Year Two: Continuing Practice & Integration

Are there prerequisites for the Clinical Practicum Apprenticeship?

The second-year program is designed for intermediate level herbal students who have either completed the Herbal Foundations Apprenticeship at Sky House or a comparable course elsewhere. To enroll in the second-year program, you should have a working knowledge of at least 25 plants, an understanding of key plant actions and organ affinities, a basic understanding of western plant energetics (hot/cold/damp/dry) and plant signatures, and/or a background study in human physiology.

What makes an apprenticeship different from other online programs?

The apprenticeship style of learning is immersive and offers direct access to teachers and clinicians who work in the field of herbal medicine. It’s a great approach for anyone who wants to build a strong knowledge base through hands-on learning. You’ll also learn the skills needed to confidently identify plants in the wild and make medicines for yourself, your family, and your friends starting right away. An apprenticeship is best suited for students who are self-motivated and enjoy reading, writing, reflecting, and can devote a few hours each week to plant studies. Our teachers are here to support and encourage your learning and will help you become a confident member of the herbal world.

I live near Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. Can I join in person?

Yes, we’d love to meet you! The apprenticeship offers optional in-person sessions for select classes. In-person classes include medicine making and clinical skills techniques and are offered approximately 10 times throughout the course. It is not necessary to attend these classes in-person, as in-person material is recorded and offered online as well.

I live in a different city, state, or country. Can I still join?

Of course! We welcome students from around the world. The entire apprenticeship is offered online using a live webinar platform called GoToMeeting. During class, you’ll log in to a virtual classroom to follow along with PowerPoint presentations and interact via video and chat. Studying online with a live teacher is very similar to a traditional classroom, with the ability to share documents, ideas, and ask questions in real-time.

What happens if I miss a session?

While we encourage you to join live as often as possible, we understand that life happens. If you miss a session, you can catch up on your own time. PowerPoint presentations, class materials, and recordings are uploaded to a shared folder on DropBox. Homework assignments and exams will also be uploaded here.

Is there anything extra I’ll need to buy for class? How much should I budget?

To get real hands-on experience with the plants, you’ll need to purchase herbs throughout the program. We’ll provide a list of reputable and high-quality sources during orientation. You’ll also need to purchase books for required reading assignments. The estimated total cost for herbs and books for the second year clinical course is $250 USD.

Do I receive a certification for completing the Clinical Practicum Apprenticeship?

Yes! Upon graduation from the apprenticeship, you’ll receive a certificate of completion from Sky House Herb School. This certificate acknowledges your completion of 120 hours of study in anatomy and physiology, materia medica, formulation, and clinical assessment skills. If you want to register with the American Herbalists Guild to become a professional Registered Herbalist RH (AHG), you’ll need to complete both the first and second-year apprenticeships, plus additional clinical hours. We highly recommend students review the admissions process with the American Herbalists Guild by emailing office@americanherbalistsguild.com and reviewing the application process for becoming a professional member.

What are the requirements to receive certification?

To receive your certification, you must complete two supervised initial consultations and one follow-up during regularly scheduled classes, plus two case study reports that include the clinical intake form, intake notes and assessment, herbal formulation and dose, and assessment of the results during the follow-up. Viable case studies will have a minimum of one follow-up appointment.

Will this program equip me with the skills to become a licensed herbalist?

Currently, there’s no licensing in the United States but you can use the hours from this program to apply for registration with the American Herbalists Guild (AHG). You can register with the AHG upon completing their required clinical hours. Upon completion of the Clinical Practicum Apprenticeship, you’ll earn 100 clinical hours and gain a clear understanding of what it takes to become a Registered Herbalist with the AHG.

I can’t afford the tuition right now but want to participate. Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?

We offer one full scholarship (applications are due two months before your session starts) and several need-based scholarships on a case-by-case basis. Scholarships are for those who are currently out of work, in school full-time, on disability, under the age of 18, or have other financial hardships that prevent them from making the minimum monthly payments. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship or need-based tuition, please include a description of your financial situation with your application. We ask that all interested students look at their monthly budgets in advance to assess what they can afford. The sustainability of our programs and the ability to offer need-based support is dependent on the majority of students enrolling at the regular tuition rate.