Essential Information
Although such programs are not common, associate's and bachelor's degrees in fields of study closely related to holistic health and medicine or alternative medicine are available online. While these programs are available fully online, students must purchase specific supplies like lotions and herbs. Some programs may require licensing, and licensing and certification requirements for healthcare professionals vary by job and by state.
Associate's Degree in Holistic Health and Medicine
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 adviser.
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.
Course Topics
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
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
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
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.
Bachelor of Science in Holistic Health and Medicine
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.
Course Topics
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
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
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
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.
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 21% from 2019-2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations (www.bls.gov). The BLS reports that massage therapists earned a median salary of $43,620 as of May 2020.
Although the BLS did not report specifically on the projected job growth for yoga instructors, the bureau projected fitness trainers and instructors in general could expect job growth of 15%, much faster than the average for all occupations, from 2019-2029. PayScale.com reported that yoga instructors earned a median annual salary of $35,000 as of March 2021.
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 health 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 a median annual salary of $46,000 as of March 2021.
The BLS projected job growth of 8% for dietitians and nutritionists from 2019-2029. Dietitians and nutritionists earned a median annual wage of $63,090 as of May 2019. PayScale reported that spa managers commonly earned a median annual salary of $44,000 as of March 2021.
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.
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.
Holistic health and medicine degrees are available fully online at the associate's and bachelor's levels. Students may be required to purchase equipment to complete their course from home.
