Overview
The Holistic Health program offers comprehensive interdisciplinary studies of holistic health, grounded in holistic philosophy and broad empirical inquiry, leading to the award of undergraduate (Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees) or graduate (Master’s degree) in holistic health. Studies include an internship requirement and a working knowledge of a range of epistemological and research skills to greatly enhance understanding and applied capacities in health service, health education, health research and related professional roles in diverse contexts.
The Holistic Health programs provide students with preparation and training to facilitate a holistic health practice. Holistic health pertains to the whole person’s body, mind and spirit interacting with other people and interdependent with the environment. Holistic Health students learn to see challenges to a person’s well-being in a fuller context and to develop empowering solutions that awaken the individual’s innate self-healing abilities.
Encompassing conventional, complementary, alternative, public, ecological, energy, spiritual, mind-body, cultural, and integrative perspectives on health within a coherent, unifying and practical framework, holistic health studies are underpinned by an interdisciplinary developmental meta-model that places importance on the healer’s own holistic development, epistemological breadth, and capacities to see the interrelated movement of the greater whole.
The Public Health programs’ experiential underpinning is grounded in the University’s Passion Training. Core competency requirements include the completion of the training and demonstration of competency through a regular practice of its tools. Program participants are encouraged to interface throughout their studies with the resources of Passion Training. Each student in the Holistic Health program is trained in holistic fitness, acquiring advanced neurosomatic tools, and embodying passionate living in their own personal life and professional career.
Target Audience
The Holistic Health program is appropriate for:
- Current holistic health professionals, such as nurses, counselors, therapists and social workers.
- Those considering further graduate and/or specialist vocational training toward a career in health, Health, or complementary and alternative medical professions.
- Those considering further academic training toward an academic and/or research and development career in health and allied professions.
- Those interested in careers in holistic health across holistic health professions.
Learning Objectives
The degree award demonstrates competencies in the following areas, the student thus being able to:
- Identify and articulate a viable holistic model that unifies health sciences and their practices into a coherent and optimally functioning endeavor
- Critically evaluate the multidimensional nature and determinants of health and deviations from health
- Demonstrate a capacity to evaluate and make decisions based on and using healthcare research and evidenced-based knowledge, and the capacity to conceptualize modeling and integration of diverse forms of evidence that contribute to the evidence base in health and allied professions
- Demonstrate a capacity for self-reflection and holistic self-development across domains in self, culture and nature
- Demonstrate knowledge of subtle anatomy
- Evidence of a capacity to communicate effectively in professional writing
- Demonstrate an understanding of healthcare trends, developments, and the multidimensional factors impinging on it
- Demonstrate ethical and professional communication across levels of service, position, and function
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of non-traditional forms of healing, complementary and alternative health systems, their validity claims, epistemologies, and holistic development potentials in contemporary healthcare
Target Audience
The Holistic Health program is appropriate for:
- Current holistic health professionals, such as nurses, counselors, therapists, social workers.
- Those considering further graduate and/or specialist vocational training toward a career in health, Health, or complementary and alternative medical professions.
- Those considering further academic training toward an academic and/or research and development career in health and allied professions.
- Those interested in careers in holistic health across holistic health professions.
Learning Objectives
The degree award demonstrates competencies in the following areas, the student thus being able to:
- Identify and articulate a viable holistic model that unifies health sciences and their practices into a coherent and optimally functioning endeavor
- Critically evaluate the multidimensional nature and determinants of health and deviations from health
- Demonstrate a capacity to evaluate and make decisions based on and using healthcare research and evidenced-based knowledge, and the capacity to conceptualize modeling and integration of diverse forms of evidence that contribute to the evidence base in health and allied professions
- Demonstrate a capacity for self-reflection and holistic self-development across domains in self, culture and nature
- Demonstrate knowledge of subtle anatomy
- Evidence a capacity to communicate effectively in professional writing
- Demonstrate an understanding of health care trends, developments, and the multidimensional factors impinging on it
- Demonstrate ethical and professional communication across levels of service, position, and function
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of non-traditional forms of healing, complementary and alternative health systems, their validity claims, epistemologies, and holistic development potentials in contemporary healthcare
Undergraduate Programs
Associate of Science in Holistic Health
- Passion University offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Holistic Health for students who want to receive a two-year college A.S. degree while acquiring an exciting and meaningful education to live healthy and well. The Associate of Science curriculum includes all the Holistic Health Core Courses. They provide a thorough academic and practical foundation for holistic health. The completion of this A.S. degree is an important milestone for many students as they pursue their personal, educational and career goals. It promotes self-sufficiency and competence for success and fulfillment in all areas of life.
