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
Schedule of Classes
-
Period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1
8:30-9:50Yoga for Wellness (Sec 01)
07:203:170 (LEC)
J. Michal– CRW-LGExercise and Relaxation (Sec M1)
01:377:180 (LEC)
LOR-GYMYoga for Wellness (Sec 01)
07:203:170 (LEC)
J. Michal– CRW-LGNature 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-GYM2
10:20-11:40Principles 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-LGExercise and Relaxation (Sec M2)
01:377:180 (LEC)
Gallante – LVG-GYMTherapeutic 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-216Nutrition and Fitness (Sec 01)
01:377:475 (LEC)
T. Anthony & S. Campbell – HCK-118Women and Health
10:832:415 (LEC)
M. Berger – SC-120
(10:20-1:20)Exercise Physiology (Sec 01)
01:377:455 (LEC)
Alderman – LOR-115Exercise and Relaxation (Sec MA)
01:377:180 (LEC)
LOR-GYMHealth Psychology (Sec 01)
01:830:377 (LEC)
BE-100Community 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-B269Exercise Psychology (Sec 01)
01:377:455 (LEC)
Alderman – LOR-115Yoga for Wellness (Sec 02)
07:203:170 (LEC)
J. Michal– CRW-LGWellness Community (Sec 01)
10:832:243 (LEC)
Swarbrick – SC-221Exercise and Relaxation (Sec M2)
01:377:180 (LEC)
Gallante – LVG-GYMPsychology of Intimate Relationships
13:830:399 (LEC)
Riggs-Skean – OnlineContemporary Health Issues (Sec 01)
01:377:225 (LEC)
A. Spaeth – HCK-216Nutrition and Fitness (Sec 01)
01:377:475 (LEC)
T. Anthony & S. Campbell – HCK-118Exercise Physiology (Sec 01)
01:377:455 (LEC)
Alderman – LOR-115Exercise and Relaxation (Sec MA)
01:377:180 (LEC)
LOR-GYMHealth Psychology (Sec 01)
01:830:377 (LEC)
BE-100Health & Inequality (Sec 01)
01:920:335 (LEC)
D. Mouzon – LSH-B269Exercise Psychology (Sec 01)
01:377:455 (LEC)
Alderman – LOR-1153
12:10-1:30Pilates Mat (Sec 01)
07:203:160 (LEC)
K. Fischer – RMH-209Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03)
07:203:170 (LEC)
J. Michal– CRW-LGPopulation Health (Sec 01)
10:501:335 (LEC)
Rushing– CSB-369ANutrition and Health (Sec 01)
11:709:255 (LEC)
J. Miller– HCK-138Principles of Health & Wellness (Sec 02)
10:832:242 (LEC)
FH-A6Pilates Mat (Sec 06)
07:203:160 (LEC)
K. Fischer – RMH-209Yoga for Wellness (Sec 03)
07:203:170 (LEC)
J. Michal– CRW-LGNutrition and Health (Sec 01)
11:709:255 (LEC)
J. Miller– HCK-1384
2:00-3:20Pilates Mat (Sec 04)
07:203:160 (LEC)
LOR-STUYoga for Wellness (Sec 06)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Shilling– CRW-101Nutrition and Health (Sec 02)
11:709:255 (LEC)
P. Breslin – CDL-102Theater 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-101Nutrition and Health (Sec 02)
11:709:255 (LEC)
P. Breslin – CDL-1025
3:50-5:10Pilates Mat (Sec 02)
07:203:160 (LEC)
L. Ocampo – RMH-209Pilates Mat (Sec 05)
07:203:160 (LEC)
LOR-STUYoga for Wellness (Sec 07)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Shilling– CRW-101Pilates Mat (Sec 08)
07:203:160 (LEC)
L. Ocampo – RMH-209Yoga for Wellness (Sec 07)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Shilling– CRW-1016
5:40-7:00Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02)
01:920:210 (LEC)
J. Kempner – CDL-110Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 03)
01:920:210 (LEC)
J. Rand – ABE-2225Pilates Mat (Sec 03)
07:203:160 (LEC)
L. Ocampo – RMH-209Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04)
Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04) 07:203:170 (LEC)
Shicatano– CRW-LGHealth Program Development (Sec 01)
10:832:345 (LEC)
