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General Integrative Health Minor Required Core Courses

You are required to complete five courses (20 total credits) to receive the Integrative Health Minor. One course (4 credits) must be in Research Methodology, and the other four courses (16 credits) include approved courses with the Integrative Health attribute. These courses provide you with a broad introduction to integrative health, as well as background in research methodology. For example: while POLS 2150 is a political science course, it covers the relevant research background and techniques, and you can arrange with the instructor for the research projects to cover integrative health-related topics. Other course options can include Study Abroad opportunities or Independent Study with an instructor within the Integrative Health Minor, as approved by the Integrative Health Minor Coordinator.

Research Methodology Courses

Your choice selection in this category will provide you with exposure to research, statistics, and other necessary quantitative skills allowing you to critically examine and explore the field of integrative health.

• GEN 3411 Interdisciplinary Research Methods
•  Research Methodology Course
• GNM 2138 Scientific Inquiry
• HLTH 4200 Research for Health Sciences
• NURS 3335 Nursing Research Methods
• POLS 3150 Introduction to Political Methodology
• PSYC 2241 Statistical Methods
• PSYC 3242 Experimental Psychology
• PUBH 2330 Research Method & Statistics
• PUBH 4610 Public Health Research Methods
• SOWK 3102 Research Methods in Social Work (SOWK majors only)
• SOCY 3642 Social Research Methods
• EXSC 4102 Research in Exercise Science

Other statistics courses already completed may be considered

Integrative Health Courses-Choose Four of the Following

The following courses have been organized under general subject matter categories.  You may choose whichever four courses you prefer, depending on what kind of introduction to the fields of  integrative health you wish to have. This organization is purely done to aid you in understanding the various categories of courses offered. As other courses are added in the future, they also may be considered to serve as electives provided that their content is appropriate for the minor. If you feel there is a course that may fit as an elective in this minor that is not listed below, please check with the minor coordinator for approval. In addition, students may elect to complete an independent study that would serve as an elective.  An independent study allows the student to pursue a particular area of integrative health in greater depth when the topic is not already covered comprehensively by an existing course.

Integrative Health Minor-Biobotanicals Focus

The Integrative Health minor has two curriculum pathways: 1) General Integrative Health minor and 2) Integrative Health minor with focus on Biobotanicals.

The current description of the Integrative Health minor applies to the General Integrative Health pathway. Students interested pursuing the Integrative Health minor with focus on Biobotanicals will pursue the following curriculum pathway.

Integrative Health Minor-Biobotanicals Focus Required Core Courses

• Research

  GEN 2240, Introduction to Research, in addition to the research courses listed for the General Integrative Health pathway.

•  Foundation in Biobotanicals

   GIS 4483, Medical Marijuana in New Jersey 

•  Basics of Drug Actions/Interactions on Biological Systems

   GSS 2351, Herbal Psychopharmacology

Integrative Health Minor-Biobotanicals Focus Elective Courses

Medical/Alternative Healthcare

GEN 1406 Health and Wellness
GNM 1026 Alternative Health Care
GNM 1138 Science for Citizen Leaders 
GNM 2138 Scientific Inquiry 
GNM 2201 Health and Healing
GNM 3105 Psychopharmacology
GSS 2256 Exploring the Dying Process

GIS 3319 Addictions 

Business

GEN 1014 Business and Life 
GEN 2168 Business Basics 
GSS 3124 Entrepreneurial Thinking and Behavior 

Political/Social/Legal Impact

GSS 2119 Law for Life 
GSS 2722 The Law and Social Change
GSS 3169 The Veteran Experience 
POLS 2215 Law School Basics 

The Integrative Health minor curriculum pathway in Biobotanicals offers students a foundation for understanding the medical/alternative healthcare, pharmacy, business, political/social/legal issues surrounding medical biobotanical legislation, policy, care giving, and consumption. This background will benefit students interested in all areas of healthcare and care giving, social work, psychological counseling, and among other careers and professions, politics and government, law and advocacy, insurance, journalism, higher education as well as medical biobotanical-related entrepreneurship.

