For people interested in natural healing, herbalist schools online offer a terrific way to get a credential and the knowledge to practice. Being in tune with the natural world is certainly a great place to start. If you understand the human body’s connection to plants and nature, you may indeed be a perfect candidate to study at one of our list’s accredited herbalist schools online. Bring your interest in health to the next level with a degree in herbalism. It can give you the confidence to start a business, add herbalism to your current profession, or advise friends and loved ones on herbal traditions.
Use of herbal medicine is widespread, to say the least. The World Health Organization estimates that 88% of countries use herbal remedies. In addition, a survey in the US found that last year alone, 18.9% of adults used an herbal product to treat a medical illness. At this point, many people turn to plant-based therapies to maintain their health as part of their self-care routine. Herbalism schools online provide a way to connect with nature’s healing power. That said, getting credentialed from a respected online herbalism school will foster trust in your expertise.
Since herbalism is a primarily unregulated profession in the United States, acquiring a recognized degree from a reputable school makes sense. When pursuing a degree from one of the best herbalist schools online, you can study from anywhere. In short, it’s a great way to realize your dream of becoming a trusted health provider in your community. An online herbal medicine degree is a sign that you take your practice seriously. It gives you confidence in your knowledge and intuition about natural health. In essence, it can help you take your passion to the next level. You could make herbal products, practice as an herbalist, or add herbal medicine to your current health profession.
Who Goes to Online Herbal Schools?
There are two basic types of people who choose to go to herbalist schools online:
- Natural health enthusiasts, who are passionate about healing with plants. They may want to help their loved ones or set up a practice working with herbs.
- Health practitioners who want to add herbalism to their practices. These can include medical professionals like nurses, doctors and physical therapists. Chiropractors, massage therapists, health coaches and other providers may also add it to their practice.
One thing uniting students at herbal schools online is the belief that herbal products have a place in health practices. Getting a degree or certificate from a recognized master herbalist online school shows commitment. It shows a willingness to understand the science behind the traditions. Herbalists learn to use the wisdom of nature, while continually discovering new ways to use plants to promote health.
GetEducated's Picks
- Maryland University of Integrative Health Master of Science in Clinical Herbal Medicine
- American College of Healthcare Sciences Master of Science in Herbal Medicine
- Benedictine University Dual Master of Public Health / Master of Science in Management & Organizational Behavior
What to Expect at an Herbalist School Online Program
There are many degree options when enrolling in one of the herbalism schools online. In fact, they range anywhere from earning a certificate to a doctorate degree. Certificates can take a year or so to complete online, depending on how many classes you take at a time. Bachelor’s degrees include general education courses like English and science, along with classes in herbalism. Like any degree, how long they take to complete depends on your course load. Master’s degrees may take another two years, while doctoral degrees can take three or more years past the master’s degree.
The best online herbal schools allow flexibility while pursuing your degree. They allow for other responsibilities in your life besides your degree. Many of your fellow students will be working full-time and managing family time as well, so it’s common to attend part-time. Most programs have courses throughout the year. Because of that, many students take courses in the summer, as well as fall and spring terms.
The depth of your education will depend on the level of the degree. Expect to have science courses, including anatomy and physiology, and general health courses. Additionally, most programs have classes in business subjects which teach aspects of running a business or working in the field. Here is a sampling of some courses you might take in herbalist school online:
- Herbal Materia Medica
- Principles and Practices of Integrative Health
- Safety of Botanic Medicine
- Botany Intensive: Exploring Sustainable Supply Chains
- Cannabis and Herbal Dispensary Practices
- Wellness Coaching & Communication Skills
- Holistic Pathophysiology
- Botany & Plant Identification
- Research and Bioethics
- Nutrition, Bodycare, & Herbalism
This is a sample of courses from the best online schools for herbal medicine. Look for a school’s accreditation when seeking a degree. Accreditation is approval from an organization that checks a school’s practices. The U.S. Department of Education has approved the accrediting entities of all the programs we highlight. This is not the case with all online herbal schools, however.
In addition to institutional accreditation, herbal schools online may have programs approved by or aligned with programmatic—or subject area—agencies. For herbal medicine, the American Herbalist Guild is the association for practitioners. Some schools align with guild requirements, even though they don’t accredit schools. Guild membership stands as an esteemed honor, in light of the absence of national licensure for herbalists. As a result, many who graduate from the best online herbal schools strive for it.
The 2 Best Accredited Herbalist Schools Online
1. Maryland University of Integrative Health
The herbal medicine online degree programs at MUIH focus on natural medicine with rigorous study. They offer two master’s degrees and two certificates for health practitioners and interested students. Accredited herbalist schools online are rare, but MUIH is one of the few. It’s accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a respected body recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). As one of the best online schools for herbal medicine, MUIH offers the following programs:
MS in Clinical Herbal Medicine
This program focuses on scientific research of plants in health. This online herbal medicine degree is useful for herbal specialists. But it’s also for health professionals like doctors, chiropractors, nurses, and trainers who want to expand their practice. The program lasts two years, with courses taken online each trimester. It even meets all educational needs and 100 of 400 clinical hours for the American Herbalist Guild's credential. This degree in herbal medicine online offers solid education in plant-based medicine.
