Curriculum: Certificate of Advanced Study in Complementary and Integrative Therapies

Total 12 Credits

Course Descriptions

CIT 501 - Foundations of Phytotherapy

This course serves as a foundation for the safe, effective and rational approach to using some of the most commonly known herbs in clinical practice. Includes a review of the primary uses, active constituents, pharmacological actions, known contraindications, drug interactions and potential side effects, as well as a review of the clinical research and historical significance of each herb.

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CIT 502 - Theoretical and Cultural Foundations in Complementary and Integrative Therapies

This course serves as an introduction to the theories and cultural concepts and contexts that underpin complementary and alternative therapies used increasingly by consumers of healthcare worldwide. The CIT world-view will be compared to the traditional medical model. An exploration of the theoretical and cultural basis of CIT will enhance health care providers’ understandings of the rationale, goals and presumed outcomes of individuals who chose specific CIT. The evidence basis of CIT and the legal and ethical considerations of integrating CIT into mainstream practice will be emphasized. Special consideration will be given to the integration of CITs into contemporary clinical practice in chronic disease management, health promotion and disease prevention.

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CIT 503 - Holistic Living for the Caregiver

This course is designed to take the student on an experiential journey toward a holistic way of  living that emphasizes a mind-body-spirit approach. Provides a week-by-week, step-by-step program for developing a healthy and nutritious eating plan, an effective exercise workout, and guidelines for incorporating basic supplementation.  Students learn stress reduction and stress management techniques that include Breathing, Walking, and the use of Music for achieving optimum health. Integrates spiritual concepts for maximizing success and inner peace.

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CIT 600 - Foundations in Clinical Aromatherapy

This course provides a strong foundation for the safe and effective use of 20 therapeutic essential oils. Includes the clinical application of each essential oil, basic essential oil organic chemistry, safety, dosages and known contraindications. Reviews essential oil biosynthesis, specific plant morphological structures, extraction methodologies, primary avenues of absorption, and an overview of the history of aromatherapy, and quality of essential oils. This course adheres to the educational standards (level one) set forth by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA).

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CIT 601 - Integration of Complementary and Alternative Therapies into Practice

This course is an overview of the availability, utilization and integration of complementary and alternative therapies in the United States today. The context of the human life experience (health promotion, wellness and illness) is explored as an opportunity for coordination of traditional and non-traditional healing practices.   Evaluation of the complementary and alternative therapies' efficacy for a variety of wellness, health and illness needs is addressed. Emphasis is placed on the roles and responsibilities of the provider as the coordinator of the patients' health care.

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CIT 602 - Women’s Integrative Health

This course presents an Integrative Mind-Body approach for supporting various states of health imbalance specific to women’s health. Applied integrative strategies highlight the use of dietary and lifestyle changes, nutritional supplementation, botanical medicines and other specific healing modalities. Takes into account the eastern philosophy of anatomy energetics, the integration of the physical and the spiritual, psyche and soma, into a harmonious whole for addressing specific women’s health conditions.

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PLEASE NOTE:  additional elective courses will be added as the program develops.