Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching

As the interest in health and wellness has increased, so has the demand for education in the field of health coaching. The Center for Integrative Health has responded to this need by creating an online certificate program designed to appeal to practitioners from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds including physicians, nurses, chiropractors, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, pharmacists, individuals who practice acupuncture, individuals who practice naturopathy, physical fitness trainers, weight management coaches, health and fitness center coaches, and physical therapists, among others.

In keeping with its commitment to quality, relevance, and access, the Center has created a program that allows individuals to continue their education and professional development in integrative health and maintain a work-life balance. The certificate incorporates the best practices of other institutions currently engaged in teaching complementary and alternative health.

The program includes innovative entrance and completion pathways to allow the broadest possible number of qualified individuals to participate. Individuals may enroll in this program and obtain graduate credit or they may opt to take selected courses and earn continuing education units. Individuals wishing to be admitted to the graduate certificate program must meet all requirements for admission to a graduate degree program. Financial aid is available for qualified individuals enrolled in the graduate program.

Introduction to Complementary Healing
Examines the cultural context of healing traditions and specific practices such as Chinese medicine, energy healing, mind-body healing, spirituality and healing, naturopathy, homeopathy, manual therapies, and integrative nutrition.

Self as Coach
Requires students to examine their core beliefs, personal style, roles, defensive strategies, projections, etc., so that they will be better able to coach others.

Fundamentals of Health Coaching
Examines coaching models, relationships, contexts, principles, and practices, and provides the foundation for developing productive coaching relationships.

The Coaching Relationship
Focuses on health coaching as a transformational journey. Topics include: theoretical perspectives on the change process, decision making, co-creating a plan of action, uncovering blocks, and handling resistance, among others.

Social and Emotional Intelligences
Includes a discussion of the social neuroscience behind relationships, combining non-verbal agility to expand empathic accuracy, using assessments to develop competencies, and designing and implementing health coaching interventions.

Advance Health Coaching Seminar
Permits students to acquire a depth of knowledge and understanding of ways to serve their clients as a health coach.

Practicum in Health Coaching
Prepares students to function as competent professional health coaches. Students seeking graduate credit must complete a 120 hour practicum experience that includes at least 50 hours of coaching in a healthcare environment. Individuals taking this course for continuing education credits are required to complete a 50 hour practicum.

Independent Study in Health Coaching
Restricted to individuals enrolled for graduate credit, students propose an area of study and, with faculty guidance, determine a topic. The outcome is a project-focused research paper which results in the development of a coaching application, tool, or training method.