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

Declaring Holistic Wellness Minor

See Declaring a Major/Minor. Note: Note: Non-SEBS students must declare through their school’s dean's office.

Coordinator

Erin Comollo, EdD

Martin Hall, Room 303

Undergraduate Program Director and Assistant Teaching Professor

Martin Hall, Room 303

Phone848-932-3719

Emailerin.comollo@rutgers.edu

Schedule of Classes

Fall 2026

Fall 2026 Schedule of Classes - Holistic Wellness Minor

Period	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1 8:30-9:50	Therapeutic Relationships in Clinical Practice 01:830:450 (LEC) T. Herman – BE-121 (8:30-11:30)	Exercise and Relaxation (Sec MA) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – HCK-202			Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M1) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – LGM-121
2 10:20-11:40	Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 02) 04:189:101 (LEC) Scharp – SC-123 (10:20-1:20) Yoga for Wellness (Sec 01) 07:203:170 (LEC) J. Michal– CRW-101 Population Health (Sec 01) 10:501:335 (LEC) Rushing– CSB-243 Nutrition and Fitness (Sec 01) 01:377:475 (LEC) T. Anthony & S. Campbell – HCK-118	Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M1) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – HCK-202 Nutrition and Health (Sec 01) 11:709:255 (LEC) J. Dixon– HCK-138 Aerobic Fitness II (Sec 01) 01:377:192 (LEC) Bernaber – EAS-316	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 01) 07:203:170 (LEC) J. Michal– CRW-101 Health & Social Justice (Sec 01) 10:832:252 (LEC) Lopez - HH-B2 Aerobic Fitness II (Sec 02) 01:377:192 (LEC) A. Finetto – EAS-316	Wellness Community 10:832:243 (LEC) Spagnolo – SMH-200 (10:20-1:20) Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 01) 04:189:101 (LEC) Linardopoulos – ABE-4425 (10:20-1:20) Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 90) 04:189:101 (LEC) Linardopoulos – Online (10:20-1:20) Psychology of Intimate Relationships 13:830:399 (LEC) Riggs-Skean – Online (10:20-1:20) Nutrition and Fitness (Sec 01) 01:377:475 (LEC) T. Anthony & S. Campbell – HCK-118	Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M1) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – LGM-121 Nutrition and Health (Sec 01) 11:709:255 (LEC) J. Dixon– HCK-138
3 12:10-1:30	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 02) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-101	Health Psychology (Sec 01) 01:830:377 (LEC) Brynildsen – SC-135	Principles of Health & Wellness (Sec 01) 10:832:242 (LEC) S. Judge – CI-212 Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02) 01:920:210 (LEC) J. Kempner – ABW-1170 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 02) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-101 Community Psychology & Mental Health 01:830:394 (LEC) McSpadden – ABE-2225 (12:10-3:10)	Pilates Mat (Sec 03) 07:203:160 (LEC) A. Bealer - RMH-209	ociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02) 01:920:210 (LEC) J. Kempner – ABW-1170 Health Psychology (Sec 01) 01:830:377 (LEC) Brynildsen – SC-135
4 2:00-3:20	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 05) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shilling– RMH-209 Environmental Sociology (Sec 01) 01:920:359 (LEC) S. Lee – HH-B6 Women and Health 10:832:415 (LEC) M. Berger – SC-103 (2:00-5:00)	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 06) 07:203:170 (LEC) CRW-101 Nutrition and Health (Sec 02) 11:709:255 (LEC) Gliniak – CDL-110	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 05) (Sec 05) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shilling– RMH-209 Theater for Social Development 07:965:302 (LEC) J. Keller – HCK-211 (2:00-5:00) Self-Regulation Methods 18:820:595 (LEC) Connelly – SMH-219 (2:00-5:00)(2:00-5:00) Environmental Sociology (Sec 05) 01:920:359 (LEC) S. Lee – HH-B6	Pilates Mat (Sec 04) 07:203:160 (LEC) A. Bealer - RMH-209 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 06) 07:203:170 (LEC) CRW-101 Nutrition and Health (Sec 02) 11:709:255 (LEC) Gliniak – CDL-110
5 3:50-5:10	Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec H1) 04:189:101 (LEC) Householder – ABW-1100 Exercise Psychology (Sec 01) 01:377:455 (LEC) P. Zheng – RAB-204	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 07) 07:203:170 (LEC) CRW-101	Pilates Mat (Sec 01) 07:203:160 (LEC) RMH-209	Pilates Mat (Sec 05) 07:203:160 (LEC) A. Bealer - RMH-209 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 07) 07:203:170 (LEC) CRW-101 Exercise Psychology (Sec 01) 01:377:455 (LEC) P. Zheng – RAB-204
6 5:40-7:00	Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01) 01:920:210 (LEC) Moulton – ABE-1180 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-101 Health Program Development (Sec 01) 10:832:345 (LEC) L. Brown – HH-B2	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 08) 07:203:170 (LEC) CRW-101	Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01) 01:920:210 (LEC) Moulton – ABE-1180 Pilates Mat (Sec 02) 07:203:160 (LEC) RMH-209 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-101	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 08) 07:203:170 (LEC) CRW-101
7 7:30-8:50	Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 03) 04:189:101 (LEC) Householder – SC-123 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-101		Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-101