A.S. Degree Requirements (90 credit units):
- Holistic Health Core Courses (40 units)
- General Education (20 units)
- Electives (30 units)
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health is a four-year undergraduate degree program for students seeking careers in health and complementary medicine.
B.S. Entry Requirements
Admission is open to those with either a high school diploma or those who meet the University’s minimum education requirements in English, Humanities and Sciences. In addition, applicants should have completed Passion, Life and Evolution.
You are expected to be proficient in collegiate English language skills. If you are a second-language English applicant, you should submit records of the TOEFL examination with scores of 550 minimum. You are expected to have access to a computer, email and the Internet and other outside library resources for the full extent of your program.
B.S. Degree Requirements
A minimum of 180 quarter units is required for the degree with elements in general education, the core academic major, electives, an internship and a final examination, as defined below:
- General Education (20 units)
- Holistic Health Core Courses (40 units)
- Holistic Health Electives (40 units)
- Other Electives (32 units)
- Holistic Health Internship (32 units)
- Senior Project (12 units)
- Final Examination (4 units)
To complete a portion of these requirements, students may transfer appropriate coursework completed at outside colleges and training institutions and from college proficiency examinations. Students may apply for appropriate college equivalency credits earned through formal portfolio assessment. Relevant elements from your general education coursework may also apply to the academic major. These core academic competencies emphasize the theories, principles and practices at the foundation of the discipline, and the philosophical and cultural implications of the field. They also incorporate applied elements of the discipline.
Holistic Health Core Courses
A minimum of 40 units of Holistic Health Core Courses are required for the Bachelor’s degree.
Holistic Health Electives
A minimum of 40 units of elective Holistic Health Courses is required for the Bachelor’s degree. Students can select courses from a wide variety of academic resources, workshops, training and other educational resources under the advisement of their mentor with the approval of the academic committee.
Other Electives
Students may take other approved courses to help complete the minimum 180 credit units required for the B.S. degree.
Holistic Health Internship
Students must investigate the core aspects of holistic health within the professional environment through close contact with practitioners and real-world situations. Students should participate in the field study for a minimum of 320 contact hours. The field placement is expected to afford students appropriate practical hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of their areas of practice. Students complete a daily journal and prepare a scholarly paper summarizing their findings for the field study.
Under the supervision of assigned instructors, students will select from a range of personal development, growth, and transformative practices (e.g. meditative/contemplative, art/expressive, interpersonal/psychological, yoga, breathwork, bodywork, cultural expeditions, volunteer/service, combinations of these, etc.) and document their experiences on life domains relevant to holistic health. The student can choose to undergo these experiences in holistic health centers, medical clinics, hospitals, schools, colleges, spas, etc.
Senior Project
Final Examination
Once the senior project has been completed, the Final Examination may be scheduled. The final examination will include written and oral elements. The written portion is an open book style with selected essay questions requiring creative responses that reach for the higher levels of cognition. The student’s answers are expected to draw from the academic competencies of their program with proper referencing of the scholarly literature. The oral component of the examination is normally completed by telephone conference or an alternative asynchronous method and is intended to allow a detailed investigation of the student’s written responses.
Associate of Science in Holistic Health
- Passion University offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Holistic Health for students who want to receive a two-year college A.S. degree while acquiring exciting and meaningful education to live healthy and well. The Associate of Science curriculum includes all the Holistic Health Core Courses. They provide a thorough academic and practical foundation for holistic health. The completion of this A.S. degree is an important milestone for many students as they pursue their personal, educational and career goals. It promotes self-sufficiency and competence for success and fulfillment in all areas of life.
A.S. Degree Requirements (90 credit units):
- Holistic Health Core Courses (40 units)
- General Education (20 units)
- Electives (30 units)
Bachelor of Science in Holistic Health
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Holistic Health is a four-year undergraduate degree program offered for students seeking careers in health and complementary medicine professions.
B.S. Entry Requirements
Admission is open to those with either a high school diploma or those who meet the University’s minimum education requirements in English, Humanities and Sciences. In addition, applicants should have completed Passion, Life and Evolution.
