Scottish School of Herbal Medicine


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MSc IN HERBAL MEDICINE

To ensure a firm research base within the profession, the School now offers qualified Medical Herbalists, a two-year Postgraduate Diploma course in Herbal Medicine, externally validated by the University of Wales. Participants will have the opportunity, upon submission of a research-based dissertation, to obtain an MSc in Herbal Medicine. To our knowledge this is the first MSc in Herbal Medicine in the West.

The postgraduate diploma course consists of 7 modules and teaching is spread over two and a half years, approximately 16 days per year, divided into two seven-day Winter Schools and two nine-day Summer Schools. The two nine-day Summer Schools will be based in the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, the first Winter School on the Medditerranean island of Mallorca, where we study its unique flora and the second Winter School will take place in the Trossachs (the foothills of the Scottish Highlands).

Each single module counts for 20 Masters level credits. By successfully completing the course, participants will obtain the required 120 credits for the Postgraduate Diploma. The award of MSc additionally requires the successful completion of a 3 module (60 Masters credits) dissertation.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should have a BSc in Herbal Medicine or equivalent professional qualification in Herbal Medicine (which is recognised by the University of Wales as equivalent to an initial degree). Candidates who are unsure if their own herbal training is equivalent to the standard required should contact the School. Application is then by portfolio and involves an extra cost for evaluation of Acquired Prior Experiencial Learning (APEL).

COURSE MODULES

Modules 1 & 2 Research Methods 1 (double module) 40 credits:
to empower participants to pursue their own research. The School has a desire to promote holistic research methods and has explored a full range of methods. We aim to cover everything from conventional clinical audit and epidemiology to the Goethean Science methodology of subjective and objective observation. We have included Shamanism and Ethnobotany in this module to place Herbal Medicine in context.

Module 3 Herbal Medicine Energetics (single module) 20 credits:
a critical evaluation of an energetics approach to diagnosis and herbal prescribing. Here we explore some of the more widely practised disciplines such as Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine and Humoral Medicine. Participants are empowered to learn to perceive and refine their own ideas on the energetics of different herbs.

Module 4 Practical Herbal Medicine (single module) 20 credits:
tutors and participants will demonstrate some of their own recipes and practical techniques. We will also be reconsidering traditional and energetic use of herbs and exploring a wide range of practical preparations. This is a varied module and will include practical pharmacy, pharmacognosy and the Goethean approach to botany.

Module 5 Applied Therapeutics (single module) 20 credits:
this module builds on the groundwork laid down in Herbal Medicine Energetics. Participants will demonstrate application of different energetic approaches to their own clinical practice using case studies.

Module 6 Continuing Professional Development (half module) 10 credits:
a particular slant of our courses is to help participants pursue their own professional and personal development. To this end, refinement of counselling skills and self-awareness are included through application to case studies, keeping a reflective practice journal and completion of a portfolio to help participants become more rounded practitioners.

Module 7 Personal Plant Projects (half module) 10 credits:
an opportunity for participants to study their own choice of plant in depth, with use of whatever media they choose to compile a portfolio of their unique journey and findings.

Module 8 MSc dissertation (triple module):
Masters students are required to complete a dissertation not exceeding 20,000 words and are encouraged to choose research topics in line with their own interests. They will be assigned to a research supervisor by the School and have regular meetings with them. If students who initially registered for the Masters do not complete the dissertation but have been successful in Modules 1-6, they will receive the PgDip award (a 7,000 word research project still applies).

This degree is validated and awarded by the federal University of Wales. For further details regarding the University and its validation services, please log on to www.wales.ac.uk/validation or email validation@wales.ac.uk

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FACULTY

Course Co-ordinators
Maureen Robertson MSc M. NIMH
Dr Craig Wright M.Tech(Hom)(SA), PCH, MRN
Director of Education
Keith Robertson MSc F. NIMH
Professional Development & Pastoral Care
Anita Ralph MSc M. NIMH
Guest Lecturers
Pamela Blake-Wilson M. IACT
Dr Mary Bove ND
Ally Broughton BSc (Hons) M. NIMH
Margaret Colquhoun PhD
Sandy Gray PhD and Anne Mitchell PhD
Christopher Hedley AHG
Stephen Kippax MSc M. NIMH
Anne McIntyre F. NIMH
Graeme Tobyn M. NIMH

