Pursuing an Alternative Medicine Degree can align your career with holistic practices in healthcare. As interest in alternative medicine grows, career tips on integrating these approaches are becoming increasingly valuable. Many professionals are embracing holistic and alternative medicine paths beyond traditional roles.
The opportunity to combine holistic health approaches with traditional medical practices is rapidly growing. The North American complementary and alternative medicine market saw significant growth in 2023, with expectations for continued expansion at an average annual growth rate of 25% through 2030. This trend emphasizes the increasing consumer demand for integrating alternative therapies with conventional treatments, making an Alternative Medicine Degree a valuable asset for those looking to advance their careers in this evolving healthcare field.
If you are considering a career in holistic medicine, these tips will help you get started today!
Tip 1 – Understand Holistic Medicine and How You Can Fit Into the Field
Holistic medicine considers the whole person in the healing process. Many professions, including medical doctors, chiropractors, dentists, therapists, and trainers, include aspects of holistic medicine in their treatment of individuals.
Because holistic medicine is an approach to treating the whole body, it can be confusing when thinking of what is considered holistic vs. traditional medicine. Typically, holistic medicine is a combination of traditional medicine and alternative medicines. The term “complementary and alternative medicine” is often abbreviated as CAM.
So, what is alternative medicine? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, alternative medicine includes treatments and practices that are not part of the standard medical care but complementary to traditional treatments. Some of these practices include:
- Chelation therapy
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
- Chinese medicine
- Chiropractic
- Massage
- Body movement therapies
- Yoga
- Dietary supplements
- Electromagnetic therapy
- Reiki
- Meditation
- Hypnosis
Many people are increasingly drawn to CAM due to a growing interest in holistic health, the desire for more personalized treatment options, and the limitations of conventional medicine in addressing chronic conditions. CAM therapies, like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and yoga, are often sought for their preventive benefits, stress reduction, and emphasis on natural healing. This shift reflects a broader trend toward integrating alternative methods with traditional healthcare to create a more balanced and individualized approach to wellness.
Tip 2 – Find the Right Program for You
Getting a degree in alternative medicine offers versatile career opportunities.
Pursuing an Alternative Medicine Degree at Everglades University offers a range of versatile career opportunities, including paths in herbal medicine and integrative health. Understanding the program’s objectives is crucial for aligning your education with your career goals. Everglades University provides a variety of holistic medicine courses that cater to different interests within the field, helping students find a program that best supports their aspirations. Whether your focus is on naturopathy, herbal studies, or wellness, these programs offer the flexibility to tailor your education to your specific ambitions.
At Everglades University, our Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Alternative Medicine provides the prerequisites and foundation you can use to further your education.
Some possible industries to consider with a bachelor’s degree include:
- Healthcare
- Sports
- Rehabilitation
- Management
- Spas
- Leisure
- Beauty
- Personal Coaching
Tip 3 – Pick Your Track or Specialization
This tip is essential to guiding you on your career choices. There are two main tracks that should be considered before you enroll.
The Alternative Medicine Track
- Great for anyone going into non-medical fields
- Works well as an addition to other majors
- Concentrates on overall health and wellness, natural medicine, and botanical medicine
The Science Track
- For anyone wanting to continue their education in the medical field
- Includes advanced study of biology, chemistry, physics, and the human body
- Prepares students for advanced medical education with a strong foundation in scientific principles.
Choosing the right specialization can influence your career path and the impact you have on the individuals you work with. While your specialization helps shape your professional direction, it also determines the specific areas of alternative medicine you will focus on, such as chiropractic, massage therapy, psychology, nutrition, herbal remedies, or acupuncture. These choices are guided by the coursework, internships, and apprenticeships you engage in, allowing you to tailor your education to your career goals.
