Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research

Integrative medicine research utilizes the principles of the biomedical research field and applies them to nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, mind-body and other complementary therapies.

Integrative medicine involves using the best parts of different medical systems to create optimal health and wellness for patients. As people face significant health challenges worldwide, the need for additional approaches to health care is increasingly evident.

The Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research (MSiMR) degree is rooted in natural medicine research literature and brings in expert faculty from integrative medicine fields to teach their disciplines. The program prepares students for master’s level research and public health careers; it also benefits students who are preparing for PhD programs, MD programs, or post-doctoral research positions at medical institutions. Medical students who concurrently pursue the MSiMR go on to careers as physician-researchers or use it to specialize in a clinical area.

Master of Science in

Integrative Medicine Research

Program Outcomes

Required courses are derived from clinical research and public health, and include courses in clinical research design, epidemiology, biostatistics and bioethics. Students may choose from a variety of elective courses based on their research interests. Students also gain practical experience by completing a research study in an area of their interest.

Graduates of this program will have:

• Research Skills Expertise —Apply research processes including literature review, critical thinking, research study design, selection of appropriate outcomes, data collection, data analysis and statistics.

• Natural Medicine Research Methodology—Develop, use and evaluate methodologies and technology applicable to natural medicine.

• Communication—Be able to communicate professionally and articulate integrative medicine research concepts verbally and in writing for scientific, political and lay audiences.

• Professional Relationships—Create and sustain a network of collaborative and collegial relationships with all types of researchers and healthcare providers.

• Integrity—Utilize the legal and ethical framework of research and scientific integrity.

• Professional Growth—Establish a foundation of learning skills that promote a career in a continually evolving profession.

Estimated Program CostCurrent tuition for the MSiMR program is $394 per credit. Students concurrently enrolled in an additional degree program at NCNM may transfer in applicable course credits. Tuition is subject to change. Please contact the NCNM Admissions office for current information.

Two-Year ProgramEstimated total program cost: $26,398

Four-Year Program Estimated total program cost: $24,428*

*For students concurrently enrolled in an additional degree program at NCNM.

Total two-year degree credits

Required credits 59

Elective credits 8

Total credits 67

GPA: 3.2 or higher

Science GPA: 3.0 or higher

Course Prerequisites:• General Chemistry two courses

• General Biology with lab one course

• Math two courses Pre-calculus, calculus or math-based statistics

• Psychology one course

• Humanities one course English composition

Recommended additional courses:Statistics, Cell Biology, Ethics

Applicants outside the recommended GPA or GRE test score will be considered based on their demonstrated research capacity and commitment to integrative medicine, and are encouraged to apply.

Essay: What interests you about integrative medicine research? (800 words or less)

Resume: Please include internships, extracurricular activities and publications.

Personal Statement: Describe your background in research, research-related interests or career goals. (800 words or less)

GRE Scores: Verbal minimum score: 150 (previously 500); quantitative minimum score: 160 (previously 650); writing: 4.0. Subject test not required. Will accept MCAT score of 25 or higher, or a PCAT score at the 60th percentile rank or higher in place of the GRE.

TOEFL: Required for international students. Minimum computer test score: 213; minimum paper test score: 550; IBT: 80.

Admissions Requirements

‘Google’ is not a synonym for ‘research’.DAN BROWN

Required coursesIntroduction to Integrative Medicine

The field of integrative medicine involves many complex disciplines. This course explains the basic philosophies and practices of Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, shamanic healing and other integrative medicine practices.

Introduction to Laboratory Methods

Familiarizes students with the methodology and instruments employed in common laboratory techniques. Students rotate through the basic science, clinical, psychophysiology and food/nutrition laboratories. This class prepares students to conduct the research for their master’s project.

Anatomy and Physiology

A systems approach to gross and microscopic anatomy, physiology, and internal organ, endocrine and central nervous systems. This course provides basic descriptions and functions of the body, with emphasis on how biological outcomes are collected to measure function of different organs.

Integrative Immunology

The basic functions of the immune system, with emphasis on using immunological outcomes to track health outcomes. Students learn basic immunology and how to measure white blood cells, antibodies and cytokines.

Research Practicum Work with your mentor on an integrative medicine research study. This class is taken every quarter upon mentor assignment. Students propose an independent research project, design and implement the study, analyze data, and synthesize the results for presentation or publication.

Integrative Medicine Research Seminar I & II

Inspires and informs students about integrative medicine research ideas and the people in the field by attending a local research conference.

Journal Club I & II Students present and discuss recently published articles in natural medicine.

