FAQ

British Institute of Homeopathy Courses

Will I need to purchase additional supplies or books to go with my course(s)?
Yes. Upon registration you will have access to a list of required and recommended books for your course of study. Your booklist will also include a list of online suppliers who may offer discounts to BIHI students.
What are the prerequisites for the British Institute courses?
An Associates degree or higher is required to enroll in BIH courses . Some courses, such as the Advanced Studies in Homeopathy (HAH301) would require the Foundations of Hahnemannian Homeopathy and/or the Homeopathy in Practice course as prerequisites. However, students with a significant history of homeopathic training or practice may opt to take the proctored Advanced Placement Examination in some cases. Please call at 800-498-6323 if you would like to discuss your specific situation.
Do I need to take the Introductory course prior to the Foundations of Hahnemannian Homeopathy course?
The Introductory course is designed for those who would like to gain a basic understanding of homeopathy and learn enough to provide basic acute first aid remedies to family, friends or pets. If you complete the Introductory course and find that you want to continue your studies in more depth, the Foundations course would be the next step. You will be required to complete all prerequisites for the Foundations of Hahnemannian Homeopathy Course during your additional studies.You will need to begin with the Introductory Course and complete it with an 85% if you plan to enter the Professional Homeopathic Practitioner Program.
How is my coursework accomplished?
Upon registration you will be assigned a student ID number. You will also receive an email with a unique username and password to log into the BIH learning management system, Moodle. You are required to attend a Moodle orientation prior to signing into the course for the first time. You are welcome to review the bios on the BIH Instructors page of our website and request a specific instructor if there is someone who you feel would be an especially good fit for you. We will make every effort to accommodate your request, though specific instructor assignments cannot be guaranteed.
What is the difference between a quiz, a discussion forum and an assignment?
Assignments are submitted periodically throughout the course, generally covering material from the lesson being studied. They may be completed with access to support material such as books, websites and personal notes. Sources are cited using APA format for footnotes and bibliography.

Discussion forums occur weekly throughout the course and allow you to interact with your peers and faculty member.

Exams are taken less frequently throughout the course and generally cover more substantial portions of the course, such as a final exam which covers the entire course or a mid-term exam which covers the first half of the course. Exams are subject to a three-hour time limit and no outside material such as books, websites or personal notes may be used. Examinations must be proctored and taken at an outside professional facility such as a library or university. Your proctor will oversee your exam, taken on a computer through Moodle.

What if I complete the Introductory Course and then want to enroll in the Practitioner Program?

Successful completion of the Introduction to Homeopathy course with a score of 85% or better is accepted as a probationary admission, that allows the student the opportunity to enroll in the “Foundations of Hahnemannian Homeopathy” Course (HF102).

Upon successful completion of HF 102 with a GPA of 85%, and once the prerequisites are satisfied,the student is removed from probation and is matriculated into the Professional Homeopathic Practitioner Program. If you have an Associates degree or a combination of undergraduate credits and/or experience you can begin taking the Foundations of Hahnemannia Homeopathy within the Professional Program.

If you do not have the required prerequisites see the BIH Student Handbook.

Payment Policies and Submission Requirements

How much time do I have to complete my course(s)?

The British Institute of Homeopathy has traditionally kept an open enrollment policy. Open enrollment allows flexibility for study and for submitting lesson assignments. This is why BIHI is often the school of choice for non-traditional students. Our students are comprised of busy professionals in the medical fields, people with full time job responsibilities who want to further their education, those seeking continuing education or for those people who have the care of elderly adults or young children. Most BIHI courses can easily be accomplished within nine months to one year on a full time student schedule. However, many students prefer to extend their course time by studying on a part time basis, which is also acceptable.

Students are expected on an average to submit one lesson to their instructor per week, full time and two lessons per month part time..This is more than adequate time for the student to complete the course easily within the allotted time period for each course.

 

What is the British Institute’s refund policy?
The student status must be in ‘Active’ status in order to be eligible for a refund. Students who have allowed their status to lapse into ‘Inactive.’ No refunds will be approved if more than 60 days have elapsed since the date of the beginning of the course.

Fees assessed to the student for products and services such as shipping, processing, lab equipment purchases are not refundable in any case.
The British Institute shall retain the non-refundable $200.00 registration fee for each course. The remaining tuition portion of the fee is refundable on a pro-rated basis according to the elapsed time since the date on the signed registration form agreement on the following schedule:

a. Full refunds of the tuition portion of the course will only be issued within the first five (5) days of registration.
b. 6-30 days: 50% refundable
c. 31-60 days: 25% refundable

Refunded amount are subject to a 10% processing fee.

Are payment plans available?

Yes, The British Institute offers a payment plan for most courses. There will be a $25.00 processing fee per installment for all payment plans. Please contact the British Institute office at 800-498-6323 or at info@bihint.com for details.

