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    Saybrook University
   
 
  Dec 12, 2024
 
2023-2024 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring Addendum 
    
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2023-2024 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring Addendum [Archived Catalog]

Mind-Body Medicine Certificate


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Overview of Program


​​Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) Certificate program is an option for non-CIMHS degree students to integrate a variety of mind-body therapies and practices into their daily life and professional work. This program attracts students from various education and career backgrounds in health, wellness, education, and non-healthcare fields. Nurses, therapists, coaches, yoga instructors, dietitians, nutritionists, educators, business consultants, and recent graduates from other degree programs represent the student body. This certificate does not lead to licensure.​ 

Program Learning Outcomes


  1. ​​Explain the influence of biopsychosocial factors on general health and wellbeing and the implications for individuals, organizations, and/or communities. 
  2. Describe and apply the foundational values, ethical principles, and best practices of the field to oneself and others. 
  3. Apply cultural humility, diversity awareness, and inclusion to support health equity and social justice in healthcare systems. 
  4. Articulate the application of self-reflection and self-care skills.  
  5. Assess and synthesize evidence, theories, and established practices in integrative healthcare. 
  6. Critically evaluate research methods and apply published research. 
  7. Compose original, grammatically correct, coherent, concise, and well-articulated written work in APA style.​ 

Career Opportunities


​​Students who are already credentialed as healthcare practitioners enhance their practice with new skills in mind-body medicine. ​ 

Program Requirements


Admissions Requirements


​​Applicants for the Mind-Body Medicine Certificate must submit the following documents: 

  • An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of an undergraduate degree, with a 3.0 GPA or better; 
  • Professional resume or CV; 
  • Personal statement; and 
  • The Department chair may require a writing sample if applicants submit a personal statement that contains any grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, or poorly organized text. 

 
Certificate students must provide official transcripts showing completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level science course in the past 10 years, with a minimum of a B in anatomy and/or physiology. Students lacking this introductory science prerequisite course will add IFN 5704 Anatomy and Physiology as an elective within their first year. Alternatively, students may complete the basic anatomy and physiology course from Saybrook's academic partner, Straighter Line.

University Learning Experience


Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) - Required, Community Learning Experience (CLE) - Optional

All new students begin their studies with a Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a certificate program orientation, are held online during the week ahead of the start of the fall and spring semesters. Participation is strongly encouraged.

Students enrolled in the MBM degree program must attend any residential, university, or virtual learning experience as required for the courses in which they choose to enroll. Refer to the course descriptions for requirements.

Program Specific Requirements


​​All new students participate in Saybrook University’s “Getting Started” and the MBM Department’s virtual orientation sessions at the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. During the orientation, students are introduced to administrative staff, faculty, university-wide policies, technology, student services, library databases, best practices, advising, and more.  
 
Note: All CIMHS students enroll in the MBM 5507 Graduate Level Academic Writing course  (elective) within the first two semesters of starting the program unless students receive an approved waiver from the department chair. 
 
In some instances, students may request to waive the MBM 5507 writing course and substitute an open elective at the department chair’s discretion. The department chair will make the determination based on any one of three criteria: (a) students may document solo-authored professional publications in a peer-reviewed journal, (b) per our institutional transfer credit policy, students may document completion of an equivalent 3-credit graduate-level writing course within the past 10 years and earned a grade of B or better, or (c) students may submit an optional writing sample, and achieve a score of 90% or better on the writing sample grading rubric.​ 

Credits/Hours


​​Students should expect to spend approximately 40 hours per every 1 credit hour, or 120 hours of schoolwork for each 3-credit course, engaged in schoolwork (e.g., reading, watching videos, completing assignments, and more). Therefore, students should anticipate spending approximately 8 hours per week on schoolwork for each 15-week course. The actual time needed will vary by course, by week, and by student.​ 

Mode of Delivery


​​Most of the coursework is conducted online and at a distance, so students can live and work anywhere in the world as they engage with faculty and peers. The classes incorporate a variety of instructional and assessment methods including asynchronous discussion forums, live videoconferences, interactive web-based activities, and written assignments. In addition, the MBM department utilizes virtual and residential learning experiences for real-time training, to support online classes. These virtual and residential learning conferences are usually held at the start of the spring and fall semesters. 
 
Fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks; summer courses are 8 or 12 weeks long. ​ 

Length of Program


​​The average time to complete the 12-credit certificate requirements can be between two or four semesters. It depends on full or part-time status, course choices, and when the courses are offered within the academic year.​ 

Required Courses


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