May 20, 2024  
Graduate Catalog 2023-24 
    
Graduate Catalog 2023-24

Graduate Certificate Program in Holistic Health and Contemplative Well-Being (HCHC, RWBC, MCSC, HWCC)


Lori Gray, Program Director
Room 2400, College of Health and Human Services
Telephone (269) 387-2652

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 Holistic Health and Contemplative Well-Being program offers four graduate certificates (9 credit hour options) that can be pursued as independent certificates, a combination of 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 whole person 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.

These academic programs introduce students to contemplative, holistic, whole person modalities at both an academic and experiential level, that promote well-being and purposeful growth. 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 four graduate certificates, each is 9 credit hours with individual emphases. Please be aware that financial aid for the Holistic Health and Contemplative Well-Being graduate certificates may only available if you are pursuing another graduate degree at Western Michigan University.

Academic Requirements
Western Michigan University’s Holistic Health and Contemplative Well-Being graduate certificates involve a prerequisite (HOL 5360 or HOL 5310) and six-credit hours of study. 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.

For advising, or to declare a graduate certification program, call (269) 387-2656.

Graduate Certificate Programs
There are four graduate certificates, each is 9 hours with individual emphases, as follows:

Holism and Contemplative Health Care Certificate (9 hours) (HCHC)


This graduate certificate is especially designed to support current and future healthcare providers and all helping professionals. You will gain insight and valuable skills to enhance your ability to engage in self-care while connect with others with compassion and purpose.

Resilience and Well-Being Skills Certificate (9 hours) (RWBC)


This graduate certificate is designed to help student’s development of knowledge, skills and sustainable practice to increase personal resilience and a sense of well-being. The sequence of courses is both highly experiential and evidenced based.

Mindfulness and Centering Skills Certificate (9 hours) (MCSC)


This graduate certificate is designed to support a deepened experience of mindfulness-based contemplative (centering) practices. Formal mindfulness traditions will be taught and practiced as a community, with the encouraging support and resources to successfully establish a personal mindfulness practice.

B. Required:


C. Choose one class from the following:


Health and Wellness Coaching Skills Certificate (9 hours) (HWCC)


This graduate certificate is designed for students who would like to have specialized training in health and wellness coaching skills to supplement and strengthen their degree programs and may also be interested in pursuing a national board certification in Health and Wellness Coach as a potential career path. This coaching skills program sequence first introduces the foundational concepts of whole person health, and the theories of health and wellness coaching. The last course in the sequence is highly experiential and will emphasize the professional development of specific coaching skills and approaches to health and wellness behavioral change.

B. Required in the following order:


Holistic Health and Contemplative Well-Being Elective Courses: