The Ayurvedic Studies Program Level 2 (ASP 2) offers continued training in Ayurvedic theory and practice for serious students planning a career as an Ayurvedic practitioner. Graduates possess a deeper understanding of constitutional imbalance and the Ayurvedic perspective of pathology and will be able to consult with clients utilizing Ayurvedic principles including lifestyle management, basic Ayurvedic herbology and yoga to restore balance.

ASP 2 is designed specifically for ASP 1 graduates who were recognized by faculty and administration as having demonstrated a high level of participation, commitment and understanding indicative of a career professional. Such students are qualified to apply for advanced level 2 training. ASP 2 students are then continuously evaluated, by instructors and the education administrator, for permission to work with public clients.

Applicants must have completed ASP 1 training during or after the 2004-2005 program. ASP 1 graduates from years prior to 2004-2005 will be considered provided they offer proof of a sufficient level of knowledge to be successful in Level 2 courses. Graduates of other Ayurvedic schools may apply to audit Vasant Lad’s Gurukula course, which includes Vasant Lad client consultations and Ayurvedic Lecture. As part of the application process, candidates for auditing status will be interviewed to determine whether their level of understanding is sufficient.

Graduates will be able to begin integrating Ayurveda into other healthcare disciplines and be strong contributors in an integrated medical practice. Graduates in a clinical setting will need to personally have formal training in another healthcare discipline or to team up with someone who does. Licensed health care providers will be able to integrate Ayurveda into their clinical practices.

This program includes: Vasant Lad’s Gurukula Course, a client-centered, problem-based learning environment that combines client consultations and lecture, Assessment and Management, Integrated Lab, Grand Rounds, Ayurvedic Herbology, Sanskrit, AyurYoga and Patho-physiology.

Vasant Lad makes a commitment to teach what he has learned in more than 30 years of teaching and clinical practice. In return, he requires a commitment on the part of the serious, dedicated student to learn, present and practice Ayurveda in a manner consistent with his principles and practices and those of the Ayurvedic Institute. Material in Vasant Lad’s course is presented from his knowledge and minimal printed material is available. Students will need to depend upon their personal notes. Although we offer specific academic courses in this program, students are expected to trust Vasant Lad as to what, when and how to teach the subjects that he feels are appropriate according to the students’ level of academic, ethical and spiritual understanding.

To receive a certificate of completion, it is mandatory to meet all course and attendance requirements, demonstrate sufficient clinical consultation skills, and to pass an oral exam at the end of the academic year.

Applicants must have completed Ayurvedic Studies Program, Level 1 training during or after the 2004-2005 program. ASP 1 graduates from years prior to 2004-2005 will be considered provided they offer proof of a sufficient level of knowledge to be successful in Level 2 courses. Graduates of other Ayurvedic schools may apply to audit Vasant Lad’s Gurukula course, which includes Vasant Lad client consultations and Ayurvedic Lecture. As part of the application process, candidates for auditing status will be interviewed to determine whether their level of understanding is sufficient.

ASP Level 2 is divided into two 10-week quarters, separated by a week-long break.

The school year begins on January 5, 2009 with an 8 am Orientation (required). Classes end May 29, 2009, with oral exams over the following two weeks and graduation on June 12, 2009.

This program is limited to 24 full-time certificate students.

ASP 2 applications will be accepted beginning on August 1st, before the start of the program. Registration deadline is December 1st for US citizens and October 20th for international students.

The Ayurvedic Studies Program Level 2 is an intensive time of study. It is essential that students come prepared to concentrate and focus.

This program includes lectures, breakout sessions and an emphasis on practical exercises and supervised consultations.
Students earn 470 hours total of classroom time.

Students spend 23.5 to 25 hours per week in class (as compared to 16 hours per week for a full university class load).

Each week, a student can expect to spend a minimum of 1 hour on outside assignments and homework for each hour of class time. Anticipate spending 45-50 hours per week focused on school, including class time and outside homework. This is a somewhat conservative estimate.

While it is possible to work part-time, the time students have available beyond class time and study is very limited. We recommend you not depend on an extensive workload for your living expenses.