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COURSE BREAKDOWN

SUMMER SCHOOL ONE - Sat 2nd - Sun 10th August 2008
RESEARCH METHODS - Introduction to Herbal Medicine Research - Critical Appraisal skills for interpreting research journal articles - Current Medical Research & Paradigm Shift - Shamanism and Initiation – the importance of ceremony in the research process and understanding universal connectedness - Community & Social research - Epidemiology - Clinical Audit - Ethnobotany - Goethean Science (3 days) - Presentation of Research Journal Article - Undertaking a literature search.

PERSONAL PLANT PROJECT - Deciding on personal plant project – exchange of the group’s materia medica and therapeutic approach - artistic technical tips overview.

WINTER SCHOOL ONE - February 2009
PRACTICAL HERBAL MEDICINE - Plant metamorphosis and Introduction to Goethean Botany - Pharmacology by Taste - Plant Families and their gestures - Plant illustration - Practical preparations - Field identification

SUMMER SCHOOL TWO – August 2009
HERBAL MEDICINE ENERGETICS - Ayurvedic Medicine - Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine - Humoral Medicine - Healing

RESEARCH METHODS - Goethean Science - Plant Study Conference

WINTER SCHOOL TWO - February 2010
APPLIED THERAPEUTICS - Case studies – a chance to meet actual patients (or video or cases) for work with the group - Presentation and discussion of case studies with synthesis of philosophies within the group and an opportunity to discuss real cases.

PERSONAL PLANT PROJECTS - Presentations

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Self-care - Counselling skills - The role of Herbal Medicine in Integrated Medicine

ASSESSMENT
The main assessment is through the research project. Students will complete their own portfolio of essays and case studies, which they will present at the end of each module. Self and peer assessment will apply alongside practical assignments of skills where appropriate.

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RESEARCH COMMITTEE/SUPERVISORS

Maureen Robertson MSc M. NIMH
The School’s Research Co-ordinator, with a firm commitment to holistic based research, having crossed the bridge from studying pharmacology and plant chemistry initially to now actively engaging in a more contemplative approach to herbal study. She practises in Glasgow and on the Isle of Arran.

Keith Robertson MSc F. NIMH
The School’s Director of Education and having designed and successfully completed his MSc in Herbal Medicine in 2003, he is now poised to help and facilitate others to do the same. He practises in Glasgow and on the Isle of Arran.

Ally Broughton BSc Hons M. NIMH
Director of Research for the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and practises in Edinburgh.

Kerry Caldock RGN; BA; PhD; M. NIMH
Practises in Oban, Argyll and is from a backgound of Psychology and Social Policy Research. She teaches a post graduate course in critical evaluation of herbal and medical literature.

Margaret Colquhoun PhD
A Founder of the Goethean Life Science Trust and Researcher at the Life Science Centre at Pishwanton Woods in Lothian. She has devoted her working life to combining art and science in plant and herbal research.

Ken Lunn MSc M. NIMH
One of our first MSc Herbal Medicine graduates, Ken is co-editor and coordinator of the School’s Herbalist’s Journal of Contemplative Science (see Journal page). He practices in Denmark.

Anita Ralph MSc M. NIMH

COURSE FEES
How much does this course cost?

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please contact the school for a full prospectus and application form. Alternatively you can download an application form by clicking here

Photograph of the MSc group 2000-2003

For more information, or a prospectus containing details of all courses offered, please contact the School at the address below.

