Bachelor of Science in Herbal Sciences

Study traditional herbalism and prepare for a career in the booming herbal products industry.

Program Overview

Now more than ever, people are looking for herbal remedies and natural products. Modern medicine is informed by nature, and the evidence is growing all around us. Which remedies are based in science, and which aren’t? You’ll study plants root to leaf and learn the history and culture behind their use.   

Graduates of this program are prepared to enter the herbal products field directly as botanical medicine experts or can go on to pursue further education in related areas. You’ll bridge the gap between traditional herbal wisdom and evidence-informed science.  

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Location
Seattle
Program Length

2 years, full time

Cost

$673/credit hour (average)

Program Highlights

6

partnerships for studying abroad opportunities

10.6%

Annual Growth in the Herbal Industry

350+

number of species of herbs from Western, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and First Nations traditions growing in the Bastyr Gardens

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A Vibrant Campus Life

Nestled amongst a 51-acre temperate rainforest, the Bastyr University community is like no other. Surround yourself with other natural health enthusiasts as a resident of the Student Village, or join a club featuring activities such as yoga, tai chi, hapkido, belly dancing and aikido.

Gardens at Bastyr

State-of-the-art Herb Garden and Teaching Greenhouse

The Bastyr Gardens feature more than 350 species of herbs from Western, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and First Nations traditions. The campus gardens and greenhouse gives you the opportunity to grow herbs year-round, harvest herbs for classroom study or to make herbal products, and even to fulfill relevant work-study hours.

Program Details

See the tentative schedule for courses each quarter. 

General Cell Biology w/lab (for science majors) - 1 course

General Chemistry w/lab (for science majors) - 2 courses

College Algebra - 1 course

General Education Requirements

Arts and Humanities - 5 courses

English and Composition - 2 courses

Other Courses - 3 courses

Social and Behavioral Sciences - 5 courses

General Psychology- 1 course

 Public Speaking - 1 course

Other Courses - 3 courses

Natural Science and Mathematics - 5 courses

Major-Based Prerequisite Courses - 4 courses

Other Course - 1 course

General Electives - 3 courses or more

TOTAL 90 quarter/60 semester credits

View prerequisite courses available at Bastyr University.

Bastyr accepts graduate and undergraduate transfer credits earned at accredited colleges and universities. Learn what you need to make this process go smoothly.

For more information, visit Financial Aid. 

  • Herbal industry representative, consultant, formulator, manufacturer, or manager 
  • Quality assurance specialist 
  • Teacher/instructor at an herbal school 
  • Production and processing specialist 
  • Researcher 
  • Herb cultivator or wildcrafter 
  • Work in the health/wellness/supplements/cosmetics industry 
  • Preparation for graduate studies in natural medicine, ethnobotany, acupuncture and East Asian, phytotherapy, botany, horticulture, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, medicine, nursing, or nutrition 
Bastyr gardens and student village

About the Seattle, Washington Campus

Description: The 51-acre Bastyr University campus is uniquely suited for the study of natural health sciences. Nestled among woodlands on the northeast shore of Lake Washington, the 186,000-square-foot campus complex is located 10 miles northeast of Seattle in Kenmore, Washington.
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