
Level 1: What is SA? | Entry | Schedule | Curriculum | Instructors | Costs | Payments | FAQ

MASTER FOUNDATIONS
OF ĀYURVEDIC MEDICINE
Gain knowledge and skills for clinical application in the
Svastha Āchārya (SA) Program.

Enrollment open for 2023 - 2024
Apply by June 30th, 2023.
-
Certificate Track
-
Audit Track
SVASTHA ĀCHĀRYA (SA)
ĀYURVEDIC HEALTH COACH
What is a Svastha Āchārya, and why is it different?
ROOT CAUSE RESOLUTION
TARGETED DIET & LIFESTYLE CORRECTIONS
617 hours (28 credits), 12 months
The Svastha Āchārya (Āyurvedic Health Coach) Certificate Program is an accelerated, career-focused program to practice Āyurvedic Medicine internationally. The SA Program is for students who intend to practice Āyurveda professionally in a clinical setting or continue with advanced, professional training.
Learn extensive core principles of Āyurvedic Medicine and their application methods for multicultural environments. Develop assessment skills to identify risk factors, individual constitution, deviation, external and internal factors that impact holistic health. Perform root cause analysis for individuals, confirm with scientific testing methods and correct deviations using diet, lifestyle, targeted single herbal protocols and self-care treatments.
Read key portions of four, major classical Āyurvedic medical texts and correlate knowledge with current scientific developments. Students review the Charaka Saṁhitā, Suśhruta Saṁhitā, Aṣhṭāṅga Hṛdaya and Bhāva Prakāśha in detail, well beyond Level One Āyurvedic programs outside of India.
Graduates work independently and collaboratively to identify appropriate clients, assess and quantify health, identify potential causative factors, create a custom health improvement plan and follow-up with patients and clients to maximize positive results.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE SA PROGRAM
Review minimum and preferred requirements, plus pre-requisites
STEP ONE
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
WHEN: Confirm by May
01
Minimum requirements
-
Be 18 years of age or older by August 15th.
-
Provide a true, electronic copy of government-issued photo identification.
-
Provide a true, electronic copy of completion of high school, GED, equivalent or higher.
02
Preferred candidates
-
Bachelor's of science or higher
-
Background in medicine, nursing, healthcare, science, technology or similar
-
Multi lingual
-
Relevant professional experience
-
Skills in critical thinking, logic and complex problem-solving
-
Aptitude for study, memorization, focused attention and consistent self-discipline
03
Online Participation
-
Gmail address, or compatible email account
-
High-speed internet
-
Minimum 13" screen
-
Headset and microphone
-
Equipment that supports real-time audio and video
-
-
Gmail, Meet, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets
-
-
Comfortable with online learning and technology
04
Select Program Track
-
For Professional Certification
-
Prepares graduates for scientific practice of Āyurvedic medicine as a Svastha Āchārya (Āyurvedic Health Coach)
-
Passing and certification requires:
-
completion of prerequisites
-
extensive memorization (English and Sanskrit)
-
written and oral examinations
-
full-time study to complete in a single enrollment
-
- Intended for recent college graduates, medical professionals, high academic performers
-
-
For Personal Knowledge (Audit)
-
Graduates are not prepared for scientific practice of Āyurvedic medicine
-
Students are not required to
-
complete prerequisites
-
memorize information
-
pass written or oral examinations
-
participate full-time
-
-
Intended for individuals who are interested in Āyurveda for personal use, not for professional practice
-
STEP TWO
PRE-REQUISITES
WHEN: Complete by August
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
FOR 2023 - 2024
Prerequisites, Semester One, Semester Two, Clinical Term
PRE-REQUISITES
HUMAN A&P, AYU-100, ESSENTIAL SANSKRIT
WHEN: Complete by August 15th
Preparatory Study
-
Start early
-
Complete by August 15th
-
College-level Human Anatomy & Physiology, I and II
-
30 to 90 hours of Essential Sanskrit, in three workshops
-
30 to 90 hours of AYU-100 (Introduction to professional Āyurveda)
-
Watch lectures, read, attend live class, complete homework and exams
Optional early start
-
Students who enroll early can access all recorded lectures and begin studying.
-
Highly recommended for all students who want to complete the program successfully on time
ORIENTATION
ONLINE CLASSROOM & RESOURCES
WHEN: August, third week
Welcome and Orientation
-
Monday August 21st, 2023 at regular class time
-
With Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS
SEMESTERS ONE & TWO
ACADEMIC TRAINING
WHEN: Aug to Dec 2023 (SEM1), Jan to Apr 2024 (SEM2)
Semester Format
-
15 weeks per semester
-
Each week
-
6 hours recorded lecture
-
50-minute Mentoring Session with Katerina Nestorovska, SA
-
Sunday or Monday (US time zones)
-
Monday or Tuesday (AUS time zones)
-
Morning or evening, recurring schedule
-
-
120-minute Live Class with Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS
-
Mondays
-
US Eastern, 6pm to 8pm
-
US Central, 5pm to 7pm
-
US Mountain, 4pm to 6pm
-
US Pacific, 3pm to 5pm
-
-
Tuesdays
-
AUS Eastern, 8am to 10am (Aug 22nd to Sept 26th, 2023)
-
AUS Eastern, 9am to 11am (Oct 3rd to 31st, 2023)
-
AUS Eastern, 10am to 12pm (Nov 7th, 2023 to Mar 5th, 2024)
-
AUS Eastern, 9am to 11am (Mar 12th to Apr 2nd, 2024)
-
AUS Eastern, 8am to 10am (Apr 9th, to Jun 25th, 2024)
-
-
-
Semester One Timeline (US time zones)
-
Semester begins Monday, August 28th, 2023
-
Midterms, Monday, October 16th, 2023
-
Finals, Monday, December 4th, 2023
Semester Two Timeline (US time zones)
-
Semester begins Monday, January 8th, 2024
-
Midterms, Monday, February 19th, 2024
-
Finals, Monday April 15th, 2024
Semester One Timeline (AUS time zones)
-
Semester begins Tuesday, August 29th, 2023
-
Midterms, Tuesday, October 17th, 2023
-
Finals, Tuesday, December 5th, 2023
Semester Two Timeline (AUS time zones)
-
Semester begins Tuesday, January 9th, 2024
-
Midterms, Tuesday, February 20th, 2024
-
Finals, Tuesday April 16th, 2024
CLINICAL TERM
SUPERVISED CLINICAL TRAINING
WHEN: Apr to Jun 2024
Clinical Term, Internship
-
10 weeks total
-
27+ hours/week
-
US time zones: Monday, April 22nd to Monday, June 24th, 2024
-
AUS time zones: Tuesday, April 23rd to Tuesday, June 25th, 2024
First week: Clinical Orientation
-
US time zones: Monday, April 22nd, 2024
-
AUS time zones: Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024
-
One hour mentoring at regular time
-
Two hour class at regular class time
Second week: Intake Sessions
-
US time zones: Monday, April 29th to Friday, May 3rd, 2024
-
AUS time zones: Tuesday, April 30th to Saturday, May 4th, 2024
-
Live class, 6 - 7 hours daily, with breaks
-
Class schedules will be announced during Spring 2024
Third week to end: Clinical Practice
-
US time zones: Monday, May 6th to Monday, June 24th, 2024
-
AUS time zones: Tuesday, May 7th to Tuesday, June 25th, 2024
-
27+ hours per week
-
Flexible schedules for SA client sessions, documentation, research
-
Live class, for case presentations
-
Mondays, at regular class time
-
Additional class times as needed
-
CURRICULUM
ACADEMIC & CLINICAL
345 hours of academic instruction, 272 hours of clinical training
ACADEMIC, PRE-REQUISITES, 60 to 180 HOURS
SANSKRIT & AYU-100
ACADEMIC, SEMESTER ONE, 135 HOURS
FOUNDATIONS OF ĀYURVEDA
AYU-110
Prof Āyurveda for the SA
15 hours, 1.0 credits
Ethics, legalities and professional practice

