Mind-Body Medicine, Healthcare Research Specialization, Ph.D.

Requirements

Specialization in Healthcare Research

The PhD in Mind-Body Medicine with a Specialization in Healthcare Research provides an opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge of integrative healthcare, as well as the research process, while enhancing your academic and professional development. Current research shows that a whole-person approach toward treating chronic health conditions yields improved outcomes, and can also promote optimal wellness.

Requirements Overview

Students entering the Mind-Body Medicine doctoral program must have completed a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to enrollment. Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 83 credits. Credits are earned by completing Mind-Body Medicine courses.

By approval, Saybrook may accept up to nine graduate transfer credits into the PhD degree in Mind-Body Medicine with the Healthcare Research specialization from other regionally-accredited colleges and universities prior to entrance. Transfer credits are applied to the required number of elective credits or required courses for degree completion. Nine transfer credits may be accepted to fulfill three three-credit elective course requirement for the degree program.

These credits must be suitable for transfer to the intended degree as determined by the Dean and Registrar. For further details regarding transfer credit policies, consult the Institutional Transfer Credit Guidelines section of the University Catalog.

Students receiving a master’s degree in Mind-Body Medicine or the master’s degree in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from Saybrook who are admitted into the doctoral degree in Mind‐Body Medicine can generally transfer all MS degree credits that match either a required course or an elective into the PhD program. Past students have transferred up to 38 credits. The exact amount depends on which MS degree the student has completed, and which PhD specialization the student selects. These students must fulfill the doctoral degree requirements not completed at the master’s level, including the remaining required courses and the dissertation or project. Meeting the doctoral requirements will include completing additional credits of doctoral coursework plus the dissertation or project, for a minimum total of 83 credits. Under some circumstances, additional courses required may total more than 83 credits.

For further information on admission into the PhD Mind-Body Medicine program after completion of the M.S. Mind-Body Medicine degree or the M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree, contact the Saybrook Admissions Department. Some credits from a master’s degree earned in other programs at Saybrook may also be transferable into the doctoral degree program. Contact an academic advisor to inquire further.

This program is not a clinical psychology program. However, it can offer more flexibility in program planning to those wishing to enhance and further develop their clinical knowledge and expertise, but who do not intend to use the degree to qualify for licensure.

• MBM 1009 - Information Competency & Research Skills 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5500 - Ethics in Healthcare 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5511 - Graduate Colloquium I 1 credit(s)
• MBM 5512 - Graduate Colloquium II 1 credit(s)
• MBM 5510 - Imagery for Health 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5525 - Grant Writing 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5540 - Fundamentals of Research 3 credit(s)
• RES 1045 - Fundamental Statistics for Practitioner Scholars 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5553 - Quantitative Research Overview 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5554 - Advanced Pilot Study Course 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5555 - Doctoral Research Pilot Study 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5556 - Qualitative Research Overview 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5557 - Advanced Research Method 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5558 - Advanced Research Method II 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5584 - Doctoral Level Professional Seminar in Mind-Body Medicine 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5586 - Ph.D. Practicum 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5600 - Mind-Body Medicine: Overview
• MBM 5690 - Complementary and Integrative Medicine
• MBM 5615 - Movement, Exercise, and Health 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5628 - Evidence-Based Coaching 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5640 - Psychophysiology 3 credit(s)

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• MBM 5620 - Basic Training and Education in Hypnosis 3 credit(s)

• OR

• MBM 5622 - Basic Training and Education in Biofeedback 3 credit(s)

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• MBM 5635 - Spirituality and Health 3 credit(s)

• OR

• MBM 5655 - Mindfulness and Meditation in Health 3 credit(s)

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• MBM 9501 - PhD Dissertation Proposal 3 credit(s) *
• MBM 9601 - PhD Dissertation Research 3 credit(s) *
• Elective Credits Included 12 credit(s)

Learning and Career Outcomes

What you can do with a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine, with a Healthcare Research Specialization?

All the specializations in Mind-Body Medicine support career and professional goals across a broad spectrum of healthcare occupations for individuals employed in a variety of academic and organizational environments. The learning outcomes and career outcomes for healthcare research are particularly well-suited to those interested in pursuing research and/or academic careers in evidence-based integrative medicine, including healthcare informatics.

Whether you are a mid-career professional seeking to enhance your existing skills or an individual seeking to transition to a new career path, our programs provide a comprehensive overview of the integrative health field combined with core skills training.

If you are currently pursuing a career in one of the occupations below or aspire to do so, our program can help you make a difference and advance along your chosen path.

• Academic Teaching
• Healthcare Administrator
• Healthcare Research
• Health Educator
• Health Psychologist
• Organizational consultant to Healthcare