Integrative Health Care Extended Major, B.S.

About This Program

Health care is one of the fastest-growing industries in Colorado. Challenge the current U.S. health care system in the emerging field of Integrative Health Care, where biological sciences and ancient healing traditions meet. 

The Integrative Health Care Extended Major Program offers students courses that integrate the most recent scientific evidence with the oldest of healing traditions. The program draws from disciplines such as health education services, health care management, biology, chemistry, and nutrition. Students examine the diverse factors that impinge on an individual’s health and well-being. Students receive a broad-based understanding of the principles of human health and disease, the theories underlying healing practices, and the scientific research methods needed to evaluate the latest techniques in this dynamic field. 

As a leader in Integrative Health Care, MSU Denver values personal, community, global and environmental health. The bachelor’s degree in Integrative Health Care draws from a variety of scientific disciplines including biology, chemistry, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, health care management and statistics. As an undergraduate student in the Integrative Health Care degree program, you will take responsibility for your life and learning, while exploring the safety and effectiveness of different health care modalities and therapies to support others in their own self care. 

The extended major is designed for students interested in working in the expanding complementary and alternative health care field. Without the need to declare a minor, you can streamline your degree by taking more IHC elective classes and expand your knowledge within the discipline.

Benefits of Earning Your Degree at MSU Denver

Gain hands-on experience and explore different fields in conventional, complementary and alternative medicine. Students in MSU Denver’s Integrative Health Care undergraduate degree program can receive credit for at least two internships with faculty or in the community. For example, undergraduate students have worked with Eaton Senior Communities, a low-income senior center, conducting one-on-one coaching sessions with residents.

Immerse yourself in different cultures with study abroad. Integrative Health Care students travel with faculty to observe global medical practices, attend lectures by local health care experts and participate in service-learning projects. At an integrative clinic in Bhopal, India, where the industrial disaster of 1984 killed thousands, students experienced first-hand the research efforts being made to treat chemical toxicity using both traditional Ayurvedic medicine and conventional medicine.

Work with faculty members on ground-breaking research and present your findings to the local, national and international health care communities. Students have presented at MSU Denver’s Undergraduate Research Conference, the DU Conference on Internationalization, the International Congress on Integrative Medicine and the National Wellness Institute Conference.

Join the growing community of Integrative Health Care students and professionals. MSU Denver’s Integrative Health Care Student Club hosts guest speakers and events throughout the year. And the MSU Denver Integrative Health Care Alumni LinkedIn group is an online platform for learning and networking.

Career Opportunities for Our Graduates

Earn a degree in Integrative Health Care, and you’ll be ready for a career in a variety of health care fields, from community health and health education to retail. These are some of the areas you could pursue with your B.S. in Integrative Health Care:

• Acupuncture
• Anthropology
• Aromatherapy
• Ayurvedic medicine
• Chiropractic medicine
• Conventional medicine
• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Ethnobotany
• Herbal medicine
• Homeopathy
• Massage therapy
• Naturopathy
• Nursing
• Occupational therapy
• Oriental medicine
• Osteopathic medicine
• Physical therapy
• Psychology
• Public health
• Social work

If you’re interested in becoming a health care practitioner, the bachelor’s degree program in Integrative Health Care at MSU Denver fulfills most graduate school requirements. MSU Denver graduates of the Integrative Health Care undergraduate degree program have been accepted into the following conventional and naturopathic medical programs:

• Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
• University of Colorado School of Nursing
• Bastyr University
• National University of Natural Medicine
• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine

Featured Faculty

Integrative Health Care faculty at MSU Denver are experts in their fields of specialty. They include nurses, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, medical doctors, Ayurvedic practitioners and wellness coaches. With diverse backgrounds and skills, they are passionate about teaching in a respectful, inclusive and open environment.

Carol Jensen

Professor Carol Jensen developed the first-of-its-kind B.S. in Integrative Health Care program at MSU Denver and has won numerous awards for her commitment to and love for students and teaching. Starting her career as a Registered Nurse, Jensen transitioned to teaching nursing and holistic health after earning her master’s degree in education. Since then, she’s been helping students at MSU Denver find purpose and meaning on their way to successful careers in Integrative Health Care.

 

Steve Rissman

A naturopathic physician, Associate Professor Steve Rissman’s work focuses on improving quality of life for men and boys. Rissman developed MSU Denver’s Integrated Health Care degree program curriculum in men’s health and has had research published on topics such as men’s experience of disease, anger issues in men and anxiety in men. Raised on a farm in Illinois, today Rissman raises horses, chickens, ducks and dogs with his partner and their son.

 

Alumni at Work

Graduates of MSU Denver’s bachelor of science degree program in Integrative Health Care work in a wide variety of roles and industries including:

• Diabetes prevention coordinator
• NICU unit clerk and equipment technician
• Certified massage therapist
• Integrative aromatherapist
• Transformational bodyworker and somatic therapist
• Author and speaker
• Yoga teacher
• Clinical hypnotherapist
• Community health educator and indigenous scientist
• Business operations manager
• Reiki master
• Resident services coordinator
• Reproductive health specialist
• Integrative wellness counselor
• Natural health consultant and coach
• Assistant store manager
• Public health prevention specialist
• Diet technician
• Chief executive officer

Accolades

MSU Denver is a leader in Integrative Health Care, offering the first bachelor of science degree in Integrative Health Care in the United States. Students from all over the country have moved to Denver to be a part of this breakthrough program.