Introduction to Research and Ethics

Learn the ethical issues that are faced in conducting clinical research. Topics include understanding issues of fraud and research misconduct; defining conflict of interest and responsible conduct of research; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); the basics of informed consent; distinguishing between research and treatment; and outlining the IRB process. Special emphasis is made to explain these concepts from the integrative medicine perspective.

Integrative Research Fundamentals

Landmark studies in integrative medicine, and foundational complementary and alternative medicine research concepts. Students explore the diversity of research happening locally and globally in integrative health.

Integrative Microbiology

An overview of the major infectious bacteria and viruses, as well as normal microflora. The course also includes the etiology, epidemiology, prevention and control of communicable diseases from a public health point of view.

Technical Writing General writing skills and strategies; with tips to writing the abstract, introduction, background, hypothesis and aims, methods, results and discussion sections of an IRB application or a peer-reviewed article.

Required coursesResearch Methodology

An introduction to research design, including how to formulate a research question, identify primary and secondary hypotheses, and distinguish between types of experimental designs and methods to identify bias and flaws in study designs. Students develop a study proposal as they learn to develop inclusion and exclusion criteria, identify outcome measures, and provide rationale for choices. Participant recruitment, screening, retention and adherence are addressed.

Biostatistics I Basic concepts in probability, estimation and hypothesis testing, as well as statistical methods frequently used in clinical research. Provides familiarity with basic statistical concepts, issues in clinical research, and teaches simple data analysis.

Biostatistics II with Computer Lab

Learn techniques appropriate for handling a single outcome variable and multiple predictors. Develop skills in the use of appropriate statistical procedures for estimation and inference, according to underlying assumptions and type of study design. Interpretation of statistical analysis and understanding the limitations of data and its consequences are also discussed.

Principles of Epidemiology

Concepts in epidemiology such as multivariate causality, relative risk, odds ratio, sampling error and different types of bias (selection, information, definition biases), and confounding factors are introduced and applied to integrative medicine. Students discuss study designs, survey and sample selection, cross-sectional, cohort, case-control; prospective and retrospective designs are discussed from the epidemiological and integrative medicine perspective.

Bioethics The ethical issues in research, with special attention to vulnerable subjects. Discussion of concepts related to study regulation, study design, reporting data, and ethics in clinical and biomedical research. Students will review common problems encountered in protocols and informed consent, and discuss the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the conduct of human research.

Nutrition Explores diet and its relationship to health and disease with an emphasis on the health effects of different foods and specialized diets. The course covers recommended daily allowance, food labels and hidden ingredients, as well as topics like organic foods and GMO foods. Each week, students cook healthy whole-foods meals.

Public Health Policy Learn about the important role policy plays in public health and governmental responses to public health issues. Social justice and health access are discussed, as well as integrative medicine strategies to address these concerns. Guest lecturers provide perspective on the issues facing public health, including addiction, mental health, vaccination, obesity and tobacco use.

Capstone Students complete the capstone credit during the quarter that they finalize and defend their master’s thesis. Students work with their graduating peers, sharing and editing each other’s theses, and practicing their thesis defense presentations.

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. CARL SAGAN

Elective courses – this is a sample list, additional electives are available.

Grant Writing Learn skills in communication, problem-solving and critical thinking in order to write successful grant proposals. The course covers types of grants, as well as the process of submitting a grant to NIH and other potential funding sources.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine: Philosophy and Evidence

Seminal acupuncture research papers are studied, and students familiarize themselves with the breadth and depth of acupuncture research. The challenges and limitations to conducting acupuncture research are discussed, and students develop the skills to conduct a research project on acupuncture or acupressure.

Botanicals: Bench to Bedside

Botanical research papers, including basic science, translational and clinical studies are studied. Students discuss the challenges and limitations to conducting botanical research, work in a botanical lab, and develop the skills to conduct research on botanicals.

Mind as Medicine: Mind-Body Therapies

Experience and read research papers on a variety of different mind-body modalities, such as meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and guided imagery. Students become familiar with the breadth and depth of diseases and conditions for which they are used, discuss the challenges and limitations to conducting mind-body research, and practice different mind-body techniques.

Psychology and Behavior Change

This course reviews literature of landmark papers in health behavior research, and teaches students how to conduct health behavior research. Students learn how to employ behavior change strategies to help with participant compliance, and assist with patients making behavioral changes.

Global Health Research

Examine global health issues through journal and news articles, and discuss challenges to practicing medicine and targeting research to different areas. Experts in global health from various medical backgrounds bring their perspectives to international health policy and medicine.

