BIRCH Professional Practioner Herbalist Course

Birch SHM Professional Practioner Herbalist course has the flexibility to maintain a traditional, holistic course that is relevant to modern practitioners of Western Herbal Medicine. The learning outcomes of the Birch diploma are benchmarked at LEVEL 6 (equivalent to a degree with or without honours) against the OFQUAL level descriptors. This demonstrates the depth of study that is required for the successful completion of the Birch Diploma in Western Herbal Medicine (DipWHM) This has traditionally been known as the Diploma in Botano-Therapy (DBTh). Following satisfactory completion of the whole course (marked coursework, seminar attendance, clinical training) students will graduate enabling them to access insurance to practice as qualified herbalists. Birch SHM is working towards recognised accreditation.

The standard of excellence of our course in Western Herbal Medicine has met the entry criteria for continuation onto a master’s degree course. While maintaining the rigorous standards of which we are justly proud, the policy of Birch has always been to teach traditional knowledge in a manner accessible to as wide a range of students as possible.

The Birch SHM course is a blended learning approach, which is carefully structured to enable students to fit study in and around the everyday pressures of living. It is, however, a course that demands commitment and a desire to reach the high standards set by the school staff. Students should aim to complete the course within six years but this can be extended to accommodate student’s individual needs.

Our course contains fourteen units of study arranged over five modules. The lessons are supplemented by seminars at the Annual Conference and Summer School. The Annual Conference is an opportunity to meet students from all modules, practising herbalists and to take part in lively lectures and discussions. There is also a monthly on-line tutorial that forms an important part of the student’s study.

The Birch course is much more than theory. Clinical skills seminars give students the opportunity to learn about herbal medicine first-hand from our experienced practitioners including case taking, examination techniques and diagnostic methods. A recognised amount of clinical observation and practise must be undertaken at our training clinics. This is on a supervised one to one basis, giving the student confidence to develop their own clinical practice.

Throughout the course, students are continually assessed, and examinations are taken with the on-going support of tutors. All the Birch tutors are fully qualified as medical herbalists as well as experts in their particular field. External tutors are used for specialised areas of training.

Birch SHM also offers the option to undertake the course in a lay capacity. This removes the requirement for examinations, seminar & conference attendance and also clinical training.

Birch Course outline

The framework below shows the outline of the course with the expected hours of study and university equivalent credits

Module	Unit	Level	GL Hours	IL Hours	Total Hours	Credits	Assessment Method
M1 A & P	AP4	4	32	418	450	45	Assignments / Exam
	APT4	4	10	40	50	5	Attendance Report
M2 Naturopathic Practice	NP4	4	32	368	400	40	Assignments / Exam
	NPT4	4	10	40	50	5	Attendance Report
M3 Materia Medica	MMF4	4	50 (M1 &M2 pre-requisite to MM5)	100	150	15	Portfolio/Assignments/ Presentation/Attendance Report
	MM5	5	32	518	550	55	Assignments / Exam
	MMT5	5	10	90	100	10	Attendance Report
M4 Herbal Medicine	CO5	5	100(M1, M2,M3; pre-requisite to HM6)	50	150	15	Portfolio
	HMT6	6	64	636	700	70	Assignments/Practical/Exam
	HMT6	6	20	180	200	20	Assignments/Adv Cases
	LC6	6	20	180	200	20	Assignments
	DI6	6	10	390	400	40	Viva/Presentation
	CP6	6	100	100	200	20	Portfolio/Attendance Reports
M5 Practice Management	PM5	5	8	142	150	15	Assignments
Totals					3600	360

Key: GL Hrs Guided Learning Hours (face to face, attended), IL Hrs Independent Learning Hours (lessons etc)

Unit codes:  AP = Anatomy & Physiology, NP = Naturopathic Practice, AP/NP/MM/HM +T = (online)Module Tutorials, MM = Materia Medica, PM = Practice Management, CO = Clinical Observation, MMF = Materia Medica Foundation, HM = Herbal Medicine, LC = Live Cases, DI = Dissertation, CP = Clinical Practice.  The number following each unit refers to the credit level which is equivalent to university qualifications (Ofqual).

Birch SHM Diploma in Western Herbal Medicine (DipWHM) contains fourteen units of study arranged withing five modules. Students are expected to return lessons monthly (M1-3) and six-weekly (M4,5)

Module One   Anatomy & Physiology 12 Lessons
Module Two   Naturopathic Practice 9 Lessons
Module Three Materia Medica 13 Lessons, Materia Medica Foundation (starting upon enrolment)
Module Four   Herbal Medicine 16 Lessons, Case studies, Dissertation, Clinical observation (starting upon enrolment) & practice at approved clinics.
Module five   Practice Management 8 Lessons

Module 1 – Anatomy and Physiology

Knowledge of the human body and its functions is essential to understanding of any branch of medicine, together with pathology and diagnosis. This Module, therefore, covers the basic sciences and carefully graduated lessons, together with the use of selective textbooks. Assignments and Projects follow each lesson for tutorial assessment. A proficiency certificate is awarded after satisfactory completion of this Module and the examination. Attendance of summer schools/seminars and the AGM is required in addition to the monthly on-line tutorials.

