Maryland University of Integrative Health Reviews

"This school is such a ripoff. The online courses are a joke- they just post PowerPoints and pre-recorded videos, nothing you couldn't get off EdX or another free platform. The teachers are never available for extra help or office hours. They changed the professor for one of my classes the day it started and he came on and said (literally) "I never teach this class, this is not my material so we will just 'wing it'"it's. When I tried to ask for my money back after dropping the course I was told it was too late. I paid $2,500 for a professor to just "wing it". After not attending for 2 semesters I was sent a bill for "University fees" which include (I quote): Access to the software suite included in Microsoft Office 365 A Career Services Center, Health and Wellness Benefits offering you a wide range of integrative health services at the Natural Care Center’s University Teaching Clinic at the reduced price of $15 per service, Access to various research and support tools, and Use of your student email address after you leave the university. Mind you, as a remote student you actually have access to none of these, except O365 (which *I already have*, and costs $100 for a year) and, my email address- which, who uses a university email address after they leave. All for $300 a trimester. The online program is a scam with minimal instruction or career prep. Find something free (or at least cheaper!)Read Less"

"Where to begin. The financial aid office is predatory and conned me and countless other students to take out the maximum amount of loans, which has left those of us who aren't independently wealthy in financial ruin. We were all promised by our instructors that there would be licensure in place by the time we graduated and not only was that promise not honored, but we were ushered into taking a certification exam for nutrition, which is not something we actually went to school for, so that we could practice herbalism through the "back door" approach... Many of us weren't prepared to take the exam before the cut-off point and therefore our degrees are now useless. Also, much of the core faculty left in the middle of our program which tells you a lot. All the bridges they suggested as job possibilities were false. I’m not qualified to work in a lab. I have the most rudimentary knowledge of mass spectrometry. Organoleptics will get you laughed out of most jobs as a primary way of plant powder ID. This school school should really refund the students in the herbal medicine programs from 2009-2013 especially, since we were the ones who got screwed over the most. Awful experience that has ruined my life forever.Read Less"

"I graduated in 2005 with masters degree of acupuncture...I love being an acupuncturist and have a successful fertility acupuncture practice. After all these years I came back to school to do my certification in Chinese herbs program.The program is faulty from the start...Students are thought formulas first instead of single herbs that constitute them..the program puts extreme pressure and unrealistic expectations on students to meet 80 percent on there final exam...other schools have lower percent that is more realistic...all your clinical experience is not helpful in pure memorization of names of the herbs one does not know well...the program has to change to be success...the way it is is very expensive and dream crushing...classes are small bc not many people can put up with the pressure...I am considering to transfer to another school to help me learn single herbs first and have more academic support during my learning...the teachers are dedicated but the format is faulty....I recommend to look at other programs bc this one pushes students to extreme stress that is unnecessary in learning!Read Less"

"My experience at MUIH requires that I be honest as perhaps it will save someone else from a very expensive academic mistake. I attended MUIH in the Masters of Science in Therapeutic Herbalism program. Masters of Science? Please. I dropped out after much agonizing internal debate because the tuition expense was simply not justified given the complete lack of academic rigor, and I could not go further and continue to incur debt under the hope that the program would improve to resemble something that would prepare me for any kind of career. The online classes and homework/exams were a total joke as absolutely zero comprehension was required to get 100 The PowerPoint presentations and assigned projects bordered on juvenile. I did what I believed was sufficient due diligence in investigating this program before I enrolled -- in retrospect, MUIH definitely knows how to present itself in a flattering light. However, as a student I became increasingly anxious by the week as the material was mostly focused on traditional folk use and energetic properties of herbs -- just overall a very touchy-feely, emotionally-driven approach. There is nothing wrong with these concepts and they are important and meaningful; however, a Master's of Science program is supposed to be a deep dive into the objective meat of a subject. The "textbooks" were high-level, meaning, they were written for the average consumer with a hobby-level interest in herbalism. I already have 30 books on my bookshelf pertaining to the folk/traditional use of herbs -- books for the "backyard herbalist" -- and I didn't need to pay top-dollar Master's program prices to read and understand them. Any true scientific material presented in class was whittled down to a skin-deep cut-and-paste, glossed over like an afterthought, and was not reinforced. Let me repeat that I only completed a few trimesters, so perhaps it get's better for those who stick it out? I can't say for sure, but I doubt it. Why do I say this? Because I spoke to an alumna of the program when I was beginning to panic that I had made a mistake enrolling at MUIH given my goals, and my suspicions were confirmed: the program would not become more rigorous as I got into the more "advanced" classes. It truly is a science program in name only. This realization was devastating for my career plan and necessitated a total reevaluation of what academic credentials I would need to prepare for my field. Honestly, if you are looking to have a Masters of Science degree where you can truly understand how plant medicine affects the body...you need a Biochemistry degree. If you want to do research that will be taken seriously, or if you want to find a botanically-derived cure for a disease, and you need funding (and you will)...you need a Biochemistry degree. If you want to get a real job with a real Master's degree that has flexibility, leverage, and scalability in the national job market...you need to go somewhere else other than MUIH. If you want to be an herbalist with a small shop making your own tinctures, teas, etc...you don't need MUIH or their degree. Self-study is all you really need if that is the path you seek. But, if you still want a credential to validate your skills, get a Nutrition degree or something similar (from another school)...but please do not waste your time, money, or hope on this program.Read Less"