You are expected to be proficient in collegiate English language skills. If you are a second-language English applicant, you should submit records of the TOEFL examination with scores of 550 minimum. You are expected to have access to a computer, email and the Internet and other outside library resources for the full extent of your program.
B.S. Degree Requirements
A minimum of 180 quarter units is required for the degree with elements in general education, the core academic major, electives, an internship and a final examination, as defined below:
- General Education (20 units)
- Holistic Health Core Courses (40 units)
- Holistic Health Electives (40 units)
- Other Electives (32 units)
- Holistic Health Internship (32 units)
- Senior Project (12 units)
- Final Examination (4 units)
To complete a portion of these requirements, students may transfer appropriate coursework completed at outside colleges and training institutions and from college proficiency examinations. Students may apply for appropriate college equivalency credits earned through formal portfolio assessment. Relevant elements from your general education coursework may also apply to the academic major. These core academic competencies emphasize the theories, principles and practices at the foundation of the discipline, and the philosophical and cultural implications of the field. They also incorporate applied elements of the discipline.
Holistic Health Core Courses
A minimum of 40 units of Holistic Health Core Courses are required for the Bachelor’s degree.
Holistic Health Electives
A minimum of 40 units of elective Holistic Health Courses is required for the Bachelor’s degree. Students can select courses from a wide variety of academic resources, workshops, training and other educational resources under the advisement of their mentor with the approval of the academic committee.
Other Electives
Students may take other approved courses to help complete the minimum 180 credit units required for the B.S. degree.
Holistic Health Internship
Students must investigate the core aspects of holistic health within the professional environment through close contact with practitioners and real-world situations. Students should participate in the field study for a minimum of 320 contact hours. The field placement is expected to afford students appropriate practical hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of their areas of practice. Students complete a daily journal and prepare a scholarly paper summarizing their findings for the field study.
Under the supervision of assigned instructors, students will select from a range of personal development, growth, and transformative practices (e.g. meditative/contemplative, art/expressive, interpersonal/psychological, yoga, breathwork, bodywork, cultural expeditions, volunteer/service, combinations of these, etc.) and document their experiences on life domains relevant to holistic health. The student can choose to undergo these experiences in holistic health centers, medical clinics, hospitals, schools, colleges, spas, etc.
Senior Project
Final Examination
Once the senior project has been completed, the Final Examination may be scheduled. The final examination will include written and oral elements. The written portion is an open book style with selected essay questions requiring creative responses that reach for the higher levels of cognition. The student’s answers are expected to draw from the academic competencies of their program with proper referencing of the scholarly literature. The oral component of the examination is normally completed by telephone conference or an alternative asynchronous method and is intended to allow a detailed investigation of the student’s written responses.
Master of Science in Holistic Health
M.S. Entry Requirements
As a prerequisite for acceptance to the Master’s program in Holistic Health, students should have completed the equivalent of a recognized baccalaureate degree in a related field of study and have several years of meaningful professional experience. Preferred applicants will hold a qualification, certification or registration in holistic health or allied profession.
Well-qualified applicants may be accepted to the Master’s program lacking elements of preparation. Under these conditions, you would be required to add the missing competencies to your program.
M.S. Degree Requirements
Students in the Master of Science in Holistic Health will complete a minimum of 90 credit units above the baccalaureate level including a thesis. The coursework requirements include the core courses, research preparation, the thesis project, and additional electives, as needed, to satisfy the minimum credit requirements. The requirements for the courses and research preparation coursework are defined by the primary mentor assigned to oversee the student’s program.
Master’s students complete a comprehensive examination after the academic coursework; they prepare a formal thesis proposal, complete the thesis project, and prepare the manuscript for faculty review. Master’s students also complete an oral review of the thesis after the physical manuscript review:
- Holistic Health Master’s Core Courses (40 units)
- Holistic Health Master’s Electives (30 units)
- Research Preparation (4 units)
- Comprehensive Examination (4 units)
- Master’s Thesis (12 units)
Holistic Health Master’s Core Courses
Master’s students in Holistic Health complete at least 40 graduate units in Holistic Health Core Courses.
Holistic Health Master’s Electives
Master’s students complete at least 30 units of elective coursework in Holistic Health. Students can select courses from a wide variety of academic resources, under the advisement of their mentor and the Graduate Committee.