What happens if my credit card payment does not go through or my check payment is returned?

The British Institute will assess a $50.00 fee for each declined credit card charge and a $50.00 fee for each returned check. If you receive notification that your payment was refused, please contact the office to make payment arrangements as soon as possible. Please note that no additional coursework can continue nor certificates be issued until all outstanding payments have been cleared.

If I become an inactive student, how much is the fee for re-registration?
BIH as a rule will allow a lapsed student to re-register a lapsed student for a course. A student applying for re-admission will be subject to a re-registration fee and required to produce verifiable payment receipts as proof of purchase for their original tuition payment. Depending on where the student is in their studies and how long they have been inactive, they may or may not be able to receive credit for work already completed. Other fees may apply as well. Please note that any previous outstanding balances must be paid in full prior to re-entering the program.
What happens if I had to stop my course for a time and now I want to start it again?

If you have stopped your course for any length of time without requesting an extension or leave of absence, you may have lapsed into ‘Inactive’ status. Please contact the main office at 800-498-6323 or at registrar@bihint.com to receive a price quote for the necessary fees to resume your studies.

If you know in advance that you must take a break from your course for any reason, please contact the British Institute office at 800-498-6323 or at registrar@bihint.com to request a extension LOA.

Will the British Institute notify me if I am in danger of becoming an inactive student?
No. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain activity, keep current and to submit lessons in a timely manner. It is not feasible for the British Institute to routinely track lesson submissions and activity. If a British Institute instructor or staff member notices that a student is about to lapse into ‘Inactive’ status, a one-time courtesy notification may provided. The British Institute does not routinely notify students of impending lapses into ‘Inactive’ status.
Can I place my course on hold to prevent becoming an inactive student?

Yes. The British Institute does recognize that life problems can and do occur. A temporary leave of absence from studies may be considered for a variety of legitimate reasons. Students must request a leave of absence in writing from the BIHI office. The request must state the reasons for requesting a leave, for what time period they require and provide proof or supporting documentation.

If you know in advance that you must take a break from your course for any reason, please contact the British Institute office at 800-498-6323 or at registrar@bihint.com to request an extension or leave of absence. A properly processed extension or leave of absence will allow you to remain an active student and prevent the need for re-registration when you are ready to resume your studies.

Licensing & Certification

Will completing the BIHI course(s) give me a license to practice homeopathy in my state?
No. Most states in the USA at this time do not issue licenses for homeopathic practice. The British Institute is proud to be working with several organizations that are working to ensure the highest quality homeopathic medical teaching standards. Please be aware that homeopaths do not diagnose or treat named diseases. Homeopaths treat people who may happen to have named diseases, but the focus of homeopathic treatment is to strengthen the immune system of a patient so the body’s natural healing process can take care of the symptoms as it was intended to do.

US law is currently silent on the practice of homeopathic medicine. Please be aware that homeopaths do not diagnose or treat named diseases. Homeopaths treat people who may happen to have named diseases, but thefocus of homeopathic treatment is to strengthen the immune system of a patient so the body’s natural healing process can take care of the symptoms as it was intended to do.

Will completing the BIH course(s) allow me to practice as a qualified physician or licensed homeopath in my country? Can BIH certify me as a qualified physician or licensed homeopath in my country?
No. The diplomas or certificates awarded by The British Institute of Homeopathy are credentials attesting to homeopathic education and are separate from any legal requirements regarding licensing in many country of the world.* Each country has its own regulations and requirements to become a certified homeopath, qualified physician or licensed practitioner of any healing art. Students seeking to become licensed practitioners must meet all state and/or national requirements and follow the licensing procedure for the region in which they intend to practice.
Are students in the US or Canada required to certify with the Council of Homeopathic Certification (CHC) before practicing homeopathy?
No. CHC Certification is a voluntary process, though students planning to become practitioners in North America are strongly recommended to pursue CHC certification after completing their courses with the British Institute. CHC Certification offers many benefits to the practitioner. Please note that CHC certification does not grant a license to practice. Licenses must be granted by individual states, most of which do not issue licenses for homeopathic practice at this time.
Are students required to pass a CHC certification exam in order to graduate from the British Institute?
No. The CHC Certification is not a graduation requirement for the British Institute, though students planning to become practitioners in North America are strongly recommended to pursue CHC certification after completing their courses with the British Institute. CHC Certification offers many benefits to the practitioner.
Are the study hours from BIH courses accepted by the CHC?

Yes, the hours of study with the British Institute are accepted by the CHC. Clinical Training hours from the British Institute also be accepted as part of the CHC certification exam prerequisites.

*Concept and phrasing used with the generous permission of the Council for Homeopathic Certification.