Homeopathy Schools and Careers Guide
| | Homeopathy is a method of treating disease by administering drugs in small doses that actually have symptoms of the disease. There are different types of homeopathy, but all homeopathic remedies are made from naturally occurring plant, animal or mineral substances. |
General Homeopathy Information
- What are the different types of homeopathy?
- What is the history of homeopathic medicine?
- What is the National Institute of Health's position on Homeopathy?
- What questions should I ask of a homeopath before beginning treatment?
Careers in Homeopathy
Homeopathy Laws and Licensure
Homeopathy Tuition and Financial Aid
Homeopathy Accreditation
Choosing a Homeopathy School
- How long does it take to graduate?
- How should I go about choosing a school for Homeopathy?
- Are there courses specifically designed for MDs?
Information on Homeopathy provided by Debra K. Friedman, Homeopath and Acupuncturist, and Willa Keizer, Certified Classical Homeopath.
Some answers provided by the author of Educational and Career Opportunities in Alternative Medicine, Rosemary Jones.
What are the different types of homeopathy?
Constitutional
One dose is given, usually of a high potency. Then one waits up to six months to see if there is a shift in symptoms. This form of treatment is advantageous for deep-seated, chronic, inherited predispositions, such as allergies, familial asthma, cancer, depression, old vaccination damage or chemical exposures.
Classical: Single remedies used
The practitioner takes a detailed history from the patient. From the answers to those questions, as well as through observation, the practitioner attempts to match the pattern of the patient's symptoms to the pattern of a single remedy as outlined in one or more Materia Medicas. This remedy can be chosen manually or by computer. The potency is usually determined by a number of factors including severity and history of the symptoms. This form of treatment is most similar to the one developed by Hahnemann. It is also the most common form of practice.
Combination: Remedies contain two to four ingredients
The diagnostic approach may be the same as the classical approach. Other diagnostic styles may include kinesiology (muscle testing) or electrodermal biofeedback. This style is heavily used in France, Canada and the US.
Complex: Remedies may contain up to 25 ingredients
The diagnostic approach may be similar to the combination approach. Multiple ingredients are used to encourage what is known as homeopathic or lymphatic drainage. This is best for complex, difficult cases where multiple problems occur simultaneously. Drainage helps drain toxicity from organs or systems that are on overload due to chronic, genetic, or environmental factors. This type of approach is used extensively in Germany with electronic diagnostic equipment. Diagnosis may also be determined using kinesiology.
What is the history of homeopathic medicine?
Based upon the theories of the German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), its practice spread rapidly through Europe during his lifetime, mostly due to the success of homeopathic physicians in treating cholera during the Napoleonic wars. Constantine Herring established the first homeopathic medical college in America in 1836. By 1900, one in five physicians in the United States was a homeopathic physician (similar in practice to the licensed naturopathic doctor today), there were 20 formal homeopathic medical colleges and more than 100 homeopathic hospitals.
What is the National Institute of Health's position on Homeopathy?
Homeopathic medicine is practiced worldwide, especially in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. However, even in the United States the homeopathic drug market is a multimillion-dollar industry. Homeopathic remedies, which are made from naturally occurring plant, animal or mineral substances, are recognized and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are manufactured by established pharmaceutical companies under strict guidelines. Homeopathy is used to treat acute and chronic health problems as well as for disease prevention and health promotion. Recent clinical trials suggest that homeopathic medicines have a positive effect on allergic rhinitis, fibrositis and influenza.
Basic research in homeopathy has involved investigations into the chemical and biological activity of highly diluted substances. This particular aspect of homeopathic theory and practice has caused some modern scientists to question homeopathic medicine. Critics of homeopathy contend that such extreme dilutions of the medicines are beyond the point at which any active molecules of the medicine can theoretically still be found in the solution. On the other hand, scientists who accept the potential benefits of homeopathic theory suggest several theories to explain how highly diluted homeopathic medicines may act. Using recent developments in quantum physics, they have proposed that electromagnetic energy in the medicines may interact with the body on some level. Researchers in physical chemistry have proposed the "memory of water" theory, whereby the structure of the water-alcohol solution is altered by the medicine during the process of dilution and retains this structure even after none of the actual substance remains.
