Oct 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Integrative Health Care Major, B.S.


Department of Health Professions  

College of Health and Human Sciences  

  Available Program Format(s): In-Person  

About the Program


The Integrative Health Care program offers students courses that integrate the most recent scientific evidence with the oldest of healing traditions. The program draws from disciplines such as health education services, health care management, biology, chemistry, and nutrition. Students examine the diverse factors that impinge on an individual’s health and well-being. Students receive a broad-based understanding of the principles of human health and disease, the theories underlying healing practices, and the scientific research methods needed to evaluate the latest techniques in this dynamic field. A minimum passing grade of C- is required for all courses.

The Integrative Health Care program offers a major, pathways, and a minor. The major is designed for students interested in working in the expanding complementary and alternative health care field. The minor/pathways are designed for students who recognize the increased emphasis on wellness in several professional fields and/or for health-conscious individuals who wish to establish a self-enhancement program. The minor and/or pathways can complement a major that is relevant to the student’s career goals, but is not required. 

Minors that would complement this major include, but are not limited to, Health Care Management, Nutrition, Aging Services Leadership, Recreation Services, Journalism, Spanish, Marketing, Human Services, Anthropology, Biology, and Chemistry.

The Integrative Health Care program is housed in the Department of Health Professions. Students enrolling in the major or minor must confer with a department advisor as soon as possible. For more information, call 303-615-1200.

Student Outcomes


The baccalaureate Integrative Health Care program has established the following outcomes for all graduates.

  • Demonstrate an attitude of caring, flexibility, and self-confidence in a health care setting. 
  • Act in an ethical and legal manner in applying the leadership roles of collaborator, resource person, change agent, teacher, and advocate. 
  • Integrate a variety of communication skills, media techniques, and strategies effectively and appropriately to influence health. 
  • Assess health situations and recommend appropriate healing practices. 
  • Evaluate global health systems to identify social and health-care trends in order to anticipate the future of health care. 
  • Apply scientific method to health-care problems. 
  • Apply knowledge of natural science principles in a healing practice.

General Degree Requirements


To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

Program Requirements


  • A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation. 
  • A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Courses with grades of less than “C-” will need to be repeated in order for the student to take any other courses for which the first course is a prerequisite. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. 
  • A pathway is not required for this major.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  

  • Written Communication (6 credits) 
  • Oral Communication (3 credits) 
  • Quantitative Literacy (3 credits) 
  • Arts and Humanities (6 credits) 
  • Historical (3 credits) 
  • Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits*)

 

* Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences. 

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


  • Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement  for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
  • Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.

Program Electives: 12 credits


Choose at least 12 credits for any ITP prefix course or NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition  

Pathways: 18 credits


In addition to their major coursework, students in the IHC major can complete a specialized pathway. Pathway options include Complementary Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Men’s Health, and Wellness Coaching. 

Complementary Medicine Pathway: 18 credits


Students must take the 6 courses in the Complementary Medicine Pathway unless they have been taken in the major, in which case they may replace them with any ITP prefix course.

Lifestyle Medicine Pathway: 18 credits


Students must take the 6 courses in the Lifestyle Medicine Pathway unless they have been taken in the major, in which case they may replace them with any ITP prefix course.

Men’s Health Pathway: 18 credits


Students must take the 6 courses in the Men’s Health Pathway unless they have been taken in the major, in which case they may replace them with any ITP prefix course.

Wellness Coaching Pathway: 18 credits


Students must take the 6 courses in the Wellness Coaching Pathway unless they have been taken in the major, in which case they may replace them with any ITP prefix course.

Senior Experience: 3 credits


The following Senior Experiences are options, work with an advisor to choose the proper one for your pathway.

Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements 33 credits
ESSJ Requirements 0-3 credits
Core Courses 33-34 credits
Program Electives 12 credits
Selected Pathway 18 credits
Senior Experience 0-3 credits
Unrestricted Electives 17-33 credits
Total for the Integrative Health Care Major, B.S. 120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.