FAQ
What is the course format of the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?
The Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship program is asynchronous, so most of the content is online. Fellows are to watch the recorded content on their own time and participate in module online discussions, small group meetings, grand rounds and three in-person residential retreats.
What is the weekly commitment for the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?
The weekly commitment fellows can expect in the Integrative & Functional Medicine fellowship is 10-12 hours per week.
Can I work while enrolled in the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?
Yes, you can work while enrolled in the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship.
What do the IFMF’s residential retreats consist of?
The Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship includes in-person retreats that are five days long, from Wednesday to Sunday. They are required for all fellows. The retreats provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
What are the IFMF’s small group meetings?
The fellowship’s small group meetings are monthly virtual one-hour meetings with an assigned mentor.
What are the IFMF’s grand rounds?
The fellowship’s grand rounds are monthly virtual 1.5-hour sessions with Course Directors on module topics.
What do you need to apply for the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?
To apply for the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship, you will need:
- Resume/CV
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Written Personal Statement
- Professional School Diploma
- Questionnaire – Background Information
- Note: International applicants must provide a copy of their medical school diploma translated in English, proof of active medical license, and TOEFL score
How much of the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship covers functional medicine?
Much of our Fellowship faculty has embed functional medicine within their curriculum. All the integrative and functional ologies – women’s health, oncology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, etc. – have functional approaches and are heavy in functional medicine.
Do you have to pay the full tuition for the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship upfront?
No, you do not have to pay the full tuition upfront. Tuition for the full two-year program is $25,000. We have three tuition payment options, which you can view on our Tuition page.
What is the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship’s policy on medical or personal leave of absence?
If emergencies arise, we work with the fellow in creating a plan. This may include deferring to the next cohort.
What do I get upon completion of the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?
Upon successful completion of the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship program, fellows will receive a certificate of completion. Additionally, MDs and DOs will become eligible to take the board certification exam with the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) through the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). The IFMF is recognized by the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health, the official recognizing body for integrative medicine fellowships in the U.S. The ACIMH provides recognition to specific fellowships that have achieved a level of training for physicians to demonstrate competency and mastery of the specialty of integrative medicine.
Do you have any information about whether the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) will recognize integrative medicine for their board certification in the future?
We’ve tried for more than 20 years without success. This led us to go through ABPS, which also offers board certification nationally.
What is the evaluation format for the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship? Tests, final exams, etc.
Course quizzes and exams are embedded within each module and/or quarter. A research paper will be due at the end of the second year. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will be done midway and at the end of the program. The Fellowship final exam will be at the very end of the two-year program.
How many fellows does the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship accept?
We are accepting 25-30 fellows per cohort. Once we reach capacity, we will transition the overflow to receive first seating to the next cohort.
How many times can you sit for the ABOIM boards?
You are given three attempts to pass the ABPS exam.
Why pursue a two-year Fellowship in Integrative and Functional Medicine?
The healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for whole-person, root-cause approaches to complex chronic conditions, lifestyle-related diseases, and mental health challenges. Our two-year fellowship in Integrative and Functional Medicine provides healthcare professionals with the comprehensive training and advanced tools needed to meet this demand/
Through evidence-based education grounded in systems biology, nutrition, mind-body medicine, and personalized care, graduates are uniquely positioned to offer transformative care in private practice, academic settings, hospitals, and wellness centers.
How is the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship structured for working professionals?
Our program is designed with the realities of clinical practice in mind. This hybrid Fellowship combines the flexibility of online learning with live mentorship, monthly seminars with key faculty, and immersive residential retreats. Clinicians can continue working full-time while pursuing their training.
Do you offer scholarships for the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?
Yes, we are happy to offer a limited number of partial scholarships for each Fellowship cohort. Our scholarship program is designed to support applicants who serve in the military, work in underserved communities, or practice within the University of California system. Awards typically cover 25% to 50% of program tuition and are determined through a competitive review process by our scholarship committee.
To be considered, applicants should highlight relevant professional and community experience within their application. All submissions are thoroughly evaluated for merit, need, and alignment with our mission of advancing equitable access to integrative and functional medicine education.
What credentials do I receive upon completing the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?
Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of California–Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. This credential affirms integrative and functional medicine mastery, rooted in evidence-based, whole-person care.
As an alumnus, you gain lifelong access to a dynamic network of health professionals, continued faculty mentorship, invitations to alumni events and conferences, and ongoing access to curriculum updates to keep your practice at the field’s leading edge.
Is the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship approved for GI Bill® benefits?
We have explored GI Bill® eligibility through the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE). Currently, the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute does not meet the criteria due to the program’s non-ACGME accreditation status. While we cannot offer GI Bill® funding, we remain committed to supporting veterans through our scholarship offerings and flexible payment options.
Are tax forms (e.g., 1098-T or W-2) provided?
The Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship is a non-credit, postgraduate professional training program that does not issue 1098-T or W-2 tax forms. Based on their professional circumstances, fellows are encouraged to consult a qualified tax advisor to determine if the program may be deductible as a business or continuing education expense. Tax implications vary, and personalized advice is essential for making informed decisions.
Does completing the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship make me eligible for board certification in Integrative Medicine?
Yes. The Fellowship is formally recognized by the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health (ACIMH), the national body that affirms the quality of integrative medicine fellowship training programs. Completing an approved Fellowship such as ours fulfills the primary requirement for MDs and DOs seeking board certification through the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM), under the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).
