Doctor of Science in Integrative Health

Overview

ACHS designed this Doctor of Science in Integrative Health degree for health and wellness professionals who want to make a difference in their communities and help reshape how healthcare works. This online degree is ideal for practitioners, educators, healthcare professionals, and others with a drive to help others and contribute to research in the field.

Market research indicates that consumer use of integrative health and wellness has continued to grow. Nearly 40% of Americans use complementary and alternative treatments, including dietary supplements and services such as chiropractic and massage. Medical insurance policies increasingly cover these services.

Few accredited terminal degrees in integrative health are available in the United States. Graduates of the ACHS DSc will fill an essential gap in skilled integrative health professionals. In addition, healthcare occupations will grow 16% from 2020-2030.

Graduates of the Doctor of Science in Integrative Health program will have the skills and training to educate others, apply their knowledge in professional and clinical settings based on their area(s) of specialization, and contribute to community and global health initiatives.

Are you waiting to be ready to start a Doctorate program? Explore ACHS’s Integrative Health Department programs online at Programs include Masters degrees, Graduate Certificates, and Micro-credentials designed to help you advance your knowledge and help others through wellness.

Professional Credential Pathways

This program is aligned with industry professional credentialing educational standards, including the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) and the American Nutrition Association, Board Certification for Certified Nutrition SpecialistsSM.

National Association of Nutrition Professionals Student Membership

ACHS provides new students in this program with a student membership to the NANP for one year.1

Highlights

Meets the education requirements for graduates to sit for the Board Exam in Holistic Nutrition certification, offered by the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board2

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze current research including the major literature, theories, practices, problems, ethical issues, and research methods in integrative health and area(s) of specialization such as functional nutrition, aromatherapy, or herbal medicine;
  • Use theory and research evidence to identify, design, and assess behavioral and action-focused functional nutrition and integrative health education protocols;
  • Create activities and coalitions with global, national, state, or community organizations to promote health policies and environments that support food and health sovereignty;
  • Synthesize and review evidence-based research and literature to apply best practices in integrative health;
  • Evaluate the impact of ethical, socioeconomic, and racial influences on health outcomes;
  • Implement integrative health professional scope of practice and code of ethics based on specialization;
  • Design, conduct, and publish original research in integrative health and functional nutrition as demonstrated by the Doctoral Dissertation Project.

 

1 Membership processed with NANP 4-6 weeks after student begins their first semester in an eligible program.
2 In addition to completing this program, documentation of 500 hours (includes a minimum of 250 direct contact hours and up to 250 indirect contact hours) of professional experience in holistic nutrition is also required. NANP also offers an exception for new graduates that defers these requirements for two years if the exam is taken within 12 months of graduation. Please visit achs.edu/alumni/professional-exams-registration for more information or contact www.nanp.org/board-exam-eligibility.
3 Please note that this program does not prepare students to be eligible to sit for the NCHEC CHES exam and become a Certified Health Education Specialist.

Electives

Foundations of Aromatherapy Online – AROMA 501

Aromatherapy I Online – AROMA 503

Aromatherapy II Online – AROMA 504

Aromatherapy III Online – AROMA 505

Essential Oil Chemistry for Integrative Health Professionals Online – AROMA 507

General, Organic, and Biochemistry Online – CHEM 501

Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome, and Cardiovascular Disease – DSC 630

Hormones and Nutrition – DSC 635

Neuroscience and Nutrition – DSC 640

Health Promotion and Behavior Change – DSC 645

Stress Management and Emotional Health Online – HED 503

Advanced Herbal Materia Medica I Online – HERB 502

Advanced Herbal Materia Medica II Online – HERB 503

Advanced Herbal Materia Medica III Online – HERB 504

Principles of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Online – HERB 521

Botany and Plant Identification for the Holistic Practitioner Online – HERB 531

Safety & Metabolism of Botanical Supplements Online – HERB 541

Foundations of Health Education Online – HLED 553

Program Planning for Health Educators Online – HLED 554

Homeopathy Online – HOM 501

Introduction to Integrative Health Theory Online – IHS 500

Anatomy & Physiology I Online – NAT 501

Anatomy & Physiology II Online – NAT 502

Integrative Pathophysiology I Online – NAT 503

Integrative Pathophysiology II Online – NAT 504

Wellness Coaching & Communication Skills Online – NAT 515

Integrative Health and Nutrition Fundamentals Online – NUT 501

Macronutrients for Integrative Health Online – NUT 502

Micronutrients for Integrative Health Online – NUT 503

Advanced Sports Nutrition Online – NUT 504

Graduate Topics in Holistic Nutrition Online – NUT 509

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements Online – NUT 510

Career Goals:

  • Scholar
  • Educator3
  • Advocate
  • Lifestyle Coach
  • Adjunct to an existing healthcare professional

Current Instructors:

View all ACHS instructors, including bios, photos, and courses taught.

Admissions Requirements:

Masters degree or higher from accredited institution (official transcripts required). Recommendation for admission by the Program Dean and ACHS Admissions Committee.

Tuition and Fees:

To estimate the program tuition and fees, click on the required course name to view each Total Course Price. Information is also provided in the Program Fact Sheet.

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ACHS Partnerships & Affiliations

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