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Fall: September 30th, 2024
Spring: April 7th, 2025
Introducing the Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DWHL) program. The DWHL was developed with Cornerstone Collaboration for Societal Change, the nation’s leading expert in whole health, and is offered with an optional fellowship through the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM), the premier organization for the interprofessional integrative health community. Graduates of an Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health (ACIMH) recognized integrative medicine fellowship qualify for the Integrative Fellows track.
The Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued a consensus study report in February 2023 titled “Achieving Whole Health: A New Approach for Veterans and the Nation.” The report says that a “seismic culture shift in attitudes, structures, processes, and policies” is necessary to scale and spread a whole health approach. SCU’s DWHL seeks to address this need by equipping a new generation of leaders in whole health with the tools to bring about this shift.
This is an intellectually rigorous program that incorporates advanced whole health concepts and care models, personal self-exploration, and leadership development. In just over two years you will have the skills and knowledge necessary to influence the complex challenges of adopting an integrative, whole health approach to health in the United States. The capstone experience allows you to design real-world solutions to affect real-world change. Your fellow students and faculty will become a meaningful professional network of like-minded change agents.
The DWHL with AIHM fellowship track is designed for clinicians interested in earning a doctorate at the same time as their fellowship. Fellows completing the DWHL degree concurrently with their fellowship will earn 51 credits including 38 core credits plus 13 fellowship credits over 2 years of self-paced online asynchronous coursework and a capstone.
The DWHL Integrative Medicine Post-Fellowship Track track is designed for graduates of an Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health (ACIMH) approved fellowship interested in earning a doctorate in just over two years. Fellowship graduates will earn 38 credits plus 13 fellowship transfer credits over 2 years of self-paced online asynchronous coursework and a capstone. Students take half the degree credits per term as the fellowship option.
The Administrator, Educator, and Non-Fellows track is designed for healthcare professionals with at least three years of leadership experience in the healthcare field or clinicians who have not completed an Integrative Medicine Fellowship. Students will earn 51 credits including 38 core credits plus 13 track-specific credits. Transfer and prior learning credit options are available. The program can be completed over 2 years of self-paced online asynchronous coursework and a capstone.
Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu to learn more. SCU also provides a Fixed Tuition Guarantee that ensures your tuition per term rate is guaranteed for the scheduled duration of your program* providing price certainty and the ability to plan your finances in advance.
Have a question for SCU?
Submit an inquiry for more information on the program or call/email to speak to an Admissions Consultant.
*Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information
The DWHL with AIHM fellowship track is designed for students interested in completing the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine fellowship at the same time as their doctoral degree.
The DWHL Integrative Medicine Post-Fellowship track is designed for graduates of an Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health (ACIMH) approved fellowship interested in earning a doctorate in just over two years.
The Administrator, Educators, and Non-Fellows track provides students core course requirements with the flexibility of choosing electives that cover the students’ areas of interest.
For full program information, view our catalog.
Welcome to the Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership. At a time when the Nation is calling for a radical transformation in how we address health and well-being, there is an amazing new opportunity for committed and skilled leaders to drive this movement. Leading transformation is a huge undertaking, and it requires unique knowledge, experience, and skills. How does one prepare for such a journey? Come to SCU and be a part of the inaugural class of doctorate students. If you see the need for a paradigm shift in how we conceive of healthcare, if you believe that we need to and can implement the Whole Health approach to health and wellbeing, and if you are committed to being a leader in this movement, this is the right place for you.
How do you know when you have helped a system transform? When the purpose of that system has changed. The purpose of a whole health system is to help people live a full and meaningful life. While this is inclusive of diagnosing and treating diseases, this alone is not a success. Success is when the system helps people discover or reconnect with what matters most to them, to their sense of meaning and purpose. It then supports them in taking charge of their life and health, by empowering them and equipping them to do so. And in this process, people feel reconnected to their own humanity and the support of a community that cares. In this process, people have hope again. Oh – and yes, physical and mental health outcomes improve, and costs decrease.
For over a decade, this approach has been developed, researched, and evolved in the Veterans Health Administration. Much has been learned and demonstrated, and now after a two-year study, the National Academy of Medicine has called for the Nation to “make Whole Health a core value,” stating that “systems will need to change their structure, processes and goals.” Who will lead the way? What education, experience, and skills will be needed? The Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership is designed specifically to meet these needs, with faculty who are the nation’s experts. We will prepare the next generation of change agents at a time when they are desperately needed.
We believe that you cannot drive a transformation purely with knowledge. Being a leader of change must be grounded in a personal experience and transformation. As Ghandi said, we must be the change we wish to see in the world. As such, at the heart of this program are four in-person intensives. During these intensives, a deep, personal experience will be offered, connecting your vision for Whole Health in the world, to Whole Health in YOU. We know that leading transformation is complex and hard, and you will be sustained and nurtured by your personal experiences and those that you share with your colleagues.
The world needs this transformation like never before. This means we need leaders uniquely prepared for this great opportunity – leaders who will have a tremendous impact on our society for generations to come. At SCU, we are ready for you, and so is the world.
Co-Founder Cornerstone Collaboration for Societal Change
Executive Director, DWHL
Applicants for the Doctor of Whole Health Leadership degree must meet the following admissions standards. Applicants who do not meet all requirements may be admitted with the approval of the Program Director or Dean; exceptions are made on an individual basis.
