First accredited program of its kind in the U.S. to begin next fall

Kenmore, Wash. (December 6, 2012) — Bastyr University is proud to announce that it will offer a Master of Science degree program in Ayurvedic Sciences beginning fall 2013. It is the first regionally accredited graduate program of its kind in the United States.

The two-year program, which just received accreditation, includes an option for students to pursue an externship in India where they will observe and assist ayurvedic practitioners in local clinics and hospitals.
“After years of hard work we are thrilled to see Bastyr University’s ayurvedic program become a reality,” said Timothy C. Callahan, PhD, Bastyr University senior vice president and provost, who collaborated with the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and ayurvedic experts in both India and the United States to design the program. “We believe that this form of natural medicine is growing in popularity as people seek preventive solutions to their medical issues, and the need for providers with accredited training will increase in the coming years.”

Ayurveda, which has ancient roots dating back 5,000 years in India, is defined as the Hindu science of health and medicine based on healing and prolonging life. According to a 2007 National Health Interview Survey, more than 200,000 U.S. adults had used ayurvedic medicine in the previous year, citing reasons such as the high cost of traditional health care, side effects from prescription drugs and ineffectiveness with other forms of medicine.

“We constantly strive to be a leader in the natural medicine arts and sciences,” said Bastyr University President Daniel K. Church, PhD. “This program will help keep us in front of the ever-changing landscape of natural medicine and help us best educate future health care providers of tomorrow.”

For more information, including how to apply, please contact the Bastyr University Office of Admissions at 425.602.3330 or admissions@bastyr.edu.