Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Green path herb school unique?
Our faculty are chosen based on their different perspectives and expertise in their fields. All teachers are encouraged to present different, but complementary, viewpoints. We consider it a job well done when our students connect the dots and bring together big picture concepts from different classes. We thrive on those "aha moments"!
Our course is designed for those who work, or have other big commitments, such as parents.
Our program is set up to provide a good mix of interaction with all subjects, in particular the herbs themselves. We encourage sensory interaction such as samples, demos, tasting, slides, student discussion, and medicine making to go far beyond a common lecture.
At Green Path Herb School, we have a "tribe vibe". We value safety, inclusion, and creating a warm and supportive environment and community for our students and staff.
Do I receive a certification or license for completing the program?
Because there is no official licensure or certification for herbalists in the United States, we don't "certify" herbalists. All graduates of our program DO receive a certificate, though, which is the beautiful proof that you completed and graduated from our program.
The fact that there is no national certification for herbalists in the U.S. has both pros and cons. The thing we like the best about this is that herbalism in the United States is richly diverse. There are many wonderful herbs schools in the U.S., and each has offerings that make them unique. The biggest con we see is that anyone can call themselves an herbalist, whatever their level of training (or no training) is. That is why we think it is so important, as an herbalist, to let people know your training and background.
An herbalists' right to practice is protected by their right to free speech under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. In the U.S., herbalists cannot diagnose or prescribe. Rather we evaluate people from a holistic perspective and educate our clients and the general public about medicinal plants, natural remedies, healthy diet, and lifestyle pursuits to support organ systems, tissues, and overall health and wellness.
If you are interested in a professional designation as an herbalist, check out the American Herbalists Guild, an organization that provides a peer-reviewed Registered Herbalist title. If you are interested in finding out more about how to become a member, you can click here. To find out more about the licensing of herbalists in the U.S., you can read this article from the American Herbalists Guild.
The Herbal Foundations program is designed for the beginning student or a practitioner who may specialize in another field and wants to add some herbal medicine tools to their toolkit. It's great for people who want to help themselves, family or friends. It is 72 hours, compared to over 430 hours for the Herbalist Certificate Program. We have students who take the Herbal Foundations Program, love it, and then move on to the Herbalist Certificate Program. The Herbalist Certificate Program is WAY more in-depth and is designed for folks who want to take their herbal skills to the next level and become a professional herbalist.
What is the difference between Herbal Foundations and the Herbalist Certificate Program?
I live in a different city, state, or country. Can I still join?
Absolutely! Most of our programs are accessible completely online so you can take them from anywhere in the world.
Can I join in person if I live near Missoula, Montana?
Yes! Most classes are offered live. The Herbalist Certificate Program is a hybrid program designed to be attended live and online. People can take part in classes in-house, or virtually if they are attending from afar. The Herbal Immersion and Foraging Wild Foods and Medicine classes are the only ones taught solely live and in person.
Is Green Path Accredited?
No, and there is a good reason for this. Accreditation is a form of quality control, ensuring that institutions of higher education, including universities and colleges, satisfy certain standards. Trade schools and herb schools can't be accredited (unless they are part of a college program). Green Path Herb School is, however, a school member of the American Herbalists Guild.
What happens if I miss a class in the herbalist certificate program?
Our students benefit greatly from the rich interaction with teachers and other students. That is why the Herbalist Certificate Program is live and real-time. We want to get to know you and we want Green Path to feel like the community that it is. We also find that students complete courses much faster when there is specifically scheduled time to meet and work on the program. But we understand that things come up and sometimes you can't make it to every class. For this reason, we record each class. In case you are occasionally unable to attend, rest assured that you can watch a class later, without missing any information. Many of our other courses are self-paced so you can watch whenever works for you!
How much should I budget for books and supplies in the herbalist certificate program?
We recommend setting aside approximately $200 for books. Each student will receive a list of necessary books and materials they will need to purchase before class begins. Most of the other supplies that we recommend are optional and you can pick and choose what you'd like to get depending on your budget. Other supplies we recommend include harvesting tools, herbs, medicine making supplies and tools, and an herb sampling kit. Generally, these can cost around $300-$500.
What kind of time should I set aside for homework in the herbalist certificate program?
In some weeks, many Herbalist Certificate sstudents spend 2-6 hours on homework including completing projects, doing research, and studying for quizzes and tests. We encourage students to do what they can, within reason, without becoming overly stressed with the process. There are assignments, but much of the homework is self-determined. As our teacher Michael Moore used to say, you get out of it what you put into it.