This certificate brings together coursework from the disciplines of exercise and wellness, nutrition, behavioral health and coaching psychology to give students a strong background, perspective and real-life experiences in applied coaching techniques and methods used to decrease and prevent chronic disease risks.
Students learn evidence-based behavior change methodologies and practice coaching communication skills and strategies to influence sustainable healthy lifestyles. They learn to guide groups and individuals through meaningful life changes by using concepts that emphasize evidence-based coaching and behavioral practices as well as motivational interviewing techniques. Students work with clients using learned health coaching techniques and they develop the knowledge and skills to work with people who require lifestyle management strategies to improve their well-being. Faculty consistently monitor and mentor coaching practices to provide evaluation and feedback on how students may improve their coaching skills, and a final practical skills evaluation is completed to assess a student’s coaching abilities. Coaching skills are addressed synchronously over telephone, in person, or via Skype or another video platform. Students who complete this certificate qualify for certification by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching.
When you successfully complete this program, you will become a certified health and wellness coach. You'll also meet the eligibility requirement for the certifying examination of the National Board Certification for Health and Wellness Coaches offered by International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaches. https://nbhwc.org
The health and wellness coach certificate brings together coursework from the disciplines of exercise and wellness, nutrition, behavioral health and coaching psychology to give students a strong background, perspective and practical experience in coaching techniques and methods used to decrease and prevent chronic disease risks.
Students learn evidence-based behavior change methodologies and practice coaching communication skills and strategies to influence sustainable healthy lifestyles. They learn to guide groups and individuals through meaningful lifestyle changes by using concepts that emphasize evidence-based coaching and behavioral practices as well as motivational interviewing techniques.
Students work with clients using learned health coaching techniques, and they develop the knowledge and skills to work with people who require lifestyle management strategies to improve their well-being. Faculty monitor coaching sessions to provide feedback on how students may improve their coaching skills, and a final practical skills evaluation is completed to assess a student's coaching ability.
At A Glance
Health and Wellness Coach (Certificate)
- Offered by: College of Health Solutions
- Location: Downtown, West
Application requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:
Affording college
Scholarships
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Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless
of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact,
more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of
financial assistance every year.
This program meets the requirements of the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. Students who complete the program are qualified to sit for the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching Examination.
Professional licensure
Eligibility to sit for the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWC) is based on completing an NBC-HWC-approved health and wellness training and education program. This program is intended to lead to certification in any state. The health and wellness coach profession is not licensed. NBC-HWCs can practice anywhere in the world as long as they are abiding by the local laws surrounding health coaching.
Program requirements
Degree requirements
To enroll in the certificate program, the applicant must be admitted to ASU as a degree-seeking or postbaccalaureate student. The certificate requires that students take the following courses, for 18 credit hours.
A "C" or better is required in all upper-division coursework.
Required Core Courses (15 credit hours)
EXW 325 Fitness for Life (3)
HSC 340 Changing Health Behaviors (3) or EXW 342 Health Behavior Change (3) or NTR 350 Nutrition Counseling (3)
HSC 440 Health Coaching Concepts and Skills (3)
HSC 441 Applied Health Coaching Techniques (3)
NTR 241 Human Nutrition (3)
Elective (3 credit hours)
EXW 303 Human Sexuality for Health Education (3)
EXW 312 HIV/AIDS Prevention (1)
EXW 321 Consumer Health (1)
EXW 331 Violence Prevention (1)
EXW 341 Injury Prevention (1)
EXW 344 Physical Activity in Health and Disease (3)
EXW 350 Substance Abuse and Addictive Behavior (3)
EXW 351 Substance Abuse Prevention (1)
EXW 361 Social Media and Marketing in Health Education (1)
EXW 371 Conflict Management and Mediation (1)
EXW 380 Body Image and Wellness (3)
EXW 400 Stress Management for Wellness (3)
EXW 443 Emotional Health and Interpersonal Relationships (3)
HCD 340 Complementary Health Care (3)
HCR 303 Assessing Needs, Assets and Capacity for Health Education (3)
HCR 340 Foundations of Integrative Health (3)
HCR 342 Mind-Body and Energy Therapies and Modalities (3)
NTR 345 Development of Healthy Cuisines (3)
NTR 348 Cultural Aspects of Food, SB and C and G (3)
NTR 360 Entrepreneurship and Value Creation (3)
NTR 450 Nutrition in the Life Cycle, SB (3)
NTR 457 Sports Nutrition (3)
PSY 304 Effective Thinking, L (3)
Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: 2.00
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Career outlook
Students can become more marketable and advance their career options with this undergraduate certificate in health and wellness coaching that complements their major program of study. It also provides them an opportunity to seek a national certification path.
Career options include fitness and wellness coordinators, community health workers, coaches and scouts, occupational health and safety specialists, health care support workers and personal care aides.