Major: Complementary and Integrative Health
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.3306
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1199
About the Program
The Master of Science in Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) is designed to provide practicing health care professionals with an evidence-based program in complementary and integrative health practices. Students will be taught to assess, guide and evaluate patient use of alternative modalities and to integrate CIH into one’s own professional practice. The program provides core competencies in complementary and integrative health, offering a theoretical basis for applying complementary and integrative health practices. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of evidence-based CIH therapies such as phytomedicine, functional nutrition and mind/body modalities within the framework of conventional health care practice.
A foundational principle of this program is interdisciplinary practice and collaboration with the goal of improving health outcomes. In addition, students will be introduced to historical, indigenous health care practices and upon graduation may seek further training to build expertise in a particular modality (e.g. yoga, nutrition, reiki, etc.) which may lead to additional credentialing or licensing.
The 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.
Students from Drexel University’s online MS in Complementary and Integrative Health degree program are eligible to apply and concurrently enroll in the University of Arizona's Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching (IHW) certification program. The concurrent completion of the AWCIM IHW coaching program can count toward the nine elective credits requirement for the Drexel MS in Complementary and Integrative Health program. The AWCIM IHW Coaching program is approved by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching. Graduates of Drexel’s MS in Complementary and Integrative Health in combination with the AWCIM IHW Coaching program would then be eligible to sit for the national exam. If you are interested in this option, you may either answer the related questions on the Drexel MS in Complementary and Integrative Health application or you can let your academic advisor know of your interest. Learn more about the program.
Program Mission and Values
The program mission is to develop leaders in complementary and integrative health care. We are committed to developing competent practitioners through exemplary and rigorous training in the clinical applications of complementary and integrative health; comprehensive curricula incorporating theoretical foundations, research and evidence-based practice; and provision of extensive support and mentorship to advance the integrative health care professional role. All efforts in the program are designed to build knowledge, enhance practice, foster professional integrity, promote innovation, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and ultimately improve the health outcomes of patients and families from diverse communities across the continuum of care.
Intended Audience
This program is applicable to a wide range of health care professionals including nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, women’s health practitioners, members of oncology organizations, clinical nutritionists, psych/mental health nurse practitioners and couple and family therapists.
This program is 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.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, contact:
Graduate Nursing Division
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
Additional information is also available on Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions MS in Complementary and Integrative Health webpage and on the Drexel University Online MS in Complementary and Integrative Health webpage.
Admission Requirements
- Health care professional within a scope of practice from a variety of disciplines including nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, women’s health practitioners, members of oncology organizations, clinical nutritionists, psych/mental health nurse practitioners, couple and family therapists and others
- A baccalaureate degree with a major in a health-related field from an accredited university
- GPA of 3.0 or above on all previous coursework
- 3.0 or above on all previous coursework or the last 60 credits completed. Applications from RNs with a GPA less than 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis.
- 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
- Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are not required to submit letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement (no more than two pages and no less than one page double-spaced) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of the following:
- Why you are choosing this particular program of study
- Your plans upon completion of the degree
- How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this program
- Resume or curriculum vitae including specific details of your responsibilities and job experiences
International students will need to meet University international student admissions guidelines including TOEFL.
TOEFL Requirement:
International applicants, as well as immigrants to the United States and United States permanent residents whose native language is not English and who have not received a bachelor’s degree or higher in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. U.S. citizens born on U.S. military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status; otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
If the TOEFLiBT exam is taken, students are required to have a minimum combined score for the listening, writing and reading sections of 79 plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.
If the TOEFL is taken, students are required to have a minimum score of 550 or higher and a Test of Spoken English score (TSE) of 55 or higher.
Sample Plan of Study
Note: Second Year Summer is less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students this term.
Graduate Nursing Faculty
Anthony Angelow, PhD, CRNP, ACNPC, AGACNP-BC, FAEN, FAANP (University of Northern Colorado) Chair, Advanced Practice Nursing. Associate Clinical Professor. Nurse Practitioner Role Transition, Acute Care, Trauma/Surgical Critical Care, Ethics/Health Law
Susan M. Burke, PhD, RN, CPNP-BC (The Catholic University of America) Track Director, Pediatric Primary Care. Associate Clinical Professor. Pediatric Primary Care Nursing
Rita Carroll, PhD, CPCRT, CBIST, CMHMP (Capella University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Complementary and Integrative Health, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Integrative Health Coaching, Mindfulness
Kathryn (Katie) Farrell, EdD, MSN, RN (Drexel University) Quality Safety and Risk Management Track Director: Graduate Nursing. Assistant Clinical Professor. Nursing Education, Quality, Safety, and Risk Management.
Sally K. Miller, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, PMHNP-BC (Walden University). Clinical Professor. Adult-Gerontology Acute/Primary Care Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology
Jackie Murphy, EdD, RN, CNE (Drexel University). Associate Clinical Professor. Nursing Education, Online Learning, Nursing Theory, Nursing Research, Mindfulness
Lori Ruskin, MSN, FNO-BC (Thomas Jefferson University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Kelley Scott, DNP, APN-BC (Drexel University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Emergency Nursing, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nursing
Patricia (Patti) Zuzelo, EdD, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, ANP-BC, ANEF, FAAN (Widener University). Clinical Professor. Advanced Practice Nursing, Leadership and Management, Nursing Education, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult Health), Adult Nurse Practitioner
