Many university departments, colleges and institutes in the US and elsewhere offer high quality educational opportunities and perform research in the areas of holistic, integrative, and complimentary and alternative medicine. Given the modalities invovled, these organizations must be to some degree open to a post-materialist philosophy. Below is a growing list of these from around the world. If you are aware of others, especially outside the US, please contact us.
University of Southern Denmark CCESCAM
The Centre for Cross-disciplinary Evaluation Studies in Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a virtual research center with researchers from the University of Aarhus and the University of Southern Denmark in cooperation with independent practitioners in alternative treatment and with the oncology departments at the university hospitals of Aarhus and Odense. Helle Johannessen (dec'd) was director of CCESCAM as well as Manager of the PhD-programme for Social Studies in Medicine.
For more information on CAM in Germany, see this article on integrative oncology from the Chair of Complementary and Integrative Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen. It inlcudes a comprehesive list of chairs of Complementary and/or Integrative Medicine at universites across Germany and Switzerland.
Competence Centre for Complementary Medicine and Naturopathy
The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research at the University Hospital 'rechts der Isar' of Technische Universität München is one of the world's leading centers for quality assurance, clinical research and health services research in the field of naturopathy and complementary medicine. Numerous randomized trials, observational studies, systematic reviews and methodological studies have been completed. CAMbrella, the EU research network for complementary and alternative medicine is coordinated by the Centre.
Institute for Transcultural Health Sciences (IntraG)
Associated with the European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder), IntraG studies issues of health and medicine from the perspective of cultural science. Topics include the culture of medicine, medicines of the cultures of the world, health and disease in historical and global context, and disease prevention. Professor Harald Walach is director.
University of Duisburg-Essen
This university's tagline is "Open-minded" which bodes well. Under the Chair of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, the university offers training for physicians and therapists in scientifically evaluated methods of modern Integrative Medicine, including Naturopathy, Mind-Body Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine.
CAM-Cancer
Originally funded by the European Commission within the Framework 5 Programme, it is now hosted by the National Information Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NIFAB) at the University of Tromsø, Norway. CAM-Cancer prepares and disseminates evidence-based information for health professionals in order to assist them in informing their patients and to build an international authoritative network around CAM in cancer led by a panel of experts in CAM research and/or in cancer care with privileged contacts to cancer organizations.
In recent years, nearly all courses and degree programs in complementary and alternative medicine have disappeared from British universities. Nonetheless, a few educational and research options remain.
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster offers undergraduate, postgraduate and profession courses as well as research degrees in Chinese medicine including acupuncture and medicinal herbs.
Research Council for Complementary Medicine
The RCCM is a UK Registered Charity founded to develop and promote quality research into complementary and alternative medicine.
California Institute for Human Science (CIHS)
CIHS offers innovative graduate programs and research in body, mind and spirit, covering psychology, integral health, life physics and comparative religion and philosophy.
Bastyr University
Bastyr is the largest university for complimentary and alternative medicine in the US, offering 17 academic degree and certificate programs. Building on its science-based foundation, the University has been the recipient of a number of multimillion-dollar research grants from the National Institutes of Health.
Energy Medicine University
Energy Medicine University is dedicated to providing higher education of academic excellence for study and research in the field of energy medicine, including alternative, bioelectric, complimentary, holistic, indigenous, integrative, intuitive, spiritual, and traditional modalities.
Georgetown University CAM Program
The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program at Georgetown University works with students interested in healthcare combining science, CAM, and evidence. The program focuses on science-based evidence for the most common complementary and integrative medicines used in the US.
The Graduate Institute, Bethany Connecticut
The Graduate Institute offers both a Master of Arts and a Certificate in Integrative Health and Healing. An on-site program, students explore topics from ancient medicine to contemporary practice, learning many complementary and alternative modalities that treat the whole person. In the context of this program, health is understood as the optimal alignment of body, mind and spirit—not merely the absence of disease. The program provides a unique and extraordinary opportunity to study the best of Eastern and Western medicine in a hands-on, interactive learning environment.
Morgan State University CAM Research Training Program
The Complementary and Alterntive Medicine (CAM) Research Training Program was established to advance scientific research on diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be a part of conventional medicine and to train CAM researchers.
National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM)
The oldest accredited naturopathic medical college in North America. Its graduate programs in naturopathic medicine, classical Chinese medicine, integrative medicine research, global health and nutrition blend ancient healing wisdom with modern science in challenging curricula.
National University of Health Sciences
NU was an early leader in the field of chiropractic medicine and continues as a leader, balancing healing arts and science with broad-scope integrative medicine and patient-centered care with programs in naturopathic medicine, oriental medicine, acupuncture, biomedical science and massage therapy.
New York College of Health Professions
A private nonprofit, New York College offers accredited degree programs, continuing education and certifications in holistic health sciences, including programs in massage therapy, oriental medicine, acupuncture, holistic nursing for rns and the science of self-improvement.
Regis College
Regis is a leading university in Greater Boston that has been preparing students for success in an evolving, global world since 1927. Our renowned faculty provides a values-based education integrated with cutting-edge technology and an industry-focused curriculum. Regis College offers majors and professional programs to prepare students for in-demand fields such as nursing, health, public service, education, and business communication.
Rutgers University Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (ICAM) is a university-wide initiative, housed in the School of Health Related Professions (SHRP). It serves as a focal point for complementary and alternative (integrative) medicine within the Rutgers of New Jersey.
St. Catherine University Holistic Health Studies
The Holistic Health Studies program at St. Catherine's Henrietta Schmoll School of Health provides a rich, graduate-level immersion in academic research which typically incorporates an experiential component — "mindbodyspirit" research. Their transdisciplinary curriculum draws from all corners of life and all disciplines of study.
Southern California University of Health Sciences
For over a century SCU has trained men and women for careers in patient care. SCU includes the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, the College of Eastern Medicine, the School of Professional Studies and the Institute of Science.
University of Miami Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine
The Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine is dedicated to creating healthy solutions for the mind and body through research and education into acupuncture, massage, sequential acupressure techniques, nutrition and guided imagery.
University of Michigan Integrative Medicine Program
University of Michigan Integrative Medicine provides patient care services at the Integrative Family Medicine Clinic, facilitates research into CAM therapies, and provides medical education curricula, faculty development opportunities, and several interdisciplinary courses to support the study of integrative medicine.
University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality & Healing
The Center helps create well-educated, collaborative healthcare professionals who provide whole person care and conduct cutting-edge research in arts and healing, health coaching, mindfulness-based stress reduction, nature-based therapeutics, tibetan medicine and yoga and whole systems healing.
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Health Sciences Center offers alternative and complementary therapies in acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine, botanical medicine, chiropractic, curanderismo, energy medicine, homeopathy, massage therapy, mind–body medicine, and Native American healing traditions. The Internal Medicine Resident Program offers an Integrative Medicine Residency Track.
University of Virginia Contemplative Sciences Center
The mission of the Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC) is to advance the study and application of human flourishing at all levels of education—K-12, undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong. In particular we are focused on how educational institutions can better understand and facilitate the types of knowledge, mindsets, and practices that promote flourishing.