Faculty 

Jennifer Aarons, EdD. NOVA Southeastern University, MHA University of Nevada, Las Vegas; resort management, spa management, wellness tourism, holistic therapies & tourism

Rania Almajid, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy; Ph.D., Temple University; M.S. University of Pittsburgh, B.S. King Saud University. Neuromotor science, balance and postural control, anatomy, pathophysiology.

Anthony Austin (2011), Ph.D. Ohio University, Teaching Specialist of Health Science; stress and health, psychophysiology, health psychology, social determinants of health, statistics. 

James Mac Avery, Ph.D. University of Kentucky, Associate Professor of Political Science: American public opinion, political behavior, representation, race and ethnicity.

Elizabeth G. Calamidas (1986),Professor of Public Health; Ph.D., Temple University; M.S., B.S., The Pennsylvania State University: community and public health, health education, health behavior, human sexuality, women and health, aging and health.

Ronald Caplan (1994), Associate Professor of Public Health; Ph.D., M.A., B.A., University of Massachusetts; health economics, health policy. Areas of expertise: health economics, health policy, and health policy reform.

Lisa E. Cox (1999), Professor of Social Work and Gerontology, Ph.D., M.S.W., LCSW; Virginia Commonwealth University; B.A. (Double Major: Political Science & Spanish) Bridgewater College; clinical/health social work practice, HIV/AIDS clinical trials research, psychopathology and cultural neuroscience; gerontology (aging & spirituality); social support and medication adherence, advocacy policy-practice model.

Tara Crowell (2000), Associate Professor of Public Health; Ph.D., University of Oklahoma; M.A., B.A., West Virginia University; health communication, social marketing, quantitative research methods.

Emari DiGiorgio (2007), Professor of Writing, GENS Faculty Advisor of the Writing Living Learning Community, FRST Writing Coordinator; MFA, New York University; B.A., The Richard ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ College of New Jersey; yoga and mindfulness practices.

Anthony Dissen(2014), Instructor of Health Science; M.P.H. University of Massachusetts-Amherst; M.A., Georgian Court University; Health Humanities & Medical Humanities, Plant-Based Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, Community and Public Health Nutrition, Integrative Health and Disease Prevention/Management

Kelly A. Dougherty, Ph.D., The Pennsylvannia State University, Associate Professor and Founding Program Chair of Exercise Science; physical activity- and nutrition-related issues in healthy and chronically ill children and young adults including those with cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and obesity.

Jessie K. Finch (2015), Assistant Professor of Sociology; Ph.D., M.A., University of Arizona; B.A., University of Tulsa: immigration, race and ethnicity, social psychology, identity, emotions, deviance, law, medical sociology, culture, media, teaching and learning.

Mary Lou Galantino (1991), Distinguished Professor of Physical Therapy; Ph.D., Temple University; M.S.C.E., University of Pennsylvania; M.S., Texas Women’s University; B.S., University of Pittsburgh; neuromuscular physical therapy, chronic pain, HIV, cancer research, systemic diseases, wellness coaching, integrative therapies, complementary medicine, yoga and chronic disease, meditation for healthcare professionals.

Trina Gipson-Jones (2005), Assistant Professor of Health Science, Ph.D. Hampton University; family nursing, community health, health disparities research.

Laurie Greene (1989), Associate Professor of Anthropology; Ph.D., M.A., Tulane University; B.A., University of Pennsylvania; language and culture, anthropology of men and women, Latin America and Caribbean cultures, cultures in education, social activism yoga training and research.

Patrick Hossay (1999), Associate Professor of Sustainability; Ph.D., The New School for Social Research; M.A., San Francisco State University; B.S., San Jose State University; comparative politics, international relations, political science methodology, racism and nationalism.

Maritza Jauregui (2006), Associate Professor of Public Health; Ph.D., University of California, Irvine; B.A., Columbia College, Columbia University; environmental health, environmental justice, occupational health.

Dee McNeely-Greene (2004), former Associate Vice President for Student Affairs; Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.C., B.S., RN, University of Delaware; Applied human development, health and aging, geriatrics, nursing, counseling.

Thomas Nolan (1988), Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy; DPT, Temple University; M.S., Temple University; B.S., New York University; B.A., Glassboro State College; orthopedic and sports physical therapy, spinal kinesiology, electrotherapy.

