Please note: As of January 2021, student applications are suspended for graduate certificate programs. Check back on this page for announcements regarding upcoming graduate specialty tracks.
Western Michigan University's integrative holistic health and wellness program offers a comprehensive, 18 credit hour graduate certificate and four 9 credit hour specialty graduate certificates with specific emphasis that can be pursued as independent graduate certificates, or as a supplement to other graduate training. The certificates complement the coursework of related fields, enabling students to work within their chosen profession from a holistic perspective that may enhance career opportunities.
The program especially benefits students pursuing helping professions like social work, counseling, psychology, theology, occupational therapy, health studies, nursing, education or the arts.
Students who earn the graduate certificate will understand the philosophy of holism (the interconnectedness of body-mind-spirit and the realization that healing really occurs at the systemic level and is supported by lifestyle behaviors rather than at independent parts of the body that receive focused treatments) and the connection between their personal journey and their expression of this in the world of relationships and work.
Please be aware that financial aid for these certificates may only be available if you are pursuing another graduate degree at Western Michigan University. Please contact the Financial Aid department at (269) 387-6000 for more information.
NOTE: IHHW minor students who apply for the graduate certificates will substitute HOL 5310 for another 3 credit elective.
Integrative holistic health and wellness graduate certificate
(18 credit hours)
Required Courses: 9 credits
- HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 6500 Seminar in Holistic Methods Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 6700 Professional Field Experience Credits: 1-3 hours (3 hours needed)
OR
- HOL 7120 Professional Field Experience (doctoral students) Credits: 1-3 hours (3 hours needed)
Elective Courses: 9 credits
Choose 9 credits from the electives listed below
- HOL 5300: Special Topic - Chi Gong Credits: 1 hour
- HOL 5300: Special Topics Credits: 1-3 hours
- HOL 5301: Meditation to Enhance Living Credits: 1 hour
- HOL 5302: Advanced Meditation to Enhance Living Credits: 2 hours
- HOL 5303: Tai Chi to Enhance Living Credits:1 hour
- HOL 5304: Yoga to Enhance Living Credits: 1 hour
- HOL 5320: Holistic Approaches to Personal Relationships Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5321: Holistic Health Coaching Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5340: Holistic Health and Spirituality Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5350: Holistic Approaches to Stress Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5360: Wellness Skills for Health Professionals Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5370: Health and Humor Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5380: Eastern Thought and Practice Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5500: Introduction to Holism and Expressive Arts Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5510: Holistic Approaches to Healing through Visual Art Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5520: Healing through Movement Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5530: Holistic Strategies for Illness and End of Life Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5540: Love and Forgiveness Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5550: Successful Aging, Holistic Perspectives Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5560: Understanding Grief and Loss Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5600: Advanced Spirituality and Health Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5980: Readings in Holistic Health Credits: 1-4 hours
- HOL 6305: Mindfulness Theory and Skills Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 6910: Spirituality Practices in Treatment Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 6970: Independent Study in Holistic Health Credits: 1-4 hours
Independent Study and Readings
Permission of Program Coordinator
- HOL 5980 Readings in Holistic Health Credits: 1 -4 hours
- HOL 6970: Independent Study in Holistic Health Credits: 1-4 hours
Note: You can take more than one HOL 5300 special topics course during the same semester. However, you must contact an advisor in CHHS to register for additional titles.
integrative holistic health and wellness specialty graduate certificates
(9 credit hours)
The program also offers four specialty graduate certificates that can allow the student to acquire knowledge and skills in a special area of holism.
NOTES:
- No holistic course can be repeated for credit if more than one specialty graduate certificate is taken. Please check with your advisor for options.
- If a student is pursuing a second specialty graduate certificate, the student needs to take three credits of selected electives in lieu of HOL 5310.
- If a student wishes to complete a third specialty graduate certificate, the student will need to take HOL 6500 Seminar in Holistic Methods in place of HOL 5310.
- If, after completing three specialty graduate certificates, the student wishes to receive the 18 hour Graduate Certificate, the student must complete an approved field experience and take HOL 6700 Professional Field Experience.
Holistic Approaches to Enhance Living
Required Courses: 3 credits
- HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health Credits: 3 hours
Elective Courses: 6 credits
- 6 credits of any 5000 or 6000 level IHHW elective courses listed above
Holistic Approaches to Mindfulness
Required Courses: 6 credits
- HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 6305 Mindfulness Theory and Skills Credits: 3 hours
Elective Courses: 3 credits
- HOL 5301 Meditation to Enhance Living Credits: 1 hour PLUS
- HOL 5302 Advanced Meditation to Enhance Living Credits: 2 hours
OR - Eastern Thought and Practice Credits: 3 hours
Holistic Approaches to Spirituality and Healing
Required Courses: 6 credits
- HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5340 Holistic Health and Spirituality Credits: 3 hours
Elective Courses: 3 credits - pick one of the two courses below
- HOL 5600 Advanced Spirituality and Health Credits: 3 hours
OR - HOL 6910 Spiritual Practices in Treatment Credits: 3 hours
Holistic Approaches to Stress Management
Required Courses: 6 credits
- HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health Credits: 3 hours
- HOL 5350 Holistic Approaches to Stress Credits: 3 hours
Elective Courses: 3 credits - pick one of the two courses below
- HOL 6305 Mindfulness Theory and Skills Credits: 3 hours
OR - HOL 5370 Health and Humor Credits: 3 hours
Graduate Student Handbook
It is important for all certificate students to carefully read the Student Handbook as it is filled with directions about completing the various requirements for each of the certificate programs. Students interested in finding out more about the expectations for the certificate programs should also take time to review the handbook. Some information about the program can only be found in the handbook.
For complete information and details about the graduate certificates, refer to the student handbook.