Online Health Degrees in Alternative Medicine

Interested in a career in Homeopathy? The following universities offer accredited online degree programs in alternative medicine. Topics include nutrition, traditional chinese medicine, herbology, and more.

Online Alternative Medicine Degree Programs

Alternative medicine is a broad category of healing and spirituality that adopts some of the core teachings of Eastern medicine and combines it with clinical research and Western health care. Herbology, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, yoga, physical therapy, meditation, naturopathy, and Reiki healing represent some of the more popular areas of study. Sufficient testimonials and scattered clinical data suggest that many of these branches effectively treat any number of medical conditions. But in the absence of controlled, rigorous examination, mainstream science has yet to embrace alternative medicine wholeheartedly. Even still, there are enough adherents (both practitioners and patients) to help alternative medicine continue to flourish as a substitute for or complement to Western medicine. In addition, alternative medicine's emphasis on preventive care and healthy living make it an attractive option to anyone who wants to avoid invasive procedures and prescription drugs.

Degrees in Alternative Medicine

Career training in alternative medicine ranges from certificate programs to bachelor's and master's degrees. Fitness, yoga, and meditation instructors can sometimes get certificates earned within a matter of months. Physical therapists and massage therapists usually must complete two-year degrees and receive certification from state or federal boards. And at the upper level, chiropractors often receive four-year degrees plus certification before they can begin practicing professionally. Depending on your intended branch of study, courses can range from the academic (biology, nutrition, and anatomy) to the spiritual (chakras, mantras, and meditation).

Online Degrees in Alternative Medicine

Countless educational opportunities in alternative medicine are available. The Internet offers a tremendous spectrum of opportunities, promising to equip you with the requisite skills and training necessary for success. With this flexibility comes greater responsibility on your part as the prospective applicant. Some degree programs are more legitimate than others. As such, you should invest time and research into selecting the most appropriate program for your specific career needs. And if your preferred branch of alternative medicine requires certification, make sure that your online program is fully accredited.

Career Options in Alternative Medicine

If chiropractic medicine and massage therapy are any indication, data suggest that alternative medicine opportunities should be favorable over the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these two areas could experience faster than average growth from 2006 to 2016. This isn't surprising, however, given the immediate relief, affordability, and preventative nature of alternative medicine.

Salary Potential in Alternative Medicine

Equally encouraging are the salary ranges available. Not only can you potentially make the median salaries enjoyed by chiropractors and massage therapists ($64,000 and $32,000 respectively), but you can also live a life of relative freedom and independence. Approximately 64 percent of massage therapists and 52 percent of chiropractors are self-employed. Freelance and contractual work often appeals to those working in the other branches of alternative medicine as well.