Farah Shahani

Consider some of the many compelling careers that graduates with a holistic health degree can pursue.

A naturopathic physician (or naturopathic doctor) cares for patients using a holistic health model. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the average time that patients spend face to face with a doctor during appointments averages 20 minutes, whereas naturopathic doctors spend between one and two hours in their initial appointments and between 30 and 60 minutes in subsequent appointments — taking extra time to get to understand the larger context of a patient’s health.

Accredited naturopathic medical schools require students to earn at least four years of education in biomedical sciences (including anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology, and pathology) alongside natural approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

AANP reports that naturopathic medical programs require at least 4,100 hours of class and clinical training, and students must pass the two-part Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), which the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) administers, to qualify for naturopathic doctor licensure.

According to O*NET Online, a free database developed under the sponsorship of the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, naturopathic doctors fell under the category of “Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other” in 2021, a category of healthcare professionals making a median annual wage of $100,300.

Holistic health education can also provide a solid foundation for a career in nutrition when paired with an active license. Nutritionists help individuals; families; communities; and organizations, such as schools, with improving their health with wholesome, nourishing foods. A holistic healthcare background can be useful for this line of work, given how personal and culturally specific food habits can be.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is a nationally recognized credential that the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS; a branch of the American Nutrition Association) administers. To qualify, applicants must have an advanced degree (master’s or doctoral degree), must have experience under supervision, and must pass a certification exam.

The BLS shows that the median annual wage for nutritionists was $61,650 in May 2021.

Many healthcare practitioners — from nurses to physicians — find that the traditional medical model practiced throughout the Western world has gaps that holistic medicine can bridge. Holistic health studies offer healthcare providers the tools to integrate holistic health into various healthcare practices.

Moreover, mental health providers with training in holistic health understand that many clients need more than talk therapy and medication to heal from trauma and cope with life’s hardships. Practitioners with the cultural competency that holistic health provides may be better able to connect with clients and support them through difficult times.

Zippia reports that holistic health practitioners make an average of $51,523 annually.

Holistic health draws from a wide collection of ancient traditions and contemporary practices. By becoming holistic health educators, graduates can share wisdom while also becoming lifelong learners of the time-tested theories and practices that make people healthier, stronger, and more connected.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for health education specialists was $60,600 in May 2021. For community health workers, the median annual wage was $46,590.