The Science & Art of Herbalism

The combo course combines the best of both worlds: it offers all the benefits of the online course with the benefit of having a print binder for lifelong reference.

The online course includes interactive student forums, Rosemary’s personal plant notes, mini courses from guest herbalists, Rosemary's Remedies and Foundations of Herbalism video series, and other supplemental materials. This is a perfect option for those who enjoy connecting with an online community.

The print course version does not offer online access but has the wonderful benefit of offering the beautiful 3 ring binder that provides lifelong access to the course content. The print version is an excellent option for students who prefer to unplug and step away from their computers.

Access to the student forum and all of our videos is only available to our online or combo print + online students. We are happy, however, to offer the Foundations of Herbalism video series for individual purchase here.

The length of time it takes to complete the course varies from student to student. It usually takes students between 5 and 15 hours per lesson (a total of 100-150 hours of coursework). Because the course is self-paced it is really up to you how much time you give to each lesson. The time it takes to complete will be determined by where you are in your herbal education and the time you invest in each lesson.

However, we know that it is common for life events to arise, and it is easy to get a little sidetracked, so Rosemary offers a three-year timeframe to complete the course. At the end of the three-year membership, there is a small fee to extend the course and renew access to the online materials, homework review, and course support should you need additional time.

Students who select the print-only or combo course options receive a beautiful course binder with print lesson booklets that they can treasure forever and use as a lifelong reference.

Students who select the online-only or combo memberships have three years of online access to the core course content and supplemental material; after three years, online access expires but can be renewed by purchasing a one year extension.

This is a 'hands-on' course and is filled with projects and activities that require making salves, tinctures, and other recipes. None of the herbs or materials needed to make these products are included in the course.

We do supply students with a list of sources where you can purchase the herbs and ingredients needed. We give suggestions for supplemental reference books that our students should consider purchasing, however, so long as they are good herbals, you can use books that you already have.

How much will it cost to purchase the herbs, ingredients and reference books needed to complete the course?

Well, it truly depends on how much of each item you purchase, how many herb books you decide to buy, etc. The minimal amount for the 10 lessons would be around $100 extra for the necessary herbs and materials to complete the projects in each lesson (making tinctures, salves, creams, oils, syrups). If someone is thrifty and knows how to save, and/or grows their own herbs, uses recycled containers, etc., the cost could be less. But if someone was extravagant, the price would be much higher!

"We have a number of people who ask us if it's possible to get a job as an herbalist after they finish my home study course. Well, there are so many levels of answers to that question…

First and foremost, this course is designed for beginner/intermediate students and for people interested in using herbs for personal health care for their families and friends. If you are planning to become an herbalist and an herbal practitioner, this course provides the foundation and the basic knowledge needed, but it won’t prepare you to go into professional herbal practice.

However, many of our students apply themselves fully to their studies, do exceptional work, and bring a deep and abiding love of plants to their studies.  These students often create or find jobs working with plants in a number of capacities; working as adjunct counselors, working in herb shops, making products, farming with medicinal plants, and even going into practice if they’ve had previous experience.  Also, many of our students have studied herbalism previously and after they graduate from this course, they go on to study further if they wish to become professional herbalists.  These students have great likelihood of finding jobs because of their previous in-depth knowledge and experience.

So, yes, there are jobs and opportunities out their for herbalists, many of them self created.  But no one course, especially a home study course, will prepare you for professional practice. As in any other profession, especially those involving health care, it requires years of study and a heartful life long dedication. With herbalism as with many other health care professionals, an apprenticeship is helpful and/or the opportunity to work in an herbal health clinic under guidance to gain experience.

I hope this is helpful, I realize it’s a simple question; will I be prepared to work as an herbalist? But the answer is not so simple. As a reminder, even students who study and graduate from four-year universities are often not prepared for ‘professional practice’, nor are they guaranteed jobs. It’s a matter of how they apply themselves, the type of work they wish to go into, etc. With herbalism, there are so many different ways we can ‘practice’ our healing art: as gardeners, growers, herbal product makers, home health care (taking care of our personal needs and those of family and friends), cosmetics, plant spirit practitioners, adjunct practitioners, herbal educators, etc. etc.  Some of these fields require more skills and experience than others do.

Wishing you all the very best as you pursue your love of plants and your quest for knowledge.

Green Blessings,
Rosemary Gladstar"

The Science and Art of Herbalism is a wonderful and well-respected course. Students who satisfactorily complete all ten homework assignments receive a lovely certificate for completing the coursework.  However, there is no way that a home study course, no matter how well written, could possibly provide the years of hands-on experience and study required to achieve the title of Master Herbalist. The Science & Art of Herbalism course will provide a very strong foundation on the road to herbal knowledge, but only you will know when you are ready to start working with patients outside of yourself and family.

To get the kind of hands-on practice one needs to open a practice, you really should attend an onsite school, learning directly from teachers and getting clinical practice by working one on one with others in a supervised way. At least, that's what Rosemary suggests. There are schools that do this, some that offer full time programs and others that offer shorter programs for those, like yourself, that already have some training.

You might just wish to take a short-term program that augments what you already know and gives you that invaluable one on one hands on clinical practice.  Schools and programs that you might wish to look into include:  David Winston's Clinical Training program (this course can be taken long distance, but David is actually teaching it in a classroom with students and some long distance learning students are included- although this is the last year he will be the main teacher), Maryland University of Integrative Health (offers full time accredited herbal training programs), The Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, The California School of Herbal Studies, and there are other programs as well.

For more information on becoming a registered herbalist, and other school listings, you may want to look around the American Herbalist Guild or the New England Herbal Association website.