Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate (Level I)

Overview

Originating in India thousands of years ago, Ayurvedic Medicine (or Ayurveda) has garnered increased attention and popularity in Western countries as patients and healthcare providers embrace more holistic and integrative approaches to health and wellness. This ancient healing system is based on the principle that three fundamental energies (known as doshas) govern all biological and psychological functions in the human body and mind. Ayurvedic Wellness Educators are trained to identify imbalances in the doshas and to empower people to lead healthier, happier lives through diet, lifestyle, basic rejuvenating herbs and spices, body work therapies, basic yoga, and meditation practices.

SCU’s entry-level Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate program is both an educational journey and a personally transformative experience, designed for those who would like to learn how to apply Ayurveda in their own lives, and with their families, communities, and clients.

Program at a Glance

  • Entry-level program for those who are new to Ayurveda
  • 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
  • A combination of live online coursework, recorded lectures, and in-person classes
  • Introductory clinical experience through supervised clinical rotations at SCU Health Clinics
  • Curriculum that not only provides foundational knowledge of Ayurvedic approaches for health promotion and wellness but also of Western anatomy and physiology
  • Program recognized by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
  • Prepares graduates to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board’s Ayurveda Health Counselor Certification Exam
  • Fixed tuition guarantee, federal financial aid for those who qualify, and a range of institutional and program-specific scholarship opportunities

Upcoming Start Dates

  • Fall: September 2nd, 2025
  • Spring: January 5th, 2026
  • Summer: May 4th, 2026

What Sets Our Program Apart?

CURRICULUM THAT HONORS THE TRADITIONAL WHILE EMBRACING THE MODERN

At SCU, in addition to developing an understanding of wide-ranging Ayurvedic principles and practices, you’ll learn Western medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and more—equipping you with more tools to improve patient care and confidently navigate conventional healthcare environments.

FLEXIBLE FORMATS TO SUPPORT LIFE BALANCE

Ayurveda is all about balance—and we want that for our students. We have intentionally designed our program with both full-time and part-time options, online coursework, and in-person classes that take place on weekday evenings and weekends—to help you pursue your dream of becoming an Ayurvedic healer without sacrificing your other passions and commitments.

A CURRICULUM BASED ON RESPECTED AYURVEDIC ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

Our Ayurvedic Wellness Educator program is based on the guidelines of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission—ensuring you gain the broad foundational knowledge you need to help people lead healthier, happier, more satisfying lives. Our well-rounded curriculum will teach you basic principles of Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Ayurvedic history, Western anatomy, Western physiology, Ayurvedic preventive science, yoga, Ayurvedic nutrition, Ayurvedic pathology, Ayurvedic herbology and pharmaceutics/home remedies, Ayurvedic detoxification methods and bodywork, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, Practice Management and the basics of Ayurvedic healing.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

As an SCU Ayurvedic Wellness Educator student, you will have the opportunity to practice what you’re learning during clinical rotations at our own SCU Health Clinics that serve 40,000+ patients per year and are equipped with expansive herbal pharmacies and advanced diagnostic imaging technology. Working under the supervision of an experienced Ayurvedic Practitioner, you’ll treat patients in an integrative, whole health setting. Learn more on our Clinical Training page.

INTERNATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

We are proud to offer our Ayurvedic students life-changing opportunities to participate in (optional) trips to India to see and experience traditional healing practices firsthand, thanks to our affiliations with esteemed Indian organizations such as Amrita Center for Advanced Research in Ayurveda, Institute of Teaching in Ayurveda (ITRA), KLE Ayurveda, and AVP Research Foundation. Learn more about these impactful study abroad opportunities for Ayurveda students.

BROADER INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Most of today’s healthcare colleges offer an “interprofessional education” through which students learn with, from, and about other disciplines. But at SCU, our Interprofessional Education is broader and, frankly, we think that makes it better. Unlike other colleges, we teach you about both conventional and complementary disciplines—not just one or the other—because we believe in both and we teach both, all under one roof.

AN INTEGRATIVE, WHOLE HEALTH APPROACH

All too often, healthcare providers “stay in their lanes” rather than building comprehensive care plans that include other disciplines, professionals, and approaches. In addition, they look strictly at the physical body as opposed to all the factors that may be influencing a patient’s health and well-being—genetics, lifestyle, mental health, relationships, physical environments, community support, and beyond. But at SCU, no matter what program you are in, you’ll learn to blend the best of conventional and complementary approaches (integrative healthcare) and to treat the entire mind, body, and spirit (whole health)—for true lasting wellness.

Where Might the Program Take Me?

After completing the Wellness Educator program, you may work in a wide range of settings and capacities, as an independent contractor or part of a larger integrative healthcare organization. You’ll be prepared to:

  • Guide patients, family, friends, and others on daily and seasonal routines, diet, lifestyle, home remedies, yoga, and meditation for wellness care and health promotion
  • Perform Ayurveda wellness education sessions or one-on-on lifestyle consultations in integrative clinics, wellness centers, or private practice
  • Teach courses or host seminars on health promotion and wellness care
  • Leverage Ayurvedic education in your current profession as a licensed healthcare professional, alternative healer, yoga instructor, massage therapist, bodyworker, esthetician, etc.
  • And more

SCU Ayurveda Program Mission and Values

The Ayurveda Program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCUHS) 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