MS in Herbal Product Design & Manufacture
You can study 100% online or with two on-campus courses for this herbalist online school degree. It provides scientific and practical knowledge to create and produce herbal products. You’ll learn about regulations, supply chains, chemistry, manufacturing, and pharmacology with this program. You can also apply your knowledge to medicinal cannabis and health practices. This degree from one of the best herbalist schools online will help you start an herbal business, or consult in supplements. You could also work for the many companies investing in providing high-quality herbal products, if that’s your dream.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Herbal Studies
This entirely online program can be completed in eight months, while providing the foundational knowledge to identify potential uses for herbs. For instance, students learn to process and extract small-scale herbal products, while identifying safety concerns. It also covers the first four courses of two graduate degrees: the MS in Clinical Herbal Medicine or the MS in Herbal Product Design & Manufacture. In other words, it can also serve as the starting point of your online herbalism school degree. A practical credential for enthusiasts or health practitioners, it’s a great place to start your journey to an herbal medicine degree online.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cannabis Science / Therapeutics, Product Design & Quality Assurance
While interest in cannabis treatment rises, this certificate aids students in dispensary roles. They can design products or evaluate cannabis quality for health practices. MUIH adds the cannabis certificate to the herbalist schools online programs. It educates health workers and specialists in evidence-based practices. Quality control is a focus in this popular field. The program can be completed 100% online in one year of study.
2. American College of Healthcare Sciences
American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has an extensive set of degree and certificate options as one of the premier accredited herbalist schools online. No matter what level of training you seek, there’s a program at this online herbalist school to match your goals. Whether you’re a health pro aiming to integrate herbalism, or aspiring to be a clinical herbalist, herbal products expert, or educator, ACHS offers education options tailored to you. The school offers six different start dates per year, and the 100% online classes include organic herb sample kits for hands-on learning.
ACHS is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by both the US Department of Education and CHEA.
Associate of Applied Science in Integrative Health – Herbal Medicine Specialization
The AAS program gives you your college degree while earning two other credentials. You can sit for the Holistic Nutrition certification exam from the National Association of Nutrition Professionals and apply to become a member of the American Herbalist Guild to become a Registered Herbalist.
Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health – Herbal Medicine Specialization
While attending one of the best herbalist schools online, you can take all the courses to get your bachelor’s degree. These include humanities and science courses, and wide range of courses in integrated health, aromatherapy, and the specialization in herbalism. As with the AAS degree, you will be qualified to apply for other herbalism credentials.
Master of Science in Herbal Medicine
For a more focused master’s degree in herbal medicine online, this program trains students to become a master herbalist, registered herbalist, herbal educator or consultant. It also includes the option to add to other health practices. Like the integrative health master’s program, admission requires a bachelor’s degree and a letter of recommendation, but no prerequisites.
Doctor of Science in Integrative Health – Herbal Medicine Specialization
If you seek a doctoral education to become an expert in holistic health practices, look no further than this degree. There are required courses in health, nutrition, biostatistics, and bioethics, plus a robust set of electives to customize the degree to your interests in herbal healing and advanced health topics.
Certificate in Herbal Studies
If you want herbal healing in holistic practice, this certificate is a great start. You’ll study integrative health coaching, plant identification, and basic herbalism. Incorporate these practices into your life or to bolster your knowledge for a retail setting.
Certificate in Natural Products Manufacturing
This certificate program focuses on learning how to formulate lotions, creams, and body care products using herbs and essential oils. The six-course program covers both herbal and aromatherapy. In the process, students can learn techniques to incorporate into their own lives, or maybe even start a small business.
Diploma in Herbal Studies Master Herbalist
For those who seek a master herbalist online school, this program has 13 classes that meet the requirements for the American Herbalist Guild to become a Registered Herbalist. This program is excellent for medical professionals who want comprehensive training in herbalism. Those who wish to incorporate natural herbs into their medical practice will find it especially important. It’s also perfect for those who wish to become an herbalist as a stand-alone profession.
What Can You Do with an Online Herbal Medicine Degree?
A degree or certificate in herbalism opens new job possibilities. Aside from that, it can add expertise to your current profession. While there are many uses for a degree in herbal medicine, a popular use is in clinical health. It suits doctors, nutritionists, osteopaths, nurses, social workers, health coaches, and more. Other pathways include:
- Opening a clinical practice or herbal products business.
- Working in the supplement or body care industry.
- Joining the growing cannabis industry in retail or formulation roles.
- A number of other support roles within holistic health and wellness.
There are no national license requirements for herbalists. However, having a recognized degree and skills can lead to jobs in herbal medicine industries. Becoming a Registered Herbalist is a good route for those in clinical practice but may be optional for manufacturing and formulation jobs. A degree or certificate from one of the accredited and respected herbalist schools online will give you the expertise to find your career path in health applications of natural plant substances.
Here are some possible careers in herbal medicine and their average annual salaries in the US:
Online Herbal Schools Are the Pathway
Your career path can take you to many places. Gain the confidence and knowledge to pursue your dreams, by enrolling in the best herbalist schools online. Or, further your career while incorporating natural plant healing into the health and wellness industry. We have profiled the top-rated accredited herbalist schools online to show you the wide options you have when you pursue a credential in herbal medicine. Arm yourself with the knowledge to help your community by using natural substances to support health, while driving your career in a positive direction for the planet and its creatures.
How we researched and created this article:
Sources:
- https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/becoming-ahg-rh-member
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2517879/
- https://www.who.int/initiatives/who-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine