Core College
Foundations in Herbal Studies
Discover the principles and practice of natural healing and herbal medicine
Certificate in Herbal Studies
Course Delivery
Online with Site Based Clinical Training
Duration
1 Year
Start Date
February 2025
The Certificate can be completed within a year and provides a solid foundation for further studies in herbal medicine, nutrition, and iridology. It equips graduates with an understanding of the principles and practices of natural healing and vitalistic nutrition, enabling them to confidently use herbs for personal and family wellness.
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The Programme
The Diploma, being identical to the first year of the herbal medicine programme, can be completed in one academic year and equips the graduate to use herbs, nutrition and natural healing in a personal and family setting. It also includes an introduction to iridology.
The principles and practice of natural healing are explored, empowering students to be confident in supporting the body in its own efforts to heal, using foods and lifestyle adjustments.
Vitalist Nutrition is entirely plant-based nutrition, with a focus on living food, i.e., foods which are uncooked and eaten while they are as near to their wholesome state as possible. This kind of nutrition allows the body to detoxify food and chemical pollutants and to access a broad range of essential nutrients to support the body's efforts to heal itself.
Most participants in this course are mature individuals, often balancing full-time employment, family responsibilities, or both. Thent is delivered entirely through online learning to accommodate their needs, ensuring that all face-to-face sessions focus exclusively on clinical training.
This course forms the first year of the Herbal Medicine Practitioner Training Programme and awards its certificate upon successful completion.
Graduates who wish to further their studies can then apply to progress to a further year, which leads to the Vegan Nutrition and Iridology Diploma, a distinct qualification reflecting the specialised knowledge and skills acquired at that stage. On completion of this Diploma, progress to the final two years of the herbal medicine programme, which culminates in the award of the Herbal Medicine Licentiate.
Clinical Training
The college places great emphasis on clinical training, and herbal courses are essentially built around the apprenticeship model. Clinical training is currently provided by the college at its herbal clinic and gardens, college buildings housed in the former Presentation Convent in Castlecomer, as well as in Maynooth University Conference Centre.
Clinical training is by far the most important component of any professional training in medicine or natural healing. It allows the student to experience the reality of working in a clinic and dispensing herbal medicines.
Alongside clinical training at the college clinic in Castlecomer, students attend workshop-style clinical training at Maynooth University Conference Centre. These take place over two weekends each year.
Upon completion of the first year of the programme, students will be awarded a Certificate in Herbal Studies and, after a further year, the Vitalist Nutrition Diploma, allowing them to start practising as a Nutritionist and Iridologist. This means that they can also use the herbal knowledge they have gained to recommend herbal products available in health food stores to their patients, alongside specific dietary and lifestyle advice.
In order to be qualified to prepare and dispense herbal medicines and practise as a Master Herbalist, students must complete the full four-year programme.
Course Format
TThe Certificate in Herbal Studies is designed as a part-time course in terms of attendance but demands a level of study commitment equivalent to a full-time programme.
The academic content is delivered entirely online, making extensive use of digital resources, including podcasts, videos, and discussion forums. Each student is assigned a personal tutor who moderates group activities and online discussions while being readily available to address individual queries. This structure fosters a sense of connection to a wider academic community, enabling students to engage with peers regularly.
Thanks to the online format, in-person attendance is focused entirely on meeting the programme's requirement of 150 clinical training hours. These are held at the school's clinic and at the Maynooth University Conference Centre.
Students are expected to attend an average of twelve days during the academic year at the college clinic, in addition to two weekends at Maynooth University Conference and Accommodation Centre.
For overseas students travelling long distances, clinical training can be scheduled in two intensive blocks, conveniently aligned with the Maynooth University weekends.
Module Schedule
First Year
Qualification
On successful completion of the course and examination students will receive a Certificate in Herbal Studies from Core College. Please note that this programme is equivalent to the first year of the Herbal Medicine Practitioner Programme and students can apply to continue their studies to complete the herbal course in the following three two years if they so wish.
Application Procedure
To register for a place on the course, applicants should first arrange an interview with the Course Director. Places are allocated based on this interview/discussion, during which students can also have further questions answered.
To progress with this process, please complete the online application form below.
Fees
Study fees are €3,850 per year. This includes full clinical training each year. An optional payment plan is available on request.
Start Date
Courses start twice yearly. The next course commences in February 2025.
