Certification is a three-step process. First, you'll submit your request to certify below, which is then forwarded to our Certificate of Issuance Department for review. If your essay meets the requirements (found below), you'll receive feedback, and your certificate of completion will be sent.

Occasionally, we may request resubmissions if we need further clarification about your learning experience. This process can take 7-10 days and longer for resubmissions. After submitting your essay per the instructions herein, submit the form below. Your graduate essay and certification request (the form below) should be submitted within 24 hours of each other.

 

GRADUATE ESSAY GUIDELINES:

ESSAY PURPOSE:

The graduate essay is a critical component of your holistic doctoral program. It demonstrates your fluid understanding of the course material and your ability to articulate it and hold your own conversationally with personal and professional authority.

The act of writing an essay improves written communication skills and critical thinking, allowing individuals to communicate clearly and concisely.

After reading over this page in full, and before you start your essay, make a copy of this pre-formatted template so that you have editing access and then proceed to write within your own copy. Please refrain from altering the font, font size, or line spacing.

ESSAY STRUCTURE:

Introduction:

• Briefly introduce the main topic or question of your essay.

• Clearly state your thesis or main argument.

• Outline the structure of your essay to guide the reader.

Body:

• Divide the body into clear, thematic sections or paragraphs.

• Each section should focus on a specific aspect of your topic, providing evidence and examples from your coursework and research.

• Analyze and critically engage with the material, demonstrating your understanding and original thinking.

• Ensure each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key points discussed in your essay.

• Restate your thesis in light of the arguments and evidence presented.

• Reflect on the implications of your findings for the field of holistic wellness and your personal practice.

Content and Clarity:

• Relevance: Ensure all content directly relates to your thesis and the essay question.

• Depth: Go beyond surface-level analysis. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of holistic wellness concepts.

• Clarity: Write in clear, concise, and coherent language. Avoid jargon unless well-explained.

• Engagement: Show active engagement with the course material. Reflect on your learning experiences and how they apply to real-world wellness scenarios.

• Use of AI: While Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT and other AI tools, are useful in the real world for research and writing, they should NOT be used for academic writing. If it is suspected that AI has been used to write the essay, you’ll be asked to resubmit. This may also result in disciplinary action which remains at the discretion of Rockwell.

Formatting:

• Length: Essays should be between 2,000 and 3,000 words unless otherwise specified.

• Font and Spacing: Use our preferred standard font, Century Gothic, 13.5 points, and double spacing, as above.

• Citations: Follow APA style for all in-text citations and the reference list. Include a minimum of five scholarly sources.

• Title Page: Include your name, course title, essay title, and date of submission.

Submission:

• Submit your essay through the designated online portal by the specified deadline.

• Ensure your file is in PDF or Word format.

Evaluation Criteria:

Your essay will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Understanding and Application: Demonstrated understanding of natural, functional, holistic medicine, its expression, and application. 

• Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information.

• Originality: Presentation of original ideas and personal reflections.

• Writing Quality: Clarity, coherence, and organization of writing.

• Adherence to Guidelines: Following the structure, formatting, and submission requirements.

   

Support and Resources: 

• Writing Center: Access writing support services for structure, clarity, and formatting assistance.
• Library: Utilize library resources for research and reference materials.
• Instructor Feedback: Seek feedback from your instructors during the drafting process. 

Adhering to these guidelines will help you create a high-quality essay that reflects your educational understanding, dedication to your current or future practice (whichever applies), and ability to conversationally hold your own with peers and clients alike. 

Learning how to effectively communicate your skills and articulate your knowledge takes time, but it's crucial to help you later develop your brand, tone, voice, messaging, delivery, and audience targeting for your niche specialties so you can reach the people you're specially coded to help in clinical practice.