Homeopathic Courses in Toronto, Canada & by distance education

Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine:
As North America’s longest-running homeopathic school, Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine (CCHM) is more than a college, it's a community. CCHM is the only Canadian College fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America (ACHENA), the gold standard used for homeopathic colleges in the USA. We are also accredited by the National United Professional Association of Trained Homeopaths (NUPATH), Canada's largest and oldest professional body.

• To maintain the highest standards of education and training in classical homeopathy.
• To encourage an inspirational learning environment employing modern teaching methods and emphasizing the art of homeopathic practice based upon sound scientific principles.
• To provide a structured, rigorous and creative program of study reflecting international curriculum standards which will serve to develop the skills, aptitude and competence necessary to prepare the student for professional practice.
• To involve students in homeopathic research in order to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the significance of this true healing art and to contribute to the development and acceptance of homeopathy as a primary health care model.
• To cooperate and liaise with other homeopathic organizations concerned with the evolution of homeopathic education, certification standards and creating unity of purpose within the profession.
• To communicate with government and the public in order to promote the cause of classical homeopathy as a prime method for healing the sick, and to protect the rights of consumers with regard to their freedom of choice in health care.
• To encourage ongoing personal, ethical and professional evaluation and development.

Our innovative clinical training model provides students with progressive instruction in the fine art of case-taking, prescribing and practice management. Guided by expert homeopaths, throughout the 3 year Program (and optional 1 year Post Graduate Program) students build a solid foundation of knowledge and skill and are confident in their abilities as homeopathic practitioners. 

Our professional training program is based on classical homeopathic principles discovered and developed by Samuel Hahnemann as described in his 'Organon of Medicine'. We emphasize clinical ability in a creative and supportive environment.

CCHM offers intensive three and four-year part-time training programs in Homeopathy, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, with in-class and Distance Education options. Classes begin in September and January of each year.

Classes are held two weekends per month at Northrop Frye Hall in the University of Toronto and at the CCHM location at 1881 Yonge Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M4S 3C4. The three-year program leads to a recognized diploma in classical homeopathy from the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine.

The Post-Graduate (4th year) Homeopathic Program is to inspire confidence and increase success in the consulting room. It is intended as an extension to, and a deepening of existing clinical skills following classical Hahnemannian principles of homeopathic casetaking, analysis and case management. Classes are held at 500-1881 Yonge St for eight weekends between Sept - June. 

The emphasis in all of our programs is on clinical proficiency. We offer a thorough Clinical Program supervised by Canada's most experienced and respected homeopaths. All of our homeopathy lecturers have a minimum of ten years of clinical experience and some of our lecturers have over 30 years of experience and have been with us since the founding of the college in 1994. Our supervised teaching clinic and internship clinic are open to the public, offering high-quality treatment at reduced rates.

The Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine is fully-accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America (ACHENA), formerly the Council on Homeopathic Education. ACHENA was founded in 1982 as an independent autonomous agency to assess homeopathic training in the United States and Canada.

Accreditation by the ACHENA is recognition granted to educational institutions and professional programs affiliated with those institutions for a level of quality and integrity which entitles them to the confidence of the general public, the educational community, governmental agencies, and other agencies and organizations. Their requirements and standards are very stringent and provide for ongoing monitoring to ensure they continue to be adhered to. 

The CCHM curriculum has been mapped and designed to comply with the draft regulations of the transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario as published on their website here.

CCHM graduates are eligible for membership with associations such as Canadian Society of Homeopaths (CSH), National United Professional Association of Trained Homeopaths (NUPATH) and The Ontario Homeopathic Association (OHA).

What do classical homeopaths do?

ANSWER: Homeopaths work with the individual to restore a state of health. They do not diagnose or treat a disease, unlike practitioners of mainstream medicine, they recognize and treat the unique state of each individual's vital energy as expressed in mental, emotional, and physical symptoms and characteristics.

The homeopath seeks to remove the ailment by using remedies that stimulate the individual's own inherent ability to heal and thus encourage the body to cure, instead of simply suppressing symptoms.

The classical homeopath selects the single most appropriate remedy in a potency that most closely matches the energy of the illness by investigating the individual’s state of health in a thorough case-taking. They analyze the case by using the symptoms and characteristics that show the uniqueness of the individual with special emphasis placed on a known cause of the sickness or any striking symptoms or themes.

After taking the case, a selection of the most similar remedy is determined through differentiation. The medicine that most closely matches the symptoms and the individual is prescribed in a single and minute dose. Only one remedy is ever prescribed at one time.

