Overview | Certificate Program

Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate

Overview

Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate

The Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate program is offered to credit and non-credit seeking students who are interested in developing skills to foster health-related behavior change in partnership with patients, clients, or community members.

The program can prepare individuals to work as a health coach or elevate the skills for health professionals who are interested in strengthening their ability to connect and facilitate health behavior change.

Kate O'Farrell

Certificate Program Coordinator

For questions, please contact the Certificate Program Coordinator, Kate O’Farrell, PhD, NBC-HWC.

Certificate Pathway

Foundations in Health and Wellness Coaching

Offered Every Fall Semester

This course introduces foundational skills, philosophies, and concepts of health and wellness coaching across a 15-week hybrid course design, with 15 in-person sessions, and additional online materials provided.

Advanced Health and Wellness Coaching

Offered Every Spring Semester

As a follow-up to the foundations course, this course provides students with advanced training in health and wellness coaching, with a focus on skill building and content knowledge across the eight domains of health. The course is offered as a 15-week hybrid course design, with 15 in-person sessions, and additional online materials provided.

Mentoring & Practical Skills Evaluations

Students in the two-course series will complete a number of practice coaching sessions, including brief in-class coaching as well as two formal practical skills evaluations per course, four total. Students will be provided with in-depth mentoring to identify strengths and areas of improvement in their coaching skills to thrive in clinical, community, campus, and corporate health and wellness settings.
Students enrolled in the certificate program will collaborate with students in the MS Applied Health Education Specialist and Wellness Coaching program. Peer mentoring, community building, and collaboration are central to our program’s success.

Certificate Program Information

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare the following materials before beginning the online application:

Review the Prerequisite Pathways: Carefully review the available prerequisite pathways to determine which best aligns with your academic preparation and eligibility for the certificate program.
Evidence of Degree Completion: Documentation of your undergraduate or graduate degree (to be provided upon request). Unofficial transcripts may be accepted for initial review.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume: A current CV or résumé outlining your educational background, professional experience, and relevant qualifications.
Personal Statement (300–500 words): Submit a personal statement describing your interest in applying for the Integrated Health & Wellness Coaching Certificate Program. Please address the following prompts in your statement:
- What interests you most about the Integrated Health & Wellness Coaching Certificate program?
- How do you see your participation in this program contributing to your current or future professional and/or personal develop
- What does “health” mean to you?
- What is your brief philosophy on, or approach to, health behavior change?
- Applicants are encouraged to integrate their academic background, professional experiences, and personal perspectives throughout their statement.

Applications will be reviewed starting July 1 for each academic year. If additional seats remain, we will accept applications on a rolling basis through August 10.

Pre-requisites

1. Completion of a Health-Related Undergraduate Degree

A completed bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, such as:

Kinesiology or Exercise Science
Health Sciences
Nutrition or Dietetics
Public Health
Nursing

Psychology (health-focused)
Health Education
Therapeutic Recreation
Allied Health Sciences
Other related health discipline

2. Enrollment in or Completion of a Health-Related Graduate Program

Currently enrolled in or graduated from a health-related graduate program, including:

Medicine (MD, DO)
Nursing (MSN, NP, DNP)
Pharmacy (PharmD)
Physical Therapy (MPT, DPT)
Occupational Therapy (MOT, OTD)

Physician Assistant Studies
Public Health (MPH)
Nutrition or Dietetics
Social Work (health-focused)
Other related health discipline

3. Alternative Admission Pathway

Applicants who do not hold a health-related degree may qualify for admission through the following pathway:

A bachelor’s degree in any discipline
OR
An associate degree in any discipline plus a minimum of two (2) years of professional work experience in a non–health-related field

AND

Completion of the following college-level prerequisite courses:
- Exercise Physiology (e.g., KINES 3091)
- Anatomy and Physiology (e.g., HEDU 4650)
- Scientific Foundations of Human Nutrition and Health (e.g., NUTR 1020)