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Some comments from previous students:

“Studying for the Master’s degree with the SSHM opened me up to a way of approaching my practice which uses all of my senses and doesn’t rely totally on the intellect. I was able to become more confident about trusting my instincts and intuition - and being able to integrate these with the more ‘research-based’ approach which seems to be the gold standard in today’s world. Speaking of research - I also learned how to appraise research findings with a critical eye, which has led to my becoming part of a peer-reviewing panel for a journal on research in primary health care. Learning to study plants using the Goethean method has helped me get to know the plants I use much more deeply - “New eyes for plants” indeed. AND I discovered that I can do botanical illustrations! Hard work - definitely; stressful - sometimes; different - indisputably; fun - oh yes! Would I have missed it? - not for the world!”
Alison Morton M.NIMH MSc (Herbal Medicine)

“My Master’s degree has been very helpful in starting and teaching in a new program on herbalism at the Minneapolis Community Technical College. This is one of the very few programs on herbalism in the United States. Yesterday we had a stimulating discussion of scientific papers in class, a discussion that would have been impossible for me before undertaking my education at SSHM. Having an MSc puts me in a higher income bracket at MCTC. Love my degree, the School, loved the program. Still basking in the light thereof.”
Matthew Wood AHG MSc (Herbal Medicine)

“Upon graduating from the School of Phytotherapy in Tunbridge Wells in 1987 after nearly 4 years of schooling, I felt competent as a herbalist. After 5 years of practice I felt good at my work. After 10 years of practice I felt skilled at my craft. And after 15 years of practice I went back to school because I knew I needed a whole fresh perspective. Doing the MSc course at SSHM allowed me to take stock of my profession and to re-vision my work entirely. I am a much better practitioner and enjoy a much deeper and richer relationship with my work since doing the course.”
Chanchal Cabrera M.NIMH MSc (Herbal Medicine)

The Scottish School of Herbal Medicines MSc has served to substantially broaden my horizons in terms of my practice as an herbalist and helped me to evolve into a more rounded practitioner. I have benefitted hugely from learning methods such as Goethean study and have left the course rich in terms of both the knowledge and lasting friendships of the colleagues with which I have studied, and the deeper and broader nature of my understanding of the practice of the rich tradition of Herbal Medicine. I would thoroughly recommend this course.
Mary Tassell M.NIMH MSc (Herbal Medicine)

“Going into the MSc I envisaged a linear progression of knowledge, what actually happened was an explosion in many directions! Goethian study - now an integral part of my life with at least two formal study weekends a year bringing me closer to the plants and the heart of the planet. Energetic principles - altering my practice and brining in more and better satisfied patients. Research methodology - giving me the confidence to approach and hold my own with medical academics in pursuit of running a holistic, energetic clinical trial (still some time off but it will happen!). I can truly say the SSHM MSc was one of the best things I have ever done.”
Fiona Taylor M.NIMH MSc (Herbal Medicine)

“The MSc programme in the SSHM is invaluable for building ones confidence in herbal medicine. This has the very happy spin off of a more successful herbal practise!!. It is also a unique opportunity to discover the wealth of other herbal traditions and to meet colleagues who will enrich your life for ever more.”
Rosari Kingston M.NIMH MSc (Herbal Medicine)

“After many years of being in practice the MSc has been like a breath of fresh air. The course work and stimulating lectures have created the opportunity to re-focus and I feel like I have a fresh perspective. To spend two years with a group of very disparate herbalists and really discuss and debate how we all practice herbal medicine, our philosophies, and how we understand herbs is a rare thing. I’m sorry it’s nearly over. What Keith and Maureen have created here is unique - you will come away with your batteries recharged and your understanding deepened.”

“I have learned so much over these past two years and have become much better grounded in my practice and my clinical philosophy. I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking accredited higher education in herbal medicine.”

“Doing the MSc has altered how I perceive my practice of herbal medicine- and has allowed me to spend time with the greatest type of people on the planet-herbalists.”

“Before doing the MSc, I had a qualification to practice. Having done the course, I ‘feel’ like a herbalist! The MSc has encouraged me to develop my creativity and has been a wonderful and unique opportunity to share experiences with other herbalists. Goethean science for me has been a methodology for intuition. The study of traditional approaches has encouraged me to ‘fine tune’ my therapeutics using sound energetic principles. Overall, it has been a varied, challenging and enjoyable course, encouraging self development and creativity, allowing me to move forward with more confidence in my personal connection with plants and people and reconnect with the origins of my desires to become a herbalist. Many thanks.”

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