A new program focusing on alternative approaches to health care will be offered at ASU East beginning in the fall semester.
The program, called Human Health, focuses on holistic health practices, emphasizing the integration of mind, body and spirit to achieve wellness, according to professor of human health William Mermis.
Students will study biological, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual health concepts, Mermis said.
Students get the opportunity to research and understand the basic concepts of alternative health practices, said Charles Backus, provost at East.
"It (the Human Health degree) allows students to critically learn about the alternative health practices. Then they can make the decision whether they believe these practices work," Backus said.
The degree studies "the bigger picture of health" and how to promote wellness, Mermis said. "This is not a practitioner's degree."
Mermis says the degree will help students do scholarly work in an area that is growing in the 21st century.
"There is a big market for jobs in allied health. The majority of jobs in health care are not physicians or doctors," Mermis said.
The interdisciplinary program will rely on existing ASU Main and East programs.
There are four degrees offered in Human Health. The degree will allow students to pursue careers in occupational health or human health services, or to continue studying in graduate school.
The degree program was approved March 21 by the Arizona Board of Regents.
Reach the reporter at kristin.roberts@asu.edu.
