Integrative health is one of the fastest growing areas in the health care industry. The aim of Integrative Health Certificate Studies (IHCS) is to provide students a solid foundation in the area of integrative health, through a series of four online courses: Introduction to Integrative Health Care, Trends in Integrative Health, Psychology of Mind/Body, and Mindfulness.  The courses may be taken individually or linked together for completion of the IHCS.  The IHCS is a non-credit program offered by UWG Continuing Education and is open to the community. Summer/Fall 2018 Cohort Registration to open in May 2018.  The first of the four online courses, Introduction to Integrative Health Care, will start on June 4, 2018.

  • Introduction to Integrative Health Care

    Course Description:  On a global scale, healthcare has failed to adequately address urgent unmet needs of many patients. This failure calls for a change in the paradigm of the healthcare industry, including fundamental reforms in education, clinician-training and research. This course will serve as the foundation for exploring the emerging field of Integrative Health and address the critical changes needed to transform the health-care industry.

    Introduction to Integrative Heath Care -  IHCS Course 1/4
    Course Dates: 6/4-7/15 - 100% Online
    Hours/CEUS: 24 Hours | 2.4 CEUS
    Fee: $150 includes access to the online classroom, instruction, materials, and a certificate upon successful completion.

  • Trends in Integrative Health

    Course Description:  There are many trends and definitions of “Integrative Health”. For the most part, many of them involve bringing conventional and contemporary approaches together in an organized way. Theuses of integrative approaches to healthcare and wellness has increased within recent years across the United States. Researchers are exploring the potential benefits of integrative health in various situations, including pain management, mental wellness for military personnel and veterans, relief of symptoms in cancer patients and survivors, and programs to promote healthy behaviors. This course will explore the various options being researched and how to implement them to enhance care within the healthcare system.

    Trends in Integrative Heath - IHCS Course 2/4
    Course Dates: 7/16-8/26 - 100% Online
    Hours/CEUS: 24 Hours | 2.4 CEUS
    Fee: $150 includes access to the online classroom, instruction, materials, and a certificate upon successful completion.

  • Psychology of Mind/Body

    Course Description:  This course examines the effects of psychological experiences on bio-physiological processes. The focus of this course is Psychoneuroimmunology, the neural network and its connection to the mind and body, integration of emotions and body intelligence.

    Psychology of Mind/Body - IHCS Course 3/4
    Course Dates: 8/27-10/7 - 100% Online
    Hours/CEUS: 24 Hours | 2.4 CEUS
    Fee: $150 includes access to the online classroom, instruction, materials, and a certificate upon successful completion.

  • Mindfulness

    Course Description:  For many of us, mindfulness seems unexpected. It may happen while walking on a mountain trail on a crisp beautiful fall day, or being so focused at work or while at play, when you are not thinking about the past or future events, or even connecting with someone that makes it seem as though time is standing still. This state of being present and holistically involved in the moment is always available, but it can elude us especially in times of difficulty and external pressures. This course will be an experiential journey in mindfulness.

    Mindfulness - IHCS Course 4/4
    Course Dates: 10/8-11/18 - 100% Online
    Hours/CEUS: 24 Hours | 2.4 CEUS
    Fee: $150 includes access to the online classroom, instruction, materials, and a certificate upon successful completion.

Intended Audience

The IHCS is designed for anyone in the health-care industry (especially those who are at the bedside), hospital administrators, practioners, mental health-care personnel, social workers, professionals in the field of education and interested individuals. The IHCS is non-credit and open to the community.

Program Content and Structure

The Integrative Health Certificate Studies (IHCS) is a series of 4 six-week online courses consisting of 24 student learning hours or 2.4 CEUs. The courses are instructed 100% asynchronously online or entirely at a distance. Students will complete weekly modules on their own schedule and should anticipate spending approximately 2-3 hours per week for online instruction and assignments. Successful completion of the program will require satisfactory assessment of learning outcomes.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

The IHCS will prepare students to learn and develop how to implement fundamental principles of integrative health care to be better providers and practitioners.

Program Leadership

IHCS Program developer and facilitator Dr. Richard La Fleur earned his Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Consciousness and Society) from the University of West Georgia, where he currently teaches various courses in psychology. Dr. La Fleur’s research concentration has been narrative works (narrative psychology), mattering, the experiential reintegration process veterans experience post-deployment from the combat zone (phenomenology) with an emphasis on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other psycho-spiritual difficulties such as, Moral Injury. Through his ten plus years of research, Integrative Health has been a strong alternative form of care, for people who are seeking ways to find healing.

Technology Requirements

The IHCS course are instructed 100% online through CourseDen requiring the following: Windows PC or Apple MacIntosh OS, Internet Access with Mozilla Firfox or Google Chrome Web Browser, Adobe Flash, Speakers, and Printer. Please use the System Checker on the Course Den Home Page. 

If you require additional information or clarification, please contact Erika McClain at emcclain@westga.edu or 678-839-6611.