The patient`s case is followed carefully and any changes that have occurred since taking the prescribed remedy are analyzed. The remedy and its action will be evaluated so that the course of healing can continue until complete healing is achieved.

What is the difference between homeopathy and naturopathy?

Naturopathy basically refers to any method of treatment that depends on lifestyle and diet modifications to tackle a particular disease or disorder. Naturopaths study a variety of alternative healing methods, including homeopathy, but receive what amounts to a basic training in these modalities.

Homeopaths specialize in homeopathic medicine, which is a complete medical system in its own right. A Homeopath will prescribe a similar medicine to treat the root of the disease and ultimately cure the ailment naturally from within outward. Both Homeopathy and Naturopathy are regulated health professions in the province of Ontario.

What if I don't have time to attend all classes?

Lecture attendance requirement is 80% to be eligible for a pass mark. If you need to miss a class, then you can make arrangements with a classmate to share notes and pick up any handouts for you. Please contact us for more information on this option.

How many hours on top of the hours in-class is expected to spend on studying?

You will likely spend from home an equivalent of about 150% of the hours you are in class or clinic on assignments and studying.

What are the enrolment requirements?

To enrol at CCHM you must fill out our application form and enclose a $85 application fee, along with 2 letters of reference; one personal and one professional. Include a personal life sketch (expanded resume) and an essay on “Why I want to be a homeopath.”

We also need your most recent transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions that you have attended. Once this is all received, an interview with our Director of Admissions or Registrar will be set up in person or by phone. Upon satisfactory completion of your application and interview, an acceptance letter will be mailed to you.

What credentials are awarded upon graduating?

Graduates of the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine are awarded a diploma in Classical Hahnemannian Principles of Homeopathic Therapeutics and Health Sciences and are entitled to use the credentials ‘DCHM’ which signifies a Diploma from the College of Homeopathic Medicine.

Can I use the title ‘homeopathic doctor’ or the credential ‘HD’ when I graduate?

The use of the ‘homeopathic doctor’ title and the ‘HD’ credential are not provided for in the new legislation (Homeopathy Act) in Ontario only. Therefore it is illegal and inappropriate to use it in Ontario only. In Ontario, the protected title is ‘homeopath’.

Can I work while studying?

As mentioned, CCHM's  classical homeopathy program offers classes on weekends as well as certain weekdays for clinic. This schedule allows the flexibility for our students to continue their full time employment during their training.

Is it possible for me to do the program if I work full time and have a family?

Yes, almost all of our students work full time and at least half of them have families.

Can I have a career in homeopathy?

You can have a wonderful, fulfilling career as a homeopath. Whether it is a clinical practice, teaching or research that attracts you, the avenues are endless. Many homeopaths open their own general practice after graduation. Some work with other alternative practitioners in a complementary clinic.

Who conducts the consultation of the clinic patient in the clinic?

Part of completing the Diploma Program requires you to observe a master homeopath taking the initial consultation of a patient and their follow ups. Your clinical mentor will be conducting all consultations in the student clinic. These mentors are your teachers and each is a practicing classical homeopath with more than 10 years of clinical experience.

Do students do any case-taking with patients?

Yes, and plenty of it.  In your second and third year in the program you will be required to take on patients on your own time. You will be supervised by a professional homeopath and be required to take each patient's initial case and follow up consultations.

I have already studied homeopathy, will I have to take your whole program?

Exemptions can be granted by the Registrar during your enrolment process. Requests for exemptions will be considered by the Registrar after receipt of all your enrolment papers and your interview has been completed. Further, you may be exempt from some or all of the health sciences depending on your educational background.

What type of financial assistance do you offer?

Governmental financial assistance (e.g. Ontario Student Assistance Plan, OSAP) for students of homeopathy is not available. As we are in the process of regulation right now, this may change in the years to come.

In the absence of governmental financial assistance, CCHM offers installment plans to ease the financial burden for students. Some students have obtained loans from their personal financial institutions. Students typically work to support themselves and this is the reason for part-time weekend classes.

CCHM has assembled a rare stable of lecturers that are both good clinicians and good teachers - they rarely come in the same body. With this coming school year, our core lecturers will all have more than 14 hours of clinical practice which five of those have more than 25 years in practice. 

This clinical experience is crucial in teaching students the 'gray' area of homeopathy that is often difficult to understand. What happens in practice is not always seen in textbooks, so how can one apply homeopathy outside of black and white? CCHM lecturers can provide the guidelines which enhance the learning benefits to students throughout the years.