"My MUIH Master's in Health and Wellness Coaching education (w/specialization in integrative health practices) is a cornerstone in my personal and professional life. As a coach and practitioner of stress reduction from a systems theory approach, this master's program equipped me to robustly partner with a client in a multi-faceted manner. The practicum hours greatly stretched my clinical skills and taught me active listening, self-awareness, and direct communication. As well, the academics fully prepared me for the International Coaching Federation certification exam. As well, it's a functional foundation for my current work towards licensure as an addictions counselor. I use rapport establishment, MI, stages of change, and coaching questions with clients daily while exploring the facets of wellness and recovery. Lastly, the overwhelming majority of professors are truly invested in the well-being of their students. I received prompt and in-depth email responses, and telephone call follow up for clarifications when I struggled; response time was usually same day. As a mindfulness-based and holistically oriented professional, I highly recommend this program!Read Less"

"I have had an incredible experience at MUIH. I would recommend it to anyone. I did a full online program and the flexibility of the program worked perfect for my life circumstances. This is a great program if you live a busy life and are unable to attend classes on campus. The class load is difficult, but very manageable. The majority of my professors have been outstanding, and I am very happy with the education I have received. I can go forward, confident with the skills and abilities I have learned from MUIH.Read Less"

"If you are considering the online nutrition program at MUIH I would encourage you to look elsewhere. This program is not worth the money or time. After having completed my MS in the online Clinical Nutrition and Integrative Health program, I can honestly say this is one of the most poorly executed programs and is lacking at every level ranging from technology platforms, to faculty to most especially the administration. The University has little to no credibility outside the Baltimore/Maryland region which makes job hunting challenging once you graduate. MUIH advertises that "no matter where you live or work or how your life is currently structured. You'll develop a healing presence and learn a method of working with others that is relationship-centered." And that MUIH "honors each student's special qualities and learning needs. We fully believe that, with this thoughtfulness and commitment, the MUIH academic and community experience will be translated to an online environment." This is a lie and simply not the case. The online program offers no flexibility, uncompromising deadlines and inconsistent expectations. Kathleen Warner, the Director of the Nutrition Program admitted that the administration knows the online program is lacking but because "a few students have successfully passed the CNS exam we must be doing something right". That said you should know that the CNS is not widely recognized across the country at this time, little information is offered as to their efforts to grow the designation's notoriety and very few CNS are willing to support prospective candidates in order to achieve their 1000 hour internship requirements. The school will however offer you the opportunity to do your internship through them provided you live in any one of less than 10 states for the cost of an additional $2000. During the internship you will learn what you should have learned in school as to how to actually be a clinician. As a prospect you should know that the Provost, School President and the Director of the nutrition program for the school have changed approximately four times in the last 3.5 years. Not all the professors are terrible, I had three who are AMAZING and actually engage with students. That said, I did my undergraduate education at a large research University and had constant and quality contact with my professors even in classes of 500 student or more. I took over eighteen courses at MUIH before I received feedback on a consistent basis from a single professor. I took a class with Virginia Darrow-Applied Clinical Nutrition 1 and no one in the class received any feedback on any assignments for the entire semester. In exchange we were offered 3 one hour lectures with another professor to compensate. Students pay almost $1400 for the class; 3 one hour lectures doesn't even begin to make up for what was not taught. In the fall of 2015 I took a Physiology class specifically because of the professor. He is fantastic. Turns out, he was "teaching "the class in name only. All the lectures were prerecorded by another professor and the TA graded all assignments and we never heard a word from the professor. One professor presented weekly lectures in the form of 170 page pre recorded power point regurgitating the text-The director of the program, Kathleen Warner believes this to be an appropriate format for online education, in this amazing age of technology, this is not a lecture. I had a class with Susan Testa, the Assistant Vice President of Clinical studies and author of the Nutrition Program. Ms Testa refused to use a high speed internet connection to connect with her online students. I was denied exemption from thousands of dollars in cooking classes despite being a chef for 5 years working specifically with people with illness based on the reasoning "that knowledge of cooking doesn't come from experience". The supplies alone for each .5 credit cooking class run in excess of $500 for the recipes in addition to the cost of the course. Please note these are just a few of many issues which are shared by my peers. MUIH has three standards, the very low bar it sets for its faculty and staff, the degree of learning it offers its In-Person students (which I understand to be pretty good) and the inconsistent way it treats its online community. It would appear that MUIH views their online community of students, not so much as students or people but purely as easy money. I am filing a complaint with the Maryland Department of Consumer Affairs as well as the State Accreditation Board in accordance with MUIH policy. The administration at MUIH cite "rigorous academic standards" but to have such high standards you actually have to teach, educate and maintain consistent standards that not only honors the ideals of the University but of the students as well. Future students who are interested in a holistic approach to health would be better off with a degree from a reputable institution and courses from the Institute of Functional Medicine. To all prospective students I wish you Good luck.Read Less"

