Ayurveda Program at Southern California University of Health Sciences announces it is the first in the U.S. to receive NAMAC’s Candidacy for Accreditation status

WHITTIER, CA – (Jan. 12, 2023) — Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) has announced that its Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate Program and Ayurvedic Practitioner Program has been granted Candidacy for Accreditation status by the National Ayurvedic Medicine Accreditation Council (NAMAC). SCU is the first ayurvedic program in the U.S. to receive NAMAC’s Candidacy for Accreditation status. NAMAC is a programmatic accrediting agency for clinically focused Ayurvedic medical programs.

Ayurveda healthcare providers use herbs, diet, lifestyle recommendations, specialized Ayurveda therapies, and yoga to help patients re-establish harmony and achieve greater happiness, health, and balance. “Ayurveda is one of the oldest traditional medical systems delivering personalized healthcare. This science of healing advocates for pursuing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through various lifestyle practices, dietary choices, positive behavior, and a conscious-based approach to living,” said SCU Health Ayurveda Medicine Program Director, Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, BAMS, MAOM, L.Ac, FAIHM, C-IAYT, Ph.D.

NAMAC recognition status indicates that programs administer an approved course of study, thus ensuring well-trained professionals, and providing greater transparency for consumers and the general public. Graduates of this program qualify to sit for NAMACB Certification Exams.

The Ayurveda programs at SCU began in 2008 and SCU has held National Ayurvedic Medical Association’s program approval status since 2013, however, NAMAC has recently updated its accreditation requirements. SCU maintains the highest quality educational standards for the Ayurveda program, which earned the Candidacy status. Full NAMAC accreditation status for SCU’s Ayurveda program is expected within two years.

“Our mission is to produce the best trained Ayurveda graduates who are workforce ready to serve the community by helping improve whole-person health and healthcare for all,” said Dr. Kizhakkeveettil. “This can be only achieved by ensuring the highest quality Ayurvedic education. The main vision of NAMAC is to accredit educational programs of Ayurveda, ensure quality, promote excellence, and advance improvement in Ayurvedic medical education.”

“The honor of earning Candidacy for Accreditation status for SCU’s Ayurveda Department is a testament to the diligent work of our faculty, administrators, and students to ensure a continued standard of quality in health care education,” said SCU President John Scaringe, DC, EdD. “SCU is known for our integrative, whole-person health care programs, and we remain committed to educating competent, caring, and motivated health care practitioners to improving health and health care in Southern California and beyond.”

For more information on Ayurveda educational programs at SCU, visit the Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate (Level I) and Ayurvedic Practitioner Certificate(Level II) pages. The next term begins May 8, 2023. For full details on admissions requirements, visit the Ayurveda Admissions Requirements page.

SCU Health, the clinical division of SCU, offers consultations for potential future patients interested in better understanding Ayurvedic medicine, and those who are seeking health benefits such as boosting immunity, rejuvenating the body, enhancing the strength of the body to alleviate pain, anxiety, insomnia, and more. Patients may visit scuhealth.org/services/ayurvedic-medicine for a list of benefits and relief. For additional details on the Ayurveda Wellness Membership available at SCU Health, visit the online brochure.