MS in Complementary and Integrative Health

This evidence-based program provides health care professionals with the tools to assess, guide, and evaluate patients by merging complementary and integrative health practices into the framework of conventional clinical practice. Coursework explores topics such as phytomedicine, functional nutrition, and mind/body modalities, providing a solid foundation in core competencies, as well as a theoretical basis for applying these practices.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be eminently positioned as leaders in this specialty field in roles such as:

• Consultants
• Educators
• Hospital Administrators
• Integrative Health Care Practitioners
• Program Developers

Program Features

• Option to simultaneously pursue the Health & Well-Being Coach Training Certificate through a collaborative partnership with Duke University.
• Students who successfully complete Drexel’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Complementary and Integrative Therapies program and wish to complete the associated MS in Complementary and Integrative Health may apply some or all credits to that program.
• Courses taught by integrative health care practitioners and internationally-recognized leaders in the field
• 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
• Available entirely online

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.

Hear From Our Students

"I hate to sound cliche, but I feel like the decision to start this program is a great example of following my intuition. My life has improved in so many small but impactful ways since starting the program. I feel less anxious in general about my future. I have fewer feelings of being 'trapped' as a bedside nurse. I also feel I have a healthier thought process, now that I have a better understanding of its impact. I also have been able to share some of the knowledge I've learned with my family and close friends who have made small changes as well. Although it's a little scary investing in such a program, I have an idea of the direction I want this education to take me and have a deep knowing that I'm on the right path."
— Taneisha Varns

"The most recent, big example of following my intuition was applying to the Complementary and Integrative Health program here at Drexel. For a long time, I'd been feeling unfulfilled in my career, but had no idea what else to do. One day, while looking at online degrees, I came across this one and it sounded interesting. For the next year and a half, I continued to look, and continued to grumble, but something (intuition?!) kept pulling me back to look at the Drexel CIH program. I looked at other programs at Drexel. I looked at CIH programs at other universities. I considered quitting and going to work at a coffee shop, or as a professional dog walker. Nothing felt right in the way that this program did. So, having no idea where it would lead me, I bit the bullet and applied. Just three quarters in, it has already changed the way I look at my job and approach my patients. And I'm enrolled in the Health and Wellness Coaching pathway—new career opportunity? Who knows! Most importantly, I never imagined how profoundly healing the program would be for me on a personal level. No question, my intuition led me here."
— Wendy Uhing, OTR/L

An Exciting Partnership

Drexel University’s online MS in Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) program offers a unique opportunity for students to simultaneously pursue a Health & Well-Being Coach Training Certificate through a collaborative partnership with Duke University.

This innovative pathway allows students to earn a master’s degree from Drexel while completing Duke University’s nationally recognized Health & Well-Being Coach Training (DHWCT) program, which is approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). The certificate earned through the DHWCT program may be applied toward the nine elective credits required for the MS in CIH degree.

The integrated curriculum equips students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to empower others in making sustainable lifestyle changes to improve overall health and wellness. Upon completion of the DHWCT program and required coaching hours, graduates are eligible to sit for the NBHWC national certification exam.

Students who complete both programs will graduate with dual credentials:

• MS in Complementary and Integrative Health from Drexel University
• Certificate in Health & Well-Being Coaching from Duke University

This dual credential program prepares graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving health and wellness landscape by combining academic rigor, practical training, and national certification eligibility.

To learn more about this opportunity, view a recent information session.

Online Open Houses

Learn more about this and other nursing programs by viewing an online open house.

Related Programs

• MS in Human Nutrition
• Certificate of Advanced Study in Complementary and Integrative Therapies

Questions? We're here to help!

For application related questions:
enroll@drexel.edu

For program related questions:
College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu

Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.