Program Goals:
The Complementary Health program is designed to educate students in the philosophies, principles and practices of Complementary Health and the integrative approach to health and healing. Students study the knowledge, scientific foundations, cultural beliefs, and the wide range of therapeutic practices within Complementary Health. Emphasis is placed on patient-provider relationship, whole person-centered care, and complementary and energetic perspectives of wellness and self-care. Complementary Health is a diverse collective of health and healing practices from the Alternative, Complementary and Integrative Medicine perspectives. The aim of the program is to develop providers who can incorporate a complementary-integrative perspective into their work with patient-clients. The program is designed for students who hold current Certification or Licensure in holistic or conventional healthcare fields/disciplines. The Program prepares healthcare providers who are knowledgeable in Complementary-Integrative Medicine and ready for employment in Private Practices, Clinics and Hospitals, Health and Fitness facilities, and Wellness Centers. The Program is designed to serve as an Associate Degree completion program.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program graduates will be able to have:
- Knowledge and understanding of holistic, mind-body-spirit, Complementary - Integrative Medicine: its philosophies, theories, therapeutic practices and approaches and its applications in healthcare, wellness promotion , and healthy living.
- Knowledge and understanding of the therapeutic practices of Complementary Health including mind-body interventions, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, guided imagery, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, expressive therapies, healing-therapeutic touch, among others, and their applications in health and healing.
- Knowledge and understanding of patient-centered and whole person-centered healthcare and the use of health promotion, wellness coaching, energetic approaches, integrative nutrition, healthy lifestyle change and mind-body-spirit transformation to support an empowered, pro-active role in individual self-care and patient-client health and well-being.
- Ability to participate in an integrative patient assessment/intake, create effective wellness care plans for self and patient-client, and communicate to others via oral, written, and electronically.
- Ability to assist patient clients and health professionals in incorporating complementary health practices and approaches into their healthcare, prevention and disease management strategies and healthy living choices.
- Knowledge and understanding of the impact of chronic stress and human emotions on human physiology and states of health and well-being and the tools of
- Complementary/Integrative Health that can be applied to healing stress management.
- Knowledge and understanding of the indigenous world medicines and their influence on today’s healthcare and healing practices.
- Knowledge and understanding of current happiness research and the ability to choose to apply practices and tools, such as forgiveness, gratitude or mind-body health, that enhances states of happiness and well-being.
- Ability to identify Complementary and Integrative Health needs of specialized populations such as Elders, Children, Women’s and Men’s Health, Substance Abuse and Addiction, Cancer, Cardiovascular and Nutritional wellness, among others.
- Ability to integrate professional literature into their course work, professional communications, and to demonstrate professional standards, integrity, and collaborative approach in their work with patient-clients, other health and healing professionals, and the community.
Admissions Process:
Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu .Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at the following link: http://www.qcc.edu/pages/Enrollment_Steps.html
CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:
A Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offenders Record Information (SORI) are not required. Finger printing and drug testing are not required.
Additional Cost:
Complementary health students should anticipate additional expenses for certification/license credentialing. This may range from $50-$75 per credit for a total of $1,400.00 to $2,100.00.
Technical Performance Standards:
See page 17 in the catalog or the Technical Performance Standards page.
Credit for Prior Learning:
Students enrolled in this program may be able to earn academic credit for prior learning. Please contact the office of Career Placement Services at careerservices [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu, 508.854.4439, Room 272A.
Career Outlook:
Please consult The Massachusetts Career Information System at http://masscis.intocareers.com/ or The Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.3399
Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:
Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at the following link: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer/ArticPathways.html. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer.
Additional Program Information:
Individuals with an interest, or past experience in complementary approach to health and healing who are not yet certified or licensed in health and healing may also elect to study within individual courses that can offer personal and professional growth and development and serve as vehicles of career inquiry and exploration or curriculum elective. To be awarded the degree, one would need to hold Certification or Licensure in a recognized field of holistic or conventional health.
Curriculum:
| Course Title | Course # | Offered | Plan to Take | Grade | Credits | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certification or Licensure Credentialing | ||||||
| Semester 1 | ||||||
| Anatomy & Physiology I | BIO 111 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 101 or AP Biology, Coreq-ENG 101 | ||
| Health and Healing | CHC 150 | F | 3 | BIO 101, ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Fundamentals of Complementary Health | CHC 151 | F | 3 | ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| English Composition & Literature I | ENG 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | PSY 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Semester 2 | ||||||
| Anatomy & Physiology II | BIO 112 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 111 | ||
| Nutrition | BIO 241 | F/S/SU | 3 | BIO 101 or BIO 111 | ||
| World Medicines: Harmony and Health | CHC 250 | S | 3 | ENG 101 | ||
| Applications in Integrative Health | CHC 255 | S | 3 | CHC 150, CHC 151 | ||
| English Composition & Literature II | ENG 102 | F/S/SU | 3 | ENG 101 | ||
| Total credits required: | 60 | |||||
Program Notes:
Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits at QCC to meet the residency requirement; 9 of these 15 credits must be earned in CHC courses.