Graduate Certificate Program in Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness

Lori Gray, Program Director

Main Office: Room 2400 College of Health and Human Services
Telephone: (269) 387-2650
Advising: (269) 387-2656, to schedule an appointment
Website: wmich.edu/holistic/academics

Western Michigan University’s Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness (IHHW) program offers a graduate certificates (18 credit hour and 9 credit hour options) that can be pursued as independent certificates or to supplement other graduate training. The certificates complement the coursework of related fields, enabling students to work within their chosen profession from a holistic perspective that may enhance career opportunities. Students in the helping professions such as social work, counseling, psychology, theology, occupational therapy, health studies, nursing, education, and the arts will especially benefit from this program. Students who earn the graduate certificate will understand the philosophy of holism (the interconnectedness of body-mind-spirit and the realization that healing really occurs at the systemic level and is supported by life style behaviors rather than at independent parts of the body that receive focused treatments) and the connection between their personal journey and their expression of this in the world of relationships and work.

These academic programs introduce students to contemplative, complementary and alternative modalities at both an academic and experiential level, that promote optimal health and healing. Students are exposed to a variety of topics and encouraged to carefully evaluate the research on evidence-based holistic practices as well as utilize contemplative methodologies to increase their understanding. Students are also presented with a holistic framework for wellness, assisting them to make informed life-style choices and establish respectful, cooperative relationships with others and the environment.

There are several graduate certificate options including an 18 credit hour certificate and four 9 credit hour certificates with special emphasis.

Please be aware that financial aid for the integrative holistic health and wellness graduate certificates may only available if you are pursuing another graduate degree at Western Michigan University.

Application Process

IHHW uses an online application system that can be accessed at: wmich.edu/holistic/academics/grad/apply-cert.

Deadlines

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The application must be complete (i.e. all official transcripts and required documents received) two weeks prior to the start of any given semester/session or the application will be deferred to the following semester/session. Once a semester/session has started, all applications will be deferred to the following semester/session.

Program Grade Requirements

Students in the graduate certificate program should maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and may be placed on probation should they receive a 2.0 or lower in any individual class. Students will need to comply with university standards regarding successful completion of their graduate education.

Graduate Certificate Program in Integrative Holistic Health & Wellness (IHWC)

18 credit hours

Required courses (9 credit hours)

HOL 5310 - Introduction to Holistic Health Credits: 3 hours
IHHW minor students: If you apply for any of the graduate certificates you will substitute HOL 5310 for another three (3) credit elective.
HOL 6500 - Seminar in Holistic Methods Credits: 3 hours
HOL 6700 - Professional Field Experience Credits: 1 to 3 hours
(3 hours needed)
OR

Electives (9 credit hours)

Nine credit hours of any IHHW 5000 or 6000 level course listed below.

HOL 6700/HOL 7120 Professional Fieldwork (18 credit hour certificate only)

HOL 6700/HOL 7120 is a 180 hour professional field or internship experience in Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness to complete the graduate certificate program. Your field experience can be completed in one semester or up to one year. If the 180 hour internship is not completed within one semester, the student may receive an incomplete grade with the approval of the instructor or advisor. This incomplete grade may then be removed and replaced with a “credit/no credit” grade as soon as all of the 180 hours of internship are completed within one year.

Students may complete their 180 hours of internship field experience in Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness by selecting one or a combination of the following areas:

Research
Teaching courses and seminars
Program development and evaluation
Clinical work

Those graduate students already enrolled in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program at WMU or at any other fully accredited university, may use their required internships within their programs to satisfy the requirements for HOL 6700 (master’s level) or HOL 7120 (doctoral level) as long as all of the holistic health certificate course requirements are fulfilled as stated and a component from holism is included in the internship. The field experience must be approved by both the degree program and certificate program and requirements for both programs successfully completed.

Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness Specialty Graduate Certificates

9 credit hours

The Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness program offers 9 credit hour certificates with specific emphases. The four 9 credit specialty graduate certificate options are: Holistic Approaches to Enhance Living, Holistic Approaches to Mindfulness, Holistic Approaches to Spirituality and Healing, and Holistic Approaches to Stress Management.

NOTE:

No Holistic course can be repeated for credit if more than one specialty graduate certificate is taken.
If a student is pursuing a second specialty graduate certificate, the student needs to take 3 credit hours of selected electives in lieu of HOL 5310.
If a student wishes to complete a third specialty graduate certificate, the student will need to take HOL 6500 Seminar in Holistic Methods in lieu of HOL 5310.
If, after completing three specialty graduate certificates, the student wishes to receive the Graduate Certificate in Holistic Health, the student must complete an approved field experience and take HOL 6700 – Professional Field Experience.