subject: Critiquing Connecticut Institute For Herbal Studies And Natural Healing College [print this page] Alternative healthcare is probably the most growing rapidly fields of business today. It encompasses many fields, including medicinal herbs. To start a career as a master herbalist though, you need to have a certification. Two top schools offering certifications as an herbalist through distance education are Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies (CIHS) and Natural Healing College (NHC). With my research inside two schools, this is what I ran across.
The CIHS distance learning program is a home study course. They send you the materials and it's more or less a do-it-yourself program. They offer access to tutors via e-mail and occasionally by phone. However, once you complete the first two steps of their program, they require you to attend a four day training seminar in order to receive your certification.
NHC is better because it uses advanced distance learning technology to connect you with your teachers and fellow students. You can e-mail your teachers and they often hold Skype sessions that you could join to get extra instruction. They never need you to leave comfort of your home and family to earn your certification.
CIHS estimates that their program takes a year to go through. Their course totals 162 credit hours and is place into several sections. To begin the subsequent part, you will have to mail as part of your completed course material to acquire checked, then your next section is sent.
If you'd like something a little faster though, NHC's master herbalist program averages 3-6 months to execute. Their course total is trimmed down to 128 credit hours, plus the process is hastened further by getting instant results from the online tests and quizzes.
To get a certification from CIHS, you must complete the 3 modules of their program. The very first module is $369. The other $1459, and also the third is $595. This concerns a grand total of $2423 not including mailing costs and miscellaneous fees and expenses!
CIHS isn't even nearly the most expensive program either, with many schools charging over $3,000! However, NHC's full course to become a master herbalist is only $998! They even offer discounts of up to 50% off for new students!
Though both programs are exceptional for earning a certification as an herbalist, NHC would be the superior school. Their program is faster, utilizes an improved educational system, and is much less expensive. They even offer support for graduates to help you look for a job! I highly recommend Natural Healing College for earning your certification as master herbalist.