Call : 832-631-9345 admission@uih.education

Call : 832-631-9345 admission@uih.education

Call : 832-631-9345 admission@uih.education

Master of Science (MS) in Functional and Integrative Medicine

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About Course

GRADUATE STUDY   /   MASTER OF SCIENCE

Functional and
Integrative Medicine

A connected understanding of health. A thoughtful approach to care.

Explore the relationships between human biology, nutrition, lifestyle, and lived experience through a graduate curriculum grounded in evidence appraisal and whole-person care.

36 graduate credits12 coursesHybrid learning

A colorful meal with vegetables, avocado, seeds, and eggs

NUTRITION   ·   SCIENCE   ·   LIFESTYLE   ·   WHOLE-PERSON CARE

THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Recommended duration 4 semesters full-time
Applied learning Supervised case review
Culminating experience Capstone and supervised externship

A WHOLE-PERSON PERSPECTIVE

Understand the connections.
See the bigger picture.

The Master of Science in Functional and Integrative Medicine prepares health professionals and qualified graduate students to evaluate chronic and complex health concerns through a whole-person, systems-biology framework.

Connect nutrition, lifestyle medicine, microbiome science, immune regulation, cardiometabolic health, laboratory interpretation, and integrative case management. Learn to weigh the evidence, recognize limitations, and design individualized strategies that respect patient priorities and professional boundaries.

A CONNECTED FRAMEWORK

Three perspectives. One person.

BIOLOGY

Immune function · metabolism · microbiome

LIFESTYLE

Nutrition · sleep · movement · stress

CONTEXT

Environment · relationships · patient values

YOUR LEARNING OUTCOMES

Build knowledge you can apply.

01   Connect the systems

Analyze complex health histories using a whole-person, systems-based framework.

02   Interpret in context

Interpret nutritional, lifestyle, psychosocial, environmental, and laboratory information in context.

03   Personalize responsibly

Develop individualized, evidence-informed care plans within your professional scope.

04   Evaluate the evidence

Critically appraise research and distinguish established evidence from emerging, unsupported, or potentially unsafe interventions.

05   Collaborate with clarity

Communicate clearly with patients, families, and interprofessional teams, including appropriate referral.

06   Apply your learning

Demonstrate graduate-level reasoning through case analysis, research appraisal, and a capstone project.

THE CURRICULUM

Twelve courses.
A deeper view of health.

Explore four connected themes below. These groupings introduce the curriculum; they are not a semester schedule.

A laboratory with analytical instruments and a researcher

CURRICULUM THEME 01

Foundations of whole-person care

Explore the science and reasoning behind complex health patterns.

COURSE 01

Principles of Integrative and Functional Medicine

Build a foundation in whole-person care, systems biology, the functional medicine matrix, clinical timelines, ethics, and therapeutic partnership.

COURSE 02

Digestive Health, Microbiome, and Functional Gastroenterology

Explore digestive physiology, the gut–brain–immune axis, microbiome science, dietary approaches, test interpretation, and referral red flags.

COURSE 03

Root Causes of Chronic Diseases and Integrative Solutions

Examine how nutrition, environmental exposures, stress, sleep, inflammation, and social determinants interact in complex chronic illness.

Sunlight filtering through a green forest

CURRICULUM THEME 02

Nutrition, lifestyle, and resilience

Connect daily behaviors with physiology, immune function, and well-being.

COURSE 04

Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Therapeutics

Develop individualized nutrition plans through dietary assessment, therapeutic dietary patterns, nutrigenomics, and careful evaluation of supplement safety and interactions.

COURSE 05

Lifestyle Medicine, Mind-Body Medicine, and Spiritual Health

Study sleep, movement, stress regulation, mindfulness, behavior change, and respectful approaches to patients’ values, meaning, and spiritual well-being.

COURSE 06

Immunology, Inflammation, and Immune Modulation

Connect immune mechanisms, inflammation, autoimmunity, and the microbiome with evidence-informed nutrition and lifestyle strategies and appropriate referral.

A healthcare professional using a digital device

CURRICULUM THEME 03

Integrative care across the lifespan

Consider prevention, cultural context, and the needs of diverse populations.

COURSE 07

Cardiometabolic and Longevity Medicine

Interpret cardiometabolic risk markers and evaluate approaches to metabolic health, cardiovascular prevention, physical function, and healthy aging.

COURSE 08

Complementary and Traditional Medicine

Compare global healing systems through their cultural context, evidence, safety, contraindications, and appropriate integration with conventional healthcare.

COURSE 09

Women’s Health and Pediatric Functional Medicine

Explore reproductive health, pregnancy, menopause, pediatric nutrition, growth, and development, with attention to age-specific safety and collaborative care.

