Distance Learning/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions related to the process of accreditation, legal issues relating to accreditation, accreditation and transfer of credit, accreditation and military funding, the benefits of accreditation for students and the distance learning community, how potential students can learn more about and verify accreditation, the philosophy of distance learning, the development of distance learning, distance learning and curriculum design, as well as questions relating to holistic health and holistic health education, including: Holistic Health Practitioner, Master Herbalist, naturopathy, aromatherapy, herbalism, homeopathy, flower essences, iridology, holistic nutrition, wellness consulting, and phytotherapy.

Experience in the area

I founded the American College of Healthcare Sciences (formerly the Australasian College of Health Sciences) in 1978 and serve as College President. My BA is in Archaeology and Anthropology from Otago University, New Zealand, I have a Diploma in Natural Therapeutics from the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand, and am a certified acupuncturist with specialized training in Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion. I also serve as Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) and am a member of the Research and Educational Standards Subcommittee of the DETC.

Organizations

I currently serve as Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC), an independent, nonprofit organization, am registered as an aromatologist with the Institute of Aromatic Medicine (IAM), and am a Registered Full Member of the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) in the UK. I also am on the Advisory Board of the Institute of Applied Iridology and Sclerology, a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, and am a member of the Research and Educational Standards Subcommittee of the DETC.

Publications

My articles have appeared in Alternative Therapies in Clinical Practice, The News Quarterly, Making Scents, The Herbarist, and on Blogcritics.org.

Education/Credentials

My BA is in Archaeology and Anthropology from Otago University, New Zealand, I have a Diploma in Natural Therapeutics from the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand, and am a certified acupuncturist with specialized training in Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion.