Directory of Schools for Alternative and Complementary Medicine [Paperback]

Karen Rappaport (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998 | ISBN-10: 157356110X | ISBN-13: 978-1573561105

Alternative medicine is experiencing a dramatic rise in popularity, both from those who seek to be healed by it and those who wish to practice it. Information on alternative treatments and advice is abundant; however, information for those seeking education, training, and accreditation in this area has previously been scarce. The Directory of Schools for Alternative and Complementary Medicine is the first book of its kind to provide a comprehensive listing of nearly 700 schools in the U.S. and Canada that offer certification and degrees in alternative medicine. Additionally, nine essays by authorities and visionaries in the field provide unique insight and practical guidance to anyone interested in pursuing these increasingly popular professions.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Responding to a growing interest in alternative and complementary healthcare education, this directory for prospective students provides information gathered from responses to questionnaires on 675 schools in the United States and Canada. Programs offered in medical schools and those in the expressive arts, transpersonal psychology, and psychospiritual fields are excluded. Following a listing of abbreviations and a glossary of terms, the book is divided in two sections. The first, a collection of essays on modalities from acupuncture and oriental medicine to chiropractic and midwifery, touches on costs, training, education, certification, and practice outlook. In the second part, alphabetically arranged by state and then locality with schools in the United States appearing first, entries contain names, addresses, phone and FAX numbers, and E-mail and web addresses. Other details, when available, may include the names of the program administrators; admissions contacts; average enrollment, staff, and class sizes; graduates per year; length of programs of study; degrees offered; admissions requirements; license/certification preparation; application deadlines; tuition and fees; financial aid; and placement. Finally, data on organizations and accrediting agencies are included. Based on responses to a questionnaire, this book is as comprehensive as can be expected under those circumstances. Clear and well presented, the information offered is not readily available elsewhere. For career collections.?Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Holistic medical treatments and practices have existed for years, but it was only recently, in the late 1970s, that this type of medicine began gaining recognition as a viable alternative. As holistic medicine continues to rise in popularity, more and more formal education/training programs have been and continue to be developed, thus creating a need for an organized reference source. Directory of Schools for Alternative and Complementary Health Care fills the bill. It is a comprehensive guide to 675 recognized schools and educational programs currently available in the U.S. and Canada.

Schools are arranged alphabetically by state and city, and for Canada, by province and city. The listings contain the school name, address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, and Web site (when available). Also, where applicable, the following information for each entry is included: program administrator, dates of establishment, accreditation or licensing, class size, description and length of program (number of hours, weeks, or months), and handicap accessibility. It is important to note that the programs may vary greatly in length--anywhere from a few contact hours to several months for completion. Accreditation is another variable worth noting. Formal academic accreditation has yet to be established for all programs of study and fields of holistic medicine. When official accreditation is nonexistent, official endorsement or approval is obtained from a licensing or certification board or agency. In the event that none of those exist, membership in a related professional organization is accepted and listed as credentials.

The sections immediately preceding and following the education sections of the directory are features that enhance the guide's usefulness. The opening sections provide a glossary of alternative health-care terms and concise overviews of each holistic specialty. Included are brief histories of the development of each technique, the future, the career outlook, expected income/salary levels, work environments, and professional affiliations. The closing sections of the directory include contact information for organizations and accrediting agencies, as well as several indexes (subject, schools, and specializations), and a brief bibliography.

All in all, Directory of Schools succeeds in its clear and thorough presentation of educational opportunities in holistic medicine. A similar title, Dianne J. B. Lyons' Planning Your Career in Alternative Medicine [RBB F 1 98], covers more specialties and provides rankings of educational programs. Both titles are recommended for public libraries and career centers, although the Lyons title may be more attractive to smaller libraries because of its $19.95 price tag.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Oryx Press (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157356110X
• ISBN-13: 978-1573561105
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,501,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)