Mind-Body Medicine, Ph.D.

Mind-body medicine is known as one of the leading complementary approaches in healthcare. In the past five years alone, thousands of studies have documented the therapeutic benefits of mind-body therapies on physical, mental, and emotional health.

Applying the principles and evidence supporting the effectiveness of mind-body approaches for health outcomes and overall wellbeing, students enrolled in the PhD Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) program integrate the philosophy, science, and techniques of mind-body medicine in their personal and professional work. The curriculum presents a foundation of scholarship across the CIMHS departments, representing domains of integrative healthcare, mind-body science, practice, advanced research, and ethics. To expand their knowledge and focus of study in a specific discipline, students may choose to add a specialization in applied psychophysiology, integrative mental health, integrative wellness coaching, and mindful leadership in healthcare. The generalist degree or no specialization option offers the most flexible sequence for individuals pursuing multiple certificates such as integrative wellness coaching, integrative and functional nutrition, biofeedback, neurofeedback, stress management and clinical hypnosis.

The PhD MBM program attracts students from a broad range of education and career backgrounds in health, wellness, education, and non-healthcare fields. Nurses, therapists, coaches, yoga instructors, dieticians, nutritionists, educators, business consultants, and recent graduates from other degree programs, represent the student body. This degree does not qualify graduates for medical licensure.

Graduates are prepared serve as educators, coaches, consultants, directors or managers, and researchers in a variety of professional settings:

Private practice and independent consulting
Integrative medicine and wellness centers
Medical centers, hospitals, community health, primary care
Medical spas
Yoga retreat centers
Sports medicine
Corporate wellness programs
Colleges and universities

Program Learning Outcomes

Explain the influence of biopsychosocial factors on general health and wellbeing and the implications for individuals, organizations, and/or communities.
Interpret the values, ethical principles, and best practice standards that are foundational for professionals and researchers.
Assess and synthesize evidence, theories, and informed practices in integrative healthcare.
Develop and practice reflective approaches and skills in integrative healthcare and wellness.
Apply multicultural competencies and diversity awareness, and support health equity and social justice in healthcare systems.
Critically evaluate methodologies and apply published research and/or conduct independent research on lifestyle and wellness issues.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the PhD degree in Mind-Body Medicine must submit the following documents:

An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of a Master’s degree, with a 3.0 GPA or better;
Professional resume or CV;
Personal statement; and
A sample of graduate level academic writing skills. Students with challenges in academic writing may be accepted, but will be required to take an academic writing class.

Up to nine graduate transfer credits may be accepted to fulfill three electives or course requirement for the degree program.

These credits must be suitable for transfer as determined by the department chair and registrar. For further details regarding transfer credit policies, consult the Institutional Transfer Credit Guidelines section of the University Catalog for Course Descriptions.

Graduates from one of the CIMHS degree programs are eligible to transfer in all equivalent course requirements. The exact number depends on which master’s degree the student has completed, and which PhD specialization the student selects. These students must fulfill the doctoral degree requirements for a minimum total of 75 credits.

Contract the department chair to inquire about the details of transfer credits.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the PhD MBM degree include 75 credits within specific categories of coursework: core (15 credits), research (21 credits), mind-body science (6 credits), practice (9 credits), electives (9 credits), and specialization (15 credits). Students who prefer to 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. The category requirements are listed below and in the degree program plan templates. Pre-requisites must be met to register for certain courses.

Students enrolled in this degree program must complete the virtual orientation (VO) and attend five 5-day residential conferences (RC). They must also attend any additional RC days, as required for courses in which they choose to enroll.

