Program Overview
Degree Requirements: See Requirements Tab
Completion Time: 4.5 to 5.5 years
Earned Credits: 75 to 78
The IFN specialization courses include:
- Foundations in Integrative and Functional Nutrition
- 3 IFN electives of choice
The specialization in Integrative and Functional Nutrition provides an alternative for individuals who wish to obtain a comprehensive introduction to integrative and functional approaches to nutrition while focusing on their degree in Mind-Body Medicine. The 15-credit specialization includes one required course, IFN 5670 Foundations of Integrative and Functional Nutrition, and four IFN electives of choice. Some courses require prerequisites; check the course catalog to determine if prerequisites are required.
Additionally, students enrolled in the IFN specialization may be eligible to sit for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) exam. The Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) requires a graduate degree in nutrition or another health care-related profession from a regionally accredited university. Students must complete specific coursework and accrue 1,000 hours of supervised experience; consult with the specialization coordinator to select the appropriate courses.
To learn more about becoming a CNS and to determine if your academic preparation meets the requirements, see www.theana.org and work with the IFN specialization coordinator.
More program information can be found in our academic catalog.
The requirements for the Ph.D. Mind-Body Medicine degree includes 75 credits within specific categories of coursework: core (12 credits), research (21 credits), mind-body science (6 credits), practice (9 credits), electives (12 credits), and specialization (15 credits). Students who prefer not to add a specialization will complete 15 credits of additional electives from any category or degree program. If the academic writing course is required, another elective may be added to the degree, thus increasing the requirements to 78 credits. Prerequisites must be met to register for certain courses.
Students enrolled in the Integrative and Functional Nutrition (IFN) Specialization degree program must attend Residential Conferences (RCs) if their courses require attendance.
Integrative and Functional Nutrition
Students taking this course will expand upon their knowledge of basic nutrition science and gain a foundational understanding of the integrative and functional approach to nutrition. The course reviews the fundamental principles and perspectives of conventional, traditional, integrative, and functional medical models to identify best practices for nutritional care. Students learn about the concepts and tools used within these practices and how they align with the integrative practitioner’s goal for personalized, whole-person, relationship-centered, and environmentally sensitive care.
Prerequisite(s): IFN 5520 (or proof of previous nutrition coursework)
3 credits
Integrative Approaches to Chronic Disease
Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. In this course, students will learn about the multi-faceted causes and consequences of these conditions. Through evaluation of research, students will develop an evidence-based integrative approach to prevent and manage these chronic diseases.
Prerequisite(s): IFN 5670, IFN 5688
3 credits
Nutritional Foundations of Mental Health
This course provides an overview of the practical and scientific approaches to understanding the impact that food has on mental health. Topics in this course will include learning about the quality and variety of food that is available to us, its impact on mental health, and the influence that nutrition has on brain development and maintenance throughout the life cycle.
3 credits
Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine
This course examines one of the most common modalities of integrative medicine: dietary and herbal supplements. The course provides an overview of the regulations that govern manufacturing, sales, and marketing of dietary supplements. Students will use reliable and peer-reviewed resources to critically evaluate the proposed benefits, efficacy, and safety of supplements in order to inform client recommendations.
Prerequisite(s): IFN 5520 (or proof of previous nutrition coursework)
3 credits
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“The College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences is dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary modalities and scholarship that enhance optimal health and well-being for individuals and communities. Multiple specializations, minors, and certificates are intricate to the degree programs to serve the students’ academic and professional goals.”
—Devorah Curtis, Ph.D., Mind-Body Medicine Department Chair