Online Alternative Medicine Degree Program

Online Alternative Medicine Degree Programs - What Do You Study?

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines alternative medicine as "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine." There are hundreds of types of alternative medicine ranging from acupuncture, to massage therapy, to herbal remedies, to yoga. The underlying philosophy of these therapies is to create optimum health by taking an individualized and comprehensive approach that looks at the underlying cause of the problem and addresses the whole person (mind, body, emotions, spirit) instead of just masking symptoms. Alternative medicine therapies are based on the body's innate ability to heal itself, and thus they focus on natural methods rather than prescription drugs, surgery, and other conventional medical practices.

Related Alternative Medicine Degree Programs

Colleges and universities that teach alternative medicine focus on teaching their students the history of these practices and the most modern research on their effectiveness. Alternative medicine programs also usually teach their students about the world of conventional medicine so that they have a good basis for comparison on what makes alternative medicine practices so different. Since alternative medicine therapies are often not backed by scientific research, many universities are trying to introduce more scientific rigor and evidence-based research into their programs so that students can objectively assess the safety and efficacy of these methods. While specialization in a particular type of alternative medicine is possible, many universities offer programs that teach a broad overview of the field.

Some typical courses in this type of program may include: Nutrition, Anatomy, Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine Molecular Physiology, Biology, and Bioethics. Degrees are available at the Associate, Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's and PhD level depending on the school, and as the field continues to grow, more and more programs are becoming available.

Career Options in Alternative Medicine

As alternative medicine becomes more mainstream and accepted within the medical community there are many new jobs becoming available in a wide variety of alternative therapies. With over 500 types of alternative medicine the possibilities are almost endless. Some of the more popular career choices include becoming a massage therapist, chiropractor, nutritionist or dietician, personal trainer, yoga instructor, acupuncturist, aroma therapist, homeopathic therapist, energy healer, reflexologist, or a naturopathic doctor. If you would like to work in the health care field and would prefer to treat the whole patient, a career in alternative medicine might be a good fit for you.