This course provides essential oil materia medica training including the therapeutic uses, active constituents, methods of administration, and cautions and contraindications for each of the oils studied. Materia medica training includes botanical information, identification, sources, historical uses, parts used, cultivation, harvesting, production, characteristics, active constituents, therapeutic actions, medicinal uses, evidence-based uses, household uses, and perfumery. It is recommended that students also complete AROMA 303 to study the full complement of essential oils taught at ACHS.

Learning Outcomes

Identify, discuss, and safely use the organic or wildcrafted essential oils studied, including: Botanical information, identification, sources, historical uses, parts used, cultivation, harvesting, production, characteristics, active constituents, therapeutic actions, medicinal uses, evidence-based uses, household uses, and perfumery

Create lifestyle plans and aromatherapy programs to support optimal health

Identify, describe, and discuss appropriate and safe uses of a full range of administrative methods for the oils studied

Synthesize the aspects of the body of aromatherapy research

Build on skills gained in Aroma 303 and continue to learn to interpret and evaluate aromatherapy research

Discuss the concepts in evaluating the validity of aromatherapy research

Demonstrate the ability to critically review aromatherapy research

Explain the hierarchy of research (case study, a case series, pilot study, and trials)

Understand the importance of and perform aromatherapy research in order to maintain a practice of independent study to maintain and further develop expertise in the clinical uses of essential oils

Understand the critical process and evaluate it with a critical eye and identify ways to perform your own research study

Understand the importance of and perform aromatherapy research in order to maintain a practice of independent study to maintain and further develop expertise in the clinical uses of essential oils

Demonstrate the ability to write a case study and/or report on aromatherapy

Required Materials (Course Pack):

The Required Materials (or Course Pack) cost—including standard shipping within the United States—is $437.75. This includes:

ACHS eTextbook: Petersen, D. (2016). Aromatherapy Materia Medica: Essential Oil Monographs. Portland, OR: American College of Healthcare Sciences. [You should already have this from the AROMA 303 course. Students will have access to download the eTextbook in the online classroom] - $100
(Optional: Printed copy available for an additional $133)
Online Materials and Library Resources (OMLR) - $115
AROMA 304 Practical Lab Kit

Get the most up to date information about required textbooks for this class, including ISBN, edition and price, by visiting our Required Textbooks page.

Total Course Price $975 (3 credits x $325 per credit) + $437.75 Course Pack = $1412.75

Does not include Registration Fee, which is $200 per program or $30 per credit if enrolling in single courses.

* You may always elect to buy or rent your textbooks/ebooks new or used. However, when choosing to purchase college textbooks and recommended reading outside the College store, please use caution to ensure you purchase the correct edition and ISBN. Please note that some books may also be available digitally or for E-Readers.

Tuition Includes:

Expert faculty with real-world professional experience in each course
All instruction and evaluation, including weekly interaction with your instructor through the online classroom, live teleconferences and/or chats, email, and the Instructor’s Virtual Office
Dynamic online lectures updated regularly to include the latest evidence-based research and industry updates

Maximum Enrollment: 30 students

Optional Recommended Reading & Study Kits

Click here to view the optional Recommended Reading for this course.

Last updated 10/25/18