Asynchronous Courses

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

Principles of Health & Wellness (Sec 01)
10:832:242 (LEC)
S. Judge – Online

Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 09)
01:920:210 (LEC)
A. Forster– Online

Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 03)
04:189:101 (LEC)
Householder – Online

Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec H1)
04:189:101 (LEC)
Householder – Online

Sociology of Food and Eating
01:920:232 (LEC)
Mackendrick - Online

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

Population Health (Sec 90)
10:501:335 (LEC)
Franzione – Online

Mental Health & Society (Sec 90)
10:832:416 (LEC)
S. Jones – Online

Mental Health & Society (Sec 91)
10:832:416 (LEC)
S. Jones – Online

Integrated Nutrition, Health, Environment, and Agricultural Systems
11:192:255 (LEC)
Zellers & Comollo - Online

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

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 01)
10:832:252 (LEC)
Lopez - 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

Introduction to Arts in Health
07:557:131 (LEC)
Online

Spring 2026

Period	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1 8:30-9:50		Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M1) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – LOR-GYM	Community Psychology & Mental Health 10:830:394 (LEC) M. Elias – BRR-3071 (8:30-11:30)		Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M1) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – LOR-GYM
2 10:20-11:40	Health & Wellness in Underserved Populations (Sec 01) 01:377:252 (LEC) J. Robles – FNH-205 Population Health (Sec 01) 10:501:335 (LEC) Franzione – CSB-369A	Exercise and Relaxation (Sec MA) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – LOR-GYM Health Psychology (Sec 01) 01:830:377 (LEC) Brynildsen – LSH-A102		Wellness Community (Sec 01) 10:832:243 (LEC) A. Spagnolo, Swarbrick – CMH-200 Health & Wellness in Underserved Populations (Sec 01) 01:377:252 (LEC) J. Robles – FNH-205 Psychology of Intimate Relationships 13:830:399 (LEC) Riggs-Skean – Online (10:20-1:20)	Exercise and Relaxation (Sec MA) 01:377:180 (LEC) Gallante – LOR-GYM Health Psychology (Sec 01) 01:830:377 (LEC) Brynildsen – LSH-A102
3 12:10-1:30	Pilates Mat (Sec 01) 07:203:160 (LEC) K. Fischer – NIH-111	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-LG	Pilates Mat (Sec 03) 07:203:160 (LEC) K. Fischer – NIH-111 Population Health (Sec 02) 10:501:335 (LEC) Rushing – HH-A5 Health & Social Justice (Sec 01) 10:832:252 (LEC) Lopez –CA-A3	Pilates Mat (Sec 05) 07:203:160 (LEC) A. Bealer – RMH-209 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-LG	Therapeutic Relationships in Clinical Practice (Sec 01) 01:830:450 (LEC) T. Herman – BE-221 (12:10-3:10)
4 2:00-3:20	Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02) 01:920:210 (LEC) D. Mouzon – ABE-1180 Pilates Mat (Sec 02) 07:203:160 (LEC) K. Fischer – NIH-111 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 01) 07:203:170 (LEC) J. Michal –RMH-209	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-LG Nutrition and Health (Sec 01) 11:709:255 (LEC) J. Dixon – LOR-022	Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02) 01:920:210 (LEC) D. Mouzon – ABE-1180 Pilates Mat (Sec 04) 07:203:160 (LEC) L. Ocampo – NIH-111 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 01) 07:203:170 (LEC) J. Michal –RMH-209	Pilates Mat (Sec 06) 07:203:160 (LEC) A. Bealer – RMH-209 Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04) 07:203:170 (LEC) Shicatano – CRW-LG Nutrition and Health (Sec 01) 11:709:255 (LEC) J. Dixon – LOR-022
5 3:50-5:10	Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 01) 04:189:101 (LEC) Matsaganis– ABE-4225 (3:50-6:50) Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 90) 04:189:101 (LEC) Matsaganis– Online (3:50-6:50) Yoga for Wellness (Sec 02) 07:203:170 (LEC) J. Michal –RMH-209 Personal Finance (Sec 01) 11:373:353 (LEC) Vellangany – FS-109	Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec H1) 04:189:101 (LEC) Householder–ABE-2250	Yoga for Wellness (Sec 02) 07:203:170 (LEC) J. Michal –RMH-209 Personal Finance (Sec 01) 11:373:353 (LEC) Vellangany – FS-109
6 5:40-7:00		Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 02) 04:189:101 (LEC) J. Lane– SC-135	Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 03) 04:189:101 (LEC) Householder– SC-135	Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 02) 04:189:101 (LEC) J. Lane– SC-135
7 7:30-8:50		Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01) 01:920:210 (LEC) Moulton – ABW-1170		Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01) 01:920:210 (LEC) Moulton – ABW-1170

