School of Integrative and Functional Medicine

Master of Science in Integrative & Functional Medicine

This program prepares individuals to assume roles as health and wellness professionals in private business and industry, community organizations, and health care settings.

The Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Medicine includes instruction in personal health, community health & welfare, nutrition, epidemiology, disease prevention, fitness & exercise, and health behaviors.

Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health & Lifestyle Medicine

These programs prepare individuals to assume roles as health/wellness professionals in private business and industry, community organizations, and health care settings.

These programs have specializations in Nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine, Cannabinoid Medical Sciences, and Sports Medicine. The programs include instruction in personal health, community health and welfare, nutrition, epidemiology, disease prevention, fitness and exercise, and health behaviors.

The School of Integrative and Functional Medicine offers the following online graduate certificates in Nutritional Health:

Nutrigenomics

Online | 20 Credits | 2 Semesters
This program focuses on the scientific study of whole-genome sequences and patterns of gene expression. Includes instruction in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, protein technologies, genomic sciences and techniques, bioinformatics, and scientific and research ethics.

Nutrition Oncology

Online | 20 Credits | 2 Semesters
This program focuses on the scientific study of carcinogens, the onset of malignancy in cells, tissues, blood, and organs, genetics of cancer, anatomy, and physiology of cancer cells, and the study of cancer behaviors and treatments. Includes instruction in gene expression, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes, viral genes, and cancer proliferation, regulation of signal transduction, and cancer proteins. Also hormonal and growth factors in cancer cells, tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis, carcinogen receptors and metabolism, carcinogen ecology, immunological targeting, and studies of genetic, chemical, radiologic, and other treatment therapies.

Interested in Nutritional Health courses without completing a certificate or degree?

Courses within the School of Integrative and Functional Medicine are online and can be offered individually to continuing education students who do not wish to earn a certificate or degree.

Graduate Courses Available
Entry Requirements: Baccalaureate Degree with a GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale)

LM500
Lifestyle Medicine
3 Credits

This course explores the relationship between lifestyle and environmental drivers along with the major modern chronic diseases and outlines the knowledge and skills required by health professionals to deal with lifestyle and environmental determinants of chronic disease, as well as the tools and procedures available. 

Topics will review evidence-based information to give the foundation for Lifestyle Medicine to be used in practice. Understand why Lifestyle Medicine is essential to individuals, society, and healthcare. And foster awareness of the history, economics, and competencies associated with Lifestyle Medicine.

NUT503
Diet, Genes and Nutrition
3 Credits

This course reviews to understand the relationship between food and genetics. The course explores topics including epigenetics and nutrigenetics, the human genome, and the ethical issues surrounding genetic healthcare.

NUT512
Nutrition for Mental Health
3 Credits

This course will review strategies for a client’s dietary mental needs (from vitamin therapy, minerals, and foods) through effective interviewing, assessing, and counseling along with the introduction of psychobiotics into mental wellness.  It will also discuss encouraging clients to make and maintain dietary changes utilizing counseling theory and communication techniques.

SCI601
Natural Medicine
3 Credits

This course provides concise guidance on using natural medicine to effectively manage and treat patients with the most common diseases.  The clinical research component of the course will equip the practitioner with reliable, scientifically-based data that identifies and controls the underlying causes of diseases, along with the body’s own healing process considering each patient’s unique biochemistry. 

The research will be conducted to analyze the fundamental aspect and practices of natural medicine to include supplementary diagnostic procedures, diet analysis, food allergy testing, immune function assessment, fatty acid profiling and hair-mineral analysis.  Therapeutic and pharmacology procedures will be addressed to review botanical medicine, nutritional therapy, homeopathy, pharmacognosy, and commonly prescribed botanical medicines.

SCI604
Herbal Medicine
3 Credits

This course will present aspects of herbal medicine from fundamental concepts, traditional use, and scientific research through to safety, effective dosage, and clinical application. 

Completing this course the student will understand and interpret Herbal therapeutic systems, Herbal pharmacology, Principals of herbal treatment, Safety protocols, Contraindications, Side effects & herb-drug interactions, Herbal actions, and notate effects/usage, botany, constituents, pharmacodynamics, dosage & toxicology.

