Online Complementary Alternative Health Degree :: Accredited Universities

Position yourself on the forefront of health care delivery when you earn your Bachelor of Arts in Complementary and Alternative Health degree from Ashford University.

Increasing cultural diversity has resulted in growing numbers of people who pursue complementary and alternative health practices. The Bachelor of Arts in Complementary and Alternative Health degree provides you the opportunity to study the history and delivery of major non-allopathic health systems including but not limited to the following: Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, naturopathic medicine, biofeedback, herbal medicines, chiropractic, acupuncture, hypnosis, acupressure, reiki, reflexology, energy systems, and transpersonal health such as meditation, hypnosis, and prayer. You will analyze complementary and alternative health studies as well as identify usage trends and integration into health services and disease management from multi-cultural perspectives

Entry Requirements

Students seeking admission to an online undergraduate program must meet the following admission requirements prior to the start of the first course at Ashford University:

Have a regular high-school diploma earned through college preparatory or regular high school courses or GED equivalency recognized by the Department of Education of the state in which it was earned, completed secondary school through home schooling as defined by state law, or earned an equivalent to a US high school diploma at an international high school according to approved Foreign Evaluation services. An earned IEP or Special Education Diploma or Certificate of Completion based upon IEP goals does not meet the regular high school diploma requirement for admission to Ashford University. If no high school degree was earned, applicants who have successfully completed at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited postsecondary institution, as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies, may be admitted.

Be 22 years of age or older, or be exempt from this requirement by meeting one of the following criteria:

- Earned a minimum of 30 transferable credits* as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies;

- Earned an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally or approved nationally accredited institution; or

- Seeking readmission to Ashford University after withdrawal from a degree program; or

- Current degree-seeking student at Ashford University requesting to change majors.

Have the ability to study English indicated by one of the following:

- Achieved a recognized high school diploma or equivalent in which the primary language of instruction was English

- Received a GED that was taken in English

- A minimum of 30 credits have been earned from regionally or approved nationally accredited colleges/universities in the United States or equivalent in which the primary language of instruction was English; or

- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination taken within the past two (2) years. A minimum score of 500 paper-based or 61 Internet-based is required. Copies of official scores must be submitted prior to provisional enrollment, and official scores must be submitted for full admission.

Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary education attempted.

TOEFL scores submission.

Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.0.**

Other Fees

Books and supplies : $4,000

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The Health Psychology specialization will familiarize you with the latest theory, research and practice in the field, and prepare you to lead and influence change in health in today’s diverse communities. As a health psychology student, you will explore the important interaction between the body and the mind, and how you can intervene to bring about positive change. You will study factors that influence health and illness, such as stress and nutrition, explore complementary and alternative medical approaches, and address important issues such as eating disorders and medical compliance. You will also be challenged to develop your own solutions to today’s psycho-social health problems.

Entry Requirements

Admission to our master's degree program in Psychology requires a conferred bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution.

International applicants
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If English is the second language of a student, an official score demonstrating English proficiency is required for admission.

TOEFL

iBT - 79
pBT - 550

IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 53

Other Fees

Average book cost per course: $110

Learning Management Fee (one-time per program): $250

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The Health Psychology specialization is designed to familiarize you with the latest theory, research and practice in the field of health psychology, and will help prepare you to become a leader who has the ability to bring about positive changes to health in today’s diverse communities. As a health psychology student, you will explore the important interaction between the body and the mind, and the factors that influence physical and psychological health, such as stress and nutrition. You will examine complementary and alternative medical approaches, and address important issues such as eating disorders and medical compliance. You will also be challenged to develop your own solutions to today’s psycho-social health problems as you conduct research related to health psychology. After graduation, you may serve as a health consultant to hospitals or agencies, help individuals develop healthy lifestyles, or provide the psychological perspective to a team of health care providers.

Entry Requirements

In order to enter the doctoral (PhD) program in psychology, applicants must have earned a master's degree from an accredited university. There are three options for entering the doctoral program in psychology:

Direct Entry: Individuals with a previously completed master's degree in any area of Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Social Work may immediately begin the 60 credit PhD program.

Evaluation Track: Individuals who have previously completed a master's degree in an area other than one listed above must have their transcripts evaluated to determine if previous coursework meets some or all of the Standard Curriculum requirements (see below). Students in the Evaluation Track would begin their degree plan with PSY7101 and PSY7102 and then take all required Standard Curriculum courses prior to taking the remaining courses in their degree plan.

Mental Health Policy and Practice Specialization Track: Individuals who wish to enroll in this program must be a licensed practicing clinician (i.e. social worker, counselor, therapist, psychologist, etc.) in their respective state. Individuals will automatically be enrolled in the 60 credit PhD program for this specialization.

International applicants
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If English is the second language of a student, an official score demonstrating English proficiency is required for admission.

TOEFL

iBT - 79
pBT - 550

IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 53

Other Fees

Average book cost per course: $110

Learning Management Fee (one-time per program): $250

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CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine) is designed for people with a background in complementary medicine to gain advanced-level knowledge in health sciences.

There has been some discussion recently about Complementary Medicine courses being offered by universities in Australia and overseas. Some groups are arguing that universities should not offer these courses, because they are not scientific or evidence-based. Charles Sturt University is keen to recognise these concerns and highlight the difference between our course and many courses offered by other universities.

CSU does not teach homeopathy, iridology, reflexology or any other subjects that are not based on experimental evidence.

CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine) is designed for people with a background in complementary medicine to gain advanced-level knowledge in health sciences. It is evident in our list of subjects that you will be taught high-level, science-based health and medical subjects, often alongside students from other science or health courses. This course is not designed to teach you to become a complementary medicine practitioner, so there are no subjects that teach specific modalities.

Given the demand for complementary health services from the public, and the growth of providers in the community - of varying standards - CSU's approach is highly responsible, with our graduates emerging with appropriate training in science and evidence-based health service provision.

The health science subjects are drawn from a range of discipline areas, providing students with an understanding of biomedical science, health science and studies in law and ethics applicable to those already working in the area. Students are also provided with extensive training in how to evaluate evidence and read medical or scientific literature to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to assess the information to which they are exposed from a variety of sources. Staff at CSU also do research in complementary medicines in an effort to determine whether there is any evidence base of some practices and to provide a better understanding of why people use complementary medicines and alternative treatments.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for the course is completion of a one year (30-week) full-time Diploma or Advanced Diploma with at least 200 hours of clinical experience.

Students entering the course will be required to possess an approved and government accredited qualification at the diploma level (or equivalent) in complementary medicine in the following therapeutic modalities:

Acupuncture

Aromatherapy / aromatic medicine

Herbal medicine

Homoeopathy

Kinesiology

Naturopathy

Nutritional science

Oriental therapies

Remedial massage

Qualifications in sport and fitness training do not meet the entry requirement as they are not complementary medicine modalities.

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees ($100/course)

Textbooks

Student Services and Amenities Fee (Max. $281/year)

Incidental unit costs

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