Asynchronous Courses

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

Wellness Community (Sec 01)
10:832:243 (LEC)
A. Spagnolo, Swarbrick – Online

Principles of Health & Wellness
10:832:243 (LEC)
Maresca - Online

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

Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec 03)
04:189:101 (LEC)
Householder–Online

Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (Sec H1)
04:189:101 (LEC)
Householder–Online

Introduction to Arts in Health
07:557:131 (LEC)
Koebner Pfeiffe – Online

Horticulture Therapy: Techniques and Programming
01:776:325 (LEC)
G. Altman – Online

Horticulture Therapy: Concepts and Skills
01:776:225 (LEC)
G. Altman – Online

Sociology of Food & Eating
01:920:232 (LEC)
Mackendrick – Online

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

Population Health (Sec 02)
10:501:335 (LEC)
Rushing –Online

Population Health (Sec 90)
10:501:335 (LEC)
Franzione – Online

Mental Health & Society (Sec 90)
10:832:416 (LEC)
S. Jones – Online

Mental Health & Society (Sec 91)
10:832:416 (LEC)
S. Jones – Online

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 01)
10:832:252 (LEC)
Lopez –Online

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

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

Women and Health
10:832:415 (LEC)
O’Brien-Richard –Online

Health & Inequality
10:920:335 (LEC)
D. Mouzon –Online

Courses

Required Courses

Core Course (3 courses required; Students must complete at least one course from List 1, then select remaining courses from either list to reach 3 total core courses.)

List 1: Primary Wellness Foundation Courses

SEBS: 11:193:421 – Wellness Behavior (PDF)
Bloustein: 10:832:242 – Principles of Health & Wellness (PDF)
Bloustein: 10:832:243 – Wellness Community (PDF)

List 2: Additional Theory/Foundation Courses

Example Pathways

Students may take:

Three courses from List 1; OR
Two from List 1 + one from List 2; OR
One from List 1 + two from List 2.

Additional courses from either list may count as electives.

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

Electives (1 course required)

01:920:232 Sociology of Food and Eating
10:501:335 Population Health
10:832:416 Mental Health and Society
11:193:255 Integrated Nutrition, Health, Environment, and Ag Systems (PDF)
10:832:345 Health Program Development
11:709:255 Nutrition and Health (PDF)
01:377:225 Contemporary Health Issues (PDF)
01:377:475 (SAS), 11:709:375 (SEBS) - Nutrition and Fitness (PDF)
01:830:377 Health Psychology
10:832:252 Health and Social Justice
10:832:415 Women and Health
01:830:394 Community Psychology and Mental Health
01:920:335 Health and Inequality
10:832:351 Addiction Policy
11:776:201 People-Plant Relationships
11:373:353 Personal Finance

Minor in Holistic Wellness

Navigate to

About the Program

Learning Goals

Declaring Holistic Wellness Minor

Fall 2026

Fall 2026 Schedule of Classes - Holistic Wellness Minor

Asynchronous Courses

Spring 2026

Asynchronous Courses

Courses

Required Courses

Core Course (3 courses required; Students must complete at least one course from List 1, then select remaining courses from either list to reach 3 total core courses.)

List 1: Primary Wellness Foundation Courses

List 2: Additional Theory/Foundation Courses

Example Pathways

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

Electives (1 course required)

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