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
If you would like to learn more about fixed rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships, loans, and more.
*Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
**Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
Representative tuition table, the actual tuition cost per term may vary based on when the student starts.
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | Fellowship Fee | Petition to Graduate Fee** | Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $6,546 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $7,959 |
| 2 | $6,546 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $7,959 |
| 3 | $6,546 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $7,959 |
| 4 | $6,546 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $7,959 |
| 5 | $6,546 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $7,959 |
| 6 | $5,455 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $6,868 |
| 7 | $5,455 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $6,868 |
| 8 | $5,455 | $186 | $1,227 | – | $6,868 |
| 9 – Capstone | $6,546 | $186 | _ | $225 | $6,957 |
| Totals | $55,641 | $1,674 | $9,816 | $225 | $67,356 |
Representative tuition table, the actual tuition cost per term may vary based on when the student starts.
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | Petition to Graduate Fee** | Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 2 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 3 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 4 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 5 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 6 | $4,364 | $186 | $4,550 | |
| 7 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 8 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 9 – Capstone | $6,546 | $186 | $225 | $6,957 |
| Totals | $41,458 | $1,674 | $225 | $43,357 |
Representative tuition table, the actual tuition cost per term may vary based on the student’s transfer credits, when they start, and prior learning assessment credits.
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | Petition to Graduate Fee** | Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 2 | $6,546 | $186 | – | $6,732 |
| 3 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 4 | $7,637 | $186 | – | $7,823 |
| 5 | $4,364 | $186 | – | $4,550 |
| 6 | $6,646 | $186 | $6,732 | |
| 7 | $7,637 | $186 | – | $7,823 |
| 8 | $7,637 | $186 | – | $7,823 |
| 9 – Capstone | $6,546 | $186 | $225 | $6,957 |
| Totals | $55,641 | $1,674 | $225 | $57,540 |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression.
*Tuition is charged at $1,091 per credit hour. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.
**Program fees listed are for the 2024/2025 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include a charge for technology, and are charged every term that the student is enrolled. Some limitations apply. View Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
***Books, supplies, and other equipment are not included in this tuition and fee schedule and may be required for this program.
The program includes four weekend intensives in a variety of locations. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages are included during the intensive experience. Delight in delicious healthy meals, refreshing drinks, and networking opportunities during our breaks. Students are responsible for travel and accommodations.
Students participate in four in-person weekend intensives throughout the course of the program. These courses are designed to immerse students in a personal Whole Health experience. The intensives will be held in various locations across the United States, providing students the opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the field. Additionally, the intensives aim to enhance students’ skills and intentions for building networks with peers and faculty, which is crucial for advancing the collaborative nature of the Whole Health movement.
At the heart of the weekend intensives is the opportunity for personal growth and leadership development. Students will not only experience the Whole Health approach in a group setting but also learn how to facilitate such experiences for others and mentor new facilitators. The intensives also provide a platform for students to deepen their self-care practices under the guidance of experts. Moreover, students can discuss and develop their Capstone Projects with input from peers and faculty, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Students are responsible for their travel and accommodation expenses, although the program provides several meals. The weekend intensives typically commence on a Thursday afternoon or evening and conclude by midday on Sunday.
Thursday Evening
Friday Morning
Friday Afternoon
Friday Evening
Saturday Morning
Saturday Afternoon
Saturday Evening Dinner
Sunday Morning
The Capstone project is a culminating experience in the Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DWHL) program. Students engage in a project that advances the field of Whole Health and aligns with their professional interests. These Capstone projects can take various forms such as implementation pilots, scholarly papers, research, policy development, or advocacy efforts. By addressing real-world challenges within their chosen focus area, students contribute to the broader field of Whole Health. The Capstone experience encourages both personal and professional growth, allowing students to customize their projects based on their unique goals and interests.
Capstone preparation is incorporated throughout the program. A Capstone Preparation course is offered each term and provides a guided progressive approach to the Capstone experience. Terms 1 and 2 of the Capstone Preparation courses serve as an introduction to Capstone, and terms 3 and 4 focus on initial preparation for the Capstone project. In terms 5 and 6, preparation continues with a landscape review and drafting of a project plan, and in terms 7 and 8, students focus on their proposed Capstone project’s written and oral presentation.
Students receive guidance from the Capstone Coordinator and feedback from faculty and fellow students throughout Capstone Preparation courses so they can refine their project idea and ensure that it is both feasible and impactful. During the Capstone Preparation courses, students identify a Capstone idea or topic, conduct a feasibility analysis and literature review, identify a faculty and mentor team, and develop a project proposal. Students submit their written presentation and present an initial oral presentation of their proposed project plan for approval.
The Capstone project is a pivotal academic endeavor and a significant professional milestone. It allows students to showcase their leadership capabilities, innovative thinking, and commitment to Whole Health principles. Successful Capstone projects may lead to further research opportunities, professional recognition, and career advancement within the health leadership field.
The Capstone project is finalized and disseminated in the Capstone course after core coursework is completed in the student’s ninth term. It is designed to be completed in one term, but an extension is available for students needing additional time to complete their Capstone project. The student’s performance in producing and completing the Capstone project is formally evaluated based on a write-up of the project and an oral presentation.
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