Module 2 – Naturopathic Practice

This module introduces students to the basic principles of Naturopathy and explains how these differ from conventional medicine. After gaining an understanding of the chemistry of food, its application to improving health is coupled together with other lifestyle changes that can help restore good health. Each of the lessons is followed by assignments and projects that are assessed by a tutor. A proficiency certificate is awarded after satisfactory completion of this module and the examination. Attendance of summer schools/seminars and the AGM is required in addition to the monthly on-line tutorials.

Module 3 – Materia Medica

When starting module 1, students also begin the Materia Medica Foundation unit MMF4. This gives a good grounding in Botany and Herbs including their use and creation of medicines. Specific seminars are included as well as a site visit to a herbal manufacturing establishment.

This module begins with an explanation of the history and philosophy of Herbal Medicine and a definitive guide to medical terms and offers a comprehensive Materia Medica before giving a description of the methods by which herbal remedies are prepared. Each lesson is carefully planned and specially arranged so that the knowledge gained by the student may be put into practical use.

The Module offers a grounding in various classes of medicinal herbs.  The chemistry and a broad application of each herb is discussed. At the end of each lesson there are several assignments and projects which are submitted for tutor assessment. A Proficiency Certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the Module and the examination. Attendance of summer schools/seminars and the AGM is required in addition to the monthly on-line tutorials.

Module 4 – Herbal Medicine

Module 4 deals with the clinical aspects of herbal medicine and includes case taking, diagnosis and prescription creation.

When starting module 1 and through modules 2 & 3, the student will be expected to attend a range of clinics in an observational role as preparation for the Clinical Training in this module.

This is very much a case-based module utilising actual cases offering students many different scenarios. Knowledge previously assimilated is synthesised and broadened, enabling its application in various clinical cases. The Module works with various body systems, discussing some detailed pathological conditions that may be encountered in the practice of a trained Herbalist.

By the end of the Module, the student will be expected to submit 10 live case histories and produce a work in the form of a Dissertation. Clinical Training at recognised clinics is also required. Attendance of summer schools/seminars and the AGM is required in addition to the monthly on-line tutorials.

Module 5 – Practice Management

Module is designed to guide the soon to be graduated student in the setting up of their own practice. The purpose of this Module is two-fold. It not only aims to prepare the student of the ethical and practical aspects of running a Clinic but to deal with legal and financial matters, premises, planning permission and publicity.

The success of Birch SHM depends on its future and that future is within students. We aim to educate practitioners to their highest ability and are committed to their success.

COURSE COSTS

Herbal Medicine Modules
Student Membership £220 (for 6 years)
Student Membership £50 annually from the start of year 7.
Although the course can be completed in five years, we allow six years before implementing additional annual student membership fees.

M1 Anatomy & Physiology (AP4&APT4) Deposit £210 and 11 payments of £105.00 (seminars not included)
Materia Medica Foundation (MMF5) £105 (this unit starts on enrolment, seminars not included)
M2 Naturopathic Practice (NP4&NPT4) Deposit £210 and 8 payments of £105.00 (seminars not included)
M3 Materia Medica (MM5&MMT5) Deposit £210 and 12 payments of £105.00 (seminars not included)
At the end of these modules an examination must be taken for each module. Exam fee: £135
Module 4 does not have an examination.
M4 Herbal Medicine (HM6&MHT6) & Live Cases (LC6) Deposit £325 and 22 payments of £105.00 (seminars not included)
Clinical Practice (CP6) £1600 or 4 payments of £400
Dissertation (DI6) £130 (Additional charges will be required to cover the cost of printing and binding a hardback copy)
Clinical Observations (CO4) Arrangements are made between clinics & students (this unit starts on enrolment & should be completed prior to starting HM6)
M5 Practice Management Deposit £170 and 6 payments of £85
Summer School & seminars £130 per day (early booking by date given £110)
MMF4 site visit tbc
Additional Clinical Training if required £130 per day
AGM/Conference – fees are determined yearly.

As the BIRCH school is a not-for-profit organisation all student fees are already costed at the lowest possible rate to deliver this quality of training. In cases of hardship, special discretionary arrangements may be applied or via the Company Secretary or Director of Studies. All such arrangements require substantiating evidence of hardship and will be subject to review, during which the student’s diligence and application of study will be taken into consideration.
Exemptions can be given to students who have qualified in Anatomy & Physiology & Practice management
(including Health & safety at work) however, an examination may have to be taken for A&P to ensure our high standard is met.
A ‘Lay’ course is available for students who do not wish to practice formally at less cost, giving the option of
not undertaking clinical training seminars, and practice management.

The BIRCH Diploma in Western Herbal Medicine (DipWHM) has been accepted as a qualification for entry onto a master’s degree course in Herbal Medicine.
The Student Handbook is available on enrolment.

All fees are subject to alteration.
We regret all fees are non-refundable.

If you are interested in taking the course please contact the office for a prospectus or to arrange a discussion with the Birch Director of Studies.

Please contact us at

education@birchshm.co.uk

office@birchshm.co.uk

Birch SHM also offers a range of Professional Development Courses for practicing therapists.

CPD Course information