Drexel University and University of Arizona Partner for Collaborative Complementary and Integrative Health Degree and Certification

Even before a global pandemic set in, many recognized the need for medical patients to be treated with the best and most complete care. With this in mind, Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions announced that it will offer a collaborative degree and certification program in Complimentary and Integrative Health with The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) at the University of Arizona starting Fall 2021.

The Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH)/ Integrative Health or Wellness (IHW) Coaching Pathway Program is designed for qualified students who wish to pursue a Master of Science (MS) in Complementary and Integrative Health at Drexel, while concurrently pursuing an Integrative Health or Wellness Coaching certification from AWCIM.

“The faculty at Drexel are very excited about this unique and innovative Pathway Program, as we prepare students to partner with clients to help them achieve their personal health and wellness goals through a supportive and holistic approach,” said Jackie Murphy, EdD, assistant clinical professor and chair of MSN Advanced Role and Complementary and Integrative Health Departments in Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.

“We at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona feel our Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching program is an excellent fit with Drexel’s Complementary and Integrative Health program,” said Robert L. Crocker, MD, director of Strategic Clinical Planning and Implementation and co-director of the Integrative Health & Wellness Program at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. “This collaboration uniquely positions our programs to enable students to not only earn a master’s degree in integrative studies, but to achieve certification as an integrative health or wellness coach, and be eligible for the national board exam for health and wellness coaches.”

The MS: Complementary and Integrative Health is a 45-quarter credit degree program that 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. Embedded in this curriculum is nine credits of electives. For students enrolled in the Pathway Program, they will complete the IHW Coaching Program in lieu of the nine credits.

The Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching program is an innovative skills-based education with two certification pathways—Integrative Health Coach or Integrative Wellness Coach. Online curriculum, live video mentor-supervised practice and a number of faculty-led synchronous virtual training events via Zoom provide students with the mastery of a whole person coaching practice. At the completion of the program, students will be prepared to work with individuals and groups collaboratively to address the health and wellbeing of the whole person.

After successfully completing all requirements in this Pathway Program, Drexel will award the student a Master of Science in Complementary and Integrative Health Degree and The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at The University of Arizona will award the student a certification in either Integrative Health Coaching or Integrative Wellness Coaching, and students will be eligible to sit for the national coaching certification examination from the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching.

“This exciting partnership between Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions and The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine will provide graduates with many more opportunities in the healthcare workforce,” said Kymberlee Montgomery, DNP, senior associate dean of Nursing and Student Affairs and clinical professor in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “Graduates of this collaboration will be better equipped to assist clients in developing and achieving their health and wellness goals. I hope this initial partnership leads to many more in the future.”

This partnership blends together two programs that are focused on complementary and integrative health to provide students with a robust learning experience. Upon completion of the program students will be prepared to sit for national certification and have the skills needed to partner with individuals or groups to empower and support them in achieving their personal goals related to optimal health and wellness.

Additionally, graduates of The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine’s Integrative Health or Wellness Coaching Program may be eligible to transfer nine credits into Drexel’s MS: Complementary and Integrative Health Program.

“Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions seeks to lead in interprofessional nursing and health profession education, research and clinical practice to promote health and wellness for everyone, everywhere,” said Laura N. Gitlin, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “Our partnership with the University of Arizona exemplifies our commitment to prepare a health care workforce in important and growing fields and provide students vigorous and significant learning experiences.”

For more information on the Pathway Program, visit the MS: Complementary and Integrative Health Drexel University webpage.

About Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions

The College of Nursing and Health Professions has more than a century long history of educating nurses and health professionals. Since 2002, the College has embraced the practical ingenuity of Drexel through the refinement and development of more than 25 undergraduate and graduate nursing and health professions programs characterized by the integration of learning and work through cooperative education, a culture of excellence, innovation and technology infusion, research and deep civic engagement. The College has grown to include more than 4,000 students, 200 full-time faculty and 104 staff. The College uniquely prepares clinicians to practice and lead in a rapidly changing healthcare system. For more information: MS: CIH (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram).

About the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) at the University of Arizona is leading the transformation of health care by creating, educating and actively supporting a community that embodies the philosophy and practice of healing-oriented medicine. The AWCIM is internationally recognized for its evidence-based clinical practice, innovative educational programs and research that substantiates the field of integrative medicine and influences public policy. Since its creation in 1994, the AWCIM's vision of making integrative care available to all is being realized worldwide: AWCIM graduates are now guiding more than 10 million patients to take a greater role in their health and healing. For more information: awcim.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter).