Associate of Science in Holistic Health

The Associate of Science in Holistic Health degree program includes all the course work required for the Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Practitioner certificate programs, and an additional 225 clock hours (20.5 units) in coursework. The entire Associate of Science program may be completed by full-time students within nine quarters, by three-quarter-time students within 12 quarters, and by half-time students within 18 quarters.  Upon satisfactory completion of the program, graduates will be qualified to work as self-employed private practice therapists and as advanced level practitioners (HHP) in spas, health clinics, medical offices, chiropractic offices, hotels and resorts.

Success in the body therapy relationship is determined by the authenticity and clarity of the therapeutic relationship, and as such, the program places significant emphasis on the student’s self-exploration and transformation. Intensive experiential components of the curriculum have been designed to aid the student in self-discovery, for only by knowing oneself with insight and compassion can a holistically-oriented therapist obtain the inner wisdom necessary to help others.

We have chosen three educational methods best known to empower students as learners:

• Dialogue means that teaching centers on discussion rather than lecture. Students are expect- ed to read the materials and come prepared to discuss them. The instructor’s role is to question, evoke, and assist, rather than pass personal conclusions.

• Dynamics of Personal Learning supports students in understanding and developing their personal learning style and brilliance. The Self-Directed Learning project is planned and organized in this course.

• Self-Directed Learning means that the student actively participates in evolving his or her course of study. Students have considerable latitude in selecting the content and the way the subject matter is approached and explored.

Associate of Science in Holistic Health Program Objectives

Learn what you can expect with your AS in Holistic Health degree program

• To provide an in-depth, well-rounded education in eastern and/or western hands-on bodywork, experiential learning, and somatic awareness from a mind/body/spirit approach that prepares graduates to be advanced practitioners in a professional and effective practice.

• To provide graduates with a fundamental understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathology and an introduction to business practices, including marketing, finances, legal issues, and business planning.

• To provide the necessary training to become a licensed massage therapist and a Holistic Health Practitioner in the City of San Diego and a Certified Massage Therapist in the state of California and to qualify graduates to sit for the National Certification Exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

• To provide graduates with the tools to effectively communicate with their clients, assess client needs, and design safe, effective sessions; to be perceptive and sensitive practitioners; and to be effective listeners.

• To provide graduates with superior bodywork skills, personal motivation, ethical awareness, and sustainable body mechanics in order to support a positive career, continued education, and an appreciation of lifelong learning.

• To provide graduates with a depth and breadth of knowledge in bodywork and areas of focus in a chosen body therapy for broader employment opportunities.

• To prepare graduates to expand their professional involvement in the massage and bodywork field, research, and the community at large.

• To provide graduates with the ability to further support and develop the field of bodywork through research.

• To establish educational competency in math, writing, and oral communication skills that support business and clinical success and prepare graduates for more advanced degrees.

Associate of Science Degree Program Course Requirements

105.25 Credit Units / 1,230 Clock Hours

Prerequisite:		Essentials of Massage & Bodywork Massage Therapy Program Holistic Health Practitioner Program		84.75		1005
Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
SP322		Concentration (see catalog)		5.00		60
DPL418I		Dynamics Of Personal Learning – Intro.		1.50		15
DPL420A-30		Dynamics of Personal Learning A		2.50		30
RSS424		Research: Case Report		2.50		30
ENG408I		English -Composition		3.00		30
ENG408II		English – Literature		3.00		30
MATH410		Mathematics for Bodyworkers		3.00		30
		Total Program Units / Hours		20.50		225
		Total Cumulative Units / Hours		105.25		1230
		*Some prerequisite courses may be required depending on the Specialization Path chosen.

Associate of Science in Holistic Health Program Disclosure

IPSB discloses certain information about its programs to prospective students.

Labor Information:

The Massage Therapy Program prepares students for a career as a massage therapist. The U.S. Department of LABOR’S Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code for the occupation is 31-0911. For additional information about this profession in San Diego County, please visit the State of California Employment Development Department’s Occupation Profile for Massage Therapists in San Diego.

View a Career Video for this occupation from America’s Career InfoNet.

For 2010, the State of California Employment Development Department reported median annual salary for a massage therapist in San Diego County at $43,237.

Tuition and Fees and Books and Supplies:

The tuition and fees for a student completing the program within the normal time frame is as follows:

Application fee (non refundable)	$75.00
Tuition	$17,668.75
Lab fees	$527.50
Required Textbooks (estimate)	$1,023.00
Student Tuition Refund Fee (STRF), if applicable	$45.00
TOTAL:	$19,339.25

STRF fees are required by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education and are calculated at $2.50 per $1,000 in tuition. The fee is charged each term based upon the tuition charged for that term. Accordingly, the total charged for the program will vary student-to-student.

The College reserves the right to change tuition, including any costs and fees. Required textbooks will vary depending upon the elective courses taken. In addition, textbook assignments may change in response to publisher updates and curriculum reviews.

Additional fees may be applied, including course withdraw fees. Please review the Catalog for a full list of other fees that may be applied.

Median Loan Debt: For students who graduated from this program during the 2009-2010 Award Year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010), the median loan debt was:

Title IV Loan	Private Educational Loan	Student Financial Plan
$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00

Job Placement and Graduation Rates

	Placement Rate	Completion within 150% of Published Program Length
Part-Time Enrollment Status	100%	100%
Full-Time Enrollment Status	76.19%	76.67%

National Exam Pass Rates

For the reporting period July 12, 2010 to December 31, 2010, the College pass rate for the National Certification Exam by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork was as follows:

	IPSB Pass Rate	California Pass Rate	National Pass Rate
National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage	100%	86.21%	69.91%
National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork	100%	64.13%	68.19%