Mary Padden-Denmead (2011), Assistant Professor of Nursing, BSN Coordinator; Ph.D., Widener University; APN-C, FN-CSA, M.S., University of Delaware; BSN, The Richard ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ College of New Jersey:  pediatrics, maternal and child health, research.

Joan Perks (2009), Associate Professor of Nursing; Ph.D. Widener University; MSN, Widener University; BSN, Thomas Jefferson University; Nutrition, Adult Health Emergency Nursing, Critical Care, Infusion Therapy, Leadership, Service Learning and Cultural Competency.

Larider Ruffin (2017), Assistant Professor of Nursing, Graduate Nursing Chair, MSN & Post- Master Programs; DNP, Wilmington University; MSN & CTTS, University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ; BSN, Rutgers University College of Nursing; Diabetes, Smoking and Vaping prevention and education. 

Marcello Spinella (1999), Professor of Psychology; Ph.D., City University of New York; M.A., Queens College, City University of New York; B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University; neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, herbal medicines, executive functions, addiction, positive psychology.

Peter F. Straub (1994), Professor of Biology; Ph.D., M.S., University of Delaware; B.S., The Richard ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ College of New Jersey; plant physiology, plant gene regulation, gene regulation, beach and salt marsh plants.

Richard Miller (2008), Afessor of Jewish Stussistant Prodies; Ed.D., Ed.S., Seton Hall University; M.A., B.S., Hebrew Union College.

Ann B. Walker (2008), Assistant Professor of Nursing; MSN, LaSalle University; B.S., Gwynedd-Mercy College; Community Health, Leadership, Nutrition and parent education.

Jongbok Yi (2013), Assistant Professor of Asian Philosophy; Ph.D., University of Virginia; Buddhist philosophy, Indian religions, and Chinese philosophies- Confucianism, Daoism, and Shumanism.

Retired/Associated Faculty

Luanne Anton (2001), Health Educator; adjunct instructor (Peer Education); A.A.S., Camden County College; B.S., Thomas Edison University; M.S., Walden University; health education; aromatherapy; peer education; meditation instructor; Reiki Master; certified clinical aromatherapist; certified yoga instructor.

Patricia Donahue (2006), Coordinator of Career Services/Student Affairs; adjunct instructor, (Meditation: Theory & Practice); leader, weekly campus meditation sessions.

 

Professors Emeriti

Deborah M. Figart (1995), Distinguished Professor of Economics, Ph.D., The American University; economics of work and pay, economic and financial literacy, labor-management relations, economics of gender and race/ethnicity, minimum wages, living standards, measures of economic well-being.

Elaine Bukowski (1987), Professor of Physical Therapy; D.P.T., Drexel University; M.S., University of Nebraska; B.S., St. Louis University; geriatric physical therapy, orthopedic physical therapy, extremity kinesiology, gross anatomy, complementary medicine.

Rosalind L. Herlands (1974), Professor Emerita of Biology; Ph.D., M.S., University of California at Irvine; B.A., Stanford University; developmental biology, cell biology, embryology, immunology, histology, turtle biology, bioethics, women’s studies.

William M. Miley (1972), Professor Emeritus of Psychology; Ph.D., M.A., Temple University; B.A., State University of New York at Buffalo; health psychology, mind/body interactions, abnormal psychology. 

Career Opportunities

A large proportion of Americans consult complementary and alternative treatments for health problems, particularly chronic conditions such as chronic pain, back problems, anxiety, depression, and headaches. For example, more than half of Americans experiencing anxiety or depression report using alternative therapies to treat these conditions. Recent estimates indicate that over $30 billion per year are spent on holistic health treatments for illness. A sizable proportion of Americans do not inform healthcare providers about their use of such therapies. At present, a majority of American medical schools report that they now offer some course work on integrative health, including biobotanicals, although many healthcare workers feel inadequately informed about integrative therapies and the benefits of biobotanical treatments.

The Integrative Health minor provides useful background for those interested in pursuing careers in business, public health, government, journalism, insurance, and any of the various areas of healthcare (e.g., medicine, nursing, social work, physical occupational and speech therapy).Integrative therapy opportunities include massage, aromatherapy, yoga, tai chi, and other mindful movement interventions within community based health and fitness arenas.