Ayurvedic Health Counselor
Certificate
Start date: Jan 5th, 2026
3-6 Terms (1-2 years)
ONLINE/IN-PERSON
Ayurvedic health counselor
Transform Your Foundation into Wellness Care
upcoming start dates:
upcoming start dates:Jan 5th, 2026
May 4th, 2026
3-6 Terms (1-2 years)
ONLINE/IN-PERSON
Build upon your knowledge of Ayurveda and gain the skills to guide others through health promotion and wellness care. SCU’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certificate prepares you to provide personalized wellness plans, and guide people toward meaningful, lasting change.
program at a Glance
Step Into the Role of a Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor
SCU’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certificate is both an educational journey and a personally transformative experience, designed for those who would like to learn how to apply Ayurveda in their own lives, and with their families, communities, and clients.
who is it for?
Designed to Fit Your Life
A Whole-Person Approach to Learning
Program at a Glance
Foundational Principles for wellness care
Balance, Nourishment, Optimal Digestion and Metabolism, and Mind–Body Integration
Assessment Skills
Pulse, tongue, and intake methods for wellness evaluation
Herbs, Lifestyle & Nutritional Support
Herbs, lifestyle practices and food-as-medicine for wellness planning
Mind-Body Practices
Meditation, yoga principles, and stress-reduction techniques
Body Therapies
Ayurvedic therapies for restoring harmony and wellbeing
Professional Practice & Ethics
Client communication, documentation, and scope of practice
knowledge & skills
From Lifestyle Coach to Ayurvedic Health Counselor
The Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certificate is designed for those called to guide others on their healing journeys. This program offers a clinically focused, mentor-guided experience that prepares you to become a trusted wellness advisor, combining Ayurvedic expertise with practical tools to support real-life transformation.
Conduct Ayurvedic Health Assessments
Learn to identify a client’s constitution and imbalances using traditional methods such as observation, pulse and tongue assessment, and meaningful interactions for wellness care.
Create Personalized Wellness Plans
Develop tailored Ayurvedic wellness recommendations using Ayurvedic nutrition, herbal support, and daily routines, seasonal routine, yoga practices and various body therapies to support digestion, immunity, mental well-being, and overall balance.
Traditional & Modern Foundations
Gain in-depth understanding of classic Ayurvedic principles — doshas, dhatus, malas, agni — along with relevant western anatomy, physiology, and modern wellness frameworks.
Pursue Professional Recognition
Graduates meet the competencies required by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) to sit for the Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certification Board Exam.
Flexible program
Program Schedule
Full-time schedule (3 Terms | 12 months): Students in the full-time program are expected to enroll full-time for three consecutive terms including the summer. Courses are offered on-ground, blended, and in an online format.
Part-time schedule (6 Terms | 24 months): Students in the part-time program are expected to enroll part-time for six consecutive terms including the summer. Courses are offered on-ground, blended, and in an online format.
Full-Time Schedule
Ayurvedic Health Counselor courses are typically held at the following times, for students in the 3-term schedule:
- On-Ground Sessions: Held on one Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, either in Term 2 or Term 3.
- Online Synchronous Weekend Classes: Weekends during Week 1 or 2, and Week 13 or 14 of each term.
- Online Synchronous Weekday Classes: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening in Term 1 and Term 2. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening in Term 3.
- Asynchronous Weekly Lecture: Pre-recorded lectures available each week.
- On-Ground Clinical Rotations (AYWC52: Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II): 4-hour rotations at the University Health Center – the University’s on-campus clinic – or another approved clinical site. Rotations are held during Term 3 for 15 weeks, or on an alternate schedule for students who receive program approval to complete clinical hours in more condensed blocks of time.
Note: times are Pacific Time (PT), a “term” is 15 weeks, and the schedule is subject to change.
Part-Time Schedule
Courses are typically held on the following days, for students in the 6-term schedule.
- On-Ground Sessions: held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the program
- Online Synchronous lectures on weekday evenings and weekends
- Asynchronous weekly lectures: Pre-recorded lectures available each week.
- On-Ground Clinical Rotations (AYWC52: Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II): 4-hour rotations at the University Health Center, the University’s clinic, or another approved clinical site. Rotations are held during last term for 15 weeks, or on an alternate schedule for students who receive program approval to complete clinical hours in more condensed blocks of time.
Note: times are Pacific Time (PT), a “term” is 15 weeks, and the schedule is subject to change.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
Students who complete the program will receive a graduate certificate, signifying their status as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC).
Completed in 12 or 24 months
Completed the program in 3-6 terms over 12 – 24 months.