Classes are offered Monday through Friday in the morning and afternoon.

Course content is built upon Level 1 curriculum, and may include repetition as concepts are reviewed, examined and worked with in a practical setting.

Special Ayurvedic Weekend Seminars and Intensives that offer in-depth study of special areas of Ayurveda are available at an additional fee. While not required, these often-requested topics have included aromatherapy, subtle therapies, Panchakarma, pulse assessment and more. Dr. Lad seminars may repeat some information included in the regular curriculum, as well as present new information. (Refer to our Event Calendar.)

The Ayurvedic Institute reserves the right to make adjustments to the curriculum without prior notification to students.

Certificate of Completion
Students may participate in the ASP 2 program as certificate students only. Students develop knowledge and skill through individual and progressive group work, interactive exercises, projects, presentations and supervised practice with staff and students to develop clinical competencies.

Continued participation in all courses, requires that students meet all attendance requirements, successfully complete all mandatory homework and exams, pass the oral exam at the end of the academic year, be a student in good standing, and have paid all tuition in full.

Each student is continuously evaluated by ASP 2 faculty and the Education Administrator as being qualified to work with community clients.

Successful completion of the program includes: full participation in all courses, evaluation by course instructors on the student’s ability to apply Ayurvedic principles clinically during all client consultations, approval to work with community clients, and to interact professionally with clients, their fellow students and faculty.

Audit
Part time auditing is not permitted due to the clinical nature of this program, with one exception. Applicants wishing to audit the Gurukula sessions with Dr. Lad on a session- by-session basis or for full quarters may contact the education administrator. Such applicants will need to provide official documentation of considerable prior Ayurvedic training and will be interviewed. Upon review and approval, they may attend Dr. Lad’s Gurukula sessions providing room is available.

Most courses require textbooks or workbooks.

Additional books may be recommended but not required. These are available in our student library and may be used on our premises.
 

Books are available from our bookstore.

Cost of required textbooks and materials may be approximately $500 and is in addition to tuition.
 

Work study jobs are available in limited number; however they do not provide a substantial amount of earnings and cannot be counted upon to support the student’s endeavors to any great degree. Work study students earn credit toward future tuition for classes or special weekend and week-long seminars.

All students are given an equal chance to sign up for available positions during Orientation Week and, based upon student availability and experience, jobs are distributed on as fair a basis as possible.
 

Students have a mandatory Orientation at 8 am on the first Monday of the program in January.
 

When arriving in Albuquerque, students are requested to visit the Institute in order to report their arrival and to pick up a copy of the Orientation Week schedule.
 

Based on a "client centered, problem based" learning process, students observe how Vasant Lad works with each client uniquely, how knowledge and experience are applied in a consultation, and acquire from lectures more in-depth information in selected topics.
Students observe Vasant Lad consult with clients and listen to his rationale behind questions, assessments, and suggestions.

Lecture content is unspecified, with Vasant Lad offering the material he feels is appropriate for the students' level of understanding. For some, the most important aspect of this is not the content, but observing the manner in which Vasant Lad uniquely works with each client. Areas of study may include the Ayurvedic concepts of Nidana (etiology), Samprapti (pathogenesis), Ashtavidha Pariksha (examination), Chikitsa (management of imbalance and disease), Shamana (palliative measures), Shodhana (cleansing measures) and Rasayana (rejuvenatives).

Students progressively apply the principles and skills learned in the other courses in practicum that culminates in mentored client consultations. Students gain confidence in their Ayurvedic lifestyle consultations and develop the ability to successfully manage multiple and various factors.

Lab class practicum consists of clinical consultations including approach, assessment, recorded findings, etiology and pathology, and recommendations, which are reviewed by faculty and discussed individually and in group reviews. Each student is continuously evaluated and approved by faculty and the Education Administrator as being qualified to work with community clients. Consultations are supervised by faculty who monitor for quality and student application of Ayurvedic clinical understanding. In order to work with clients, students are required to maintain grades in all other courses where they are tested for understanding and monitored for participation.

Students meet for a timely discussion of issues raised in client assessment and current affairs.