assignments, practice labs and final exams to receive credit for each course.Classes are all offered online, but students often need to buy materials like lotions, herbs and oils to conduct labs from home. Students must also sometimes engage in online discussions with classmates.
Common Holistic Health and Medicine Courses
Holistic health and medicine associate's degree courses provide students with hands-on practice studying natural healing methods like aromatherapy, herbalism and meditation. The wide range of holistic treatments gives students the chance to explore the histories and traditions behind many natural healing philosophies.Holistic Health Counseling Course
Students learn how to maintain a positive rapport with patients. Friendly interaction with patients is key for holistic health fields like massage therapy and meditation, since practitioners must be able to calm and relax their clients.Herbalism Course
The course shows how holistic health practitioners use herbs like chamomile, garlic and St. John's wort for medicinal purposes. Students learn proper herbal recommendations and dosages for clients based on their ailments and medical histories.Aromatherapy Course
Students are introduced to natural oils, including aloe vera oil, camillia oil and jasmine perfume oil. Students learn the effects of these aromas on human physiology and discover how to enhance a patient's mental and physical well-being through a combination of natural aromas.Holistic Health and Medicine Career Information
Graduates with an associate's degree in holistic health and medicine can become assistants at holistic health centers and spas, as well as massage therapists, yoga instructors, herbalists and aromatherapists. Massage therapy is a quickly growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that massage therapy positions are predicted to grow 19% from 2008-2018, which is faster than the average for other job sectors (www.bls.gov). The BLS reports that massage therapists earned an average salary of $39,780 in 2009.Yoga instructors also face favorable job prospects. PayScale.com reported that yoga instructors earned an average hourly rate of $15-$34 in 2010. PayScale also reported that general holistic health workers of all fields with five years experience or less earned an average hourly wage of approximately $16 in 2010.
Continuing Education and Licensure Information
Prospective massage therapists may check their particular state's licensure requirements. Most states require individuals to pass either the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). These tests may require completing additional educational programs which are not offered online.Graduates can also enroll in online continuing education courses if they wish to enter work in a specific holistic health field like aromatherapy or herbal medicine. The Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) offers a Registered Aromatherapist credential, which requires passing the ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy. Herbalists can applying as a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, which involves submitting an application and letters of recommendation, along with accruing four years of professional holistic health experience.
Bachelor of Science in Holistic Health and Medicine Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Holistic Health and Medicine delves into a more detailed study of the same natural methods and treatments as the associate's degree program, like massage therapy, herbalism and aromatherapy. Students can train in more advanced fields, such as health and wellness coaching, holistic nutrition and counseling.Applicants must typically hold a high school diploma or GED. Some programs require prior holistic health and medicine training or work experience.
Program Information and Requirements
The online holistic health and medicine B.S. program covers an even wider range of holistic health subjects than the associate's degree program, but like the associate's degree program, courses can be taken entirely online with labs conducted from home. The degree program typically spans 2-4 years, depending on whether the student has had prior holistic health experience.Common Holistic Health and Medicine Courses
The online bachelor's degree program gives students the chance to take electives of their choice in alternative medicine topics. Even though concentrations are not offered for the degree, students can choose to focus on one particular subject, like Chinese herbal remedies, when taking their elective courses.Naturopathy Course
Naturopathy is a medical philosophy that revolves around the idea that the human body has the ability to heal itself and self-treat. Students learn how practices such as meditation, exercise and acupuncture can improve a patient's health and combat chronic ailments. The class shows students how to give individual naturopathic recommendations based on a patient's needs.Holistic Nutrition Course
The course explores the ways that nutrition can be used to prevent health issues like high blood pressure, obesity and cancer. Students learn the proper balance of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and antioxidants and how to prepare specific dietary programs for clients.Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Course
Students learn the history behind Chinese herbal remedies and their moderns uses, looking at ingredients like ginseng, cinnamon and licorice. The class might also take a comparative look at Chinese herbal treatments and Indian ayurvedic healing herbs.Holistic Health and Medicine Career Information
Graduates with a B.S. in Holistic Health and Medicine can enter into the same fields as those with an associate's degree, but they can also take more advanced positions as heath and wellness coaches, dietitians and spa directors.Wellness coaching is a relatively new addition to the health and fitness field. PayScale.com stated that wellness coaches made an typical salary of $33,000-$49,000 in 2010.
The BLS reported that bachelor's degree holders who wish to become nutritionists and dietitians are expected to face a more competitive job market from 2008-2018. Dietitians and nutritionists earned an average annual wage of $53,230 in 2009. PayScale reported that spa managers commonly earned an annual salary of $30,000-$50,000 in 2010.
Continuing Education and Licensure Information
Graduates with their bachelor's degree in holistic health and medicine can fulfill the same certification and licensure requirements as associate's degree holders for massage therapy, aromatherapy and herbalism. Bachelor's degree holders who wish to become a holistic nutritionist or dietitian can apply as a Registered Dietitian, which requires passing an exam given by the American Dietetic Association. Some states also require licensure to work as a practicing dietitian.Graduates of the bachelor's degree program can go on to earn their master's degree in holistic health and medicine, as well as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine or a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Accredited online master's and doctoral programs are extremely limited.
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