In August 2009, James S. Gordon and the Center for Mind-Body Medicine collaborated with Saybrook University, founding the Graduate School of Mind-Body Medicine for individuals pursuing a master’s degree and/or doctoral degree. As the program has grown over the years, the graduate school now provides four doctoral level specializations, to prepare graduates for careers in healthcare and mental healthcare. Influenced by the humanistic philosophy of Saybrook University, the central focus of each degree program and specialization emphasizes person-centered health care, and advocates the importance of integrating self-care, mind-body practices, and other alternative approaches within the mainstream of health and mental healthcare. The School of Mind-Body Medicine is designed as a hybrid program, which affords working professionals the opportunity to conveniently attend a maximum of three short residential conferences a year, as well as complete all of their coursework through online and videoconference technology.
Information about the four PhD specializations are as follows:
Integrative mental health: Graduates will be prepared to pursue their existing mental health careers with a more integrative focus and a full range of mind-body skills. Graduates will also be prepared for academic jobs in universities, colleges, and medical schools, teaching an integrative approach to health and mental health.
Healthcare practice: Licensed healthcare professionals who complete this degree will strengthen their already existing careers, utilizing integrative approaches to treatment and a variety of mind-body skills. Graduates without healthcare licenses will be prepared to work in the private practice of coaching and stress management, and as consultants and employees in corporate and medically based health promotion and wellness programs.
Healthcare systems: Graduates will be prepared for employment as organizational consultants and administrators in healthcare institutions and corporate health promotions programs. They will also be employable as grant writers and in health informatics.
Healthcare research: Graduates in the healthcare research specialization are prepared to pursue careers in health research, academic careers in University and medical school settings, and health education roles in corporate and community settings.
The School of Mind-Body Medicine is now accepting applicants for the January 2015 semester. Prospective students interested in applying may go online to http://www.saybrook.edu/applying or email: admissions@saybrook.edu
A future blog post will describe the brand new Saybrook University master’s degree in integrative and functional nutrition, and the master’s degree in mind-body medicine.
