This program is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge in botanical sciences, human biology, herbal therapeutics, and the safe and effective use of medicinal plants. The degree prepares students for careers in herbal practice, natural health consulting, or further education in integrative medicine.
๐ Associate of Science in Herbal Medicine
Program Duration: 2 Years (4 Semesters)
Total Credits: 60โ66 semester credit hours
Delivery Mode: Online
Credential Awarded: Associate of Science (A.S.)
๐น Year 1 โ Foundational Sciences & Introduction to Herbal Medicine
โ Semester 1 (15โ16 Credits)
Introduction to Herbal Medicine (3 credits)
History, cultural traditions, and systems (e.g., Western, Ayurvedic, TCM)
Modern applications and the role of herbalists
Botany for Herbalists (4 credits)
Plant identification, classification, and field collection
Morphology and taxonomy of medicinal plants
Anatomy and Physiology I (3โ4 credits)
Human body systems and structure-function relationships
College Composition I (3 credits)
Writing skills, research techniques, and communication
Introduction to Holistic Health (2โ3 credits)
Overview of holistic philosophies and health models
โ Semester 2 (15โ16 Credits)
Herbal Materia Medica I (3 credits)
Study of 40โ50 core herbs, their actions, and preparations
Phytochemistry and Plant Constituents (3 credits)
Active plant compounds: alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, etc.
Pharmacological actions and safety
Anatomy and Physiology II (3โ4 credits)
Continuation from A&P I: focus on endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems
College Composition II / Technical Writing (3 credits)
Focus on scientific writing, herbal case reports, documentation
Basic Nutrition (3 credits)
Macronutrients, micronutrients, and the role of diet in wellness
๐น Year 2 โ Clinical and Applied Herbalism
โ Semester 3 (15โ17 Credits)
Herbal Materia Medica II (3 credits)
Expansion to 50+ additional herbs; continued formulation practice
Herbal Preparation and Medicine Making (4 credits)
Teas, tinctures, salves, syrups, oils, and poultices (lab-intensive)
Pathophysiology (3โ4 credits)
Disease processes and dysfunctions of major body systems
Ethics and Legal Considerations in Herbal Practice (3 credits)
Regulations, scope of practice, informed consent
Statistics or Research Methods in Natural Health (2โ3 credits)
Basic statistical literacy and evaluating scientific literature
โ Semester 4 (15โ17 Credits)
Clinical Herbalism & Case Studies (4 credits)
Intake forms, case documentation, assessment techniques
Use of herbal protocols in real or simulated settings
Herbal Therapeutics by Body System (3 credits)
Supportive herb strategies for digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune systems
Internship / Practicum in Herbal Medicine (3โ4 credits)
Supervised fieldwork in herbal clinics, gardens, wellness centers, or apothecaries
Environmental Sustainability and Herbalism (3 credits)
Ethical wildcrafting, organic cultivation, conservation practices
Capstone Project or Portfolio (2โ3 credits)
Independent project, herbal monographs, case studies, or product line proposal
Associate of Science in Herbal Medicine
ADEGREE
This course is self-paced.
The maximum alotted timeframe to complete this program is 4 years however the program can be completed sooner than 4 years