MS in Complementary and Integrative Health
This evidence-based program provides health care professionals with the tools to assess, guide, and evaluate patients by merging complementary and integrative health practices into the framework of conventional clinical practice. Coursework explores topics such as phytomedicine, functional nutrition, and mind/body modalities, providing a solid foundation in core competencies, as well as a theoretical basis for applying these practices.
Program Outcomes
Graduates will be eminently positioned as leaders in this specialty field in roles such as:
- Consultants
- Educators
- Hospital Administrators
- Integrative Health Care Practitioners
- Program Developers
Program Features
- Students who successfully complete Drexel’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Complementary and Integrative Therapies program and wish to complete the associated MS in Complementary and Integrative Health may apply some or all credits to that program.
- Courses taught by integrative health care practitioners and internationally-recognized leaders in the field
- Congruent with the educational standards set forth by the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) and meets the core competencies of the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health
- Taken concurrently, graduates from both the Drexel University’s MS in Complementary and Integrative Health degree program and the University of Arizona's Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching (IHW) certification program are eligible to sit for the national exam
- Available entirely online
American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation, Inc. has endorsed Drexel University’s Complementary and Integrative Health Master's and Certificate Programs, which allows graduates of these programs to sit for the nationally accredited board certification in holistic nursing.
Hear From Our Students
"I hate to sound cliche, but I feel like the decision to start this program is a great example of following my intuition. My life has improved in so many small but impactful ways since starting the program. I feel less anxious in general about my future. I have fewer feelings of being 'trapped' as a bedside nurse. I also feel I have a healthier thought process, now that I have a better understanding of its impact. I also have been able to share some of the knowledge I've learned with my family and close friends who have made small changes as well. Although it's a little scary investing in such a program, I have an idea of the direction I want this education to take me and have a deep knowing that I'm on the right path."
— Taneisha Varns
"The most recent, big example of following my intuition was applying to the Complementary and Integrative Health program here at Drexel. For a long time, I'd been feeling unfulfilled in my career, but had no idea what else to do. One day, while looking at online degrees, I came across this one and it sounded interesting. For the next year and a half, I continued to look, and continued to grumble, but something (intuition?!) kept pulling me back to look at the Drexel CIH program. I looked at other programs at Drexel. I looked at CIH programs at other universities. I considered quitting and going to work at a coffee shop, or as a professional dog walker. Nothing felt right in the way that this program did. So, having no idea where it would lead me, I bit the bullet and applied. Just three quarters in, it has already changed the way I look at my job and approach my patients. And I'm enrolled in the Health and Wellness Coaching pathway—new career opportunity? Who knows! Most importantly, I never imagined how profoundly healing the program would be for me on a personal level. No question, my intuition led me here."
— Wendy Uhing, OTR/L
Online Open Houses
Learn more about this and other nursing programs by viewing an online open house.
Related Programs
Questions? We're here to help!
For application related questions:
enroll@drexel.edu
For program related questions:
College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
The plan of study is designed with 1-2 courses per quarter. Graduate students who utilize student loans (FAFSA) have to maintain a minimum enrollment of 4.5 credits for a term or two courses per Quarter.
Core Courses | ||
CIT 501 | Foundations of Phytotherapy | 3.0 |
CIT 502 | Foundations of Complementary and Integrative Therapies | 3.0 |
or NURS 529 | Foundations of Complementary and Integrative Therapies | |
CIT 503 | Holistic Living For The Caregiver | 3.0 |
or NURS 539 | Holistic Living for the Caregiver | |
CIT 511 | Spirituality, Health and Healing | 3.0 |
or NURS 561 | Spirituality, Health and Healing | |
CIT 553 | Health Coaching for Lifestyle and Behavior Change | 3.0 |
CIT 619 | Principles of Bioenergy Therapies | 3.0 |
or NURS 619 | Principles of Bioenergy Therapies | |
CIT 626 | Translational Research in Complementary and Integrative Health | 3.0 |
CIT 656 | Traditional Healing Systems | 3.0 |
or NURS 656 | Traditional Healing Systems | |
CIT 657 | Functional Approach to Clinical Nutrition | 3.0 |
or NURS 657 | Functional Approach to Clinical Nutrition | |
CIT 696 | Integrative Health Strategies I | 3.0 |
CIT 697 | Integrative Health Strategies II | 3.0 |
CIT 698 | Graduate Seminar | 3.0 |
Electives | 9.0 | |
Total Credits | 45.0 |
Admissions Criteria
- Open to health care professionals from a variety of disciplines, including:
- Nurses, physician’s assistants, psychologists, women’s health practitioners, members of oncology organizations, clinical nutritionists, and couple and family therapists
- Nurses, physician’s assistants, psychologists, women’s health practitioners, members of oncology organizations, clinical nutritionists, and couple and family therapists
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a major in a health-related field
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- If your GPA is lower, you're still encouraged to apply, but should ensure that relevant professional experience is included on your resume. You must also provide two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study.
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our supporting document submission guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools)
- Two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study
- If you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, this requirement can be waived
- Personal Statement (under 1,000 words) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of:
- Why you are choosing this program of study
- Your plans upon completion of the graduate degree
- How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this program
- Resume including specific details of your responsibilities and job experiences
- Additional requirements for International Students
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2024-2025 is $1086 per credit.
For the academic year 2024-2025, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2024-2025 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2024
September 23, 2024
December 7, 2024
December 9, 2024
December 14, 2024
Winter 2025
January 6, 2025
March 15, 2025
March 17, 2025
March 22, 2025
Spring 2025
March 31, 2025
June 7, 2025
June 9, 2025
June 14, 2025
Summer 2025
June 23, 2025
August 30, 2024
September 2, 2025
September 6, 2025
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