DRAFT
Our Professional Program
ArborVitae offers a three year program of study for those interested in gaining and applying professional and clinical skills in traditional herbal medicine. The program starts with the foundational year described below. Students who have studied in other programs may apply to place out of the first or second year. The Second and Third year clinical programs also run from September to May, and each year offers an additional 343 hours of instruction.
Professional Program
The ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism incorporates a number of traditional energetic approaches, including Traditional Western Herbalism, Vitalism, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Expert instructors come with a well-developed philosophy and practice, offering a range of perspectives that contribute to a diverse and exceptional herbal education.
Our classes are a hybrid of in-person and live online instruction with a minimum of half the classes being held in-person, primarily at our New Paltz, NY location. Some days will be spent outdoors, either within the Hudson Valley area or within NYC. The school year will culminate in a weekend overnight gathering.
Students who successfully complete coursework, attend and participate in classes will be granted a course certificate at the end of each school year. ArborVitae students will receive a student ID card that can be used for discounts at local herb stores and many other herb venues as well as offering basic student discounts generally available. Discounts will also be offered for ArborVitae community classes.
Length: 3 years
School Year: September-May
Instruction: Blended; live online & in-person
Total Classroom Hours: 394 + 379 + hours
Total Clinical Hours: X hours
Class Commitment:
1 Weekend per month; Fri, Sat, Sun
2-3 Weekdays per month;
Year 1 on Wednesdays
Year 2 & Year 3 on Tuesdays
Herbalist Career Paths
Becoming A Registered Herbalist
With American Herbalists Guild
ArborVitae's curriculum is designed to align with AHG's Guidelines to apply for a membership as an AHG Registered Herbalist.
After successfully completing your 3 year program you will be ready to apply with the following additional requirements:
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Independent Clinical Practice (300 hours)
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2 Letters of Recommendation
Students who complete the first year of study at ArborVitae can expect to gain an essential understanding of herbal medicine, with application for friends and family. The second and third year curricula delves more specifically into clinical herbalism and further specializations in herbal practices. The three years are designed to be comprehensive.
A student with qualifying experience and/or education may begin at the second year. Those interested should email admin@arborvitaeny.com detailing experience and previous studies.
Our Instructors
Student Testimonials
What stands out to me most about the school is the diversity in teaching staff; our classes are taught by herbalists from around the country and the world, which affords us students a variety in class subjects.
Celestine Kibe
Student Benefits
Discounts to a number of Herbal Retailers
MEMBERSHIPS
Membership to United Plant Savers which include their quarterly journal, endangered plant giveaway, even more discounts to Herbal Retailers and conferences, and much more that can be found on their website.
Discounted price on an American Herbalists Guild membership which gives you access to AHG webinars, discounts to more Herbal Retailers & the AHG Symposium, JAHG digital archives, and more.
Discounted price on an Herbalists Without Borders membership which gives you access to HWB webinars, Herbal Retailer discounts, networking, and tons of great resources on their Member Portal.
2023-2024
(dates & times subject to change)
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Sept 8-10
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Oct 20-22
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Nov 10-12
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Dec 1-3
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Jan 19-21
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Feb 9-11
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Mar 15-17
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Apr - TBD
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May - TBD
1 Weekend per month
Held In-Person
Fridays 10:30a-6:30p
Saturdays 9a-5p
Sundays 9a–5p