Best Online Alternative Medicine Degrees

If you want to learn about Alternative Medicine or want to incorporate a more holistic approach into your current healthcare career, then this guide will be of great use to you. It will help you learn about some of the best online Alternative Medicine Degrees in the U.S.

Individuals, who are working as practicing health care professionals, medical assistants, spa directors, massage therapists, or nurses, can study an Alternative Medicine degree in order to incorporate natural healing techniques into their practice.

What Is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative Medicine, also called Complementary or Integrative Medicine, encompasses all those medical therapies and treatments that are used instead of mainstream or traditional treatments. Some of these therapies include crystal healing, naturopathy, and herbalism.

Best Online Alternative Medicine Degrees

Many schools and colleges in the U.S. are offering a wide array of online Alternative Medicine Degrees. Some of these include an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) in Complementary Alternative Medicine, a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Wellness and Alternative Medicine, and a Master’s in Public Health Administration with an emphasis on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

What Can You Do with an Online Alternative Medicine Degree?

After completing an online Alternative Medicine degree, you can find employment in corporate offices, wellness centers, clinics, and hospitals. This section will help you learn about the salary prospects and growth projections for some popular alternative medicine careers. This data has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Massage Therapists

These professionals treat patients by performing therapeutic massages of joints and soft tissues. They usually work at fitness centers, hotels, and physician’s offices.

Dietitian and Nutritionists

These professionals advise clients on what to eat in order to stay physically fit and healthy. They usually work in nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics.

Fitness Trainers and Instructors

These professionals motivate, instruct, and lead groups or individuals in exercise activities. They mostly work at yoga centers, gyms, recreation and fitness centers, and health clubs.

What to Expect from an Online Alternative Medicine Degree?

The online Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) in Complementary Alternative Medicine program requires completion of around 60 credits. As part of the program, students are expected to study a range of topics such as Holistic Nutrition, Basics of Herbalism, Holistic Pathophysiology, Holistic Health Consulting, and Healthcare Technology.

The online Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Wellness and Alternative Medicine program gives an opportunity to students to learn about the theories and science of complementary and alternative healthcare therapies such as Native American healing, homeopathy, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and acupuncture. The program also teaches students about different mind-body therapies such as stress-reduction techniques, massage, yoga, and meditation. Students can expect to complete a Bachelor’s degree within four years.

The online Master’s program in Public Health Administration with an emphasis on Complementary and Alternative Medicine requires completion of around 36 credits. The program can be completed within a period of twelve months. The course content covers a range of topics such as Practical Issues in Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Complementary and Alternative Medical Approaches to Public Health.

How to Choose an Online Alternative Medicine Degree?

You should consider some key factors before choosing an online Alternative Medicine Degree. Some of these are listed below:

• The cost of the program
• The accreditation status
• The reputation of the faculty members
• Internship opportunities
• Job placements

Online Alternative Medicine Degree Admission Requirements

In order to get admitted into an online Alternative Medicine degree, you will be required to submit an application form to the admissions office, along with your statement of purpose, recommendation letters, official school or college transcripts, and an application fee. Please keep in mind that the admission process varies from one school to another, therefore the admission requirements might also vary. Thus, it’s a good idea to visit college websites in order to get a better idea about the degree requirements.