L. Brown – MU-208Addictions Policy (Sec 01)
10:832:351 (LEC)
Bracaglia – CA-A3Yoga for Wellness (Sec 08)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Warriner– CRW-101Science of Prevention (Sec 01)
10:832:353 (LEC)
H. Ward – BE-201Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 02)
01:920:210 (LEC)
J. Kempner – CDL-110Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 03)
01:920:210 (LEC)
J. Rand – ABE-2225Yoga for Wellness (Sec 04)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Shicatano– CRW-LGYoga for Wellness (Sec 08)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Warriner– CRW-1017
7:30-8:50Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01)
01:920:210 (LEC)
Moulton – ABE-1180Yoga for Wellness (Sec 05)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Shicatano– CRW-101Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 01)
01:920:210 (LEC)
Moulton – ABE-1180Yoga for Wellness (Sec 05)
07:203:170 (LEC)
Shicatano– CRW-101Mental Health & Society (Sec 01)
10:832:416 (LEC)
S. Jones – LSH-B110
Asynchronous Courses
Wellness Behavior
11:193:421 (LEC)
K. Ensle – OnlineWellness Community (Sec 01)
10:832:243 (LEC)
Swarbrick – OnlinePrinciples of Health & Wellness (Sec 90)
10:832:242 (LEC)
Maresca – OnlinePrinciples of Health & Wellness (Sec 02)
10:832:242 (LEC)
FH-A6Sociology of Health & Medicine (Sec 90)
01:920:210 (LEC)
Bliss – OnlinePopulation Health (Sec 91)
10:501:335 (LEC)
Franzione – OnlinePopulation Health (Sec 01)
10:501:335 (LEC)
Rushing– OnlineMental Health & Society (Sec 01)
10:832:416 (LEC)
S. Jones – OnlineHealth Program Development (Sec 01)
10:832:345 (LEC)
L. Brown – MU-208Nutrition and Health (Sec 90)
11:709:255 (LEC)
J. Abbot– OnlineNutrition and Health (Sec 91)
11:709:255 (LEC)
J. Abbot– OnlineHealth & Social Justice (Sec 90)
10:832:252 (LEC)
O’Brien-Richardson - OnlineHealth & Social Justice (Sec 91)
10:832:252 (LEC)
O’Brien-Richardson - OnlineHealth & Social Justice (Sec 92)
10:832:252 (LEC)
O’Brien-Richardson - OnlineScience of Prevention (Sec 01)
10:832:353 (LEC)
H. Ward – OnlineAddictions Policy (Sec 01)
10:832:351 (LEC)
Bracaglia – Online
Courses
Required Courses
Core Courses (3 courses required – others count as electives)
- 11:193:421 Wellness Behavior
- 10:832:243,244 Wellness Learning Community I,II
- 10:832:242 Principles of Health & Wellness
- 01:377:252 Health and Wellness in Underserved Populations (PDF)
- 01:920:210 Sociology of Medicine and Health Care
- 04:189:101 Introduction to Communication and Information Processes – Health
- 07:557:131 Introduction to Arts in Health
Skills & Strategies Courses (minimum of 6 credits required – others count as electives)
- 07:203:160 Pilates Mat
- 07:203:170 Yoga for Wellness
- 07:965:302 Theater for Social Development
- 11:374:210 Nature Journaling: Discovering Biodiversity and Nature (PDF)
- 01:377:455 Exercise Psychology (PDF)
- 01:377:180 Exercise and Relaxation (PDF)
- 18:820:595 Self Regulation Methods: Mind/Body Interventions
- 07:203:326 Adaptive Movement through Dance
- 01:830:450 Therapeutic Relationships in Clinical Practice
- 13:830:399:90 Psychology of Intimate Relationships
- 11:776:225 Horticultural Therapy Concepts and Skills
- 11:776:325 Horticultural Therapy Techniques and Programming
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
- 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
- 10:832:353:01 Science of Prevention
- 10:832:351 Addiction Policy
- 11:776:201 People-Plant Relationships
- 11:373:353 Personal Finance