March 2004

NHSU offers integrated health certificate program

If you have been considering focusing on integrated medicine, a new certification program at Northwestern Health Sciences University may appeal to you. The university has established an integrative health and wellness certification program focusing on either clinical healthcare or administrative services healthcare. The certification program enhances NHSU’s position as a leader in natural healthcare education.

The clinical track will most benefit chiropractors, massage professionals, acupuncturists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, wellness counselors and medical doctors, as well as anyone practicing in a clinical setting. The courses include principles of integrative health; wellness and practice; healing, health and culture; health and wellness counseling; clinical nutrition in practice; and a directed study.

The administrative track will enhance the training of anyone working in an administrative/managerial role in an integrative health and wellness setting, such as chiropractic clinics, healthcare centers, YMCAs and YWCAs. The courses include principles of integrative health, wellness and practice; best practices in organizational cultural competency; best practices in leadership, supervision and organizational transformation; directed study; and administrative internship.

“The integrative health and wellness program is separated into two distinct five-course tracks,” says Okokon Udo, PhD, dean of the integrative health and wellness program at Northwestern. “The clinical track focuses on increasing the clinician’s ability to work more effectively across disciplines and/or within an integrative setting. The administrative track allows professionals to increase their ability to serve in an administrative role within an integrative setting or in a healthcare organization interested in moving toward an integrative practice.”

Each track is set up with five distinct courses that are available in a weekend-only format. “This allows for working professionals to enhance their education while maintaining their professional careers,” Dr. Udo adds. “Plus, they can earn their certificate in less than two years and be on their way to more effectively integrating healthcare in their daily work.” Each course is available as a stand-alone class; however, all courses need to be taken in succession in order to earn the certificate in health and wellness.

The health and wellness program also offers two different levels of certificates — one for professionals who want to obtain the undergraduate-level certificate, which allows for advanced training without needing a prior degree. The other option is for a graduate-level certificate program which requires a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.

The three-credit courses will be held three weekends each trimester for a total of 45 hours. The five-credit course will be held for 75 hours and will run for five weekends.

Both tracks have a directed-study requirement in which students are encouraged to focus on an area of special interest or relevance for their work and career track. “If you follow your passion and pursue an area of interest, your directed study can be truly exciting,” says Bill Kuehl, BA, director of admissions for Northwestern.

The first information session for the integrative health and wellness program will be on March 16, 2004, from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. This will provide information as well as the next steps in registering for one of the courses or the entire certificate program.

The current cost per credit is $265 for the undergraduate certificate and $285 for the graduate certificate. The planning team for this program is working on verifying the criteria for transferring of credits as well as creating articulation agreements with other institutions.

Northwestern Health Sciences University, located in Bloomington, Minn., offers a wide array of choices in natural healthcare education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture and therapeutic massage. It has nearly 1,000 students on a 25-acre campus.

For more information on the integrative health and wellness program, contact the Office of Admissions at 952-888-4777, ext. 409, or 800-888-4777, ext. 409.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, at www.nwhealth.edu

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