AYU-111
Sanskrit for the SA
15 hours, 1.0 credits
Śhloka analysis and memorization

AYU-120
Core principles (Siddhānta)
30 hours, 2.0 credits
Core principles of Āyurvedic medicine

AYU-121
The human body (Śhārīra)
30 hours, 2.0 credits
Fundamentals of Āyurvedic anatomy

AYU-122
Holistic living (Svastha vṛtta)
30 hours, 2.0 credits
Comprehensive principles of healthy living

ACADEMIC, SEMESTER TWO, 150 HOURS
FOUNDATIONS OF CLINICAL ĀYURVEDA
AYU-130
Therapeutic management
45 hours, 3.0 credits
Foundations of pathology and therapeutics

AYU-131
Classical study I
45 hours, 3.0 credits
Review of four, key Āyurvedic medical texts

AYU-132
Clinical Āyurveda for the SA
45 hours, 3.0 credits
Principles of management, 15 primary pathologies

CLINICAL TERM, 272+ HOURS
SUPERVISED PRACTICE, ĀYURVEDIC MEDICINE
AYU-150
Supervised clinical intakes
30 hours (lab), 1.0 credit
Preparation, presentation, intake, review

AYU-151
SA clinical presentations
34 hours (lab), 1.0 credit
Presentation, discussion, feedback

AYU-152
SA clinical practice
208 hours (internship), 4.5 credits
Sessions, documentation, research

