The American public's use of non-traditional therapeutic modalities, herbal medicines, and supplements has grown exponentially. At Georgetown University, we recognize the need to develop what is called "integrative medicine" (medicine that incorporates beneficial evidence-based practices from complementary and alternative medicine as well as mainstream medicine). The faculty of Georgetown University School of Medicine has made this institution one of the leaders in the field, incorporating CAM into the education of medical students and into our research programs.

Physiology is the study of integrated function of the body, and trained physiologists are uniquely able to address, in their research, issues of biological and health-related effects of new or previously uninvestigated agents or treatments. The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program is a scientifically sound, academically rigorous program that emphasizes the science of Physiology, while offering students a broad insight into CAM, including current research and areas in which more research is needed. It emphasizes critical thinking and traditional methods of scientific inquiry. The coursework specifically addresses regulatory issue involving CAM modalities and herbal medicine and supplements. As a “track” within the Masters of Science program of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, it retains the basic nature of the core curriculum for that MS. Graduates of this new program will be uniquely positioned to enter into careers related to this new and burgeoning field.

The mission of this program is to offer an academically rigorous education in complementary and alternative medicine, in the context of traditional basic biomedical sciences. The goal is to train students who will enter into careers in the private and public sector related to CAM research, education, administration or regulatory affairs, as well as integrative medicine. Some of our graduates may apply their education in CAM in pursuing further education toward a healthcare career; others may have been previously trained as practitioners (physicians, nurse practitioners, acupuncturists, nutritionists, pharmacists, etc), and return to their careers with their additional training.