"Maryland University of Integrative Health has a wide variety of of well thought out, intentional, and holistic programs that foster a powerful learning experience. I choose MUIH because of their mission, values, and vision. MUIH seeks to foster a community of healers and learners that will have a powerful and positive impact in our world. I am pursuing a masters degree in nutrition and integrative health and what I appreciate most about this program is the wide variety of classes I will take providing me with a well rounding understanding of nutrition. Not only am I taking courses in statistics and biochemisty, but I am also learning about behavior change, fostering wellness, and honing my own cooking skills. This is an amazingly well thought out program and anyone who is interested is developing valuable skills and knowledge related to nutrition, wellness, and integrative health, this is the program for you.Read Less"

"Maryland University of Integrative Health is a special place. The community at MUIH is filled with interesting people of all ages and from all walks of life. MUIH has challenged my assumptions about nutrition, it has helped me develop my views as a nutrition educator, it has exposed me to valuable cutting edge research, and it has provided me with a holistic understanding of nutrition. MUIH is unique in the way it approaches teaching and learning, MUIH teaches in an integrative and holistic way helping students to draw connections between food, body, health, and disease. MUIH does not teach nutrition in isolation but rather in tandem with other valuable courses such as physiology, chemistry, and statistics. MUIH is cutting edge in it's approach, what is teaches, and the way it engages with students. If you are looking to pursue a masters in nutrition this is a school you most definitely should consider.Read Less"

"The Nutrition program at Maryland University of Integrative Health is perfect for the average person who works full time and wants to pursue a career in Nutrition specifically. One benefit is that a lot of the prerequisites required for the program at other schools aren't needed being that they allow you to take those courses while enrolled. They even offer most of the courses on the weekend to accommodate the working class citizen. And, is you are ambitious enough there are professors who re willing to work with you to gain the knowledge and experience you want in research or other hands on activities,Read Less"

"With a concurrent emphasis on science and facilitating human healing, this program is both relevant and rewarding. With an invested and knowledgeable faculty, this program is a clear choice for a committed and driven student. Learning is further facilitated by the ease of access to course material and flexible faculty."

"Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) recognizes that the study of nutrition is an essential ingredient to improve the health of this nation. However, without skilled educators to impart this information there is little hope for a healthier country. MUIHs commitment to preparing students to serve as nutrition educators is progressive, innovative and indispensable. One aspect of MUIHs Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program that resonates with me is their pledge to teach nutrition using a holistic and integrative approach. Each one of us inhabits a body with a unique and complex web of interactions, food sensitivities and cravings, and path towards optimal health. I love MUIH's whole body approach as it acknowledges the wisdom of ones mind, body and spirit and has helped me become a well-rounded practitioner. Over the past few years I have experienced different aspects of the nutrition field and my professional path began to take shape. I have a desire and passion to work with people, guiding them on their journey to lead full, happy, and healthy lives. Food is unique in how it connects us- we all need to eat, prepare food, and make decisions around what we put in our bodies. We are on the cusp of a change in the way this nation engages with, talks about, and educates people on the topic of nutrition; I want to be part of this change. Maryland University of Integrative Health has helped prepare me for my journey in this field.Read Less"

"Do not waste your money on a Master's or Doctoral degree from MUIH in acupuncture. The doctoral program is a joke and there in no hard research involved in this degree whatsoever. The master's in acupuncture is fairly useless outside of MD and I live in VA and am having difficulty passing the NCAAOM exam due to lack of any bioscience classes at MUIH. The national exam will soon be required in MD, as well. Some of the faculty are excellent; many are incompetent and the curriculum is revamped every year and seems to get less and less relevant to acupuncture. One exception in this lousy school is the herb program. The school is in chaos after ousting the founders and then firing the CEO a year later for various indiscretions. The tuition has skyrocketed over the past six years or so and is no longer worth what you receive in return.Read Less"

"One of few schools offering nutrition with integrative health and other areas of integrative health. Professionals in the field are the instructors who want to see you succeed in the program and in the nutrition field after graduation. Love the option to do online, on-campus or hybrid. Highly recommend!"

"MUIH is a great school the learning environment is very supportive and nurturing. The coursework is demanding and doable. They offer an evening and weekend program and have a large emphasis on CSOE for acupuncture students. The school size is small and class to faculty ratio in the acupuncture program is about 10:1 which is nice. Most faculty are very accessible and interested in successful teaching outcomes. Where the University lacks significantly is in diversity of faculty and students. The University does a poor job of recruiting minority faculty and students and retaining them, further the financial aid is mainly through student loans although some scholarships and fellowships are available. It is difficult to apply for outside scholarships that require minimum GPAs because the school uses pass fail and does not support creating an equivalent for transcripts.Read Less"

"Being an online student, there are many pros and cons to my program format. I am thankful that it is convenient, easily accessible, firmly structured, and very clearly presented. I can easily communicate with my professors and classmates. The online format allows me to listen to lectures and view course materials repeatedly at my own pace withing the week-long module, allowing me to synthesize the material effectively. However, the lack of interaction with classmates and instructors can be difficult at times. One must be highly motivated, disciplined, and enthusiastic about the area of study to stay on track. There is a lack of community within the online format, which in no way reflects the university (simply the nature of distance learning). I am highly pleased with the quality of instruction and the willingness of the instructors to address all of the student's needs and answer questions in a timely manner. For a very busy person who juggles a lot of responsibilities, this is the only way I am able to continue my education, and for that I am grateful to have the opportunity to attend.Read Less"

"The pros to my program are that they offer my classes every trimester. A new cohort begins in January and in September. So if you fall behind for some reason or need to drop a class or two and wish to continue at a slower pace, you have that option. I am choosing to finish as quickly as possible so I am staying on track. However I have classmates that have had babies, or have needed to take a break for work or to care for children etc. They are still taking classes and will join the cohort behind us and will catch up when we get to clinic. The professors are all wonderful and wish for us to succeed. Most of them are available and answer emails quickly. It is an integrative setting and the classes are stimulating with great discussion and hands on experience. I love this medicine and this school.Read Less"

"MUIH provides a unique experience of hands on learning concurrent with classroom required courses. Because of the program I am studying which is acupuncture, this is vital to my learning. As practitioners of eastern medicine we will be helping others heal in body, mind and spirit. So to be in a school where the focus is on creating a healing presence and partnership, I feel that MUIH promotes a pleasant, balanced learning environment."

"My graduate program is honestly beautiful in it's striving for a holistic education and aiming to transform it's students in the process of them learning. I feel like it would be an even better experience on campus because it seems like the campus and university have a lot to offer in regards to enhancing a students experience. Unfortunately, I have to say that I was deeply disappointed at the lack of financial aid, and just lack of consultation with students regarding tuition costs. Being an online student I reached out many times to the staff and received little help or feedback.Read Less"

"The programs at MUIH offer the opportunity for self growth. The faculty and students offer a community experience unlike any other. It is an awesome opportunity."