Offered by: College of Health Professions
Program Director: Anu Kizhakkeveettil, BAMS, MAOM, PhD
The Ayurveda Medicine Department offers the Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach certificate of completion, a 16-credit, 255-hour online interactive program consisting of a mix of lecture and lab instruction. Students who enroll full-time can complete the program in 2 consecutive terms (8 months). Classes are 100% online with synchronous sessions weekday evenings and some weekends.
The Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach program is for those seeking to experience self-transformation by expanding their understanding of healing and holistic medicine with Ayurveda’s time-tested preventive care practices such as diet and nutrition, yoga, and meditation.
The Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach program will equip learners with an understanding of fundamental Ayurvedic principles, lifestyle practices, and motivational interviewing and coaching skills to help inspire behavior change in the self and others.
This certificate program is 100% online and can be completed in as little as 2 terms (8 months). The curriculum includes Ayurvedic basic principles; preventive, lifestyle approaches for health promotion and wellness; and lifestyle coaching skills. This certificate of completion is not recognized by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission. However, consistent with transfer policy, graduates who wish to continue Ayurvedic education and training are eligible to transfer up to 14 credits from this Lifestyle Coach certificate program into SCU’s accredited Ayurvedic Wellness Educator (AYWE) program, which is the first to be accredited by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission in the United States.
This program is a fully online program. All courses are online; no in-person residency is required. See State Authorization information in the University Catalog.
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 competent and caring Ayurvedic professionals . 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
-
Foundational knowledge: The graduate will understand and develop the foundational principles of Ayurvedic medicine and biological science.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Professionalism and Communication: The graduate will exhibit professionalism and communicate with an awareness of ethical practice.
Applicants for the Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach Certificate program must submit the following documents to be considered for admission:
- Completed application.
- Valid driver’s license, state ID, or permanent resident card showing student to be at least 18 years of age.
- Proof of graduation from high school with an official high school diploma or equivalent.
Applicants for the Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach 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.
The Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach Certificate of Completion may be conferred upon those who have fulfilled the following requirements:
- Successfully completed and earned all of the required 16 program credits.
- Met attendance requirements.
- Completed all certificate requirements within 4 years of matriculation.
Students are assigned their schedule of courses each term. The Program Director’s office maintains sample schedules.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach online interactice class sessions are typically held at the following times, for students in the 2-term schedule (subject to change; students are responsible to attend class when scheduled):
- Online interactive (synchronous) class sessions take place on weekday evenings
- Online interactive (synchronous) class sessions are also held four weekends in Term 1 and two weekends in Term 2
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.
Graduates are not eligible to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certification Exam. However, program graduates who are interested in seeking this credential are eligible to transfer up to 14 credits from this certificate program - consistent with transfer policy - into SCU’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor program upon acceptance. Graduates of the Ayurvedic Health Counselor certificate program are eligible to sit for this exam. Please direct any questions to the Program Director.
Return to: