University of Western States (UWS) and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) are pleased to announce the extension of their joint collaboration to incorporate functional medicine and functional nutrition coursework in the UWS Master of Science in human nutrition and functional medicine (HNFM) and the doctor of clinical nutrition and graduate certificate in HNFM programs.
“Our collaborative relationship with the Institute for Functional Medicine, now entering its 10th year, continues to be of great value for our HNFM students, as it provides access to educational content from IFM that is integrated into the high-quality courses developed and delivered by our expert faculty,” said Dr. Daniel Redwood, director of the HNFM program.
The UWS mission is to advance the science and art of integrated health care through excellence in education and patient care. This collaboration will enable UWS to better fulfill this mission and to prepare health professionals to address the 21st century epidemic of chronic diseases.
IFM supports the innovative UWS master’s, doctorate and graduate certificate programs through providing faculty training, faculty scholarships, and curricular materials and tools. The UWS HNFM program has been met with enthusiasm and interest among students from around the world and from a variety of backgrounds, including dietitians, nurses, physicians and several other professions.
“The partnership between UWS and IFM is one that is meaningful for both organizations,” said Dr. Alisa Bates, dean of the college of graduate studies. “We are thrilled that our faculty and students have access to their timely learning materials that enhance their learning experiences in our programs. Beyond that, we are glad to be part of a collegial community that values and encourages ongoing professional learning in functional medicine and nutrition.”
Program Overview
The HNFM program at UWS is the only accredited master’s program in functional medicine. It is 100% online and is offered as a collaborative endeavor between UWS and the IFM, the organization that founded and developed the key functional medicine concepts in use today.
Functional medicine is a science-based, patient-centered approach to achieving and maintaining excellent health through natural methods, with diet and nutrition at the forefront. Founded on a holistic view of health, our functional medicine program leverages the biochemical and genetic individuality of each patient so that practitioners can treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Students can choose to receive a Master of Science degree, doctor of clinical nutrition or a graduate certificate in human nutrition and functional medicine. Candidates for either program are eligible for financial aid.