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Studies & Degrees in Homeopathic Medicine

Homeopathy, also called homeopathic medicine, is a system of treatment developed in Germany more than 200 years ago. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes its two founding ideas: "like cures like", the notion that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people, and the "law of minimum dose", the notion that a lower dose is more effective. Remedies are made from plants, minerals or animal products and are diluted, often to the point where no molecules of the original substance remain.

Anyone considering this subject should know where it stands scientifically before choosing a course. The NCCIH states that there is little evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific health condition. The National Health Service in England describes it as the use of very watered-down mixtures to try to treat symptoms, notes that complementary therapies are not tested in the same way as standard medicines, and does not include homeopathy among the complementary therapies it may offer. A homeopathy qualification is therefore not a medical degree, and it does not replace one.

What students learn

Courses cover the principles and philosophy of homeopathy, the remedies and how they are prepared, case-taking and follow-up, and supervised clinical practice. Longer programmes add general health sciences. The diploma of the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine (CCHM), for example, is described by the college as an intensive course in homeopathic medicine, medical sciences and holistic nutrition, with clinical training.

Qualifications and levels

Homeopathy is not organised like a standard university subject with bachelor's and master's degrees and a fixed number of credits. Training is mainly offered by private colleges as a diploma, and as postgraduate or continuing-education courses for people who already hold a health qualification.

  • Diploma programmes. CCHM teaches its Homeopathy and Health Sciences diploma live online, with classes on one or two weekends a month from September to June. The college says it can be finished in as little as two years and that its standard entry requirement is a minimum of two years of post-secondary education (or 60 credits).
  • Accreditation of courses. In North America, homeopathy programmes are assessed by ACHENA, which according to CCHM was founded in 1982 as an independent agency to assess homeopathic training in the United States and Canada. CCHM states that it has been accredited by ACHENA since 1999.
  • Short and online courses. Introductory courses and modules for pharmacists, nurses or doctors also exist. These do not give a right to practise on their own.

Because recognition differs so much between countries, ask every school in writing what recognition its qualification has, and from which body.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists two active schools for homeopathic medicine, one in Canada and one in Spain. CCHM, in Toronto, teaches in English and online to students in Canada and the United States. Instituto Forymat, in Zaragoza, is an online postgraduate institute that teaches in Spanish; its current catalogue is centred on pharmacy, phytotherapy and nutrition, so ask the institute whether a homeopathy course is running before you plan around it.

In Spain, homeopathic products are regulated as medicines by Royal Decree 1345/2007. It defines a homeopathic medicine as one obtained from homeopathic stocks and allows a simplified registration procedure for products without approved therapeutic indications. That regulation concerns the products, not the training of practitioners.

Careers and regulation

Whether a graduate may call themselves a homeopath depends on the country, state or province.

  • Ontario, Canada. The Homeopathy Act, 2007 defines the practice of homeopathy as the assessment of body system disorders and treatment using homeopathic techniques to promote, maintain or restore health. Only members of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario (CHO) may use the title "homeopath". CCHM states that its graduates are eligible for CHO registration.
  • United States. According to the NCCIH, laws vary from state to state. People licensed in medicine or another health profession can usually practise homeopathy legally, and Arizona, Connecticut and Nevada are the only states with homeopathic licensing boards for doctors. The NCCIH also notes that no homeopathic products are currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Most homeopaths work in private practice. No official employment statistics for the occupation are available from the sources consulted for this page.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeopathy work?

According to the NCCIH, there is little evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific health condition. It advises against using homeopathy to replace proven conventional care.

Is a homeopathy diploma a medical degree?

No. It is a separate qualification, usually awarded by a private college. Ask the school what recognition the diploma has in the country where you want to work.

How long does it take to train as a homeopath?

It depends on the school. CCHM says its diploma can be finished in as little as two years, and that students can extend the timeline.

Can I practise anywhere with a homeopathy qualification?

No. Rules differ by country and even by state or province. In Ontario the title "homeopath" is reserved for members of the provincial college, while in the United States the rules vary from state to state.