Herbal Sciences: Bachelor of Science Completion Program

Designed to meet a growing demand for herbal medicine experts

Bastyr University's herbal sciences degree completion program* is designed to train professionals who can respond to the growing demand for herbal medicine expertise**. By studying with master herbalists, students undertake a thorough and scientifically rigorous education. Graduates complete the program in two years and are prepared to enter the herbal products field directly, begin work as botanical medicine experts or pursue further education in related areas.

This herbal sciences bachelor's degree is the first of its kind to be offered at an accredited university in the United States. It arms students with both scientific knowledge and a multifaceted, personal understanding of plants, empowering them to bridge the gap between traditional herbalism and modern science. The program curriculum includes such study areas as: learning to cultivate herbs, disease prevention and health maintenance using medicinal herbs; economic, historical and sociopolitical perspectives regarding botanical medicine; and issues related to herbal manufacturing and quality assurance.

No matter where Bastyr students go after earning this degree, they bring a holistic knowledge of herbs that launches them into the field with confidence.

*The two-year Bachelor of Science degree completion program in herbal sciences is designed for students with at least 90 transferable quarter credits (60 semester credits). Entering undergraduates must have at least a 2.25 cumulative GPA with a grade of C or better in all basic proficiency and science requirement courses.

**This is not a clinical degree program and does not qualify graduates to treat patients.

Advantages of the Herbal Sciences Degree Program:

• Bastyr University's 51-acre campus is the perfect outdoor classroom for studying plants throughout the seasons.
• Expert faculty coupled with a strong academic advising program.
• Hands-on curriculum equips students with real-world skills in evaluating and maintaining quality control of herbs, thus preparing graduates for direct employment in the herbal products field.
• A 44-hour practicum during the final year of studies helps students transition confidently to the workforce, providing a valuable interface with herbal manufacturers, growers, wildcrafters, practitioners and researchers.
• Bastyr Medicinal Herb Garden features more than 350 species of Western and Chinese herbs. The garden allows students to learn to grow herbs year-round, harvest herbs for classroom study or for making herbal products, and work relevant work-study hours.
• An on-campus herb lab allows students to hone their skills in herbal medicine making.
• The adjacent Saint Edward State Park features a gymnasium, an indoor heated swimming pool and miles of hiking, running and biking trails.
• Summer outdoor elective options include: Cascade Herb Experience, Island Herb Experience, two-week Herbal Medicine in Italy immersion experience, Herbal Medicine throughout Oregon, and others.
• Resources available to students include: financial aid,a vegetarian cafeteria, a comprehensive health sciences library and the University's teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health.

Career Opportunities:

In the past, herbalists were either self-taught or trained through certificate programs or apprenticeships. This groundbreaking program brings much-needed academic credentials to the field while also offering a traditional, holistic study of herbs. The curriculum provides students with a deep foundation in current research methods, preparing them for direct employment in the herbal products field. Career options include:

• Herbal products representative, manufacturer or manager
• Quality assurance specialist
• Teacher/instructor
• Production and processing specialist
• Researcher
• Herb cultivator or wildcrafter
• Work in the health/wellness/supplements industry
• Preparation for graduate studies in natural medicine, ethnopharmacology, phytotherapy, botany, horticulture, pharmacognosy, medicine, nursing or nutrition