Health Disparities and Diversity

Partners from worldwide nonprofits lecture on their experience and discuss how research can target diverse populations most effectively. Students visit clinics that serve low income and underserved populations.

Pharmacology With natural medicines often administered as adjunctive therapies to standard care, it’s necessary for researchers to understand basic pharmacology, as well as drug/herb interaction. This course looks at the development of drugs (production lab and manufacturing), as well as FDA oversight and the regulatory process. Students learn how drugs are detoxified, and which herbs, nutrients and natural therapies may affect this process.

Environmental Impact on Health and Disease

Current topics in environmental medicine are covered, including toxicology, air and water quality, food standards and other issues. Environmental psychology and envirosociology are also discussed. The course provides evidence for environmental influences on health outcomes such as obesity, chronic disease and stress.

Elective courses – this is a sample list, additional electives are available.

Essentials of Integrative Oncology

This evidence-based course familiarizes students with the basics of cancer diagnosis, gives an overview of conventional therapies, and evidence that supports natural therapies for cancer. Students read landmark studies and cutting-edge oncology research; and discuss scientific validity, clinical benefits, toxicities, and limitations of state-of-the-art integrative therapies when applied to oncology patients.

Research in Sports Medicine

This course reviews landmark papers in exercise research and teaches how to do exercise research. Students experience some interventions, become familiar with the outcome measures for these types of studies, and how to administer them. Students will exercise every week.

Women’s Health: Fertility and Beyond

Students learn to conduct research on women’s health topics, and become familiar with female anatomy, physiology and development. Current women’s health news and research topics are discussed.

Global Health Experience

Students travel with a faculty member to a foreign country to learn how research is conducted internationally. Country, faculty member and research topic varies. Student is responsible for paying tuition for the course, as well as their own airfare, food, lodging and visa expenses.

Vaccinations This course discusses new vaccine strategies; current vaccines, components and schedules; and vaccine safety. Students will be able to identify types of vaccines, ingredients of each vaccine, predicted immune responses to those vaccines, and potential side-effects of each vaccine.

Gut Immunology WEEKEND COURSE

A comprehensive overview of the immunology of the gut; how natural therapies and diet affect the gut; and how the immune response in the gut then has systemic effects on health. The course also studies food allergies and hypersensitivities, IBS, IBD, Crohn’s disease and colon cancer, and nutritional influences on immunity.

Introduction to International Public Health CURRENTLY ONLY OFFERED ON GLOBAL HEALTH TRIPS

A daily discussion of public health initiatives with international relevance, including childhood nutrition programs, maternal survival programs, environmental studies, water systems and safe water, refugee health, food systems and health education.

Introduction to Tropical DiseaseCURRENTLY ONLY OFFERED ON GLOBAL HEALTH TRIPS

A basic overview of tropical disease in developing nations. Students differentiate between the microbiology, pathology and clinical symptoms of different microbes. Students are exposed to conventional and natural treatments for each disease.

Frequently Asked Questions1. How will this program prepare me for medical or graduate school?

The core courses in the MSiMR program provide a foundation in both clinical medicine and research. The curriculum is experience-based, students gain experience working with study participants, in the lab and analyzing data. Students will have the opportunity to conduct and publish their own research study. These publications will make graduates competitive for medical and graduate programs.

2. Will I have to write a thesis?Yes, a thesis is required for graduation from the MSiMR program.

3. Will I be able to get financial aid?Yes, financial aid is available for the program. Please contact the NCNM Admissions office for details.

4. Will I be able to work while completing this program?Yes, many of the classes are offered in the evening and on weekends. Alternatively, classes may be offered only in the morning to allow for work or research studies the rest of the day.

5. What kind of job could I get with a degree in integrative medicine research?Of course, each individual’s prospects vary with their particular skills and background, as well as their geographic area and experience before and during graduate school. A recent review of open positions throughout the U.S. indicates that a graduate in this field with 0-5 years relevant experience would meet at least the minimum qualifications for these jobs:

Public and Private Research Institutes • Senior Research Assistant (Palo Alto, CA)• Healthcare Policy Research Aide (New York City, NY) • Infectious Disease Biologist (Birmingham, AL)• Research Assistant, Immunology (Dallas, TX)

Hospitals and Clinics • Acupuncture Research Technician (Charlestown, MA)• Program Coordinator for Integrative Therapies in Pediatric Oncology (New York City, NY)• Mindfulness Center Program Manager (Madison, WI)

