Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and the American Herbalists Guild (AHG), a member-based association of herbal practitioners, have joined forces to educate students studying clinical herbalism. Both organizations believe that this agreement that has the potential to advance the education and practice of herbal medicine in the nation.
The master’s degree in herbal medicine at MUIH began in 2002 and remains the only graduate degree in the field offered from a regionally accredited university. In 2013, the program became available in an online format and demand increased from across the US. The program’s rigor remained, but the ability to provide meaningful and comprehensive clinical experiences from a distance was one of the biggest challenges. The innovative collaboration with AHG perfectly addresses this challenge.
The articulation agreement allows MUIH students in the master’s degree to earn clinical hours by enrolling in the AHG Supervisory Mentoring Program. Through this program, students will be mentored and supervised by AHG Registered Herbalists as they work with clients, either in person or through the use of technology. The experiences and hours then articulate into .5 to 1.5 required academic credits.
The articulation agreement is effectively immediately and it is expected that students and AHG Registered Herbalists will begin working together by January 1, 2016.