Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certificate (Level I)

Program Details

Our understanding and respect for Ayurvedic medicine’s cultural and philosophical roots form the foundation of our program. As the only program in the West affiliated with a university, SCU students enjoy the advantages of highly degreed and experienced faculty combined with the latest classroom, online learning, and lab technologies. SCU’s Ayurveda program is based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization Benchmarks for training in traditional/complementary and alternative medicine: benchmarks for training in Ayurveda. During this one-year program, students will learn basic principles of Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Ayurvedic history, Anatomy, Physiology, Ayurvedic preventive science, yoga, Ayurvedic nutrition, Ayurvedic pathology, Ayurvedic herbology and pharmaceutics/home remedies, Ayurvedic detoxification methods and bodywork, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, and an introduction to Ayurvedic healing. Students will also receive supervised clerkship at the SCU University Health Center.

During the Ayurvedic Health Counselor program, students will learn about how to structure the diet based on Ayurvedic principles, qualities, and actions of various grains, legumes, spices, vegetables, and greens and also will learn various meal preparations for health promotion and wellness care. Students also will get a deeper understanding of Ayurvedic preventive medicine and lifestyle practices such as daily routine, and a seasonal routine that emphasizes health promotion.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Foundational Knowledge: The graduate will understand and develop the foundational principles of Ayurvedic medicine and biological science.
2. Assessment of Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni: The graduate will determine body and mind constitution and assess the imbalances in DOSHAS, DHATUS, MALAS and AGNI based on Ayurvedic principles
3. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: The graduate will apply Ayurvedic principles to recommend the Ayurvedic lifestyle, nutrition, and yoga required to promote health and prevent disease.
4. Ayurvedic Therapies and Herbs: The graduate will apply Ayurvedic principles to recommend the Ayurvedic therapies, and herbs required to promote health and prevent disease.
5. Professionalism and Communication: The graduate will exhibit professionalism and communicate with an awareness of ethical practice.
6. Interprofessional Collaboration: Effectively collaborate with health-care professionals to design, coordinate, and deliver patient-centered care, ensuring a holistic and integrative approach.

Program At-A-Glance

Students Choose One of Two Program Schedules

Full-time schedule (3 Terms | 12 months): Students in the full-time program are expected to enroll full-time for three consecutive terms including the summer. Courses are offered on-ground, blended, and in an online format.

Part-time schedule (6 Terms | 24 months): Students in the part-time program are expected to enroll part-time for six consecutive terms including the summer. Courses are offered on-ground, blended, and in an online format.

Ayurvedic Therapies

SCU’s Ayurveda Certificate Programs include coursework in many Ayurvedic therapies. Each therapy has unique benefits that will restore balance to the body and mind in future patients. Therapies include Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Shiroabhyanga, Greeva Basti, Kati Basti, and Janu Basti.

Yoga and Meditation

During the first year of education, students will have an understanding of yoga philosophies that influence Ayurveda in health promotion. Students will also learn various yoga practices such as Asanas, meditation, and various breathing techniques.

Ayurveda Rejuvenation

This program educates students about the unique health promotion and rejuvenation concepts of Ayurveda. Students will gain knowledge about the methods that support healthy aging and staying fit at any age, as well as methods described for enhancing the body’s resistance to disease-causing factors and preventing the advancement of chronic diseases. Herbs and dietetic substances that enhance memory, eyesight, energy, and complexion will be highlighted.

Introduction to Ayurvedic Healing

This program introduces the student to the concepts and principles of Ayurvedic Herbology and pharmacology. The course will impart knowledge about how to prepare, and use common Ayurvedic herbs along with basic pharmaceuticals for health promotion and wellness care and will also provide instruction on diet, yoga, lifestyle recommendations, therapies, herbs, and spices for health promotion and wellness care.

Anatomy and Physiology

This program also includes 120 hrs of Western Anatomy and Physiology courses where students will understand and develop the foundational principles of biological science.

Class Schedule (Full-Time)

Ayurvedic Health Counselor courses are typically held at the following times, for students in the 3-term schedule:

• On-Ground Sessions: Held on one Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, either in Term 2 or Term 3.
• Online Synchronous Weekend Classes: Weekends during Week 1 or 2, and Week 13 or 14 of each term.
• Online Synchronous Weekday Classes: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening in Term 1 and Term 2. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening in Term 3.
• Asynchronous Weekly Lecture: Pre-recorded lectures available each week.
• On-Ground Clinical Rotations (AYWC52: Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II): 4-hour rotations at the University Health Center – the University’s on-campus clinic – or another approved clinical site. Rotations are held during Term 3 for 15 weeks, or on an alternate schedule for students who receive program approval to complete clinical hours in more condensed blocks of time.

Note: times are Pacific Time (PT), a “term” is 15 weeks, and the schedule is subject to change.

Class Schedule (Part-Time)

Courses are typically held on the following days, for students in the 6-term schedule.

• One on ground session held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the program
• Online synchronous lectures on weekday evenings and weekends
• Asynchronous weekly lecture
• On-Ground Clinical Rotations (AYWC52: Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II): 4-hour rotations at the University Health Center, the University’s clinic, or another approved clinical site. Rotations are held during last term for 15 weeks, or on an alternate schedule for students who receive program approval to complete clinical hours in more condensed blocks of time.

Courses Covered in Ayurvedic Health Counselor Program

Ayurveda Program Mission and Values

The Ayurveda Program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) prepares students to become empathetic, competent Ayurvedic professionals who improve lives through a person-centered, outcome-focused, whole-health approach to health and healing.

The Ayurveda program’s mission aligns with SCU’s mission by preparing professional, competent and caring Ayurvedic Wellness Educators and Practitioners. Through skill mastery and a strong evidence-based curriculum, graduates have the tools to be successful as independent Ayurveda professionals or collaborative members of an integrative healthcare team.

SCU’s Ayurveda program Values are:  

• Patient-centered care
• Individualized care
• Evidence-based teaching
• Clinical learning framework
• Healthy lifestyle
• Holistic approach
• Health promotion & wellness care