Books arranged on library shelves

CURRICULUM THEME 04

Evidence, innovation, and application

Evaluate diagnostic tools, emerging therapies, and scholarly practice.

COURSE 10

Functional Laboratory Testing and Clinical Diagnostics

Assess test selection, validity, limitations, and clinical utility; interpret findings in context while avoiding overtesting and unsupported diagnostic claims.

COURSE 11

Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies

Examine tissue repair and emerging cellular therapies, distinguishing established, investigational, and unsupported approaches through evidence, ethics, and regulatory considerations.

COURSE 12

Integrative Therapeutics, Research Methods, Clinical Case Management, and Capstone Project

Bring together therapeutic planning, research appraisal, documentation, outcome measurement, and a scholarly capstone with an oral presentation or defense.

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

From understanding to application.

01   Explore

Build foundations in systems biology and whole-person care.

02   Evaluate

Appraise research, clinical information, and intervention safety.

03   Integrate

Apply learning through supervised case review and individualized planning.

04   Demonstrate

Complete your capstone presentation and supervised externship requirements.

Your capstone may be a clinical case analysis, literature review, quality-improvement proposal, practice model, patient education program, research proposal, or applied integrative medicine project.

THE RESEARCH DESK

Start with better questions.

Use these public resources to explore evidence and strengthen your research literacy.

RESOURCE 01

PubMed

Search biomedical literature and follow citations to original research.

Search the literature ↗

RESOURCE 02

NCCIH Health Information

Explore evidence summaries, complementary health topics, and safety information.

Explore evidence and safety ↗

RESOURCE 03

ClinicalTrials.gov

Learn how clinical studies are designed and how trials differ from observational research.

Understand clinical studies ↗

RESOURCE 04

MedlinePlus

Read a plain-language introduction to clinical trials and find related research resources.

Explore clinical research ↗

Optional external resources; separate from the institution’s required readings. Links do not imply endorsement of this program.

ADMISSIONS

Who this program is for

Health professionals and qualified graduates seeking advanced study in functional and integrative medicine. Preferred backgrounds include health sciences, medicine, nutrition, biology, psychology, nursing, pharmacy, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine, public health, and allied health.

Entry requirement: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Prior coursework in anatomy and physiology, biology, or health science is recommended.

ASSESSMENT

A balanced assessment approach.

Quizzes   25%

Midterm examination   30%

Class attendance and participation   10%

Project presentation / capstone   10%

Externship   25%

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Completing your degree

  • Complete 36 graduate credits.
  • Earn a minimum grade of B, or the institutional equivalent, in all core courses.
  • Successfully complete case-based assessments and research appraisal assignments.
  • Complete and present or orally defend your capstone project.
  • Complete the required supervised externship hours.

SCIENCE · LIFESTYLE · WHOLE-PERSON CARE

Bring curiosity.
Build understanding.
Practice thoughtfully.

Develop a research-literate approach to complex health concerns through individualized care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical practice.

Professional scope and licensure

Completion of this program does not confer medical licensure, prescribing authority, diagnostic authority, or authorization to practice outside your existing professional license, certification, or jurisdictional scope of practice. Students and graduates must comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.

Photography illustrates the field of study and does not depict program faculty, facilities, or placements.

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What Will You Learn?

  • Understand the foundational principles of functional and integrative medicine, including systems biology and whole-person healthcare.
  • Identify contributing factors to chronic diseases, including inflammation, nutrition, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and metabolic dysfunction.
  • Evaluate digestive health, gut microbiome function, immune regulation, and cardiometabolic health.
  • Apply evidence-informed clinical nutrition, therapeutic dietary strategies, and lifestyle medicine principles.
  • Explore mind-body medicine, stress management, sleep optimization, spiritual health, and behavioral change.
  • Interpret conventional and functional laboratory findings while understanding diagnostic limitations and clinical relevance.
  • Evaluate complementary, traditional, and regenerative medicine approaches, including their scientific evidence, safety, and ethical considerations.
  • Develop individualized, evidence-informed care plans through clinical case analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Apply research methods, critical literature appraisal, and professional clinical documentation.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge through supervised case review, research assignments, and a graduate-level capstone project.

Course Content

Topic 4 — Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Therapeutics
Develop advanced knowledge of clinical nutrition, nutritional assessment, therapeutic diets, and personalized dietary interventions. This module covers macronutrients, micronutrients, nutrigenomics, dietary patterns, nutritional supplementation, and nutrient-drug interactions. Students will learn to evaluate nutritional status and develop evidence-informed nutrition strategies for chronic disease prevention, metabolic health, gastrointestinal conditions, and overall wellness.

