The Practitioner Training Programme
Honesty - Lunaria annua in Grá Nádúr
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to complete the course more quickly or to take longer?
The programme is designed to be completed in 3 years although some students choose to complete it in 2 years and others take 4 or more years. There is no extra cost to taking longer to complete it unless additional attendance at lectures or tutor support is required.
How many hours per week are needed for study?
Including attendance at clinics, Zoom tutorials and all other aspects of the studies expect to spend about 15-20 hours a week on the studies. If one chooses to compress the course into 2 years it is more like 25-30 hours per week.
Can clinic hours from modalities/therapies count towards clinic hours?
Clinic hours must be undertaken in a supervised herbal clinic since this is where a large amount of learning about formulating herbal prescriptions and offering other advice is garnered.
Is there a list of recommended student clinics?
Yes , students are supplied with a list of these and the supervisors are provided with the students emails to notify them of clinic dates
Do all clinic hours have to be in the PMS supervised clinics?
No, some clinic hours can also be completed with other herbalists once they are 5 years qualified with a recognised training. If wanting to complete some hours with other practitioners their details need to be run past the course co-ordinator.
Is the cost of the clinics included in the fees?
No, clinic fees are paid directly to the individual clinic supervisors which allows the student to select which clinics they wish to attend. These costs are listed as separate items on the school costs.
Is there a charge for the final assessments?
The final assessment and all other courses fees (with the exception of the supervised clinics) is included in the course fee. If a student fails the final examination they will be able to re-sit; however, the cost of re-examination is not included in the course fee.
Who are the course Lecturers?
The core team of lecturers are Nikki Darrell, Marie Reilly, Andrew Chevallier, Jane Wallwork, and Christine Herbert, with other lecturers offering teaching from time to time.
The college endeavours to provide an eclectic and broad view of the local tradition with some understanding of the energetic paradigms of TCM and Ayurvedic medicine systems.
The emphasis is on incorporating and reclaiming traditional approaches with an understanding of the value of clinical medicine and the ability to include research evidence. Science, intuition, tradition, food medicine and patient education are all incorporated into the practitioner paradigm.
The students are encouraged to grow and prepare their own medicines as well as taught about sourcing good quality medicines from ethical sources. They are encouraged to hone plant identification skills with regular plant identification walks in the gardens and have plenty of practical sessions on making medicines in the clinic.
What does the Assessment process consist of?
Assessment is by completion of:
15 case studies
10 written assignments on clinical medicine
10 written assignments on therapeutics
Completion of reflective journal
25 plant profiles building on the ones completed in the Apprenticeship
Nutrition assignments building on those completed in the Apprenticeship
A Research project
A Business plan
Continuous assessment of progress in consultations with student progress forms giving feedback from clinic supervisor
The final examination is held after the 5th year is completed and the portfolio of work has been presented.