Wellness and Alternative Medicine Degree

Johnson State College is among the nation's first accredited colleges to offer a science-based undergraduate degree program in wellness and alternative medicine (WAM). This major is ideal for students who wish to:

 

  • Explore bold new horizons in health care.
  • Understand the role of the mind-body connection in personal wellness and wellbeing.
  • Examine how wellness plays a role in the development of sustainable communities.
  • Learn about the science, theories and histories of Western (i.e., allopathic) and alternative and complementary health care therapies, including acupuncture, naturopathy, Ayurveda, chiropractic, homeopathy and Native American healing.
  • Understand mind-body therapies, including meditation, yoga, massage, biofeedback and other stress-reduction techniques.

As a WAM major, you will explore the social, cultural, political and psychological dimensions of various systems of health care as you proceed with a rigorous undergraduate science program that emphasizes holistic models for health, wellness and healing.

Graduate Study and Careers

A WAM degree prepares you for:

 

  • Graduate studies in the social studies of medicine (academic)
  • Graduate studies in health care, including naturopathy, chiropractic care, Oriental medicine, professional practitioner training, nursing or M.D. programs*
  • Further professional training in the health and helping professions
  • Careers in the fitness and wellness industries
  • Roles in public health and environmental policy as researchers, policymakers and analysts

* Prerequisite entry requirements for medical schools and professional practitioner training institutes vary. Check with your preferred graduate institutions as early as possible in your undergraduate program to make sure you are fulfilling graduate program prerequisites.

Program Requirements and Course Descriptions

Required Courses

Credits

Semester

 

Core Courses

Students take all courses in the core with the exception of those grouped courses marked with an asterisk* below where students generally choose one course.

 

AHS-1010

Contemporary Health Issues

3

__________

AHS-4110

Psychophysiology of Stress

3

__________

ANT-4020

Multicultural Studies of Healing

3

__________

BIO-2011

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4

__________

BIO-2012

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4

__________

BIO-3180

Nutrition

3

__________

CHE-1031

General Chemistry I

4

__________

SOC-1040

Integrative Wellness & Health Professional Series

 

1

 

__________

SOC-3080

Wellness & Alternative Medicine

3

__________

SOC-3230

Alternative Medicine, Science, and Disease

3

__________

 

ANT/SOC/AHS

 

SOC-2810/4810

Internship

1

__________

SOC-4740

Senior Integrative Health care Seminar

1

__________

 

Behavioral Sciences* (Choose one of the following)

 

ANT-1010

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

3

__________

PSY-1010

Introduction to Psychology

3

__________

SOC-1010

Introduction to Sociology

3

__________

 

Biological Sciences* (Choose either BIO-1210 [4 credits] or BIO-1211 and BIO-1212 [8 credits])

 

BIO-1210

Introduction to Biology OR

4

__________

BIO-1211

Introduction to Biology: Ecology and Evolution and

 

4

 

__________

BIO-1212

Introduction to Biology: Cells & Genetic Basis of Life

 

4

 

__________

 

Drugs, Herbs, and Pharmacology* (Choose one of the following)

 

SOC-2050

Drugs, Herbs, and Society

3

__________

AHS-3050

Introduction to Pharmacology

3

__________

 

Health Diversity, Global Health Policy, Spirituality, and Consciousness*
(Choose one of the following)

 

SOC-4030

Global Health, Diversity and Policy

3

__________

ANT-3020

Global Healing, Consciousness and Religion

3

__________

Core Total

 

46-50

 

 

The WAM Electives (Take Any 12 Credits)

Note: Students may elect to design with their advisor their own course of study through co-enrolling in certifications or taking related courses that meet their WAM program goals. Also, students who require classes not shown below for post-graduate or certification requirements may request appropriate substitutions from their advisor.

 

AHS-2010

Mindfulness Meditation

3

__________

AHS-2130

Programs for Lifetime Health and Fitness

3

__________

AHS-3010

Therapeutic Massage

3

__________

AHS-3050

Introduction to Pharmacology
(If not taken as a core class)

3

__________

AHS-3230

Physiology of Exercise

4

__________

ANT-3020

Global Healing, Consciousness, and Religion

3

__________

 

(If not taken as a core class)

 

 

ANT-4010

Anthropology of Death

3

__________

BIO-3130

Cellular Biology: A Molecular Approach

4

__________

BIO-3280

Environmental Toxicology

4

__________

CHE-1032

General Chemistry II

4

__________

CHE-3111

Organic Chemistry I

4

__________

CHE-3112

Organic Chemistry II

4

__________

DAN-1030

Body Awareness

3

__________

DAN-3032

Body Awareness II (EDP)

3

__________

ENV-4010

Global Environmental Issue

3

__________

INT-3130

Compassion and You: An Intro. to Mahayana Buddhism

 

3

 

__________

OER-1060

Ropes Course

1

__________

OER-2060

Wilderness First Responder

4

__________

PHY-1041

Physics I

4

__________

POS-3050

Environmental Ethics and Politics

3

__________

PSY-2070

Developmental Psychology

3

__________

PSY-3330

Psychology of Addictions

3

__________

PSY- 4010

Biological Psychology

3

__________

SOC-3020

Environment and Society

3

__________

SOC-3060

Sexuality and Intimacy

3

__________

SOC-4010

Family Violence

3

__________

SOC-4030

Global Health, Diversity, and Policy

3

__________

 

(If not taken as a core class)

 

 

Total

 

58-62