Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness: Integrated Health Studies Emphasis
Promote Patient Wellness Using Integrated Care Concepts
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Integrated Health at GCU discusses integrated health program assessment, development and implementation, and exposes you to the therapeutic relationship between patients and practitioners. You will also be taught research and best practices of mental health and wellness as they relate to human resiliency, recovery and functioning within an integrated health-focused environment. This certificate does not lead to certification or licensure.
Integrated Health and Wellness Concepts and Course Topics
The courses in this GCU certificate program address the following competencies:
- Determining best practices in using the integrated health model
- Analyzing the integrated health system in the United States
- Examining the latest research in integrated health
- Explaining the impact of well-being in human functioning and achieving life satisfaction
The emphasis in integrated health studies exposes you to theory, knowledge and strategies utilized within the field of integrated healthcare practices. Whereas the Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness provides an in-depth study of the integration of mental health concepts into various environments. The 16-credit graduate certificate can be advantageous if you want a more focused and expedited way to advance your education and knowledge in the area of integrated health.
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Career Paths for Graduates With a Certificate in Mental Health Wellness: Integrated Health Studies Emphasis
This graduate certificate program teaches you to work in the field of integrated healthcare practices. You can use your knowledge to assist in positions that promote and advocate for patient accessibility of integrated health services.
Some careers that may be related to this certificate program include:
- Respite care worker
- Integrated health services manager
- Case manager
- Health intervention specialist
- Health and wellness coach
- Nutritionist
Integrated Health and Wellness Emphasis FAQs
If you are interested in pursuing career advancement in integrated care, read through our answers to these frequently asked questions.
Studying integrated care concepts can benefit healthcare professionals who work directly with patients. In addition to primary care physicians and mental health practitioners, there are alternative healthcare positions you may want to consider, including nutritionists, corporate wellness practitioners, yoga therapists, health and wellness coaches and herbalists.
Integrated health studies teaches you how to optimize health and wellness for your patients using a coordinated and collaborative approach. Integrated care involves the expertise of both medical and behavioral healthcare providers, as well as the feedback from the patients. Integrated healthcare involves addressing the whole person, including the influences on their physical, emotional, social, spiritual and mental health.1
While integrated healthcare is the collaboration of conventional therapies such as medication, physical rehabilitation and psychotherapy, integrative health is the application of both conventional and complementary interventions including yoga, acupuncture and herbal treatments. Both approaches aim to care for the whole person.2
Get started on your graduate certificate in mental health and wellness by completing the form on this page. A university counselor will be in touch to answer your questions.
1Collaborative/Integrated Care. (n.d.). American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
2Complementary, Alternative or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? (2021, April). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides a comprehensive overview of mental health and wellness practice in a community healthcare setting. The importance of documentation, including the maintenance, accuracy, and integrity of health care records, as well as the ethics and policies concerning documentation is covered. The basics of research in the mental health and wellness field, such as data collection, interpretation, and the ethical implications of research, are covered. Information literacy is also covered, to provide a basic framework of common terminology and communication in the integration of mental health and medicine.
Course Description
This course takes a holistic look at the structure and function of the family in contemporary society as well as the many societal influences that affect the family. It examines how modern phenomena such as nontraditional family structures, and the proliferation of technology have impacted today’s families and the way they interact with other community systems. Modern governmental guidelines and ethical challenges, including systems such as foster care, are also addressed. Additionally, the role of cultural norms in family systems and the importance of cultural awareness in working with families in the mental health care system is addressed.
Course Description
This course examines the design of effective community-based and other prevention programs. The strategies for implementing prevention programs and how to conduct effective evaluation of prevention programs is reviewed. The differences and interplay between intervention and prevention is covered, as well as the funding and administration of prevention programs.
Course Description
This course examines a variety of factors related to wellness and includes a focus on substance use and abuse, nutrition, weight control, diet, exercise and safety. An exploration of lifestyles factors related to promoting health and wellness across the lifespan is assessed as well as effective coaching for health and wellness.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.