Mind-Body Medicine, Specialization in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Ph.D.

By combining nutrition science with mind-body-medicine practices, students enrolled in the Integrative and Functional Nutrition specialization (IFN) develop a synergistic set of skills unique to healthcare practice. In addition to the core IFN requirement, students will complete another 15 credits of electives offered through the IFN department. The curriculum covers topics in nutritional biochemistry, systems biology, nutritional assessment methods, and traditional and integrative nutritional therapies. A variety of other IFN courses may be taken to fulfill the academic requirements of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists to pursue the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credentials.

Graduates will be positioned to address a spectrum of health conditions including functional bowel disorders, food addictions, autoimmune diseases, cognitive impairments, obesity, and many other difficult-to-manage cases from a truly integrative approach. Graduates will also contribute to advancing integrative healthcare practices through ground-breaking research that merges the fields of nutrition and mind-body medicine.

Specialization Requirements - 15 credits

The IFN specialization requirements successful completion of prerequisites in anatomy and physiology (3 credits), general biochemistry or organic chemistry (3 credits), and basic nutrition (3) from an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Applicants lacking these prerequisites will take them as part of their PhD MBM electives.

IFN 5520 - Nutritional Science 3.0 credit(s)
Or
IFN 5670 - Foundations of Integrative and Functional Nutrition 3.0 credit(s)
IFN 5688 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Macronutrients 3.0 credit(s)
IFN 5681 - Systems Biology I 3.0 credit(s)
IFN 5689 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Micronutrients 3.0 credit(s)
IFN Elective 3 credits

Notes:

Degree Requirements for the 2018-2019 Academic Year were approved by the CIMHS Degree Program Committee.

The average time to complete the 76-79 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.

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