Topic 3 — Root Causes of Chronic Diseases and Integrative Solutions
Investigate the complex contributing factors underlying chronic diseases, including inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, environmental exposures, nutritional deficiencies, and lifestyle influences. Students will explore systems-based clinical assessment, chronic disease prevention, risk factor identification, and evidence-informed integrative strategies for addressing complex health conditions through personalized care planning.

Topic 2 — Digestive Health, Microbiome, and Functional Gastroenterology
Examine gastrointestinal physiology, digestive function, gut microbiome science, and the relationship between digestive, immune, and neurological health. This module explores common gastrointestinal conditions, including IBS, IBD, GERD, SIBO, and food intolerances. Students will evaluate digestive testing methods, nutritional interventions, microbiome-supportive strategies, and evidence-informed approaches to gastrointestinal health.

Topic 4 — Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Therapeutics
Develop advanced knowledge of clinical nutrition, nutritional assessment, therapeutic diets, and personalized dietary interventions. This module covers macronutrients, micronutrients, nutrigenomics, dietary patterns, nutritional supplementation, and nutrient-drug interactions. Students will learn to evaluate nutritional status and develop evidence-informed nutrition strategies for chronic disease prevention, metabolic health, gastrointestinal conditions, and overall wellness.

Topic 5 — Lifestyle Medicine, Mind-Body Medicine, and Spiritual Health
Explore the scientific foundations of lifestyle medicine and the connections between physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. This module covers stress management, sleep health, physical activity, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, behavioral change, and spiritual health considerations. Students will learn to evaluate lifestyle factors and develop patient-centered, evidence-informed strategies that support long-term health and wellness.

Topic 6 — Immunology, Inflammation, and Immune Modulation
Study the mechanisms of immune function, inflammation, immune regulation, autoimmunity, allergies, and chronic immune-related conditions. Students will examine innate and adaptive immunity, inflammatory signaling, immune-metabolic interactions, and the gut-immune connection. The module emphasizes the critical evaluation of nutrition, lifestyle, and complementary approaches to immune health, including their safety, limitations, and clinical relevance.

Topic 7 — Cardiometabolic and Longevity Medicine
Examine cardiovascular health, metabolic disorders, preventive medicine, and the science of healthy aging. Topics include insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, mitochondrial function, and longevity-related biological mechanisms. Students will explore cardiometabolic risk assessment, clinical biomarkers, nutritional interventions, exercise strategies, and evidence-informed approaches to long-term health optimization.

Topic 8 — Complementary and Traditional Medicine
Explore major complementary and traditional healthcare systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, naturopathic principles, botanical medicine, acupuncture, and other culturally rooted healing practices. Students will examine historical foundations, therapeutic philosophies, scientific evidence, potential risks, and ethical considerations. Emphasis is placed on critical evidence appraisal, patient safety, cultural awareness, and responsible integration with conventional healthcare.

Topic 9 — Women’s Health and Pediatric Functional Medicine
Explore functional and integrative approaches to women's health, reproductive wellness, maternal health, and pediatric development. This module examines hormonal health, PCOS, fertility, pregnancy nutrition, menopause, childhood nutrition, immune development, and common pediatric health concerns. Students will evaluate age-specific nutritional, metabolic, environmental, and lifestyle factors while emphasizing clinical safety and appropriate specialist referral.

Topic 10 — Functional Laboratory Testing and Clinical Diagnostics
Develop advanced understanding of laboratory testing, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-informed interpretation of clinical biomarkers. This module covers conventional blood tests, metabolic markers, hormone panels, inflammatory indicators, gastrointestinal testing, nutritional assessments, and selected specialty functional tests. Students will evaluate diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility, testing limitations, ethical considerations, and the responsible use of laboratory findings in personalized care planning.

Topic 11 — Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies
Explore the scientific foundations and emerging applications of regenerative medicine, tissue repair, and cellular therapies. Topics include stem cell biology, platelet-rich plasma, extracellular vesicles, exosomes, peptides, mitochondrial health, and cellular aging. Students will critically evaluate clinical research, distinguish established from investigational treatments, and examine regulatory requirements, ethical considerations, patient safety, and professional scope of practice.

Topic 12 — Integrative Therapeutics, Research Methods, Clinical Case Management, and Capstone Project
Integrate knowledge gained throughout the program through advanced clinical case analysis, research methodology, evidence appraisal, and individualized therapeutic planning. Students will develop skills in clinical documentation, research design, outcome evaluation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional decision-making. The module culminates in a graduate-level capstone project demonstrating critical thinking, scientific literacy, and competency in evidence-informed functional and integrative medicine.

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