Core - 15 credits

MBM 0505 - Mind-Body-Spirit Integration Seminar 0 credit (4-day RC)
MBM 5710 - Mind-Body Therapies and Practices 3 credit(s)
MBM 5690 - Complementary and Integrative Medicine 3 credit(s)
MBM 5500 - Ethics in Healthcare 3 credit(s)
MBM 5590 - Field Experience 3 credit(s)
IFN Elective 3 credit(s)

Research - 21 credits

RES 2100 - Research Foundations and Literacy 3 credit(s)
RES 2300 - Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis 3 credit(s)
RES 2500 - Quantitative Data Collection and Statistics 3 credit(s)
RES 3500 - Research Design and Scholarly Writing 3 credit(s)
RES 3xxx - Advanced Research Methods 3 credit(s) (Select one course, see course descriptions RES 3000-4000) 3 credit(s)
RES 7000 - Dissertation Proposal 3 credit(s)
RES 7100 - Dissertation 3 credit(s)

Mind-Body Science - 6 credits

Required:
MBM 5681 - Psychophysiology of the Human Stress Response 3 credit(s)
Choose One:
APH 5201 - Principles and Theories of Stress Management 3 credit(s) *
APH 5181 - Hormonal and Perceptual Influences on Behavior 3 credit(s)
APH 5251 - Neuropsychophysiology 3 credit(s)
APH 5351 - Clinical Psychopharmacology 3 credit(s)
CSIH 3040 - Models of Consciousness 3 credit(s)
CSIH 3150 - Neuropsychology of Dreams and Dreaming 3 credit(s)
PSY 3171 - Perspectives and Foundations of Traumatic Stress 3 credit(s)
IFN 5705 - Psychobiology of Eating 3 credit(s)
IFN 5661 - Nutritional Foundations of Mental Health 3 credit(s)
MBM 5524 - Contemporary Neuroscience-Psychology and the Brain 3 credit(s)
MBM 5645 - The Human Energy Field and Energy Medicine 3 credit(s)
MBM 5674 - Ayurvedic Medicine 3 credit(s)

Practice - 9 credits

Choose three:

APH 5622 - Basic Training and Education in Biofeedback 3 credit(s) (2-day RC)
APH 5627 - Intermediate Biofeedback 3 credit(s) (2-day RC) *
APH 5595 - Advanced Biofeedback Practicum 3 credit(s) *
APH 5571 - Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback 3 credit(s)
APH 5620 - Basic Training and Education in Hypnosis 3 credit(s) (2-day RC)
APH 5625 - Intermediate Training and Education in Hypnosis 3 credit(s) (2-day RC) *
APH 5594 - Advanced Hypnosis Practicum 3 credit(s) *
COA 5628 - Evidence-Based Coaching 3 credit(s) (2-day RC)
MBM 5510 - Imagery for Health 3 credit(s) (2-day RC)
MBM 5521 - Reflective Leadership in Healthcare 3 credit(s)
MBM 5523 - Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Leadership in Healthcare 3 credit(s) (2-day RC)
MBM 5655 - Mindfulness, Meditation and Health 3 credit(s) (2-day RC)
CSIH 3160 - Personal Mythology and Dreamwork 3 credit(s)
MBM 5635 - Spirituality and Health 3 credit(s)
MBM 5616 - Movement Modalities for Wellness 3 credit(s) (2-day RC)
MBM 5668 - Body -Oriented Approaches to Psychotherapy 3 credit(s) (2-day RC) *
MBM 5720 - Narrative Approaches in Healthcare 3 credit(s)
CS 6606 - Introduction to Expressive Arts 3 credit(s)

Electives - 9 credits

Elective Choice - 3 credits
Elective Choice - 3 credits
Elective Choice - 3 credits
MBM 5507 - Graduate Level Academic Writing 3 credit(s) (if required)

Specialization or No Specialization - 15 credits

Applied Psychophysiology	15
Integrative Mental Health	15
Integrative Wellness Coaching	15
Mindful Leadership	15
Generalist Electives (no specialization)	15

PhD MBM Degree Requirements - 75-78 credits

Notes

See individual specialization requirements in the designated sections.

The average time to complete the 75-78 degree requirements with or without a specialization is 4.5 to 5.5 years.
A listing of acceptable CIMHS courses and electives is available in the university catalog and online Master Index. Students may also choose electives from other academic departments.
The PhD MBM degree does not qualify graduates for medical licensure.
Students also may choose to pursue a nationally recognized certificate in clinical hypnosis, biofeedback, or integrative wellness coaching. Refer to the departments of Applied Psychophysiology and Integrative Wellness Coaching to learn more about these certifications.
Courses marked with an asterisk require prerequisites.

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