Overview of Program
Students enrolled in the Ph.D. Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) program integrate mind-body medicine's philosophy, science, and techniques 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, contemplative end-of-life care, integrative and functional nutrition, integrative mental health, integrative wellness coaching, and mindful leadership. 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, contemplative end-of-life care, biofeedback, neurofeedback, and hypnosis.
The Ph.D. 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, dietitians, nutritionists, educators, business consultants, and recent graduates from other degree programs represent the student body. This degree does not qualify graduates for medical licensure.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Explain the influence of biopsychosocial factors on general health and wellbeing and the implications for individuals, organizations, and/or communities.
- Describe and apply the foundational values, ethical principles, and best practices of the field to oneself and others.
- Apply cultural humility, diversity awareness, and inclusion to support health equity and social justice in healthcare systems.
- Articulate the application of self-reflection and self-care skills.
- Assess and synthesize evidence, theories, and established practices in integrative healthcare.
- Critically evaluate research methods, apply published research, and conduct independent research in the field.
- Compose original, grammatically correct, coherent, concise, and well-articulated written work in APA style.
Specializations
- Applied Psychophysiology
- Contemplative End of Life Care
- Culinary Nutrition
- Integrative and Functional Nutrition
- Integrative Mental Health
- Integrative Wellness Coaching
- Mindful Leadership
- Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR)
Career Opportunities
Students who are already credentialed as healthcare practitioners enhance their practice with integrative medicine knowledge.
Graduates are prepared to 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
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for the Ph.D. Mind-Body Medicine degree 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;
- An interview with a faculty member may be required
- 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.
New Ph.D. MBM 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 an accredited community college.
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 Ph.D. specialization the student selects. These students must fulfill the doctoral degree requirements for a minimum total of 76 credits.
Contract the department chair to inquire about the details of transfer credits.
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 degree program orientation, are held online during the week ahead of the start of the fall and spring semesters. Participation is strongly encouraged.
All students are required to attend the Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) during week one in the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Although students may complete most courses through distance learning, all our degree programs have VLE requirements. VLEs are academic requirements, and their completion is important for your successful academic progress: they allow you to meet with faculty and co-learners in a synchronous, stimulating, and supportive virtual environment. Our VLEs are an important part of your learning experience as they nurture intellectual and relational creativity, enrich the educational environment, and foster faculty and peer interactions. During the VLE, there are courses being launched, workshops, independent learning activities, peer learning opportunities, community events, and other hands-on experiences intended to nurture professional development, skill building, relationships, and transformative change. You can find the specific hour and track requirements on the Academic Commons University Learning Experience Program Requirements Page linked here. https://tcsedsystem.libguides.com/VLE_Requirements
Students are required to attend the VLE throughout their program and are encouraged to attend the Community Learning Experience (in person) in lieu of the VLE in the fall of odd calendar years.
Certain courses may have additional experiential, participation, or attendance requirements beyond those outlined for the program. Students should consult individual course descriptions for details.
Program Specific Requirements
All new students participate in Saybrook University’s “Getting Started” and the Mind-Body-Medicine 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.
The requirements for the Ph.D. MBM degree include 76 credits within specific categories of coursework: core (13 credits), research (24 credits), mind-body science (6 credits), practice (9 credits), electives (9 or 12 credits), and specialization (12 credits). Students who prefer not to add a specialization will complete 12 credits of additional electives from any category or degree program. Pre-requisites such as anatomy and physiology must be met to register for certain courses.
Note: All CIMHS students enroll in the MBM 5507 Graduate Level Academic Writing course 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 discretion of the department chair. 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.
MBM students are required to enroll in three semesters each year: fall, spring, and summer. Fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks; summer courses are 8 or 12 weeks long.
Length of Program
The average time to complete the 76 to 79-credit degree requirements with or without a specialization is 5 to 6 years (plus another 1 to 3 years to complete the dissertation research).
Mind-Body Science - 6 credits
Practice - 9 credits
Choose three:
Electives - 9 or 12 credits
Elective requirements may be satisfied by any Saybrook program (except for counseling courses) or by an approved academic partner agreement. Refer to any prerequisite or virtual, community or residential learning experience requirements before registering. A listing of acceptable CIMHS courses is available in the university catalog and online Master Index.
Generalist (no Specialization) - 12 credits
Total Degree Requirements - 76-79 credits
Applied Psychophysiology (APH) Specialization Option - 12 credits
Overview:
Applied Psychophysiology is the sub-specialty of psychophysiology that uses knowledge of the biological bases of various behaviors in conjunction with numerous psychological techniques to help people moderate medical symptoms, manage anxiety and depression, or enhance academic, artistic, and sports performance.
Students in the applied psychophysiology specialization will take basic science courses on psychophysiology, the science of mind and body, and the technology of psychophysiological recording. They will master basic interventions in biofeedback and hypnosis and select from a menu of evidence-based skills courses including stress management, optimal functioning, heart rate variability biofeedback, and EEG biofeedback.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
Contemplative End of Life Care (CEOL) Specialization Option -12 credits
Overview
The specialization in Contemplative End of Life Care provides healthcare professionals with the skills and understanding to better tend to the psychospiritual needs of the chronically ill and the dying.
Palliative and end of life care are interdependent interdisciplinary efforts to enhance quality of life and symptom management during chronic and life limiting illness, including terminal disease processes. Contemplative end of life care is a holistic approach to providing psychosocial support, comfort, and care during the time leading up to and surrounding death.
The specialization program in Contemplative End of Life Care promotes integrative, mind-body-spirit, person-centered approaches for palliative and end of life care. The curriculum is designed to prepare students with the professional competencies to provide the emotional, spiritual, and practical care for individuals and their families who are living with life limiting and terminal illness.
