Frequently Asked Questions

Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine offers various long-term in-person programs as well online classes, and shorter in-person classes we call modulars. You’ll find a full description of each course and class, including class dates, tuition and the application process under the Programs tab above.

There are no pre-requisites for any of our programs. But the more you know ahead of time, the easier it will be to learn!

All of our classes are taught in-person. CoreyPine Shane is the primary teacher and invites some of the best herbalists in Asheville to teach their specialties to our students at Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine. We do, however, have 3 online programs available on this site.

After you’ve filled out the application and paid the application fee, we will reach out to you about scheduling an interview. For programs that require an interview, we will hold interviews throughout the work-week.

*View each individual program to learn each application due date and specific application processes.

You can find the unique schedules for each program under the Programs tab above. They are listed at the bottom of each page.

Yes, we definitely encourage visits. Please email CoreyPine directly at director@blueridgeschool.org to schedule a tour.
Please note, we request booking at least 3 weeks in advance though occasionally we can accommodate a tour sooner.

We are not offering apprenticeships anymore. We do need class assistants who help with class set up and clean up each day in exchange for a discount on tuition. There are two spots for the Holistic Herbalism Program, and two for the Essentials of Herbalism Program.

We accept applications for each of our programs until the application due date. In the event a class does fill up before the due date, we will be sure to post an update on the program’s page announcing that enrollment is closed.  Please note, each program has it’s own due date, so please see each individual program under the Programs tab above for more information. If you’ve paid the application fee and the program is full, you will be refunded.

Right now, BRSHM is offering equity seats for Black, Indigenous and People of Color – at this time, all equity seats consist of a 10% discount on tuition.  Please email jj.brhsm@gmail.com if you are interested. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept any forms of financial aid. We do, however, offer payment plans if paying the tuition in a lump sum is not feasible for you, though these are limited. Lastly, we are not offering work-trade opportunities at this time.

Interviews are typically done over the phone. If you prefer Skype or FaceTime, please let us know when scheduling your interview. If you would prefer an in-person interview, that can also be arranged.

All students who complete our programs will receive a certificate. They are listed below:

Essentials of Herbalism Program: Certified Community Herbalist
Holistic Herbalism Program: Certified Holistic Herbalist
Advanced Clinical Program: Certified Clinical Herbalist

Please note that these are certifications and not licenses. There is no oversight over what a certified herbalist is and there is no accreditation program for herbalists in the United States. While this may seem somewhat loose, there are pros and cons to the lack of an accreditation process. We are, however, in complete support of having no accreditation program. We believe that if herbalism was ever obtained a governing body, it would undoubtedly lose its rich diversity of healing modalities.

Herbalists use different herbs native to (or growing in) their own region. There are many different philosophies of herbalism, and as we move away from modern western medicine, we encourage diverse and holistic approaches to healing the body. Herbalists today have the incredible opportunity to learn various healing modalities that most closely resonate with their own personal philosophies. Some of these modalities include Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Daoist Traditions, healing traditions from different Indigenous groups, or even various folk methods used by healers from all over the world.

After completing a clinical program, herbalists have the opportunity to operate or work in a clinical practice. Other opportunities include being involved in production in the herbal products industry, teaching in a variety of alternative health care educational programs, and herb farming. Additionally, many herbalists develop a strong botanical skill set, offering valuable insight into forest restoration, activism and research.

BRSHM does not provide housing for students. The Asheville area offers many rental opportunities for those relocating here. There are online resources for finding housing as well as local realtors and property managers.

The Essentials of Herbalism Program is most conducive to commuters. If you are planning to commute to class, some students have had luck browsing Airbnb, HelpX, and couchsurfers.com. For the Holistic Herbalism Program, the schedule is such that we strongly recommend students live within reasonable commuting distance so that they can participate in scheduled class time. Please note that we do not offer refunds to folks who realize the commute is too far to be sustainable.

There is no camping on school premises. Camping on National Forest land really isn’t a viable option until June and even then it can still be cold at night. Do keep in mind if you plan to camp that you need to be entirely self-sufficient.

We don’t have any job openings available at present but there may be jobs available in the greater Asheville area. Please keep in mind that our Holistic Herbalism Program requires serious time commitment, so it is best to be prepared and have money saved up when applying for these programs. 

At this time, you DO need a car as the school is not located near any public transportation. The school is currently located on CoreyPine’s property in Barnardsville, NC (20 min North of Asheville). Please note that he lives on a gravel road, but you do not need 4wd to get to the property.

The Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine offers a varied experiential education. Our programs are intended to expose first-time herbal students, as well as those continuing their herbal education, to the wide variety of ways that herbal medicine can touch our lives.

Many class days will be spent at the school in the classroom. Students will have a one-hour lunch break to eat and connect with one another. Other classes will include full day plant walks with a picnic lunch on the field. For plant walks, students should prepare for a full day of hiking or walking and dress appropriately for the weather.

Classes are designed to be engaging and interactive, so whether the class is a full day of lecture or a full day in the forest, students will have the opportunity to engage and participate in the learning process.

Yes. The Essentials of Herbalism Program will require 2-3 hours/month. With the Holistic Herbalism Program, expect 2-5 hours of homework each week including reading, writing, research and personal reflection.

Besides tuition, you will want to put some money aside for additional expenses such as books, tincturing alcohol, fresh herbs and tools, for which you will receive a list of suggestions. These are not required for class, but simply things you will find useful.

Below is an approximate suggestion of additional funds to set aside for each program:

Essentials of Herbalism Program: $100-$200
Holistic Herbalism Program: about $500+ (for medicine making supplies and field trip gear)

While we are animal lovers, we can only allow certified service dogs.

Unfortunately, most classes are not wheelchair accessible at this time. Many classes are held in the forests of WNC. If accessibility is a concern, please contact us that so we can discuss possible accommodations.