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Graduate Catalog 2001-2003


Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies (MAHS)

The last decade has seen a remarkable growth in the use and acceptance of holistic, complementary and alternative healthcare by the public and mainstream healthcare.

Consider the following:
  • A report published in 1998 indicates high use of these therapies in two cross-sectional surveys from 1990 to 1997. Forty-two percent of those surveyed had used at least one alternative therapy in 1997, which represented an increase from the earlier survey.
  • A review of 25 national surveys of physician attitudes toward Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) indicates that respondent physicians used and referred patients for several CAM modalities.
  • By 1997, 75 medical schools were offering education in CAM.
  • In August 1999 the American Hospital Association (AHA) kicked off a program to help educate the orgnization's member institutions on how to better offer CAM to patients.
  • Two-thirds of HMOs offer their members some CAM.
  • Research using Healing Touch (energy healing) is currently being conducted in Twin Cities area hospitals.
  • At the federal level, direct research into CAM through the National Institutes of Health Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine swelled to $116 million annually in 2003.
MAHS OVERVIEW
The Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies (MAHS) is an innovative evening graduate program that invites students from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to study the philosophy, science and art of the holistic model of health and healing. The program views the philosophy and practice of holistic health in the context of the multiple lenses of culture, spirituality and an environmental/global perspective. The program is rooted in respect for the cross-cultural wisdom of indigenous healing traditions and seeks to embrace many cultural perspectives and meanings that shape and influence health. Within the program there is a deep commitment to the development of a new model of integrative healthcare that brings together the best of scientific medicine with the wisdom of the elders.

Students enter this multidisciplinary program with a baccalaureate degree from a broad range of fields and professions in order to pursue a professional career path or to use their studies for personal growth and enrichment. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to create unique work opportunities based on the holistic model and serve as ethical leaders in this rapidly expanding field. Graduates develop their distinct voice and perspective as leaders and the capacity to move forward with creative applications of their graduate degree in a variety of settings. Increasing career opportunities exist in healthcare, social work, human services, exercise sciences, chemical dependency counseling, private practice, education and business.

The MAHS curriculum is based on 20 years of educational experience with the professional Certificate in Holistic Health Studies at the College of St. Catherine. The curriculum is organized around holistic core courses with a choice of one of three areas of concentration: herbology, energy healing or a flexible design-your-own option. Core course work helps the student make the radical shift from thinking in parts to thinking in wholes - from viewing disease as an external process to be "cured" to an understanding of illness as a complex interaction of many factors.

Throughout the curriculum students learn holistic approaches to individual health, as well as develop the valuable skills of self-empowerment/self-care, ethical leadership and organizing for social change. Within the context of a community-based experience of social activism, the curriculum goes beyond looking at an individual response to health issues by examining social conditions that contribute to disease.

In the classroom students experience holistic teaching/learning methods as the faculty use meditation, Tai Chi, relaxation, imagery and creative art exercises as a regular part of the learning process. Other outstanding dimensions of the curriculum include community-based learning, extensive networking and an integrating practicum course in the final semester.

GRADUATE OUTCOMES
After completing the course work in the MAHS program, students will be able to:
  • integrate holistic health studies with their professional field.
  • develop as a reflective professional capable of supporting and upholding values, standards, and ethics.
  • integrate the most effective aspects of the alternative health and biomedical paradigms.
  • develop research competence by valuing research, reviewing research literature and being prepared to participate in research studies as a team member.
  • develop a set of skill-based healing strategies to be used with clients.
  • apply critical thinking skills to holistic health content.
  • value the importance of culture, community and spirituality as it contributes to the wholeness and health of the individual.
  • be a change agent and leader whose work promotes a healthier world and social justice.
  • articulate the historical role of women as healers and realize their place in the healing community.
  • develop their unique voice and perspective as a healing professional.
  • connect with their sources of inspiration and move forward with creative application of holistic health studies.
  • appreciate how personal transformation ultimately transforms their professional work.
  • value the interconnection between human health, the environment and planet Earth.
For information on admission to the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies at the College of St. Catherine...

COURSE LIST & DESCRIPTIONS

(PLEASE NOTE: If you are having trouble viewing the course list please visit Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies Course List)

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies (MAHS) program offers two options: Regular Admission and Advanced Standing Admission.

