There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.

Essential skills build through majoring in Lifestyle Medicine include:

• Critical Thinking
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Career Development

Click here to learn more about each essential skill.

Students graduating from Integrative Health Care often find themselves as Lifestyle Medicine practitioners, Wellness Coaches, and Community Health Workers. 

Click here to explore career opportunities by major.

Students who choose to pursue a graduate degree often consider these pathways:

• Medical, Osteopathic, or Naturopathic Doctor of Medicine Programs (MD, DO, ND)
• Public Health Graduate School
• Other health-related graduate programs

Click here to learn more about applying to graduate school.

Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and last year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.

Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.

To use this tool to the fullest, follow these steps

1. Click on your year in school from the list below.
2. Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
3. Complete any necessary steps listed.
4. Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.

All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.

• Attend orientation and register for classes.
• Meet with your Academic Advisor.
• Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.

• Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
• Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
• Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).

• Visit the Health Professions department in person (Central Building 220) or via website.
• Explore different degree pathways within the department.
• Familiarize yourself with the Student Hub and your Degree Progress Report.

• Explore student groups, clubs, and attend a campus event.
• Connect with a current student or faculty member for coffee.
• Explore professional associations connected to your interests.

• Begin to explore possible career pathways.
• Add courses to begin building essential skills like ITP 1000 Health Career Foundations
• Develop and refine your digital skills to navigate the learning platform (Canvas) and interact with the Navigate platform to schedule advising.

• Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
• Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
• Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.

• Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
• Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
• Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.

• Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
• Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
• Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.

• Explore scholarship and/or financial aid opportunities
• Explore Study Abroad &/or Student Travel Opportunities.
• Meet with a department advisor to choose a major and/or minor. Consider enhancing your academic portfolio (i.e. badges, certificates, pathway).

• Join student groups, clubs, and volunteer at a campus event.
• Attend department events, and professional conferences.
• Check out University resources (Auraria Library, Writing Center, Health Center, Counseling Center). Explore scholarship and/or financial aid opportunitiesExplore Study Abroad &/or Student Travel Opportunities.

• Seek out academic and industry mentors.
• Discuss degree progress and senior experience options with a faculty advisor.
• Consider graduate school or other postgraduate training.

• Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
• Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
• Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.

• Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
• Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.

• Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
• Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
• Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
• Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.

• Participate in a Study Abroad course &/or Student Travel Opportunities.
• Apply for Senior Experience.
• Meet with a department advisor to discuss progress to completion and apply for graduation.

• Join national professional organizations or subscribe to affiliated publications/newsletters.
• Attend local cultural events (theatre, museums, visiting lectures)
• Offer to mentor a new student, become a class teaching assistant, showcase your research, guest lecture for a local group/school or lower-division course.

• Visit C2Hub to create a resume and/or academic CV/professional portfolio.
• Apply for apprenticeships, fellowship, and/or entry level positions.
• Research and consider applying for graduate school, connect with your faculty for recommendation letters.