There are many kinds of aromatherapy courses. Some are designed for people who are just interested in knowing more about aromatherapy and using their knowledge at home for personal use. There are also aromatherapy courses for people who are serious about having a career in aromatherapy or adding aromatherapy to other sorts of therapy that they already practice such as massage therapy. Some aromatherapy courses are traditional courses in that they meet regularly within an educational institution. There are others that are based on distance learning or online classes.
The different types of aromatherapy courses culminate in different kinds of degrees or certificates. The courses designed for individuals simply learning about aromatherapy out of personal interest usually do not conclude with the presentation of a certificate. Those designed for people who plan to use their knowledge and training related to aromatherapy in a professional manner usually do offer certificates or diplomas to students who successfully complete the course work.
An aromatherapy course that does not culminate in a degree or certificate will generally be far less intensive than a course that is intended to put someone on a professional track in the field of aromatherapy. The former type of course will likely offer general instruction in the history of aromatherapy, aromatherapy safety, and the applications and uses of certain kinds of oils. It may also delve into how to blend oils to create custom therapeutic aromas.
Accredited courses, on the other hand will be much more in depth and will require more work and more time on the part of the students. In addition to covering all of the topics that a non-accredited course wold cover, these courses will likely also delve into physiology, the process of extracting essential oils, and holistic approaches to aromatherapy. These sorts of aromatherapy courses also often require students to do research of their own and produce papers or reports on their findings about specific aspects of aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy courses that offer certificates or diplomas also often include course material on the application of aromatherapy in massage therapy, covering the ways in which aromatherapy can be used in tandem with massage therapy. These courses may also include classes on massage and massage therapy techniques. These courses also often offer instruction on the business of aromatherapy, which includes topics such as record keeping for clients and the economics of how an aromatherapy business functions.
