Admission Procedure

Deadlines

The application deadline for our 2025 intake of the Family and Clinical Herbalist programs is August 15, 2024.

The application deadline for our next intake of the Herbal Roots Apprenticeship is March 1, 2025.

Prerequisites

Herbal Roots Apprenticeship

Our beginner’s course, the Herbal Roots Apprenticeship, is appropriate for anyone interested in getting their hands dirty in the company of other herb enthusiasts. There are no prerequisites for this program. We do ask that all students read and sign our Student Agreement and suggest that all applicants read and reflect on this statement of our values and guiding principals before applying. We want to be sure we’re the right fit for you!

Family Herbalist & Clinical Herbalist

Admission to our intermediate and advanced training programs (Family Herbalist & Clinical Herbalist) requires applicants to be prepared for and committed to the personal and academic journey that intensive study in healing work entails. Applicants should possess strong study habits, solid reading and writing skills (with fluency in English), and capacity for critical thinking. Equally important is each applicants’ willingness to engage in self-reflection, personal development, and effective communication as part of a learning community.

In reviewing each applicant, considerations include, but are not limited to: intellectual curiosity, motivation, tenacity, concern for and service to others, leadership, responsibility, creativity, emotional resilience and insight. We also ask that all students read and sign our Student Agreement and suggest that all applicants read and reflect on this statement of our values and guiding principals before applying. We want to be sure we’re the right fit for you!

In addition to the above qualitative characteristics and skills, admission requires clear documentation of prior formal or self-directed study and/or experience equivalent to our Herbal Roots Apprenticeship. This should include:

Experience or training in related fields (e.g. botany, environmental conservation, gardening/farming, healing arts, health care) will all be considered favorably, however will not replace the prerequisite herbal studies and experience.

Please submit documentation of prior study and experience with your application, if applicable. Faculty review of this information, in concert with the interview, assures proper placement for each student into the appropriate program.

We notify applicants to the Family and Clinical Herbalist programs of their status on or around October 1st.

In the spirit of Nature’s diversity, all individuals, regardless of race, color, religious or spiritual belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, gender identification, or relationship to any individual member of VCIH are eligible for admission to our programs and for services in our clinic.

Application

Please fill out the Application for Admission appropriate to the program you are interested in. These can be found in the left-hand sidebar of this page, along with the Student Agreement. Include a deposit of $250.00 to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable upon your acceptance into the program and will be applied to your tuition. In the event that you are not accepted, your deposit will be refunded to you in full. Soon after the application deadline, we will contact you to schedule a formal admissions interview. We strongly recommend that students observe classes at VCIH (virtually), but the interview can also be conducted via phone/video if necessary. We also strongly suggest you read our FAQ page regarding the new blended (in-person and distance learning) format and COVID-related changes to delivery of the curriculum.

Tuition & Payment

Herbal Roots Apprenticeship: $2730

Family Herbalist: $4770

Clinical Herbalist: Year 1: $4770; Year 2: $8985; Year 3: $6465

The tuition reflects a rate of $13/classroom hour for Herbal Roots Apprenticeship and $15/classroom hour for Family and Clinical Programs. We recognize that the total cost of attendance is significant and may appear to be higher than that of other advanced programs. We recommend researching the total number of classroom contact hours of all programs you are considering and comparing hourly rates for the most accurate cost comparison. In our research, we’ve found other live online or in-person clinically-oriented programs charge between $15 and $28/contact or classroom hour.

The above rates are effective for the 2023 February-December year. Your tuition for all years of the Clinical program is “locked in” at the above rates once you receive admission to VCIH.

Tuition is due by the first day of classes for each year. No-interest payment plans are also available. VSAC grants are available for Vermont residents and will cover much of the tuition cost for each year. Please contact us for more information about either of these options.

Books and materials are not included in the cost of tuition. Costs for the Herbal Roots Apprenticeship are approximately $100; costs for the Family Herbalist and Clinical Herbalist programs are roughly $300.00 per year (not including expenses for the field experience (camping trip) in the Clinical program).

Travel, housing and food during intensives are not covered by tuition.

Tuition Reduction Options (aka Financial Aid/Scholarships)

VCIH offers BIPOC Reparations and Need-Based tuition reduction opportunities. Visit this page for more information and to apply. Applications should be completed at the same time as the admissions application. Unfortunately, tuition reduction is limited, so we highly recommend getting applications in on time to ensure consideration.

Refund Policy

Deposits are non-refundable at any time (unless a student is not accepted into a program). In the event that a student withdraws prior to the beginning of class, any payments in addition to the deposit will be returned in full. Once classes have begun, students who withdraw from the program within 15 days of the start date will receive a full refund, less a $250.00 withdrawal fee. Students who withdraw from the program after the first 15 days will not receive a tuition refund and any unpaid tuition will remain due.

Course Changes and Cancellations

VCIH reserves the right to make changes to our curriculum as deemed necessary, without compromising our stated mission. In the unlikely event VCIH needs to cancel a program, students will receive notice one month in advance and will be issued a full refund for payments made.

Housing

VCIH does not provide housing for our students. The Central Vermont area offers many rental opportunities for those relocating here, though at times these can be challenging to secure as the housing market fluctuates and rental costs have also risen in recent years. The rental market is also fairly inactive during winter months (Nov-Apr), so expect fewer options during that time. Burlington is our closest big city and offers more possibilities when options are scarce closer to VCIH. If you need rental information, please let us know and we will send you any leads we have available.

In short, we recommend thorough research before deciding to move to Vermont for the program–we love it here and many, many students have relocated successfully over the years, however it is a small, rural state with fewer resources in many ways than are found in metropolitan areas. You may consider our low-residency option if relocation isn’t possible for you.

Transportation

Public transportation is available to Montpelier, Barre, Burlington, St. Johnsbury, and the Central Vermont Hospital.

Physical Accessibility

The offices and classroom for VCIH are located at 123 Pitkin Rd. Plainfield, Vermont. The first floor of our building, which includes our classroom and a bathroom, is wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the gardens surrounding our building are on flat ground, though access is not paved. Some classes are held in the forests of the Goddard campus, as well as in other natural and agricultural settings around Central Vermont. If accessibility is a concern, please contact us so we can discuss possible accommodations.