Graduate Certificates

Note

 
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.

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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.

Graduate Certificates

The graduate certificate in integrative holistic health and wellness requires a total of 18 credit hours to complete. That 18 hours is comprised of nine required credits and nine elective credits. More information is below.

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 nine credits from the electives listed below:

    • HOL 5300: Special Topic - Chi Gong Credits: 1 hour
    • HOL 5300: Special Topics Credits: 1-3 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.
    • HOL 5301: Meditation to Enhance Living Credits: 1 hourHOL 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

    You must get the permission of the Program Coordinator in advance to receive credit for independent study.

    • HOL 5980 Readings in Holistic Health Credits: 1-4 hours

    • HOL 6970: Independent Study in Holistic Health Credits: 1-4 hours

Specialty Graduate Certificates

The program also offers four specialty graduate certificates, each requiring nine credit hours, that allows you to acquire knowledge and skills in a specific area of holism.

Holistic Approaches to Enhance Living

Required Courses: 3 credits
  • HOL 5310 - Introduction to Holistic Health - Credits: 3 hours
Elective Courses: 6 credits
  • Six 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 Course: 3 credits
  • 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 Course: 3 credits
  • HOL 6305 - Mindfulness Theory and Skills - Credits: 3 hours
    OR
    HOL 5370 - Health and Humor - Credits: 3 hours

Notes:

  • You may not repeat any holistic course for credit if you seek more than one specialty graduate certificate. Please check with your advisor for options.

  • If you are pursuing a second specialty graduate certificate, you must take three credits of selected electives in lieu of HOL 5310.

  • If you wish to complete a third specialty graduate certificate, you must take HOL 6500 Seminar in Holistic Methods in place of HOL 5310.

  • If, after completing three specialty graduate certificates, you wish to receive the 18 hour Graduate Certificate, you must complete an approved field experience and take HOL 6700 Professional Field Experience.

Graduate Student Handbook

It is important for all certificate students to carefully read the Student Handbook, as it is filled with details 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.