This terminal professional degree allows students to work towards two specializations: Herbal Medicine or Aromatherapy or to complete a general degree.
The Associates program in Complementary Alternative Medicine, depending on the major chosen, prepares students to enter the Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) industry as a:

• Holistic Health Practitioner
• Holistic Health Educator, Writer, or Speaker
• Master Herbalist
• Herbal Educator
• Herbal Consultant
• Herbal Retailer
• Wellness Coach
• Lifestyle Coach or Consultant
• Herbal Writer
• Aromatherapist, Aromatherapy Consultant, or Aromatologist
• Aromatherapy Product Formulator and Manufacturer
• Healthcare Industry Assistant - Day Spa, Holistic Retreat, or Spa facility
• Aromatherapy Retailer
• Aromatherapy Educator, Author, or Speaker
• Administrative or support role in any company in the healthcare industry
• Customer service role within the healthcare industry
• Sales associate role within the healthcare industry

Depending on the major, the Associates degree prepares students to move onto clinical practicum work offered through on-campus institutions and industry bodies and to then enter the industry as a:

• Registered Herbalist (AHG)
• Registered Aromatherapist (ARC)
• Clinical Herbalist
• Clinical Aromatherapist
• Herbal Products Manufacturer
• Herbal Products Formulator
• Aromatherapy Product Formulator and Manufacturer
• Perfumer
• Healthcare Industry Assistant - Day Spa, Holistic Retreat, or Spa facility
• Massage Therapist specializing in Aromatherapy
• Esthetician specializing in Aromatherapy
• Medical Assistant, Administrator, Reception, or other support role in a licensed naturopathic clinic or other health clinic

The Associates degree is ideal for medical professionals wishing to increase their knowledge of this exciting field and integrate it into a new or existing practice, including Medical Doctors, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Naturopaths, Nurses, Veterinarians, Respiratory Therapists, or Social Workers who are not looking for graduate level study.

Depending on the major, the Associates degree is ideal for anyone looking to integrate holistic health principles into their life for their personal health and well-being.

Specifically, Graduates from the Associates of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine (AAS) program will be able to:

• Discuss and describe the body’s structure and function in a healthy state;
• Understand and identify the mechanical and biochemical changes caused by a variety of diseases or imbalances to be able to address system imbalances and provide education that individuals can use to restore wellness;
• Indicate when to refer individuals to their licensed health care provider for diagnosis and treatment;
• Educate others about appropriate holistic health protocols that can help to rebalance the body and restore wellness, both for general good health and when particular ailments demonstrate an imbalance in the body and lifestyle;
• Use and understand appropriate medical terminology to facilitate discussion with licensed healthcare providers and facilitate integration of CAM into the healthcare system, yet understand the appropriate terminology for use with consumers;
• Outline the steps to set up a business, including insurance, management, legal issues, ethics, including AHG ethics and ARC requirements, keeping records, listening and observation skills, informed consent, marketing, business planning, nutritional, lifestyle, and wellness counseling;
• Locate information from State regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with local and State requirements;
• Identify appropriate dietary supplements for specific instances, taking into account safety and dosage issues;
• Discuss herbal medicine and aromatherapy, their history, and status of current research, including how to locate studies in peer-reviewed journals;
• Identify the major active constituents, safety issues, historical uses, latest research results, including drug/herb interactions, uses, preparations, and more, for popular botanicals and educate others about the botanicals and essential oils studied;
• Understand common issues in plant identification, ethical wildcrafting, sustainable harvesting, field identification and safety procedures and be able to educate others about these issues.

The core curriculum grounds students in holistic health concepts, language, anatomy and physiology and pathology as a means of examining imbalances in the body’s structure and function. The core provides a basis on which students can explore more advanced concepts in elective courses.

Admissions Requirements:

Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency and recommendation for admission by the Dean of Admissions.