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

Class and Clinical Schedule and Delivery Models Final/Comprehensive Examination Policy Clinical Clerkship Requirements Certification Exam Eligibility Curriculum

---

Offered by: Ayurveda Medicine Department

Program Director: Anu Kizhakkeveettil, BAMS, MAOM, PhD

 

Program Overview

The Ayurveda Medicine Department offers the Ayurvedic Practitioner Certificate, a 51-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 the 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.
• 7-Term Schedule (28 months):  Students in the 7-term schedule are expected to enroll part time for six consecutive terms (15 weeks/term) including summer.

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

The Ayurvedic Practitioner program is intended for Ayurvedic Wellness Educators who are interested in deepening their competencies in Ayurveda clinical assessments and treatments. This program includes a strong emphasis on clinical practice and the understanding of Ayurvedic pathology, diagnosis, and herbal medicine. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to determine the vikriti (imbalances) of an individual’s body and mind; and will be able to design a comprehensive treatment plan for clients to realign imbalanced states of the doshas (natural energy), agni (digestive fire), dhatus (tissues), and malas (waste products), using herbs, diet, lifestyle, yoga, and body therapies.

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 Ayurveda Practitioner Certification Exam. 

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 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 

(Updated 2/12/2024)

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Ayurvedic Assessment and Diagnosis: The graduate will apply Ayurvedic principles to accurately assess and diagnose patient conditions.
2. Ayurvedic Management Plan: The graduate will apply Ayurvedic principles to create a management plan including lifestyle, herbs, nutrition, therapies, and yoga required to promote health and manage disease.
3. Evidence-informed Practice: The graduate will apply and appraise historical and scientific evidence into clinical practice.
4. Professionalism and Communication: The graduate will exhibit professionalism and communicate with an awareness of ethical practice.

Application Requirements

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

• Official transcript and/or certificate demonstrating completion of a qualified Ayurvedic Wellness Educator or equivalent program.
• 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 Practitioner Certificate generally must meet the following admissions standards. Exceptions are made on an individual basis.

• High school graduate or high school equivalent.
• Successfully completed a qualified Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate program.
• 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 before starting the program. Evidence of current TB clearance must remain current with the program through graduation.
• Lab Participation Agreement.

Certificate Completion Requirements

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

• Completed 51 credits within required categories of coursework:
  • 3 credits in interprofessional education
  • 39 credits in Ayurveda medicine health sciences
  • 9 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 Models

Ayurvedic Practitioner courses are typically held at the following times, for students in the 3-term schedules:

• On-campus lecture Friday, 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 one weekend of the second and third month of all three terms.
• Weekly 4-hour rotations in the University Health Center System or other approved clinical site during Clinical Clerkship in all of the AYPC courses (AYPC51, AYPC52, AYPC53) - or on other schedule for students who receive program approval to complete clinical hours in more condensed blocks of time.

Ayurvedic Practitioner courses are typically held at the following times, for students in the 7-term schedule:

• On-ground session Friday, 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 all of the AYPC courses (AYPC51, AYPC52, AYPC53) - 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 240 clinic hours, written and practical assignments, and clinical skills assessments through three clinical clerkship courses taken in sequence over three 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 7-term schedule	Credit	Hours	Shift Locations
AYPC51: Ayurvedic Practitioner Clerkship I	1	Varies	3	80 hours	University Health Center, other approved clinical sites
AYPC52: Ayurvedic Practitioner Clerkship II	2	Varies	3	80 hours	University Health Center, other approved clinical sites
AYPC53: Ayurvedic Practitioner Clerkship III	3	Varies	3	80 hours	University Health Center, other approved clinical sites

 

Note: The Ayurvedic Practitioner 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 by the end of the 8^th week of the term preceding the course for which the student is requesting an alternative schedule. First-term students must request an alternative schedule upon acceptance. Condensed hours must be completed by the 14^th week of the term when enrolled in AYPC courses (AYPC51, AYPC52, AYPC53).

Certification Exam Eligibility

Graduates successfully completing the Ayurvedic Practitioner (Level II) program are eligible to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board’s Ayurvedic Practitioner 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.