What questions should I ask of a homeopath before beginning treatment?
- Where and how long did they study?
- With whom did they study? (teachers, schools, apprenticed with other
- practitioners)
- What style(s) of homeopathy do they practice?
- How will the style(s) match a particular patient or condition?
- Have they treated this particular condition before?
- What is the practitioner's success rate?
- How much are the charges?
If someone has studied only homeopathy, how would they go about practicing?
In the US, professional or lay homeopaths may be able to practice as a counselor, giving people advice about the best homeopathic remedies for a known condition, but this depends on the laws governing the practice of medicine, which vary by state.
Some practitioners in the US hold another medical degree that allows them to diagnose and prescribe such as: MD, DO, DC, ND, nurse-practitioner, physician's assistant and so on.
What is the status of licensure and certification?
Currently there are three states that license homeopaths who are also physicians: Arizona, Connecticut and Nevada.
California, Rhode Island, and Minnesota have new Health Freedom laws that allow unlicensed practitioners to practice homeopathy. The Health Freedom movement has also introduced similar bills in other states.
The organization that is creating and upholding standards for the practice of homeopathy in North America is the Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC). The CHC was formed to create one meaningful national standard for practitioners of classical homeopathy. The CHC works with existing homeopathic educational, training, and professional organizations to promote excellence in classical homeopathic practice.
What laws apply to the practice of Homeopathy?
The general answer is that homeopathy is not regulated in any state so anybody can use it in the legitimate course of their business. However (and there's always a catch), if by calling yourself a "homeopathic doctor" you imply that you are practicing medicine, you will be regulated by the laws governing the practice of medicine in that state. In all states, you cannot practice medicine without a license. You can "counsel" people on their health as long as you do not state or even imply that you can diagnose or treat illness.
What are the prerequisites for going to school?
Prerequisites vary by school. Some courses are structured only for medical practitioners. These professional seminars require students to already have a medical degree/license or to be enrolled in a recognized college. Other courses are open to any interested student and have no formal prerequisites.
What kind of tuition can I expect?
Tuition depends on the length of the program. Weekend or week-long seminars usually run between $200 and $1000. Longer programs can be as high as $7,500 per year.
Is financial aid available?
Some schools may grant a tuition discount or private aid for exceptional cases.
What organizations accredit homeopathy schools?
In the US, the Council on Homeopathic Education reviews educational programs. This organization is private non-profit group.
How long does it take to graduate?
Programs vary in length from two-day seminars to four-year courses.
How should I go about choosing a school for Homeopathy?
There are correspondence and required-attendance schools. Which school one selects depends on what style of learning works best for the student's learning needs and styles. It's best to carefully research the schools before making a decision.
Are there courses specifically designed for MDs?
There are homeopathy courses specifically geared to MDs or other practitioners with medical training. These courses spend less time on the basics of health care, unnecessary for MDs, and more time on specific applications of homeopathy.
You can find these schools in our list of homeopathy schools.
In the United States, the American Board of Homeotherapeutics certifies MDs or DOs who meet their educational standards and pass both oral and written exams. Successful candidates are awarded with the designation of diplomate in homeopathy (DHt). To find out more about courses geared towards doctors, you may want to contact them.
Where can I get training?
- California
Institute of Classical Homeopathy - San Francisco
- Canada - Ontario
- Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine - Toronto
- Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine - Toronto
- Colorado
- Homeopathy School of Colorado - Boulder
- Florida
- Everglades University - A campus in Sarasota
- Everglades University - Orlando (Branch Campus) - Altamonte Springs
- Everglades University - Boca Raton - Boca Raton
- Everglades University - Sarasota (Branch Campus) - Sarasota
- Massachusetts
- Teleosis School of Homeopathy - Cambridge
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