The 12-credit specialization program is interdisciplinary and designed to appeal to students currently enrolled in the Ph.D. Mind-Body Medicine program, who have an interest in providing palliative and end of life care and services. The curriculum is applicable to individuals working in different settings such as clinical care, coaching, administration, consulting, teaching, and research. Following completion of the specialization, students will receive a certificate of completion. Graduates of the specialization sequence will be prepared to provide support and care of clients with chronic conditions and those approaching end of life.
Note: This specialization does not lead to licensure. Students will gain courses and experience applicable toward certification by the Association of Death Education and Counseling (Certificate in Thanatology, Death, Dying, and Bereavement, Fellow in Thanatology, Death, Dying, and Bereavement). Some additional requirements are not included in the Saybrook courses.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
Culinary Nutrition Specialization Option - 12 credits
Overview
The Culinary Nutrition Specialization prepares students to translate evidence-based nutrition science into practical, food-centered strategies that promote health, prevent disease, and support the management of chronic conditions. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum integrating nutritional science, culinary skills, behavior change, and lifestyle medicine, students develop the knowledge and competencies needed to transform nutrition recommendations into realistic, culturally responsive, and sustainable dietary practices. Emphasizing food as medicine, the specialization equips graduates to apply culinary nutrition principles across clinical, community, educational, and wellness settings, enhancing their ability to improve individual and population health through evidence-informed nutrition interventions.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
Integrative and Functional Nutrition (IFN) Specialization - 12 credits
Overview
The specialization in Integrative and Functional Nutrition provides an alternative for the individual who wishes to obtain a comprehensive introduction to integrative and functional approaches to nutrition while studying Mind Body Medicine. The specialization is a 12-credit program, including one required course, IFN 5670 Foundations of Integrative and Functional Nutrition, and four additional academic courses of the student’s choice. Please check the course catalog to determine if prerequisites are required.
Additionally, MBM students who complete this 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 the field of nutrition or other healthcare-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.
The BCNS reviews each candidate individually, including current course descriptions, transcripts, and experience to determine eligibility. 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 specialization coordinator.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
Integrative Mental Health Specialization Option - 12 credits
Overview
The Integrative Mental Health specialization is oriented for licensed mental health practitioners and individuals with a licensable mental health degree. Eligible disciplines include psychology, psychiatry, social work, counseling, psychiatric nursing, and expressive arts therapy (when licensable). Students in the IMH specialization learn a core of evidence-based behavioral, nutritional, and spiritual/transpersonal interventions.
Practicing within the scope of their professional license, graduates will be prepared to provide integrative medicine interventions for individuals suffering from acute and chronic mental health disorders.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Specialization Option - 12 credits
Overview
Integrative wellness coaching (IWC) is a solution-focused, holistic, and sustainable approach to wellness that forms an intersection between lifestyle, health needs, and personal transformation. IWC is recognized as an essential component of holistic health and wellness services, education, and research.
The specialization in Integrative Wellness Coaching includes 12 credits of coursework designed around the fundamental coaching competencies and skills recognized by professional credentialing organizations. Drawing from current research in professional coaching, lifestyle medicine, positive psychology, and mind-body interventions, students enrolled in the IWC program learn how to apply evidence-based, best-practice approaches to support the wellbeing of others.
Students completing the required coursework in this specialization also complete the Certificate in Integrative Wellness Coaching. This certificate program is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as a Level 1 program with 125 contact hours and is a National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Approved Training Program with 88 instructional hours.
The Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Certificate program is available to all students interested in Integrative Wellness Coaching who do not currently hold an ICF or NBHWC credential. Students who have completed part of the program before 2025 must retake the 2025 IWC Certificate program in its entirety to align with updated ICF and NBHWC accreditation standards. The IWC Certificate program is unavailable to Teaching Fellows, adjunct faculty, or core faculty, and auditing the program courses is not permitted.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
Mindful Leadership Specialization Option - 12 credits
Overview
Concepts of mindfulness and compassion-based leadership have gained commercial and institutional popularity, but there are limited evidence-based educational programs that focus on foundational models and related skills and approaches.
The 12-credit specialization is intended for practitioners, wellness professionals, and educators who want to master the emerging scholarship in mindfulness-based approaches to leadership, organizational development, and healthcare. The core curriculum of four courses is designed to provide mastery of the mindfulness literature, associated leadership theories, consulting, and experiential components to develop practice skills. Students will also select a fourth course from alternatives in applications of creativity and methods of conflict resolution.
The Mindful Leadership specialization includes 12 credits of coursework that include reflective, mindfulness, creativity, and compassion-based leadership approaches. Students will also acquire and master practical skills, including consulting.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
Teaching and Advanced Research Specialization - 12 credits
Overview
The 12-credit Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR) serves university learners interested in pursuing academic careers. Innovative, learner-centered, skill-based courses in teaching, grant writing, curriculum design, and academic publication prepare learners for professional and scholarly success in their field of interest. Over four core courses, learners develop a scholarly portfolio to promote academic success post-graduation. This academic dossier will include a written teaching philosophy, Curriculum Vitae, exemplar syllabi and course designs, grant proposals, research publications and presentations. Following completion of the core courses, learners then work with faculty research mentors to apply the dossier to professional academic goals: establishing and building professional networks, refining skills, and participating in academic opportunities. STAR learners are invited to present at the STAR Learner Research Symposium, an annual virtual academic conference featuring learner research presentations.
Any Saybrook student can enroll in RES4010, RES5010, RES5020, or RES5030 as elective courses if they meet the prerequisite requirements.
Total Degree Requirements: 76-79 credits
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