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School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Rutgers logo
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Minor in Holistic Wellness

About the Program

The Holistic Wellness minor is a unique, interdisciplinary 18-credit program that prepares students to promote wellness in any career path.

Unlike other wellness programs that focus primarily on physical health, Rutgers' approach embraces the 8 Dimensions of Wellness model—originally developed by Rutgers' own Dr. Margaret "Peggy" Swarbrick—which addresses emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing. This comprehensive framework guides students through diverse perspectives from psychology, nutrition, arts, environmental studies, and policy.

With the wellness market reaching $480 billion in the US alone and 82% of Americans prioritizing wellness in their daily lives, graduates with this minor will gain a competitive edge in a rapidly growing field, whether pursuing specific wellness positions or bringing wellness expertise to any organization.

Students in the Holistic Wellness minor will learn from faculty across multiple schools at Rutgers, including the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, the Mason Gross School of the Arts, the Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, and the School of Communication & Information, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The curriculum balances foundational courses in wellness principles with hands-on experiences in areas such as yoga, nature journaling, and arts in health, all while examining the societal structures and policies that impact the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. This comprehensive approach ensures graduates understand both personal wellness practices and how to implement effective wellness programs for others across all dimensions of wellness.

Learning Goals

  • Develop a strong theoretical understanding of holistic wellness as a multidimensional concept encompassing mental, emotional, physical, social, and environmental dimensions
  • Gain personal insight into your own wellness behaviors and needs through reflective practice and experiential learning
  • Acquire applied wellness skills that can be used in diverse settings regardless of your chosen career path
  • Experience true interdisciplinary learning by taking courses across at least three different Rutgers schools
  • Understand how social determinants of health interact with wellness outcomes across diverse populations
  • Learn to design and implement evidence-based wellness programs for individuals and communities
  • Explore the integration of arts, nature, physical activity, and mental health practices in promoting overall wellness

Coordinator

Erin Comollo, EdD

Martin Hall, Room 303

Program Development Administrator

Martin Hall, Room 303

Schedule of Classes

  • Period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
    1
    8:30-9:50

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 01)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    J. Michal– CRW-LG

    Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M1)
    01:377:180 (LEC)
    LOR-GYM

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 01)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    J. Michal– CRW-LG

    Nature Journaling: Discovering Biodiversity and Nature in Everyday Life
    11:374:210 (LEC)
    M. Nucci & L. Struwe – ENR-123
    (8:30-11:30)

     

    Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M1)
    01:377:180 (LEC)
    LOR-GYM

    2
    10:20-11:40

    Principles of Health & Wellness (Sec 01)
    10:832:242 (LEC)
    S. Judge – SC-116
    (10:20-1:20)

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 02)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    J. Michal– CRW-LG

    Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M2)
    01:377:180 (LEC)
    Gallante – LVG-GYM

    Therapeutic Relationships in Clinical Practice
    01:830:450 (LEC)
    T. Herman – CA-A2
    (10:20-1:20)

    Contemporary Health Issues (Sec 01)
    01:377:225 (LEC)
    A. Spaeth – HCK-216

    Nutrition and Fitness (Sec 01)
    01:377:475 (LEC)
    T. Anthony & S. Campbell – HCK-118

    Women and Health
    10:832:415 (LEC)
    M. Berger – SC-120
    (10:20-1:20)

    Exercise Physiology (Sec 01)
    01:377:455 (LEC)
    Alderman – LOR-115

    Exercise and Relaxation (Sec MA)
    01:377:180 (LEC)
    LOR-GYM

    Health Psychology (Sec 01)
    01:830:377 (LEC)
    BE-100

    Community Psychology & Mental Health
    01:830:394 (LEC)
    M. Elias – LSH-A142
    (10:20-1:20)

    Health & Inequality (Sec 01)
    01:920:335 (LEC)
    D. Mouzon – LSH-B269

    Exercise Psychology (Sec 01)
    01:377:455 (LEC)
    Alderman – LOR-115

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 02)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    J. Michal– CRW-LG

    Wellness Community (Sec 01)
    10:832:243 (LEC)
    Swarbrick – SC-221

    Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M2)
    01:377:180 (LEC)
    Gallante – LVG-GYM

    Psychology of Intimate Relationships
    13:830:399 (LEC)
    Riggs-Skean – Online

    Contemporary Health Issues (Sec 01)
    01:377:225 (LEC)
    A. Spaeth – HCK-216

    Nutrition and Fitness (Sec 01)
    01:377:475 (LEC)
    T. Anthony & S. Campbell – HCK-118