Research Preparation
Master’s students must pursue studies providing advanced research knowledge necessary for success in their final projects (thesis or major project instead of thesis). At least 4 credit units of research preparation coursework are required and this might focus on quantitative and qualitative methods or participatory action research techniques, especially subject selection, research design, and statistical analysis, as appropriate to each student’s proposed project. Through this requirement, students learn to effectively define applied problems or theoretical issues and articulate the rationale for the study. They should learn to present an effective scholarly review of the academic literature and implement quantitative, qualitative or participatory action methods for evaluating academic issues.
Comprehensive Examination
Once the student has completed the coursework elements of the degree, they schedule the Comprehensive Examination. The primary mentor and a faculty member representing the minor field of study conduct the examination’s written and oral components. The written portion is an open book style with selected essay questions requiring creative responses that reach for the higher levels of cognition. Your answers are expected to draw from both the primary and secondary competencies of your program with proper referencing of the scholarly literature. The oral component of the examination is normally completed by telephone conference and is intended to allow a detailed investigation of your written responses.
Holistic Health Master’s Thesis
Holistic Health Master’s Electives
Master’s students are expected to complete a thesis and research project under the direction of the primary mentor and follow the guidelines provided by the University. See Public Health Master’s Thesis for details.
Master of Science in Holistic Health
M.S. Entry Requirements
As a prerequisite for acceptance to the Master’s program in Holistic Health, students should have completed the equivalent of a recognized baccalaureate degree in a related field of study and have several years of meaningful professional experience. Preferred applicants will hold a qualification, certification or registration in holistic health or allied profession.
Well-qualified applicants may be accepted to the Master’s program lacking elements of preparation. Under these conditions, you would be required to add the missing competencies to your program.
M.S. Degree Requirements
Students in the Master of Science in Holistic Health will complete a minimum of 90 credit units above the baccalaureate level including a thesis. The coursework requirements include the core courses, research preparation, the thesis project, and additional electives, as needed, to satisfy the minimum credit requirements. The requirements for the courses and research preparation coursework are defined by the primary mentor assigned to oversee the student’s program.
Master’s students complete a comprehensive examination after the academic coursework; they prepare a formal thesis proposal, complete the thesis project, and prepare the manuscript for faculty review. Master’s students also complete an oral review of the thesis after the physical manuscript review:
- Holistic Health Master’s Core Courses (40 units)
- Holistic Health Master’s Electives (30 units)
- Research Preparation (4 units)
- Comprehensive Examination (4 units)
- Master’s Thesis (12 units)
Holistic Health Master’s Core Courses
Master’s students in Holistic Health complete at least 40 graduate units in Holistic Health Core Courses.
Holistic Health Master’s Electives
Master’s students complete at least 30 units of elective coursework in Holistic Health. Students can select courses from a wide variety of academic resources, under the advisement of their mentor and the Graduate Committee.
Research Preparation
Master’s students must pursue studies providing advanced research knowledge necessary for success in their final projects (thesis or major project instead of thesis). At least 4 credit units of research preparation coursework are required and this might focus on quantitative and qualitative methods or participatory action research techniques, especially subject selection, research design, and statistical analysis, as appropriate to each student’s proposed project. Through this requirement, students learn to effectively define applied problems or theoretical issues and articulate the rationale for the study. They should learn to present an effective scholarly review of the academic literature and implement quantitative, qualitative or participatory action methods for evaluating academic issues.
Comprehensive Examination
Once the student has completed the coursework elements of the degree, they schedule the Comprehensive Examination. The primary mentor and a faculty member representing the minor field of study conduct the examination’s written and oral components. The written portion is an open book style with selected essay questions requiring creative responses that reach for the higher levels of cognition. Your answers are expected to draw from both the primary and secondary competencies of your program with proper referencing of the scholarly literature. The oral component of the examination is normally completed by telephone conference and is intended to allow a detailed investigation of your written responses.
Holistic Health Master’s Thesis
Holistic Health Master’s Electives
Master’s students are expected to complete a thesis and research project under the direction of the primary mentor and follow the guidelines provided by the University. See Public Health Master’s Thesis for details.