Leads to Advanced Ayurvedic Training
Your credits can be applied toward SCU’s Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) program.
opportunities
Where Might this Program Take Me?
With this certification, you’ll be equipped to work in wellness centers, integrative clinics, private practice, or alongside other licensed professionals. You can also build your own Ayurvedic health counseling business.
After completing the Ayurvedic Health Counselor program, you’ll be prepared to:
Conduct Client Consultations
Work one-on-one with individuals to assess imbalances, provide guidance, and track wellness progress using Ayurvedic principles.
Support Preventive & Complementary Care
Collaborate with healthcare teams or offer supportive guidance focused on wellness promotion and improving overall quality of life.
Lead Group Education & Wellness Programs
Offer group sessions focused on Ayurvedic nutrition, lifestyle habits, seasonal wellness, and tools for reducing stress.
Advance Your Ayurvedic Medical Education
Continue into the Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) program to deepen your clinical training and build skills in Ayurvedic assessment, diagnosis, and disease-management planning.
your path starts here:
Tuition, Aid & How to Apply
Getting started is simple:
- $11,099 Total Tuition + Fees
- No tuition due upfront
- Pay-as-you-go with flexible term payments
- Most students qualify for federal aid, and many even receive refunds to help with living expenses*
- Scholarships are available for eligible students
Have questions about financial aid or scholarships?
Reach out anytime: FinancialAid@scuhs.edu
*Example shown for illustrative purposes. Not all students will qualify for aid that results in a refund or covers living expenses. Eligibility varies based on individual FAFSA results and enrollment status.
Program Accreditation & Certification
ACCREDITATION:
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Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
The Ayurvedic Health Counselor program is accredited by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) and is the first Ayurvedic program in the U.S. to receive AAC accreditation. The AAC is a recognized accrediting agency for clinically focused Ayurvedic medical programs. AAC accreditation signifies that the program meets rigorous standards and provides a comprehensive course of study, ensuring that graduates are highly trained professionals. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the NAMACB Certification Exams.
For information, contact: AAC, 351 Pleasant Street, #450, Northampton, MA 01060, info@ayurvedicaccreditation.org. For more information on AAC program recognition, please visit AAC Recognized Programs.
The California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM)
The SCU Ayurvedic program is recognized by the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM). The CAAM is dedicated to promoting the integration and advancement of Ayurvedic medicine in California. SCU’s faculty leadership are actively working with CAAM to create a standard of practice and education, ethical values to safeguard the community at large and lend credibility to the viability and growth of the Ayurvedic Profession in California.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:
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National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certificate Board (NAMACB)
After completion of the Ayurvedic Health Counselor Program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board’s (NAMACB ) Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certification Board exam.
Upon completion of the Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Practitioner programs, SCU students qualify for NAMACB certification meaning the candidate has demonstrated the entry-level competencies for his/her category of practice by completing a NAMACB-approved course of study and passing a rigorous certification exam and is engaged in ongoing training as a professional through continuing education and other activities.
Course Curriculum*
COURSE NAME
HOURS
CREDITS
Anatomy & Physiology I
60
4
Anatomy & Physiology II
60
4
Ayurvedic Basic Principles I
45
3
Sanskrit
30
2
Ayurveda History
30
2
Ayurvedic Preventive Science
45
3
Ayurvedic Nutrition
60
4
Ayurvedic Pathology
45
3
Ayurvedic Herbology & Pharmaceutics I
45
3
Ayurvedic Rejuvenation I
30
2
Ayurvedic Detoxification Methods/Body Work I (includes lab)
60
3
Yoga I (includes lab)
45
2
Practice Management
30
2
Introduction to Ayurvedic Healing
45
3
Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship I
30
2
Ayurvedic Wellness Clerkship II
60
2
Total
720
44
*Curriculum subject to change depending on the cohort/semester.
For full program information, view the catalog
“The faculty at SCU embody deep Ayurvedic wisdom and truly live what they teach, which made understanding the material much easier. On top of that, the strong camaraderie within my cohort gave me the confidence I needed to start my own practice. The combination of training, support, and community is what makes this program shine.”
Portia Harris
Student, Ayurveda Health Counselor and Practitioner
“I picked SCU because I value integrative health and the idea of bringing traditional medicine into the modern world. One of the most remarkable things about the program is how the teachers honor classical Ayurvedic tradition while showing how to apply it with other health practitioners today.”
Autumn Rae Sellmann
Student, Ayurveda Health Counselor and Practitioner
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Learning Ayurveda isn’t just about healing yourself—it’s about understanding yourself. When you take a course, you gain lifelong tools to support your energy, digestion, immunity, and emotional balance.