How to Find an Aromatherapy Course

You can find an aromatherapy course anywhere from your natural food store, to the internet, to your local community college. Unfortunately, there is no standardized curriculum for aromatherapy, so the content and quality of the classes varies widely which means that you, the student, have to do your homework to find out which aromatherapy course is best for you.

Research

The first step is to do a little research and get an overview of what aromatherapy is. Learn the major risks and benefits of aromatherapy and how it is practiced. Note terms and names that you come across frequently. Make a list of questions and see if you can find the answers to them.

Objectives

Next, decide what your objectives are in taking an aromatherapy course. Do you just want to know how to best use scent in your home? Or do you want to know how to make your own essential oils? Are you curious and want to learn more or do you want to be an aromatherapy practitioner? You may need to go back and do more research to pin down just what your goals are.

Instructor

Find out who will be teaching the aromatherapy course, and what her qualifications are. What is her educational background? What specific training and experience does she have in aromatherapy? Has she written anything about aromatherapy?

Curriculum

Ask what the aromatherapy course will cover. Which scents will you learn about? Will you learn about safety concerns? Will you learn what effects various scents produce? How to blend them? How to use them? Make sure the course covers at least most of the things you want to learn.

Expectations

What is expected of you? Is this a formal course of study with classes and tests? A formal aromatherapy course will probably require you to take a final exam or write a research paper. How long does it take to complete the course? How much does it cost? Make sure you understand what you will have to do to complete the course.

What Will You Get?

If you are taking a class to increase your knowledge, will you receive any course materials? Will you receive samples of scents?

 If you are taking a course so that you can practice aromatherapy, ask if you will receive a certificate or diploma upon graduation.

Because there isn’t a standardized aromatherapy curriculum, you can’t just sign up for an aromatherapy course on the web or at the community college, and expect to graduate as an aromatherapy practitioner. You must do your homework and know what you want to get out of the course, and make sure that’s what you receive.