    Exercise Physiology (Sec 01)
    01:377:455 (LEC)
    Alderman – LOR-115

    Exercise and Relaxation (Sec MA)
    01:377:180 (LEC)
    LOR-GYM

    Health Psychology (Sec 01)
    01:830:377 (LEC)
    BE-100

    Health & Inequality (Sec 01)
    01:920:335 (LEC)
    D. Mouzon – LSH-B269

    Exercise Psychology (Sec 01)
    01:377:455 (LEC)
    Alderman – LOR-115

    3
    12:10-1:30

    Pilates Mat (Sec 01)
    07:203:160 (LEC)
    K. Fischer – RMH-209

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    J. Michal– CRW-LG

    Population Health (Sec 01)
    10:501:335 (LEC)
    Rushing– CSB-369A

    Nutrition and Health (Sec 01)
    11:709:255 (LEC)
    J. Miller– HCK-138

    Principles of Health & Wellness (Sec 02)
    10:832:242 (LEC)
    FH-A6

    Pilates Mat (Sec 06)
    07:203:160 (LEC)
    K. Fischer – RMH-209

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    J. Michal– CRW-LG

     

    Nutrition and Health (Sec 01)
    11:709:255 (LEC)
    J. Miller– HCK-138

    4
    2:00-3:20
     

    Pilates Mat (Sec 04)
    07:203:160 (LEC)
    LOR-STU

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 06)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shilling– CRW-101

    Nutrition and Health (Sec 02)
    11:709:255 (LEC)
    P. Breslin – CDL-102

    Theater for Social Development
    07:965:302 (LEC)
    J. Keller – RAB-206
    (2:00-5:00)

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 06)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shilling– CRW-101

    Nutrition and Health (Sec 02)
    11:709:255 (LEC)
    P. Breslin – CDL-102

     
    5
    3:50-5:10

    Pilates Mat (Sec 02)
    07:203:160 (LEC)
    L. Ocampo – RMH-209

    Pilates Mat (Sec 05)
    07:203:160 (LEC)
    LOR-STU

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 07)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shilling– CRW-101

    Pilates Mat (Sec 08)
    07:203:160 (LEC)
    L. Ocampo – RMH-209

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 07)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shilling– CRW-101

     
    6
    5:40-7:00

    Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02)
    01:920:210 (LEC)
    J. Kempner – CDL-110

    Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 03)
    01:920:210 (LEC)
    J. Rand – ABE-2225

    Pilates Mat (Sec 03)
    07:203:160 (LEC)
    L. Ocampo – RMH-209

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04)
    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04) 07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shicatano– CRW-LG

    Health Program Development (Sec 01)
    10:832:345 (LEC)
    L. Brown – MU-208

    Addictions Policy (Sec 01)
    10:832:351 (LEC)
    Bracaglia – CA-A3

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 08)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Warriner– CRW-101

    Science of Prevention (Sec 01)
    10:832:353 (LEC)
    H. Ward – BE-201

    Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02)
    01:920:210 (LEC)
    J. Kempner – CDL-110

    Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 03)
    01:920:210 (LEC)
    J. Rand – ABE-2225

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shicatano– CRW-LG

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 08)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Warriner– CRW-101

     
    7
    7:30-8:50

    Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01)
    01:920:210 (LEC)
    Moulton – ABE-1180

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 05)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shicatano– CRW-101

     

    Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01)
    01:920:210 (LEC)
    Moulton – ABE-1180

    Yoga for Wellness (Sec 05)
    07:203:170 (LEC)
    Shicatano– CRW-101

    Mental Health & Society (Sec 01)
    10:832:416 (LEC)
    S. Jones – LSH-B110

     

    Asynchronous Courses

    Wellness Behavior
    11:193:421 (LEC)
    K. Ensle – Online

    Wellness Community (Sec 01)
    10:832:243 (LEC)
    Swarbrick – Online

    Principles of Health & Wellness (Sec 90)
    10:832:242 (LEC)
    Maresca – Online

    Principles of Health & Wellness (Sec 02)
    10:832:242 (LEC)
    FH-A6

    Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 90)
    01:920:210 (LEC)
    Bliss – Online

    Population Health (Sec 91)
    10:501:335 (LEC)
    Franzione – Online

    Population Health (Sec 01)
    10:501:335 (LEC)
    Rushing– Online

    Mental Health & Society (Sec 01)
    10:832:416 (LEC)
    S. Jones – Online

    Health Program Development (Sec 01)
    10:832:345 (LEC)
    L. Brown – MU-208

    Nutrition and Health (Sec 90)
    11:709:255 (LEC)
    J. Abbot– Online

    Nutrition and Health (Sec 91)
    11:709:255 (LEC)
    J. Abbot– Online

    Health & Social Justice (Sec 90)
    10:832:252 (LEC)
    O’Brien-Richardson - Online

    Health & Social Justice (Sec 91)
    10:832:252 (LEC)
    O’Brien-Richardson - Online

    Health & Social Justice (Sec 92)
    10:832:252 (LEC)
    O’Brien-Richardson - Online

    Science of Prevention (Sec 01)
    10:832:353 (LEC)
    H. Ward – Online

    Addictions Policy (Sec 01)
    10:832:351 (LEC)
    Bracaglia – Online

Courses

Required Courses

Core Courses (3 courses required – others count as electives)

Skills & Strategies Courses (minimum of 6 credits required – others count as electives)

Electives (1 course required)