‘Alternative’ medicines and ‘alternative’ treatments have been around for a very long time – indeed much longer than prescription drugs. However, drug based medecines are relatively new by comparison and there is nothing ‘alternative’ about practices that pre-date many modern treatments.

Nevertheless, modern medicine is very ‘big business’, especially for the huge drug companies who have a vested interest and therefore alternative, or complimentary remedies and practices have been coming into more and more criticism. For example, the BBC, in 2003, conducted research which showed that alternative medicines were becoming more and more popular but stressed that “their effectiveness is yet to be proven to the majority of (medical) practitioners in the UK and that there were concerns over safety as many of the treatments remained untested.”

At present, there is no statutory regulation of practitioners who offer acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine in the UK. Although the Government first indicated some years ago that they were to consider some form of regulation it is only now (August 2009) that a formal consultation on whether, and if so, how, practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine should be regulated was launched by the Department of Health.

The consultation will seek views on whether a regulatory system should be established to govern the practice of these complementary and alternative therapies. The three Health Ministers for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have agreed that this consultation should be UK-wide.

Once the consultation responses have been considered, a decision will be made on whether or not to move towards statutory regulation of these professions. Any final decision will be based on an assessment of the likely risk of harm to patients and the public, and consideration as to whether this harm could be reduced or avoided by other means. These factors are all taken into account in the consultation as well as looking at alternatives to statutory regulation.

Undoubtedly, if regulation should be introduced, it will require practitioners to be qualified by their respective professional bodies or organisations and possibly the Government will lay down a framework for such qualifications together with occupational standards.

It must be stressed, therefore, that the degrees offered by Southern Eastern University (USA) will not and cannot take the place of such qualifications either present or future. It must also be stressed that the degrees will not, per se, satisfy the licensing requirements of the American States, or other countries with licensing requirements. They will, however, supplement current and future qualification and/or licensing requirements and prove valuable for career enhancement and measure of expertise.

Because of the controversy that exists regarding the calling of alternative and complimentary medicines a ‘science’, the Southern Eastern University (USA) Faculty of Naturopathy and Alternative Medicine offers their Degrees as ‘Arts’ degrees.

The following Degrees are offered by the Faculty:

Bachelor of Arts in Alternative Medicine: BA(Hons) (Alt Med)

Available in any of the following:

Acupuncture
Anthroposophic medicine
Chiropractice
Herbalism
Homeopathy
Hypnosis
Naturopathy
Ostepathy

Master of Arts in Alternative Medicine: MA (Alt Med).

Doctor of Alternative Medicine: AltMD

Bachelor’s Programme:

In order to be able to apply to register onto the Bachelor’s Programme, applicants must claim exemption from Part 1 of the Programme (see Study Methodology)

Part 1: Applicants must, in order to satisfy this part of the Programme, show their prior academic achievement by having acquired a recognised qualification in any of the above areas of alternative/complimentary medicine from a recognised professional body or organisation. Anyone not fitting into this category who seeks exemption from Part 1 should contact the University before making any formal submission. Entry onto the Programme must be made on the Application for Registration Form provided and the fees are shown on the separate Fee Form; these Forms explain the method of Registration.

Part 2: On satisfying the requirements of Part 1 of the Programme, students will automatically proceed to Part 2 (see Study Methodology

Master’s Programme:

Part 1 Applicants must, in order to satisfy this part of the Programme (see Study Methodology), show their prior academic achievement by having acquired any of the following:

1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Alternative/complimentary medicine, either through Southern Eastern University or through any other University acceptable to SEU.

2. Having been made a Fellow of a professional or other body or organisation relating to complimentary/alternative medicine

3. A Bachelor’s Degree in a discipline other than alternative/complimentary medicine either through SEU or through any other University acceptable to SEU, coupled with any of the qualifications necessary for entry into Part 1 of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme.
   

Part 2: On satisfying the requirements of Part 1 of the Programme, students will automatically proceed to Part 2 (see Study Methodology)

Doctorate:

Doctorates are only awarded to mature experienced professionals seeking full career development and/or status and are only awarded by way of substantive professional experience, research and Thesis, (see Study Methodology)

The Research must be specific to a subject/topic, which is of importance in the field in which the applicant is practising or has practised.. It must embrace substantial primary research and substantial original secondary research and must be of ‘value’, either academically or practically within the sphere of the candidate’s professional life.

It is a condition of admittance onto the Programme that the Candidate’s work is monitored to the extent that the Candidate is required to submit a progress Report to the Association every three months.

The finished Thesis must, after initial approval, be ‘defended’ by the candidate either at a panel to be convened or by two individuals of the candidates choosing experienced in a like field. Further details of this requirement will be supplied to the candidate at the appropriate time.

Candidates must submit, along with their Application for Registration onto the Programme a full, and as detailed as possible, CV. The more information that can be given regarding the Candidates previous qualifications - academic and professional; their work experience; appointments and published works (if any), the quicker a decision regarding acceptance onto the Programme can be made.

Those who are awarded a Doctorate may, at the discretion of the University, be appointed Fellows of the University and Members of Faculty. It is a pre-condition of the Award that all successful graduates obtain the Faculty Doctorate robes and cap and attend the Conferring Ceremony (which is held at the same time as Graduation Ceremonies).

For entry onto the Programme, applicants must be able to satisfy Part 1 by showing the academic achievement by having acquired any of the following:

1. A Master’s Degree in Alternative/complimentary medicine, either through Southern Eastern University or through any other University acceptable to SEU.

2. Having been made a Fellow of a professional or other body or organisation relating to complimentary/alternative medicine coupled with extensive practical experience in the field of choice.

3. A Master’s Degree in a discipline other than alternative/complimentary medicine, either through SEU or through any other University acceptable to SEU, coupled with a qualification referred to in Part 1 of the Bachelor’s Programme, plus extensive practical experience in the field of choice.
   

Evidence of attainment under 1- 3 above will be required on enrolment.

Part 2: On satisfying the requirements of Part 1 of the Programme, students will automatically proceed to Part 2 (see Study Methodology)