Program Description
The Master of Science in Integrative Health Sciences offers health professionals an opportunity to gain a deep background in integrative health in order to meet the growing demand for wellness-oriented strategies to improve health outcomes and well-being.
Integrative health is an emerging specialty that is of expanding interest. Jefferson is leading the nation in developing a clinical and academic model of integrative healthcare. Key components of the model are highlighted and emphasized in the master’s degree curriculum, including advanced nutrition, nutrition-based therapies, innovative mind-body medicine practices, and other scientifically promising modalities.
The MS degree is comprised of three stackable Advanced Practice Certificates in the following areas:
- Mind-Body Medicine
- Integrative Nutrition
- Integrative Health Education & Leadership
The 30-credit MS program concludes with a capstone course. A research course may be required as determined by the program director.
Learning Goals/Outcomes
- Understand the complex role of nutrition in biochemistry, physiology, illness and health.
- Define biomarkers of nutritional deficiencies and suboptimal nutritional states.
- Construct an integrative nutritional plan for a wide range of patients.
- Understand the complex network that constitutes “mind-body” and construct an integrative mind-body plan for a wide range of patients.
- Explain common mind-body interventions and discuss the evidence and/or lack of evidence supporting their use.
- Utilize a range of Integrative Health Education knowledge, skills, and processes, especially when encountering challenging education situations.
- Understand evidence-based teaching practices, health psychology, dynamics of motivation, and behavior modification.
- Develop integrative treatment plan metrics for outcomes across illness and wellness populations.
- Develop and communicate health education milestones for long-term treatment planning, adherence, and compliance.
Curriculum: 30 credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mind-Body Medicine Advanced Practice Certificate | ||
| MBM 500 | Foundations in Mind-Body Med | 3 |
| MBM 510 | Mind Based Inter: Theory & Pra | 3 |
| MBM 520 | Advanced Mind-Body Pract (NET) | 3 |
| Integrative Nutrition Advanced Practice Certificate | ||
| IN 500 | Foundations in Intgr Nutrition | 3 |
| IN 510 | Functional Nutrition | 3 |
| IN 520 | Adv Conc in Integrative Nutr | 3 |
| Integrative Health Education & Leadership Advanced Practice Certificate | ||
| IHE 600 | Foundations in Int Health Educ | 3 |
| IHE 610 | Int Dvlp Model Well & Ldrshp | 3 |
| IHE 620 | Integrative Hlth Edu Practicum | 3 |
| Additional Required Course | ||
| IHE 700 | Integrative Health MS Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |