Offered By: Whole Health Leadership Program
Executive Director: Tracy Gaudet, MD
Program Manager: Angela Moran, M.Ed.
The Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DrWHL) is a 7-term, 51-credit program designed to equip healthcare providers, administrators, and educators with the knowledge and transformational leadership skills to envision and realize health system change. The DrWHL program is designed for busy working professionals. Students typically take 2-4 courses per term, depending on whether they are awarded advanced standing and the electives they select. Students receive flexible advising, mentoring, and support throughout the program. Graduates are prepared to be transformational leaders in Whole Health.
The program offers two tracks:
- U.S. Track: For students residing in the United States.
- Students complete online courses, attend four in-person weekend intensives, and complete a doctoral capstone project.
- Non-U.S. Track: For students residing in countries outside the United States.
- Students complete online courses and complete a doctoral capstone project.
This program is a hybrid delivery program. While most courses are held online (and all courses are held online in the non-US track), Weekend Intensive courses within the U.S. track require in-person attendance at locations throughout the United States.
- Students enrolled in the non-U.S. track may optionally participate in the U.S. Track Weekend Intensives by arrangement with the Program Manager, but do so of their own choice - and may neither audit the Weekend Intensive courses nor receive course credit for their voluntary participation as this program is not eligible for international student visas.
- Students enrolled in the U.S. track may optionally participate in the online courses required in the non-U.S. track - including by audit - by arrangement and/or approval with the Program Manager, but do so of their own choice. Course credit may or may not be received for these optional courses, depending on individual circumstances. Direct any questions to the Program Manager.
See State Authorization information in the University Catalog.
- Whole Health Principles and Practice: The graduate will be able to apply comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Whole Health principles, practices, and the implementation of a Whole Health system of care.
- The Imperative for Change: The graduate will be able to make an evidence-based case for the transformation to Whole Health, grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the current challenges within their healthcare system.
- Leading Large System Transformation: The graduate will have the knowledge to assume leadership roles in organizations committed to the transformation to Whole Health, influence policy development, and work to improve health and well-being, outcomes, and costs.
- Creative Solutions in the Real World: The graduate will be able to conceive of and advocate for innovative, financially viable, cost-effective, outcomes-based solutions for complex real-world problems in their fields to advance the transformation to Whole Health.
- Purpose, Empowerment, and Practical Skills: The graduate will demonstrate the skills needed to empower and equip others and themselves to take charge of their physical, mental, and spiritual health and live their most meaningful life.
- Interprofessional Collaboration and Whole Health: The graduate will serve as an effective member of a healthcare team and collaborate with other professionals to improve Whole Health and patient outcomes for individuals and the community.
The program accepts students for Fall and Summer cohorts. Enrollment is limited. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Qualified applicants will be accepted into cohorts on a rolling basis. Applicants may be waitlisted or admitted to a future cohort based on qualifications and other factors.
Applicants for the DrWHL degree must submit the following:
- Completed application.
- Resume or CV
- Personal statement of approximately 250 words describing how the program fits personal and professional goals
- Official transcripts for the highest degree earned from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent foreign agency.
- Applicants without a master’s degree or higher should submit official transcripts demonstrating at least 30 graduate-level credit hours beyond the baccalaureate.
- Applicants whose highest degree is from a foreign college or university must have their credentials evaluated to demonstrate that the courses or degree earned meet the admissions standards. The University will accept evaluations by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Canadian students are not required to have their credentials evaluated by NACES if their high school, college, or university provides transcripts in English and are sent directly to SCU.
- Interview if requested by the program.
Applicants for the DrWHL degree must meet one of the following admissions requirements. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis with Program Manager approval.
- Be an administrator or educator with a master’s degree and at least three years of leadership experience in a healthcare-related field.
- Be a licensed clinician or practitioner with a master’s degree or higher, or at least 30 graduate-level credit hours beyond a baccalaureate.
Applicants in the Non-U.S. Track must demonstrate English Language Proficiency by providing one of the following:
- Proof of graduation from a high school, college, or university whose primary mode of instruction was English. All foreign academic transcripts are to be evaluated by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website.
- Proof of graduation from a high school, college, or university in a country in which English is the official language. All foreign academic transcripts are to be evaluated by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website.
