Yes! I have some suggestions for high school and college options.
So, when I answer questions like this, let me qualify my answer. 100% of the time when I suggest a college, it is regionally accredited. Regional accreditation is the gold standard/highest accreditation. There are lots of reasons for this, and of course there will be people who oppose that as being a necessary filter, but in any kind of “alternative” field like this, you’re going to find zillions of unaccredited options. A degree from a regionally accredited college means that her degree won’t prevent her for options, whereas an unaccredited degree can.
My research reveled that someone practicing in this field will need a state license or certification. You can look up your state’s requirements here.
In this post:
- College Degree Recommendation
- High School Curriculum Recommendations
- Using Dual Enrollment
My recommendation: Bastyr University (Washington & California)
Bastyr University is the largest university for the natural health arts and sciences fields in the U.S.
“Although the school started as a naturopathic medicine college, Bastyr University now offers more than 20 degree and certificate programs. Building on its science-based foundation, the University has been the recipient of a number of multimillion-dollar research grants from the National Institutes of Health.”
Many degrees in this field are at the graduate level- which is to say a master’s or doctorate degree (earned after a bachelor’s degree). If that is the case for your daughter, extra education costs extra money. In your shoes, I would pay particular attention to getting the undergraduate degree as quickly and cheaply as possible- if she can get her bachelor’s without debt, that allows her to pursue any graduate program she wants. That’s a different topic, but I have recommendations for that as well (at the bottom of this post).
List of Degree Programs (all levels)
Bachelor of Science in Health Psychology – Integrated Wellness
The Health Psychology Integrated Wellness track explores the integration of mind, body and spirit – equipping students to help people improve their quality of life. This degree track provides an excellent foundation for graduate degrees in all areas of psychology, including clinical psychology, counseling fields and mind-body studies.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Bachelor of Science in Health Psychology – Pre-med Track
This track, with a dual emphasis on biology and psychology, provides a health psychology education within the framework of medical science. This option is ideal for those seeking a pre-med degree, as it prepares students prepared to continue graduate studies in the biomedical field.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Bachelor of Science in Herbal Sciences
This degree is the first of its kind. The program equips students with both scientific knowledge and a deep understanding of plants. Graduates are prepared to enter the herbal products field directly, begin work as botanical medicine experts or pursue further education in related areas.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Bachelor of Science in Integrated Human Biology
This degree equips students to pursue a range of professional degrees (naturopathic doctor, medical doctor, dentist, pharmacist), allied health degrees (physician’s assistant, nurse, physical therapist) and graduate studies in biological sciences.
Length of Program: 2 years.
Campuses: Kenmore, Washington
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
There are many ways to turn your passion for food, nutrition and the environment into a meaningful, successful profession. As a student in Bastyr’s Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BSN) program, you’ll gain the practical skills and confidence you need to bring whole-food nutrition and wellness to your community, as well as meet the greater needs of the planet.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Culinary Arts
Students enrolled in this bachelor’s completion program – one of the first of its kind in the U.S. – receive an education grounded in whole food nutrition and food science while also developing culinary skills and the ability to use food therapeutically.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campuses: Kenmore, Washington
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Exercise Science
Students in this degree program build an in-depth knowledge of the body’s physiology and mechanics, as well as an understanding of mind-body wellness and the role of nutrition in health.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate
Expand your acupuncture practice with Bastyr’s unique Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate (CCHM). The CCHM curriculum enables students to gain skills and knowledge in the principles of Chinese herbology, including materia medica, formulations, prepared medicines, dispensary, herbal therapeutics and clinical training at the Chinese herbal medicine teaching clinic.
Length of Program: 2 years (9 quarters)
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Dietetic Internship – Nutrition
Bastyr University’s dietetic internship (DI) is a 10-month program that provides interns with a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised work experience in the areas of clinical nutrition, community nutrition and food service management. The DI includes concentrations in:
- integrative medicine (a specialty area of Bastyr University)
- environmentally conscious, whole-foods nutrition (a specialty area of the Department of Nutrition)
Length of Program: 10 months.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Doctor of Acupuncture
The Doctorate in Acupuncture (DAc) is a first professional doctoral program for acupuncturists who wish to gain a higher level of skills in advanced diagnostic studies, collaborative and integrative care, and professional development that this growing field is demanding. The program is designed to train acupuncturists to the highest level of competency in an entry level degree.
Length of Program: 4 years (14 quarters)
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Doctor of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
The Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) degree is a regionally and professionally accredited clinical doctorate program developed for licensed acupuncturists to address the current trend of increased collaboration between acupuncturists, physicians and other health care providers.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
The naturopathic doctor (ND) degree program integrates both scientific and holistic viewpoints in a rigorous, science-based natural medicine curriculum. The program includes more than 4,100 hours of didactic and clinical instruction.
Length of Program: Four years for full-time students, five years for the extended track or dual-degree options.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington, and San Diego, California.
Holistic Landscape Design Certificate
The first of its kind in the nation, this permaculture certificate program is a training opportunity for those who want to build on their knowledge of medicinal and edible plants and apply that expertise to the development of sustainable landscapes.
Length of Program: 26 total credits spread over four quarters. Courses are offered on evenings and weekends.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
An accredited, stand-alone two-year graduate program leading to eligibility to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC).