NUT507
Nutrition Oncology
3 Credits

This course is designed to explore nutrition in cancer prevention and survivorship, standards for diagnosing malnutrition, and research.

An integrative approach of currently reviewed literature of vitamin, mineral, herbal and botanical supplements in cancer prevention and treatment will also be discussed. These are based on the Oncology Nutrition Practice set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

SCI606
Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis
3 Credits

This course will review the methods to support the manufacturing, labeling, and distribution of safe and consistent products with known chemical content and demonstrated performance characteristics.

The material will review analytical chemistry within the context of the diverse issues surrounding medicinal and recreational cannabis in a manner designed to foster understanding and rational perspective for science-based researchers/practitioners.  This will also include non-scientist stakeholders as well as scientists who are concerned with bringing a necessary degree of order to a field now characterized by confusion and contradiction. 

Topics of research will cover Biosynthesis and Pharmacology of Phytocannabinoids, Medical Cannabis Formulations, Analytical Methods in Formulation Development, Quality Control & Stability Assessment, and Research & Regulation.

SCI607
Phytocannabinoid Pharmacology
3 Credits

The course presents the current state of the art on phytocannabinoid chemistry and pharmacology and will be of much use to those wishing to understand the current landscape of the exciting and intriguing phytocannabinoid science.

The focus is on natural product cannabinoids which have been demonstrated to act at specific receptor targets in the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Topics of research will include Molecular Pharmacology of Phytocannabinoids, Phytochemistry of Cannabis: Cannabis Sativa L, and Molecular Targets of Phytocannabinoids.

SCI608
Cannabis Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment
3 Credits

This course provides an overview of the biological and pharmacological components of the cannabis plant, outlines its neurological, social, and psychopathological effects, assists in the diagnosis and screening for use and dependency, and aids researchers in developing effective treatments for cannabis-related issues and disorders. 

SCI609
Cannabinoid Science
3 Credits

This course reviews specific receptors – protein molecules on the surface of cells – known as cannabinoid receptors.

Discussions and research will review how cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, the endocannabinoids, are involved in a vast array of physiological functions. These include helping to control brain activity, energy metabolism, heart function, the immune system, and even reproduction.

Topics of research will include Anandamide & Palmitoylethanolamide, and CBD on Cancer Cell Proliferation.

JPU is a member of the American Holistic Health Association and the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Undergraduate Courses Available

Entry Requirements: High School Diploma with a GPA of 2.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale)

SCI305
Cannabis Therapy
3 Credits

This course presents an overview of the medical use of cannabis and CBD. The history of cannabis use, factors that contributed to its legal status, plant botany (including the various cannabinoids and terpenes found in hemp and cannabis plants), cannabis pharmacology, contraindications, and drug interactions will be explored. There will be an examination of the endocannabinoid system (including receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes) and its impact on homeostasis.

Discussions and research will review the therapeutic use of cannabis and CBD for pain, anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues, opioid addiction, seizure disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, concussion, autism, and other conditions.

Considerations for growing and cooking with cannabis and CBD will be presented.

This course includes 45 Instructional Clock Hours over a 15-week period. This course is a continuing education course that is not vocational in nature and does not lead to initial employment. This course serves as a prerequisite for a Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Medicine with specialization in Cannabinoid Medical Sciences and does not provide credit toward an existing program offered at John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences.

SCI306
Cannabis and CBD Product Formulations
3 Credits

This course presents dosing strategies of various cannabinoids, routes of administration, and timing for effective use. The literature will present potential interactions with pharmaceuticals and how to maximize safe use, and how to analyze and interpret certificates of analysis of various formulations. Expanded research will showcase how to read a dispensary menu to guide patient care, culminating with spectrums of industrial hemp extraction used in CBD formulations.

This course includes 45 Instructional Clock Hours over a 15-week period. This course is a continuing education course that is not vocational in nature and does not lead to initial employment. This course serves as a prerequisite for a Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Medicine with specialization in Cannabinoid Medical Sciences and does not provide credit toward an existing program offered at John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences.