Best institutions to study Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems
Any instructional program in alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems not listed above.
6 U.S. institutions graduated 242 Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3399, a specialization of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33), and leads most directly to the Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 29-1299).
About Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs
Any instructional program in alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems program focuses on various non-conventional approaches to healthcare, emphasizing holistic and integrative practices. This program is designed for students interested in exploring alternative therapies and their applications in patient care, making it suitable for those who wish to enhance their understanding of health professions beyond traditional medicine.
Students in this program will gain knowledge about various alternative and complementary practices, including their historical contexts, methodologies, and potential applications in modern healthcare settings. Coursework may cover topics related to holistic health, patient assessment, and the integration of alternative therapies into conventional medical practices.
Credentials awarded
What Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years146 graduates / yr · 1 institution60%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year48 graduates / yr · 2 institutions20%
- Bachelor's degree17 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.0%
- Master's degree12 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.9%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.9%
- Associate's degree5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.1%
Graduates over time
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 104 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 225 |
| 2015 | 209 |
| 2016 | 207 |
| 2017 | 199 |
| 2018 | 96 |
| 2019 | 69 |
| 2020 | 73 |
| 2021 | 84 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 124 |
| 2024 | 107 |
| 2025 | 242 |
Top 6 institutions for Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stautzenberger College - Maumee Maumee, OHPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 150 | 55% | $21,788 | — |
| 2 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 37 | 32% | — | — |
| 3 | St Catherine University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 19 | 61% | $21,042 | — |
| 4 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 17 | 32% | — | $33,302 |
| 5 | Northern Essex Community College Haverhill, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 21% | — | $49,459 |
| 6 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems field (CIP 51.33) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates come from. Each state links to all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 1 | 150 | Stautzenberger College - Maumee150 / yr |
| Colorado | 2 | 54 | Red Rocks Community College37 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 19 | St Catherine University19 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 12 | Northern Essex Community College12 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 7 | Thomas Jefferson University7 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1299, Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems program can pursue careers as Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, among other roles. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an annual opening of approximately 2,400 positions and a median wage of $113,730, typically requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3399
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Otherprimary SOC 29-1299 | $115,210 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~2,400 | Master's degree |
Related careers
Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33).
- Acupuncture and Oriental MedicineCIP 51.33011,453 graduates / yr45 institutions
- Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical SystemsCIP 51.3300partial data422 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Holistic/CIP 51.3306
Integrative Health 399 graduates / yr20 institutions - Naturopathic Medicine/CIP 51.3303
Naturopathy partial data201 graduates / yr7 institutions - Ayurvedic Medicine/CIP 51.3305
Ayurveda partial data142 graduates / yr4 institutions - Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese HerbologyCIP 51.3302119 graduates / yr13 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Homeopathic Medicine/
Homeopathy51.3304
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs →
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, a Bachelor's degree, or a Master's degree.
How many colleges in the U.S. offer this program?+
There are 6 colleges in the U.S. offering this program.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 242 graduates complete this program each year.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 2,400 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems?+
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems is CIP 51.3399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems not listed above.
How many institutions offer Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs?+
6 U.S. institutions reported Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 242 credentials in the year. That is 8.1% of all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates.
How much do Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other occupation, which Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems most directly leads to, pays a median of $115,210 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems field report median earnings of $49,459 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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