M.S. Degree Requirements
Students in the Master of Science in Holistic Health will complete a minimum of 90 credit units above the baccalaureate level including a thesis. The coursework requirements include the core courses, research preparation, the thesis project, and additional electives, as needed, to satisfy the minimum credit requirements. The coursework requirements and research preparation coursework are defined by the primary mentor assigned to oversee the student’s program.
Master’s students complete a comprehensive examination after the academic coursework; they prepare a formal thesis proposal, complete the thesis project, and prepare the manuscript for faculty review. Master’s students also complete an oral review of the thesis after the physical manuscript review:
- Holistic Health Master’s Core Courses (40 units)
- Holistic Health Master’s Electives (30 units)
- Research Preparation (4 units)
- Comprehensive Examination (4 units)
- Master’s Thesis (12 units)
Holistic Health Master’s Core Courses
Master’s students in Holistic Health complete at least 40 graduate units in Holistic Health Core Courses.
Holistic Health Master’s Electives
Master’s students complete at least 30 units of elective coursework in Holistic Health. Students can select courses from a wide variety of academic resources, under the advisement of their mentor and the Graduate Committee.
Research Preparation
Master’s students must pursue studies providing advanced research knowledge necessary for success in their final projects (thesis or major project instead of thesis). At least 4 credit units of research preparation coursework are required and this might focus on quantitative and qualitative methods or participatory action research techniques, especially subject selection, research design, and statistical analysis, as appropriate to each student’s proposed project. Through this requirement, students learn to effectively define applied problems or theoretical issues and articulate the rationale for the study. They should learn to present an effective scholarly review of the academic literature and implement quantitative, qualitative or participatory action methods for evaluating academic issues.
Comprehensive Examination
Once the student has completed the coursework elements of the degree, they schedule the Comprehensive Examination. The primary mentor and a faculty member representing the minor field of study conduct the examination’s written and oral components. The written portion is an open book style with selected essay questions requiring creative responses that reach for the higher levels of cognition. Your answers are expected to draw from both the primary and secondary competencies of your program with proper referencing of the scholarly literature. The oral component of the examination is normally completed by telephone conference and is intended to allow a detailed investigation of your written responses.
Holistic Health Master’s Thesis
Holistic Health Master’s Electives
Master’s students are expected to complete a thesis and research project under the direction of the primary mentor and follow the guidelines provided by the University. See Public Health Master’s Thesis for details.
Holistic Health Courses
Holistic Health Core Courses
These are the foundational competencies in theories, principles and practices of personal, social and environmental aspects of Holistic Health. These courses represent the core competencies and essential elements, which define Public Health and establish the underlying foundations upon which you may base your advanced professional development.
- Health Models and Practices
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Nutrition and Health-Care
- Massage and Bodywork
- Emotional Healing
- Relationships and Communications
- Social Intelligence and Conflict Resolution
- First Aid and Crisis Care
- Neurosomatic and Energy Medicine
- Expressive Arts
- Spiritual and Transpersonal Wellness
- Ecology and Sustainability
Holistic Health Electives
- Developmental Psychology and Family Dynamics
- Educational Technology
- Herbal Medicine
- Holistic Business Management
- Holistic Psychology
- Hydrotherapy: Aquatic Training
- Massage Certification Course
- Mind and Consciousness
- Neurosomatic and Energy Medicine
- Passionate Leadership
- Personality Theories and Psychopathology
- Psychotherapy and Clinical Methods
- Psychodrama
- Religions and Mythologies
- Research Methods
- Sexual Wellness
- Transformative Music
- Water Breath: Aquatic Breathwork
- Watra: Water Tantra
Holistic Health Core Courses
These are the foundational competencies in theories, principles and practices of personal, social and environmental aspects of Holistic Health. These courses represent the core competencies and essential elements, which define Public Health and establish the underlying foundations upon which you may base your advanced professional development.
Holistic Health Electives
- Aquatic Healing
- Aquatic Training Internship
- Aquatic Training for Practitioners
- Developmental Psychology and Family Dynamics
- Educational Technology
- Herbal Medicine
- Holistic Business Management
- Holistic Psychology
- Massage Certification Course
- Mind and Consciousness
- Online Course Development
- Neurosomatics
- Passionate Leadership
- Personality Theories and Psychopathology
- Psychotherapy and Clinical Methods
- Religions and Mythologies
- Research Methods
- Sexual Wellness
- Water Breath: Aquatic Breathwork
- Watra: Water Tantra