Tip 4 – Be Prepared to Always Be Learning
According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information ( NCBI), the complementary and alternative medicine field is rapidly evolving and driven by continuous advancements in research and practices. This dynamic environment makes our Alternative Medicine Degree ideal for those who are passionate about lifelong learning and adapting to new developments. The industry’s growth, especially in areas like nutritional supplements, mind-body therapies, and herbal medicine, requires practitioners to be flexible and open to change, ensuring they stay current with the latest innovations in holistic health.
Part of your job will be to continually assess how your work is helping the people you are working with and make adjustments as needed. This passion for helping people will also help you grow in your career.
Our Alternative Medicine Degree, including online programs, offers the flexibility to continue your education while working. This can be especially beneficial for those looking to pursue a graduate program later on. Holistic medicine schools provide various career options and pathways into different medical practices, allowing you to tailor your education to your specific interests.
For example, if you want to use your degree to be a health and wellness coach, you should volunteer to work with another coach during your education. This is an ideal way to learn what clients are looking for and help you adapt your training and education so you can excel after you have finished your degree.
Tip 5 – Adapt and Experience
While in school, it is important to continue to adapt and experience as much as possible.
While in education, it’s essential to continue adapting and gaining as much hands-on experience as possible. Engaging in internships and practical learning opportunities deepens your knowledge and helps you feel more confident in your chosen field. According to studies, these experiences allow students to explore different specializations and gain real-world insights that are crucial for success in healthcare. Moreover, hands-on learning in fields like complementary and alternative medicine has been shown to enhance understanding and application of theoretical knowledge, making it easier to determine which specialization aligns best with your interests and goals.
How to Get Started in Your Holistic Medicine Career
At Everglades University, our Alternative Medicine Degree has many valuable benefits for our students.
Studying in an alternative medicine degree program is a rewarding and exciting experience. The Everglades University Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine is designed to align with your career goals. This program provides a comprehensive education that prepares you to enter the field of holistic health. Whether your interest lies in nutrition, herbal remedies, or integrative health practices, this degree offers the foundational knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in the evolving world of alternative medicine.
Studying in an alternative medicine degree program is a rewarding and exciting experience.
Easily Apply Online: Take charge of your future career in holistic medicine by applying online to Everglades University! Our application process is easy to do, and our friendly admissions staff can answer any questions that you may have. Start your journey by applying online today.
Apply for Financial Aid: Financial aid is available to both online and on-campus students to those who qualify. This includes grants, loans, and scholarships available.
Choose Your Location: Everglades University offers an Alternative Medicine Program both on-campus and online. This degree program is perfect for busy professionals who want to earn their degrees while working. This extremely flexible program allows students to choose the best schedule.
Focus on What You Love: You can incorporate a holistic approach in sports, rehabilitation, spas, beauty, and healthcare. This flexibility makes an Alternative Medicine Degree an excellent option for students who want to focus their careers on a specific kind of care.
Enjoy Small Class Sizes: Students can benefit from their education in a smaller classroom. Many of our classes are limited to a small number of students to better serve them. Our talented professors and support staff get to know students individually instead of just a name on a roster. Both online and in-person classes are small to help add to the overall experience.
Be a Part of Our Success
Everglades University has received numerous recent awards highlighting our expertise in online learning and innovative programming. Some of our most recent accolades include:
- 2024: Recognized as a Military Friendly School Silver Status school by MilitaryFriendly.com.
- 2023: Ranked #1 Best Fully Online College by Stacker. Named a 2023 Top Online College by Intelligent.com. Recognized as a Top Performer on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report.
- 2022: Ranked #4 Best Online College in America by Niche.com and listed among the Top 50 Best Online Colleges in the nation by TheBestSchools.org.
These distinctions reflect our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment for our students.
Get Started On Your Alternative Medicine Degree!
At Everglades University, our Alternative Medicine Degree program is offered online and at our Florida campuses. It is designed for busy professionals and is extremely flexible. We specialize in helping you design a program that works for you, no matter what profession you want to enter.
Enroll today and get started earning your Alternative Medicine Degree. Call us to discuss your future in academic endeavors (888) 854-8308 or request more information online.