- Canadian students are not required to have their academic transcripts evaluated by NACES if their high school, college, or university provides transcripts in English and are sent directly to SCU.
- A score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (iBT-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- A score of at least the current mean score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) for those applicants who did not take the iBT-based test.
- A score of at least 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for those applicants who did not take the iBT-based test.
The Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DrWHL) degree may be conferred upon those who have fulfilled the following requirements:
- Completed 51 credits within the required coursework, including:
- 20 Whole Health Leadership Core course credits
- 14 Capstone course credits
- 4 Weekend Intensives credits
- 13 Elective credits earned through designated courses, transfer credits, and/or prior learning credit
- Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Met residency requirements of 38 credits earned at SCU
- Successfully completed the capstone project
- Completed all degree requirements within five years of matriculation
- Submitted a Petition to Graduate
The Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DrWHL) degree may be conferred upon those who have fulfilled the following requirements:
- Completed 51 credits within the required coursework, including:
- 20 Whole Health Leadership Core course credits
- 14 Capstone course credits
- 4 International Whole Health Models credits
- 2 Whole Health Exerience non-credit courses
- 13 Elective credits earned through designated courses, transfer credits, and/or prior learning credit
- Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Met residency requirements of 38 credits earned at SCU
- Successfully completed the capstone project
- Completed all degree requirements within five years of matriculation
- Submitted a Petition to Graduate
The DrWHL program is committed to offering advanced standing options as a way to recognize students’ relevant prior graduate-level training, education, and experiences and reduce educational costs by awarding transfer and prior learning credits. Elective course credits are eligible for advanced standing options, including block transfers, transfer credit for individual courses, and prior learning credit. All other 38 credits must be completed at SCU.
Block Transfers
The DrWHL program has evaluated several educational programs and determined that they align with the DrWHL program learning outcomes, adhere to graduate-level standards, and qualify for credit hours. A list of educational programs eligible for block transfers can be found on the DrWHL webpage.
Transfer Credits and Prior Learning Credit for Individual Courses
The University Advanced Standing/Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning policies apply. DrWHL students are eligible for up to 11 prior learning credits based on the completion of a prior learning credit portfolio and a combined maximum of 13 transfer credits and/or prior learning credits.
Students must complete at least 38 credits at SCU to qualify for degree completion.
Students in the U.S. Track attend four in-person weekend intensive courses over four different weekends during the program. During these weekend intensives, students immerse themselves in foundational Whole Health concepts, develop group facilitation skills in Whole Health, foster connections, delve into self-care practices, and enhance their interprofessional skills. In-person weekend intensives typically start on a Thursday afternoon and end by midday Sunday and are typically offered in Fall and Summer at Whole Health organizations and settings within the United States. Weekend intensives for students in the Non-U.S. Track are optional and do not count for course credit.
There is no additional fee for intensives outside of normal tuition and fees. Students pay for their own travel and lodging. The program provides some meals and snacks during the intensives.
The Weekend Intensives consist of the following course (1 credit), repeated 4 times: DWHL 704 Weekend Intensive.
Students in the non-U.S. Track participate in three courses during the program that address their healthcare system and the personal development of Whole Health skills. Through these courses, students immerse themselves in foundational Whole Health concepts, develop group facilitation skills in Whole Health, foster connections, delve into self-care practices, and enhance their interprofessional skills. See the sample Program Sequence for how these courses may be scheduled. International Whole Health Models and Whole Health Experience courses for students in the U.S. Track are optional and may not count for course credit.
There is no additional fee for these courses outside of normal tuition and fees.
The International Whole Health Models and Whole Health Experience consist of the following courses (4 credits): DWHL 650 International Healthcare Systems, Policies, and Whole Health Models (4 credits); DWHL 600 Taking Charge of My Life and Health (non-credit); and DWHL 605 Whole Health Facilitator (non-credit).
Students develop a capstone project based on the application of Whole Health practice scholarship. Students are encouraged to address real-world challenges and can customize their capstone project based on professional goals and interests.
Capstone preparation is incorporated throughout the program. Preparation includes the development of individualized learning goals and objectives, a supervision plan, and a timeline. Students will also complete an initial capstone project proposal and present it to the capstone team.
The capstone project is finalized and disseminated during the final two terms of the program. The student’s performance in producing and completing the capstone project will be formally evaluated.
- An extension is available for students needing additional time to complete the capstone project.
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