Master of Arts in Maternal-Child Health Systems
The Master of Arts in Maternal-Child Health Systems offers experienced midwives and other qualified maternal-child health professionals the opportunity to become influential leaders in education, research, policymaking, program management and advocacy to improve the health of women and children.
Length of Program: One year (4 quarters) primarily online
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) with a Specialization in Community Health Education gives students the knowledge and skills to succeed in public health and community health education settings. The program prepares students to become certified as Community Health Education Specialists (CHES). The Bastyr MPH program produces graduates with a 100% CHES pass rate.
Length of Program: 2 years, evening course format
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Science in Acupuncture
Bastyr University offers an entry level master’s program for those who strive to have their own acupuncture practice.
Length of Program: 3 years (11 quarters) full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MSAOM) provides the didactic and clinical training necessary for eligibility to sit for the national board exam to become a licensed acupuncturist.
Length of Program: 3 years
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Science in Midwifery
The direct-entry Master of Science in Midwifery program prepares students to greatly improve the quality and breadth of maternity care offered to women and their families. It also qualifies graduates to become state (or provincially) licensed and nationally certified midwives.
Length of Program: 3 years (11 quarters) full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Science in Nutrition
This innovative program provides students with a broad education in nutritional science and preventive health, prepares them to critically evaluate scientific literature, and serves as a firm foundation for those pursuing future doctoral level education.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Science in Nutrition / Didactic Program in Dietetics
The master’s didactic program in dietetics (MSN/DPD) is designed to fulfill the academic and competency requirements for registered dietitian eligibility. The program allows students to complete a didactic program while pursuing a master’s in nutrition.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Science in Nutrition and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
The MSN/MACP dual-track program integrates training in nutritional counseling and mental health counseling, leading to licensure as a mental health counselor. The program includes a supervised practicum with a diverse patient population.
Length of Program: 3 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
Master of Science in Nutrition for Wellness and Health Coaching
This Bastyr University California program prepares leaders in whole-food nutrition education. They have the skills to translate nutrition science into meaningful, accessible information in diverse fields. Length of program: 2 years, full time. Hybrid format, first year online.
Campus: San Diego, California
Post-Baccalaureate in Naturopathic Medicine
The post-bacc program allows students with non-science backgrounds or students missing a significant number of classes to complete the necessary prerequisites for the naturopathic medicine program.
Length of Program: Must be completed in one year.
Campuses: Kenmore, Washington
Post-Baccalaureate in Nutrition
The post-baccalaureate program allows students with non-science backgrounds or students missing a significant number of classes to complete the necessary prerequisites for nutrition Master of Science degrees at Bastyr.
Length of Program: Must be completed in 1 year.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington
What about High School?
The university above doesn’t offer dual enrollment options, but you can still be resourceful in the accumulation of high school and college credit. I mentioned above about earning a bachelor’s cheaply and quickly, so let me suggest considering one of the Big 3 colleges in that space. For degrees through one of the Big 3, you’ll earn college credits in high school anyway you like, and map your degree almost entirely ahead of enrollment. Many people apply for admissions and graduation in the same year because they’ve resourcefully planned and completed their credits DIY style. You can watch my workshop/video about the Big 3 here.
Special Curriculum in High School
You can integrated lots of classes into her high school program that do or don’t yield college credit. The college credit piece depends a lot on what you decide for the bachelor’s degree, but there are a handful of really good “non-college-credit” class options you can use for straight high school credit.
Medical Terminology – Offered online by Des Moines University Medical School, this or anyone, any age, ungraded. Award 0.5 high school credit for this class. You can also upgrade and pay for a certificate, but that’s not going to change the college credit piece, so my recommendation is to skip the certificate and use that money elsewhere.
Chinese Medicine Bundle – These 3 courses are offered through Coursera and taught by Hong Kong University. Because they are for ok for beginners, I think these would make a wonderful high school course for 0.5 high school credits. Coursera’s business model uses a monthly subscription, but you’re under no obligation – so you can try for free and decide if it’s a good fit.
Integrative Health and Medicine – this is a 7 month online program includes 5 courses. *yes, she can do it in high school! This series of courses also includes a hands on project and awards a certificate. It is offered through Coursera and taught by the University of Minnesota. When I looked into this certificate, I considered the feedback ratings, and this program has a very robust 4.8 out of 5.0 from the participants! In other words, it comes highly recommended. Based on the contact hours inside and outside the class, my recommendation is 2.5 high school credits for completion of the program.
- Mindfulness in Integrative Healthcare
- Aromatherapy: Clinical Use of Essential Oils
- Herbal Medicine
- Guided Imagery
- Introduction to Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices
Dual Enrollment Recommendations
If you can use dual enrollment, you should use that opportunity to complete all the prerequisites and sciences that will be part of most degrees in this field. Lab sciences are the best when taken in person, but online options exist as well.
Highly suggested:
- English Composition I
- Introductory Biology with Lab
- or General Biology 1 & 2 with Lab for science majors
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- Introduction to Psychology (CLEP option)
- Introduction to Nutrition
Also worth considering:
- Introductory Chemistry with Lab
- or General Chemistry 1 & 2 with Lab for science majors
- Microbiology
- Statistics
- Speech
- Introduction to Business (CLEP option)
I hope this gives you a good start in the right direction! Please let me know if she ends up using any of these suggestions and your experience with them.
