Integrative Health and Wellness Program
Program Director: Tom Lenz, PharmD
Creighton's online Master of Science in Integrative Health and Wellness (MS-IHW) prepares students to fill a growing need in the changing landscape of health care, marked by increasingly broad and distinct understandings of health. This program prepares students to work with a health care team and one-on-one with individuals to help them thrive. Students help people see wellness as a lifelong journey in which they can be empowered to make good choices for their health. Students are prepared to be a part of a diverse team as they gain an understanding of the many dimensions of health and wellness. Students learn about aspects of personal health, such as nutrition and stress management as well as coaching skills like motivational interviewing and program design.
The MS in Integrative Health and Wellness prepares students to:
- Have the knowledge, skills and values to collaborate with individuals to improve their health and well-being so that they can thrive in the community in which they live, work and spend their time, and
- Work collaboratively with patients/clients and an interdisciplinary team to promote health and well-being with and for individuals with and without a chronic disease, and
- Successfully obtain nationally and internationally recognized credentialing in health and wellness coaching, and
- Successfully pursue a career in the health and wellness industry.
Educational Outcomes
Graduates of the MS-IHW program must possess knowledge, skills and values to work with people to improve their personal health and well-being so that they can thrive in the community in which they live, work, and spend their time. Graduates must be able to serve individuals based on efficacy data and in cooperation with other members of an interdisciplinary team. In this regard, graduates must demonstrate competence in the following areas:
1. Ignatian Values. Demonstrate through academic preparation and personal reflection the values of St. Ignatius of Loyola that includes, but are not limited to, cura personalis, solidarity, and the promotion of social justice.
2. Collaboration. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and effectively within a team. In health and wellness coaching, a team is not limited to fellow students, faculty, or health care providers. Rather, team members include all those involved in, and concerned with the health of an individual, including the individual him/herself.
3. Communication. Demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate cross-culturally and within various economic and social classes. Students will also communicate and collaborate effectively and at an appropriate level both interpersonally and within an interdisciplinary team.
4. Creativity and Critical Thinking. Demonstrate situational solutions critically and creatively. Students will problem-solve personal and professional situations with creative imagination and analytical solutions. This will be done through academic practices, service learning and research projects.
5. Whole Person Health. Demonstrate the knowledge, attitudes, and values of the interconnected and dynamic components that affect individual and community health and well-being. These components include, but are not limited to physical, emotional, sociocultural, economic, environmental and spiritual health.
6. Self-Care. Demonstrate the knowledge and attitudes for effective self-care. Students will learn about self-care strategies and practice designing whole person self-care programs for self and others that include, but are not limited to a healthy lifestyle.
Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission to the graduate programs in Integrative Health and Wellness include:
- Completed application form with $50 application fee
- Current resume
- Statement of purpose (2-3 pages, double-spaced) outlining the reasons for applying for admission, the intended goals, and personal philosophy on health and wellness coaching
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Three recommendations by persons familiar with the applicant's academic background, achievements and personal qualities
- Proof of regular access to the technology needed to take online courses
- Proof of completion of a health related degree, credentialing, or health related coursework
*All international applicants from countries in which English is not the primary language must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting a minimum TOEFL score of 90 iBT.
*Creighton University reserves the right to request GRE scores or a personal interview.
Master Degree Program and Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's Programs
The Master of Science in Integrative Health and Wellness (IHW) program is designed to prepare students to have the knowledge, skills and values to work inter-collaboratively with individuals to improve their health and well-being so that they can thrive in the community in which they live, work and spend their time. A core value of the program emphasizes the whole person health needs of an individual with emphasis on personal care.