Colleges and Universities• Research Analyst, Brain Stimulation and Neurophysiology (Durham, NC)• Clinical Project Manager, Chiropractic (Bethesda, MD)• Community College Holistic Health Faculty (Ft. Collins, CO)• Community College Instructor of Foods and Nutrition (Portland, OR)

Private Industry• Director of Research and Development (Las Vegas, NV)• Science and Innovation Formulation Researcher (Brattleboro, VT)• Metabolic Engineering Research Associate (Cambridge, MA)

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.ALBERT SZENT-GYÖRGYI

Current Student Research ProjectsKirsten Wright | PHYTOCHEMICAL SYNERGISM IN CLASSICAL CHINESE HERBAL PAIRS

This project used modern scientific methodology to investigate chemical relationships when herbs are prepared in pairs compared to herbs prepared in isolation.

The goal of this project was to determine if there is a change in the chemical composition of the formula using high performance liquid chromatography to better understand classical Chinese medicine formulations. Samples were prepared at NCNM and data collection was done at the Pharmacokinetics Core at Oregon Health & Science University. What was observed was an increase and decrease in some chemical constituents and the formation of novel compounds when the herbs were prepared together.

Jacob Hill | NATUROPATHIC ONCOLOGY DELPHI PANEL

The idea for the Naturopathic Oncology Delphi Panel originated from my desire to support the clinical practice and research development of the emerging field of naturopathic oncology.

At the 2014 Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) conference, the Delphi Panel gathered eight experienced naturopathic oncologists to discuss and debate a series of questions regarding ethics, philosophy and research development as they pertain to naturopathic oncology. This project was the first major collaborative effort between the OncANP and Helfgott Research Institute.

The summary article and content analysis of the Delphi Panel is intended to provide clarity and education to various audiences, including naturopathic physicians, conventional medical professionals, medical researchers, cancer patients and the general public.

Sarah Hourston | MICRONUTRIENT LEVELS IN ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Currently, there are several research studies looking at nutrient levels and dietary supplements in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Much of this research has shown different micronutrient levels in children with ASD compared to neurotypical children, and that dietary supplements are beneficial for ASD symptoms.

The goal of this project is to determine if there is a nutritional difference in adults with ASD compared to neurotypical adults. If so, it will encourage further research on micronutrient supplements in this population.

Learn more about our ongoing research projects: ncnm.edu/helfgott-research/projects.php

Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research—Two-Year Program

Course # YEAR 1 | FALL RESEARCH PROJECT

RES 520 Integrative Research Fundamentals • Start brainstorming about research project topics

• Get mentor assignment and meet with mentor every week (ongoing)

• Start background research

RES 510 Introduction to Integrative Medicine

RES 530 Research Methodology

RES 701 Anatomy & Physiology

RES 535 Research Practicum

YEAR 1 | WINTER• Narrow research concepts• Complete literature review• Choose project by end of term• Submit one-page proposal for scientific review• Start IRB documents• Weekly mentor meetings

RES 600 Biostatistics I

RES 702 Integrative Immunology

RES 518 Introduction to Research and Ethics

RES 501 Journal Club

RES 535 Research Practicum

YEAR 1 | SPRING• Form thesis committee• Complete thesis proposal• Obtain committee approval for thesis proposal• Submit IRB application for scientific review,

if applicable• Weekly mentor meetings

GSN 525 Integrative Medicine Research Seminar

GSN 523 Introduction to Lab Methods

GSN 524 Integrative Microbiology

GSN 522 Biostatistics II with Lab

GSN 526 Research Practicum

YEAR 1 | SUMMER• Start research project• Data collection• Weekly mentor meetings

GSN 531 Principles of Epidemiology

GSN 532 Bioethics

GSN 533 Research Practicum

YEAR 2 | FALL

• Continue research project• Begin writing thesis• Weekly mentor meetings

RES 630 Public Health Policy

RES 700 Nutrition

RES 535 Research Practicum

RES 501 Journal Club

Elective (2 credits)

YEAR 2 | WINTER• Analyze data• Start thesis defense presentation• Submit rough draft of thesis to committee• Weekly mentor meetings

RES 610 Technical Writing

RES 501 Journal Club

RES 535 Research Practicum

Elective (2 credits)

YEAR 2 | SPRING

• Finish and defend thesis• Prepare and present poster• Weekly mentor meetings

GSN 525 Integrative Medicine Research Seminar

RES 636 Capstone

Elective (2 credits)

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.THOMAS BERGER

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