Program Overview Program Mission and Values Program Learning Outcomes Application Requirements Admissions Standards Prematriculation Requirements Certificate Completion Requirements

Program Sequence Class and Clinical Schedule and Delivery Model Final/Comprehensive Examination Policy Clinical Clerkship Requirements Certification Examination Eligibility Curriculum

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Offered by: Ayurveda Medicine Department

Program Director: Anu Kizhakkeveettil, BAMS, MAOM, PhD

 

Program Overview

The Ayurveda Medicine Department offers the Ayurvedic Wellness Educator certificate, a 44-credit program consisting of a mix of lecture, lab, and clinical instruction, as well as online and on-campus instruction. Students may opt for one of two program schedules: 

• 3 Term Schedule (12 months): Students in the 3 term schedule are expected to enroll full time for three consecutive terms (15 weeks/term) including summer. 
• 6-Term Schedule (24 months): Students in the 6-term schedule are expected to enroll part time for six consecutive terms (15 weeks/term) including summer.

Classes are held weekday evenings and on weekends. Clinical Clerkship requires students to travel to the SCU campus and/or other approved clinical sites during the final term.

The Ayurvedic Wellness Educator program is intended for busy professionals who are interested in learning about and applying Ayurveda in their own lives, as well as with their family, community, and clients. In this process, a student will grow as a healer and empower others to lead healthier, happier lives. This program educates students to serve the community in the area of prevention and health promotion through Ayurvedic guidance on diet, lifestyle, basic rejuvenating herbs and spices, body work therapies, basic yoga, and meditation practices. The main focus of this program is to preserve the health of healthy individuals, prevention, and wellness care.

The Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Program is recognized by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) and has also been awarded Candidate for Accreditation status. The AAC is a programmatic accrediting agency for clinically focused Ayurvedic medical programs. AAC recognition status indicates that the program administers an approved course of study, thus ensuring well-trained professionals.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certification Exam and are eligible to continue their education in the Ayurvedic Practitioner Certificate (Level II) program.

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. 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 

(Updated 2/12/2024)

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, herbs, nutrition, therapies, and yoga required to promote health and prevent disease.
4. Professionalism and Communication: The graduate will exhibit professionalism and communicate with an awareness of ethical practice.

Application Requirements

Applicants for the Ayurvedic Wellness Certificate must submit the following documents to be considered for admission:

• Completed application.
• Proof of graduation: official high school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license, state ID, or permanent resident card showing student to be at least 18 years of age.

Admissions Standards

Applicants for the Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate generally must meet the following admissions standards. Exceptions are made on an individual basis.

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• 18 years of age prior to matriculation.
• Meet the Technical Standards (physical and technical requirements) to successfully complete the program, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Prematriculation Requirements

Upon acceptance, students must submit program-specific documentation through the University’s clinical documentation management system, EXXAT. Prematriculation requirements must be fulfilled no later than the end of the first term or the student’s account may be placed on a registration hold.

• Current and valid tuberculosis (TB) clearance completed by the end of the second term. Evidence of TB clearance must remain current.
• Lab Participation Agreement.

Certificate Completion Requirements

The Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate may be conferred upon those who have fulfilled the following requirements:

• Completed 44 credits within required categories of course work:
  • 8 credits in foundational health sciences
  • 32 credits in Ayurveda medicine health sciences
  • 4 credits in clinical clerkship
• Passed the required comprehensive examination.
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Met attendance requirements.
• Completed all certificate requirements within 4 years of matriculation.
• Submitted a Petition to Graduate.

Program Sequence

  

  

 

Class and Clinical Schedule and Delivery Model

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

• On-ground session Saturday and Sunday, twice per term from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm in all three terms.
• Online synchronous lectures once a week from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm in all three terms.
• Online synchronous lectures every Friday 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Term 1 and Term 2 only).
• Online synchronous lecture one weekend of the second and third month of each term.
• Weekly, on-ground, 4-hour rotations at the University Health Center, the University’s owned and operated clinic on campus, or other approved clinical site during AYWC52: Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II (Term 3) - or on other schedule for students who receive program approval to complete clinical hours in more condensed blocks of time.

 

Ayurvedic Wellness Educator courses are typically held at the following times, for students in the 6-term schedule:

• On-ground session Saturday and/or Sunday, twice per term.
• Online synchronous lectures on weekday evenings.
• Online synchronous lecture Saturday and/or Sunday of the second and third month of the term
• Weekly, on-ground, 4-hour rotations at the University Health Center, the University’s owned and operated clinic on campus, or other approved clinical site during AYWC52: Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II - or on other schedule for students who receive program approval to complete clinical hours in more condensed blocks of time.

All times Pacific.

Final/Comprehensive Examination Policy

Students who receive a failing grade in any course may be eligible to retake their final exam within seven days. Retake eligibility is at the discretion of the instructor and may require approval of the Program Director. A student may retake a final exam once.

 

Clinical Clerkship Requirements

Clinical Clerkship is designed for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary for professional practice. Clinical students participate in patient care and engage in other educational experiences under the supervision of an Ayurveda Practitioner. Students earn credit by completing 90 clinic hours, written and practical assignments, and clinical skills assessments through two clinical clerkship courses taken in sequence over two terms. Students complete the required clinic hours at the University Health Center, the University’s owned and operated clinic on campus and/or other approved clinical sites.

Course	Term in 3-term schedule	Term in 6-term schedule	Credit	Hours	Shift Locations
AYWC51Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship I	2	Varies	2	30 hours	Online Interactive sessions
AYWC52 Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II	3	Varies	2	60 hours	University Health Center, approved clinical sites

Note: The Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Program allows students to request to complete their clinical hours in condensed blocks of time rather than weekly 4-hour shifts. Interested students are required to request an alternative schedule by contacting the Clinical Education Director before the end of the 8^th week of term 2. Condensed hours must be completed by the 14th week of AYWC52 Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II.

 

Certification Examination Eligibility

Graduates successfully completing the Ayurvedic Wellness Educator (Level I) program are eligible to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certification Exam.

Curriculum

Courses identified as *IPE are either taken with students from other programs, cover topics relevant to integrative healthcare, or are clinical courses offered in integrative healthcare settings.