INSTRUCTORS
INSTRUCTION & MENTORING
Exceptional academic and clinical instruction and one-on-one mentoring
PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR
ACADEMIC & CLINICAL INSTRUCTION

Vaidya (Dr.) Jessica Vellela, BAMS is the first American-born woman to become a Doctor of Āyurvedic medicine and practice independently in India. Since graduating at the top of her class in 2012, she has been working with patients, clients and students in 10+ countries.
Jessica teaches the principles of Āyurvedic medicine clearly and deeply to help students grasp the complexity of the full science.
She restructured the BAMS curriculum into an efficient, thorough and comprehensive training program starting at Level 1: SA.
PRIMARY MENTOR
ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING

Katerina Nestorovska is a graduate of the Svastha Āchārya Program (2021). She holds double Bachelor degrees in Health Sciences (Homeopathy), along with a double major in Criminology and Psychology. Katerina has an extensive background in diagnostics, assessment and holistic counseling through allied healthcare practices.
Katerina provides students with highly personalized support in the rigorous training of the SA program. She helps students maximize their efforts to learn efficiently and correctly.
COSTS & BOOKS
FOR THE PROGRAM
Online access to training materials, lectures and resources included
Svastha Āchārya (SA) Certificate Program | Amount (USD) |
---|---|
Admissions interview fee | $ 75 |
Essential Sanskrit workshops (AYU-020, 021, 022) | $ 477 |
Introduction to professional Ayurveda (AYU-100) | $ 400 |
Semester One tuition | $ 2,500 |
Semester Two tuition | $ 2,500 |
Clinical term tuition | $ 1,000 |
Books, technology equipment | variable |
Total Program Cost | $ 6,877 |
The total program cost is the same for both tracks, Professional Certification and Personal Knowledge (Audit). Students must select a specific track at the time of enrollment.
All students who enroll in the program more than once must pay tuition during each enrollment. From the second enrollment onwards, each academic Semester tuition is reduced by $1,000. The total program cost becomes $4,000 (Semester One, $1,500 plus Semester Two, $1,500 plus Clinical Term, $1,000).
Students who successfully complete the Professional Certification track receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the program. Students who participate in the Personal Knowledge (Audit) track do not receive a final certificate.
Professional Certification track requirements
-
Students must maintain passing scores on all homework, written and oral examinations (72% or higher).
-
Students who do not pass on the first attempt may retake examinations only once per course per academic year.
-
Students who are unable to maintain passing scores may re-enroll in the program from the following academic year, and are required to participate in the entire program (all prerequisites and courses) from start to finish.
-
Students may change to the Personal Knowledge (Audit) track at any time. All payments will be credited towards program completion and any pending payments will be due at the scheduled time.
Personal Knowledge (Audit) track requirements
-
Students are not required to maintain passing grades on homework, written or oral examinations. No homework or examinations must be submitted to remain in the program.
-
Students who would like to change to the Professional Certification track must have current, passing scores on all homework, written and oral examinations to be eligible.
-
All requests to change to the Professional Certification track must be approved before the completion of Semester One. After that, students may re-enroll in the program from the following academic year on the Professional Certification track.
International students (outside the US) are encouraged to apply and request a tuition rate conversion to their local currency. We cannot guarantee that all requests will be approved, but we always work with serious students to make the knowledge and training accessible.
Additional costs that are the responsibility of the student include
-
Personal computer equipment
-
Internet and connectivity costs
-
Books and other learning tools not listed above
Credits and Refund Policy
-
Payments made can be credited toward future education
-
No refunds for any payments
Admissions interview fee
-
Pay in advance to schedule the interview appointment
Essential Sanskrit Workshops
-
Paid separately, prior to enrollment
Introduction to professional Ayurveda (AYU-100)
-
Paid separately, prior to enrollment
Program Tuition
-
Includes Semester 1, Semester 2 and Clinical tuition (if applicable)
-
Semester 1 tuition is due at the beginning of the semester
-
Semester 2 tuition is due at the beginning of the semester
-
Clinical term tuition is due at the beginning of the term
-
Students can withdraw from the program at any time
-
Paid tuition can be applied to any future program if unable to complete in the registered year
-
Students maintain access to all program materials including lectures, digital media and more until completion of the program, or three years of inactivity.
Books and equipment, Variable
Textbooks, computer equipment, internet connectivity and other study materials are the sole responsibility of the student.
Late fee, $100 per incident
Late tuition payments for any portion of the program (beyond the grace period) are subject to a $100 late fee. Students can email in advance to request a payment extension and waive the late fee.
PAYMENTS
FOR THE PROGRAM
Electronic payments only, single or payment plan in USD
Total program cost, $6,877
Interview fee, Sanskrit, AYU-100, paid separately
FAQ
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Contact us if you have additional questions.