Regular Admission: Students entering the MAHS program must complete 38 to 40 semester hours of graduate credit, depending on the research option they choose.

Advanced Standing: Students who have completed a certificate in Holistic Health Studies, Health and Wellness Counseling or Holistic Therapies from the College of St. Catherine are eligible to apply to the MAHS program with advanced standing. With advanced standing status, students can complete the MAHS degree with 27 to 31 credits, depending on the research option chosen and whether the certificate program included the course Culture as a Resource in Health and Healing.

YEARS TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM
The program is designed for full- and part-time students. Students may complete the program in two-and-one-half years or work at their own pace to complete the program in up to seven years.

SPECIAL CLASSES AND TRANSFER CREDITS
A total of nine relevant credits of transfer and special classes can be applied toward the MAHS degree with the approval of the program director. Credits can be transferred to the MAHS program from another academic institution or be completed through directed study, independent study or CARL (credit for academically relevant learning).

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

CURRICULUM
Each student works with an academic advisor to design a program of required core courses and a choice of one of three areas of a concentration.

Prerequisite course work for regular and advanced standing admission
The following course work must be completed prior to entering the program or by the end of the first year:
One course in psychology
Anatomy and physiology
Herbology Concentration only: one chemistry course before beginning the concentration

In order for students to be admitted to the program as an advanced standing student they must have completed the following:
A certificate in Holistic Health Studies, Health and Wellness Counseling or Holistic Therapies from the College of St. Catherine.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES - REGULAR ADMISSION (26 or 28* credits)

*Total core credits required based on which research option students choose.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES - ADVANCED STANDING (15 - 19 credits**)
    MAHS 673 Culture as a Resource in Health and Healing
    MAHS 750 Core Concepts in Mind/Body Interactions
    MAHS 752 Women and Holistic Health
    MAHS 762 Organizing for Social Change
    MAHS 890 Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
    MAHS 892 Practicum and Integrative Seminar
    MAHS 898 Action Research Project (Plan A)
    or MAHS 899 Research Thesis (Plan B)
    MAHS 660 Bridge: Certificate to Graduate
**Total number of core credits required is based on which research option students choose and whether they have completed the course Culture as a Resource in Health and Healing in their certificate program.

CONCENTRATIONS (12 credits)
Required for every concentration:
    HHS 770 Holistic Practice
HERBOLOGY
    HHS 792 Herbology 1
    HHS 794 Herbology 2
    HHS 796 Herbology 3
ENERGY HEALING
    HHS 782 Energy Healing 1:Mindfulness-Based Meditation
    HHS 784 Energy Healing 2
    HHS 786 Energy Healing 3
GENERALIST
Students work with their advisor and program director to plan this concentration as it fits their individual interest and career goals. Credits can be transferred from other academic institutions or earned through directed study, independent study or CARL. Students choose from herbology and energy healing courses as well as other course work as approved by their advisor and the graduate program director.

FACULTY
This is a partial list of the MAHS faculty. Contact the program for the current list of faculty.

Janet Dahlem, Assistant Professor and Program Director. B.A., University of Minnesota; M.A., St. Mary's University of Minnesota.

Atum Azzahir, Lecturer. Elder, Executive Director, Powderhorn Phillips Cultural Wellness Center.

Karen Clark, Lecturer. B.S., Nursing, College of St. Teresa; M.A., Public Administration, Harvard University.

Paul Haugen, Assistant Professor. B.A., Hamline University; M.A., College of St. Catherine.


Helen Healy, Lecturer. B.A., Biopsychology, Vassar; ND (Naturopathic Doctor), National College of Naturopathy.

Karen Hilgers, CSJ, Lecturer. B.A., College of St. Catherine; M.A., Ph.D., University of Minnesota.

Susan Komen, Faculty Assistant. B.A., Metropolitan State University.

Janet Marinelli, Lecturer. B.S., Physical Therapy, University of Central Arkansas; M.S., Physical Therapy, University of Minnesota.

Ruth Anne Plourde, Lecturer. B.S., University of Minnesota; M.A., St. Mary's University of Minnesota.

Kaia Svien, Lecturer. B.A., Pomona College; M.S., University of Wisconsin - Madison.


This page was created on 06/30/2004 and last updated on 11/24/2004.
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