What Can I Do With A Homeopathy Certificate?
"I am super interested in homeopathic medicine. It really fascinates me what can happen with just a little of the right substance administered in the right way. But I don't know if I want to go to medical school. And hospitals kinda freak me out, I'm not sure I want to spend my whole life in one. If I go to school to be a homeopath, will I be stuck in hospitals? And is a certificate enough or would I have to go to med school?"
asked by Byron from Asheville, NC
It is great that you are interested in homeopathy. It is an amazing field, with many success stories. It can become a fulfilling career, filled with the satisfaction of helping people live healthier and happier lives. Alternative medicine is one of the fastest growing fields, with more and more people each year taking natural remedies and pursuing complementary therapies. There a few different ways to practice homeopathy, and not all of them are in a hospital.
It is important to know that a certificate is not a license. Schools issue certificates based on their own individual criteria, which may or may not mean anything outside of that school.
Each state has its own requirements for practicing homeopathy. Some states do not recognize homeopathy as a medical field at all. Some states have a governing body that regulates all homeopathic practitioners and has rigorous training and licensing protocols. Research your area, or the area you plan to set up practice, to discover what the requirements are.
It is possible to become licensed as a homeopath without attending medical school. A formal training program, however, is usually required. Be sure that the school you attend is accredited by the local governing body, and that you will receive sufficient training to pass the licensing exam. You also want to check that you will receive enough hands-on experience to feel competent and comfortable working with patients, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing remedies and treatment protocols. Some homeopathy programs accept anyone with a high school diploma, while others require that you have a bachelor’s degree in pre-med, science, or biology.
It is also possible to undergo training similar to what you would experience in medical school and earn a doctoral degree. Then you could become a doctor of homeopathic medicine or a naturopath. While not required to practice homeopathy in most states, this level of credentials would allow you the greatest possibility of professional advancement and the highest earning potential.
Once you have completed whichever program you choose and received the certificate, your future would be up to you. Depending on the state, you could open a private practice and begin seeking patients and building a reputation. You could intern or apprentice with a more experienced homeopath to deepen your understanding of the craft.
You could continue your schooling to earn advanced certifications. You would not be required to work in a hospital to be a homeopath; most homeopathic practitioners work in private or small group offices where they see patients one-on-one. As with many careers, your work environment will be based on your choices and preferences, and the amount of effort you are willing to put into training for and building your career.
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