What Are the Different Types of Holistic Degree Programs?

There are many different types of holistic degree programs available in both traditional and unconventional schooling programs, all of which deal with some form of healing. Nutritional holistic degrees can help nutritionists or dietitians find a career path that focuses on treating not only the body, but the mind and the emotions with a healthy meal plan. Holistic degree programs can also focus on the medical world, and the terms used to describe natural physicians are naturopath or homeopath. Degree programs for therapists such as psychologists, psychiatrists and hypnotherapists can also specialize in holistic forms of therapy, slightly separated from the traditional drug model approach for mental health.

Some conventional universities and colleges include holistic specializations in their programs, helping students focus on developing a career that will be specifically driven toward natural and holistic healing. Holistic degree programs usually involve some type of healing profession, whether it's mental, physical or emotional, and often revolve around using natural techniques that can help promote the health of a patient or other individual. One type of holistic degree program available in some universities and colleges is holistic nutrition, or natural nutrition therapy. This career focuses on using the healing power of foods and their nutrients to ease a wide array of low to moderate health complications.

Naturopaths are physicians who study medicine as well as natural healing techniques, such as nutrition therapy and herbal medicine. This type of holistic program often involves receiving an ND, or a naturopathic doctor certification, at the end of an eight-year program of medical study. Apart from knowing different types of safer pharmaceutical medications, naturopathic doctors also obtain knowledge on meditation, exercise therapy and aromatherapy for their specific degree type. Some medical doctors may also specialize in different types of holistic therapies throughout their years of study; however, most conventional colleges do not offer a holistic certification for traditional medical doctors.

Other types of holistic degree programs include psychology programs and psychiatric programs, all of which focus on talk therapy. Most psychiatrists can write prescriptions for medications, yet psychiatrists involved in holistic programs may also advise natural herbal supplements as alternatives. Certified hypnotherapy courses are one of the most popular holistic degree programs available to those seeking to help others away from a traditional psychology paradigm. Often, hypnotherapy programs may include areas of specializations such as helping in addiction recovery, as well as eating disorders or weight loss.