Doctor of Whole Health Leadership

Courses & Track Options

DOCTOR OF WHOLE HEALTH LEADERSHIP

  • NINE TERMS (2.25 YEARS)
  • 51 CREDITS
  • STUDENTS TAKE TWO TO FOUR COURSES PER TERM

38 CORE CREDITS

  • TWO YEARS ONLINE COURSEWORK
  • FOUR ON-SITE WEEKEND INTENSIVES (SPRING, FALL)
  • CAPSTONE PROJECT (12-24 WEEKS)

13 TRACK SPECIFIC CREDITS

  • THREE TRACKS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS AND NEEDS
    • DrWHL WITH AIHM FELLOWSHIP
    • DrWHL FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE FELLOWS
    • DrWHL FOR ADMINISTRATORS, EDUCATORS, AND NON-FELLOW CLINICIANS

Curriculum Overview

This intellectually rigorous program incorporates advanced Whole Health concepts and care models, personal self-exploration, and leadership development. In just over two years, you will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to influence the complex challenges of adopting an integrative, Whole Health approach to health in the United States.

DYNAMIC AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

  • The online asynchronous courses encourage faculty and student interaction and frequently feature expert interviews and practical, real-world assessments.
  • The Weekend Intensives allow you to experience a Whole Health approach in a group format and learn to facilitate this for others, deepen your experience in various self-care areas, explore approaches by organizations committed to the transformation to Whole Health, and build your network.
  • The Capstone experience encourages both personal and professional growth and allows you to design solutions that affect real-world change.

Core Courses and Track Options

CORE COURSEWORK (38 CREDITS)

  • DWHL 610 Whole Health Concepts and Clinical Applications (3 credits)
  • DWHL 612 Implementing a Whole Health System: VA Case Study (2 credits)
  • DWHL 620 U.S. Healthcare Systems and Policies (3 credits)
  • DWHL 622 The Case for Whole Health (2 credits)
  • DWHL 630 System Transformation and Transformational Leadership (3 credits)
  • DWHL 632 Foundations for Living Whole Health (2 credits)
  • DWHL 640 Whole Health Coaching (3 credits)
  • DWHL 642 Whole Health Models and Interprofessional Collaboration (2 credits)
  • DWHL 704 Weekend Intensive (1 credit) repeated for 4 credits
  • DWHL 708 Capstone Preparation (1 credit) repeated for 8 credits
  • DWHL 740 Capstone Project (6 credits)
  • DWHL 740E Capstone Extension (0 credits, if needed)

TRACK SPECIFIC (13 CREDITS)

DrWHL with AIHM Fellowship Track

Designed for clinicians interested in earning a doctorate concurrently with an integrative fellowship from the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine(AIHM). Students in this track complete the following fellowship courses to fulfill the track-specific credit requirement.

  • DWHL 721 Fellowship 1 (2 credits)
  • DWHL 722 Fellowship 2 (2 credits)
  • DWHL 723 Fellowship 3 (2 credits)
  • DWHL 724 Fellowship 4 (2 credits)
  • DWHL 725 Fellowship 5 (2 credits)
  • DWHL 72 Fellowship 6 (1 credit)
  • DWHL 727 Fellowship 7 (1 credit)
  • DWHL 728 Fellowship 8 (1 credit
DrWHL for Integrative Medicine Fellows Track

Designed for graduates of an Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health (ACIMH) recognized Integrative Medicine Fellowship. ACIHM recognized Integrative Medicine fellowship graduates receive 13 transfer credits to fulfill the track-specific credit requirement. The remaining 38 credits must be completed at SCU.

DrWHL with Administrators, Educators, and Non-Fellows Track

Designed for healthcare professionals with at least three years of leadership experience in the healthcare field or clinicians who have not completed an Integrative Medicine Fellowship. Students in this track complete the following track-specific courses to fulfill the track-specific credit requirement.

  • DWHL 730 Survey of Integrative Approaches 1 (2 credits)
  • DWHL 732 Survey of Integrative Approaches 2 (2 credits)
  • DMSC 620 Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Strategy (3 credits)
  • DMSC 640 Improving Healthcare Equity, Inclusivity, and Outcomes (3 credits)
  • DMSC 643 Leadership and Communication Strategies (3 credits)

Advanced standing credit is available for these five track-specific courses through block transfer, transfer credit for individual courses, and prior learning credit for individual courses.

  • Individuals who have completed the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum (LMRC)  will receive thirteen (13) transfer credits to fulfill the track-specific credit requirement. A listing of sites and programs offering the LMRC is available at this directory.
  • Individuals who completed the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). IFM Functional Medicine Core Curriculum will receive 9 transfer credits.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Whole Health Principles and Practice: The graduate will be able to apply comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Whole Health principles, practices, and the implementation of a Whole Health System of Care.
  • U.S. Healthcare and the Imperative for Change: The graduate will be able to make an evidence-based case for the transformation to Whole Health, grounded in an in-depth knowledge of the current challenges in the U.S. healthcare system.
  • Leading Large System Transformation: The graduate will have the knowledge to assume leadership roles in organizations committed to the transformation to Whole Health, influence policy development, and work to improve health and well-being, outcomes, and costs.
  • Creative Solutions in the Real World: The graduate will be able to conceive of and advocate for innovative, financially viable, cost-effective, outcomes-based solutions for complex real-world problems in their fields to advance the transformation to Whole Health.
  • Purpose, Empowerment, and Practical Skills: The graduate will demonstrate the skills needed to empower and equip others and themselves to take charge of their physical, mental, and spiritual health and live their most meaningful life.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration and Whole Health: The graduate will serve as an effective member of a healthcare team and collaborate with other professionals to improve Whole Health and patient outcomes for individuals and the community.

Schedule

The DrWHL program is designed for busy working professionals. Students typically take 2-4 courses per term, depending on the track.

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