| The California College of Ayurveda (CCA) is the oldest state-approved college for the study of Ayurveda in America. We now offer our Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist program in four locations: our home campus in Grass Valley, and at satellite sites in Southern California (Seal Beach), San Francisco and Los Gatos. Whether you enter our Full Time or Extended Weekend Programs, you will receive the most complete Ayurvedic training available in the United States.
The College was founded by Dr. Marc Halpern in 1995 with the support of Dr. David Frawley and several prominent teachers of Ayurveda from India. Today the California College of Ayurveda is the largest, most successful College for the Study of Ayurveda in the United States.
Because of the prominent role the CCA has played in the development of Ayurveda in the United States, in 2000 the CCA was selected by India's most prestigious Ayurvedic University, Gujarat Ayurveda University in Jamnagar, India, as a partner in developing International Standards of Education. Graduates of the California College of Ayurveda can continue their studies in India after graduation at many fine institutions including Gujarat Ayurveda University. Graduates receive dual certification from CCA and the American Institute of Vedic Studies.
The learning process never ends as we endeavor to embody the wisdom of Ayurveda in all areas of our lives. You are invited to join us in this exciting and ground-breaking journey of personal growth, professional development, and planetary healing.
Vision
The California College of Ayurveda is dedicated to providing the highest quality education, health care, and research in the field of Ayurveda. We train students to become the healers of the future, practitioners dedicated to understanding the whole person physically, emotionally, and spiritually. From this understanding, practitioners will be able to identify areas of disharmony between a client's actions, his or her constitution, and the environment. Practitioners will then understand how this disharmony relates to the client's illness or imbalance, and will develop a program of care to re-establish harmony and support their client on his or her journey toward optimal health.
The Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist
Clinical Ayurvedic Specialists (C.A.S.) are the most thoroughly-trained practitioners in the field of Ayurveda in the United States. CCA provides both academic and clinical training in preparation for students to go into private practice. It is the dharma (purpose) of a C.A.S. to share the knowledge and principles of Ayurveda to uplift the health and well-being of his or her community.
A Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist is trained to understand a client physically, emotionally, and spiritually. From this understanding, a C.A.S. identifies the client's constitution and the nature of any imbalances, and then designs a treatment program using diet, herbs, colors, aromas, sound, pancha karma, yoga and meditation. One part healer, one part counselor, one part coach, and one part guide, a C.A.S. helps people create optimal conditions for healing, balance, and harmony in their lives. Clinical Ayurvedic Specialists are the healers of the future, using principles from the past to help people achieve balance, harmony and health in the present.
Professional Opportunities
Today we enjoy a rare opportunity to participate in the rebirth of this ancient Ayurvedic healing science as it evolves into a primary healing system for the new millennium. Founded on the wholeness of mind, body, and spirit, the art and science of Ayurveda is emerging as an important health care option in the West. Our graduates are at the forefront, playing a vital role in the development of this new profession.
Clinical Ayurvedic Specialists have many options for using their training in the field of holistic health and education. A C.A.S. may choose to enter into private practice, join other health care practitioners at a wellness center, teach public education classes on Ayurvedic principles, supervise a pancha karma center, teach at an Ayurvedic college, or conduct workshops and seminars. Clinical Ayurvedic Specialists who are already licensed health care providers may use their Ayurvedic training to enhance their current health care practices. All graduates have the unique opportunity to decide in what way they will use their education to serve their community and the planet.
Prerequisites and Other Requirements
Students are required to have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Anatomy and Physiology. This prerequisite must be completed prior to beginning Part II of the program. It is recommended that students take this class at an accredited college or community college prior to enrolling in the C.A.S. program and submit a copy of their transcript to the College. Students who already have taken college-level Anatomy and Physiology and provide the College with a transcript may waive this requirement.
Curriculum
The program of study at CCA is unique. In addition to our comprehensive curriculum covering the fundamental principles and philosophy of Ayurveda, the College is the first school to offer clinical Ayurvedic health care training and clinical internship. The Full Time and Extended Weekend curricula are exactly the same except for the organization of the schedule and the addition of 90 hours of hatha yoga classes included in the Full Time Program (in Grass Valley). Both programs include 622 hours of Ayurvedic education including clinical internship. Both programs exceed all National (500 hours) and State (350 hours) recommendations for training practitioners.
Full Time Program. Completed in about seventeen months, the Full Time Program offers classes three days per week in the morning. In addition to nine hours of Ayurvedic study each week, there are an additional three hours of yoga asanas (postures) in the Grass Valley Full Time program, bringing the total required weekly class hours to twelve. The College's philosophy is to give Ayurvedic graduates a deeper appreciation for yoga by exposing students to many styles and approaches to hatha yoga. CCA does not offer yoga teacher certification. This program is followed by a six-month, clinic-based internship program. This program is offered in Grass Valley San Francisco.
Extended Weekend Program. Completed in two and a half years, this program generally meets one three-day weekend per month for an 27-month period. This curriculum-based study is followed by a six-month community-based internship program. Classes begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m., and are offered in Grass Valley, the San Francisco, Los Gatos and Southern California. |
