Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other.
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Debt to Income Ratio
Key Insights
Wondering if Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $29138, and the average student debt is $23512, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.81—so you’ll want to keep an eye on your loan payments.
With an annual graduating class of 3431 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other (CIP 51.3399) is a holistic, integrative health sciences category designed to capture non-traditional, emerging, and interdisciplinary programs focused on healing systems outside of conventional Western medicine. This CIP code represents instructional programs that explore whole-person, preventative, and culturally rooted approaches to health that are not classified under standard alternative medicine categories such as acupuncture, chiropractic, or naturopathic medicine.
At its foundation, this field is about understanding health as a balance of body, mind, environment, and lifestyle. Programs under 51.3399 emphasize integrative medical systems—approaches that may combine traditional healing practices, modern wellness science, behavioral health, and preventative care philosophies. Rather than focusing exclusively on diagnosing disease, these programs prioritize maintaining wellness, restoring balance, and supporting the body’s natural capacity to heal.
This degree category is especially relevant as patients and healthcare systems increasingly seek options that address chronic stress, pain, inflammation, mental health, and lifestyle-related conditions through non-invasive, personalized, and preventative methods.
What Is an Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other Degree?
A degree classified under CIP 51.3399 represents non-traditional or interdisciplinary programs in alternative and complementary health that do not fall under established CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) disciplines. Schools use this category when a program blends multiple healing traditions or focuses on a niche wellness system.
Depending on the institution, programs in this category may integrate:
- Complementary and integrative health practices
- Traditional and cultural healing systems
- Mind-body medicine and stress reduction
- Nutrition, herbal studies, or natural remedies
- Energy-based or manual therapies
- Lifestyle medicine and preventative care
- Wellness coaching and behavior change
- Holistic assessment and client-centered care
- Ethics, safety, and evidence-informed practice
Rather than training students solely for biomedical roles, these programs emphasize holistic health philosophies, client empowerment, and wellness optimization. Graduates often work alongside or in coordination with conventional healthcare providers.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other is well-suited for students who:
- Believe health is more than the absence of disease
- Are interested in holistic, preventative, or natural approaches
- Enjoy working one-on-one with clients
- Value lifestyle, mental well-being, and self-care
- Want careers in wellness, integrative health, or community-based care
This degree often appeals to individuals who want to help people improve health through education, balance, and sustainable lifestyle practices rather than medication-first approaches.
What Will You Learn?
Students in 51.3399 programs learn to view health through a systems-based, whole-person lens. Coursework emphasizes prevention, balance, and individualized care while maintaining awareness of safety, ethics, and scope of practice.
You will study how physical health, mental well-being, nutrition, movement, environment, and stress interact—and how complementary approaches can support resilience and long-term wellness.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most programs help students develop skills such as:
- Conducting holistic health assessments
- Supporting lifestyle and behavior change
- Applying mind-body and stress-reduction techniques
- Educating clients about wellness and self-care
- Understanding cultural and traditional healing practices
- Communicating clearly with clients and healthcare teams
- Practicing ethically within defined scopes of care
- Evaluating evidence and safety of complementary therapies
These skills are especially important in wellness settings where trust, personalization, and long-term engagement matter.
Topics You May Explore
Coursework may include subjects such as:
- Foundations of alternative and complementary medicine
- Integrative and holistic health systems
- Mind-body medicine and stress management
- Traditional healing systems (Eastern, Indigenous, or cultural practices)
- Nutrition and natural wellness approaches
- Movement, breathing, and somatic practices
- Energy-based or manual therapies (theory-based)
- Ethics, safety, and client protection
- Wellness program design and education
Because this CIP category is broad, programs often allow students to tailor coursework toward specific healing philosophies or wellness populations.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
An Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other degree can lead to a variety of wellness-focused and integrative health roles.
Common career paths include:
- Holistic Health Practitioner or Wellness Consultant
- Integrative Health or Wellness Coach
- Complementary Therapy Practitioner (non-licensed)
- Lifestyle or Stress Management Specialist
- Community Wellness Program Coordinator
- Health Education or Prevention Specialist
- Integrative Health Support Staff
- Private Practice Wellness Professional
Some roles may require additional certification, licensure, or business training depending on state regulations and scope of practice.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates commonly work in:
- Integrative and holistic health clinics
- Wellness and lifestyle centers
- Community health and prevention programs
- Fitness, yoga, or mind-body studios
- Corporate wellness programs
- Retreats and residential wellness facilities
- Private practices or self-employed settings
- Health education and outreach organizations
This degree aligns with environments that prioritize preventative care, self-management, and personalized wellness.
Is This Degree Hard?
Academically, this degree is typically less focused on advanced biomedical science and more on applied learning, reflection, and interpersonal skills. The challenge lies in integrating diverse health philosophies responsibly while maintaining ethical practice and evidence awareness.
Students must be comfortable with ambiguity, cultural diversity, and lifelong learning as wellness practices and standards continue to evolve.
Who Should Choose CIP 51.3399 Specifically?
This CIP code may be a strong match if you:
- Want a holistic, wellness-focused health career
- Are interested in prevention rather than acute treatment
- Enjoy coaching, education, and client-centered work
- Value mind-body balance and lifestyle medicine
- Want flexibility to work independently or in integrative settings
How to Prepare in High School
Students interested in alternative and complementary health should:
- Take biology and health-related courses
- Develop strong communication and listening skills
- Explore wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, or nutrition
- Learn about different cultures and healing traditions
- Practice ethical reasoning and critical thinking
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other represents a modern, holistic pathway for students who want to support health through prevention, balance, and integrative care—helping people thrive, not just recover.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor