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Health and Wellness Coach Certification

Prepare to sit for the certification exam to become a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Our online graduate certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching will help develop the skill and knowledge needed to coach patients and clients to enhance their well-being.

Program type:
Certificate - Graduate
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
1 year
Credit hours:
9
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
  • How to Apply

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Why pursue health and wellness coach certification online?

Application Deadline
Summer:
May 1
Fall:
August 1

Regardless of where you live, you can earn your graduate certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching without ever having to come to campus. Our part-time program is perfect for working adults unable to attend traditional on-campus classes.

At UND you'll learn what it takes to be a health professional that works to enhance the well-being of your clients and patients through self-directed, lasting changes.

The rigorous coaching certificate program requires:

  1. Successful completion of three graduate level courses
  2. Attendance at all live trainings
  3. Passing a practical skills assessment

After earning the certificate, completing 50 coaching sessions, and passing the national exam, graduates are nationally certified through the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches (NBHWC). The academic credits can also be counted toward a master’s in Nutrition.

Health and Wellness Coach Certification Online

  • Approved training program for the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches that prepares you to sit for the national exam to become certified.

  • 100% online, part-time program that can be complete in a year.

  • Hands on learning experiences throughout the program including working directly with practice clients and faculty that provide feedback on your coaching skills.

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What can you do with a graduate certificate in health and wellness coaching?

As a health and wellness coach, you’ll begin with an initial assessment with the client, focusing on goals and needs. You’ll look at strengths and values, their social support system, and the client’s desires. After the client creates goals, you will guide them in creating weekly action steps, and follow up with subsequent coaching sessions.

In this growing field, most health and wellness coaching positions now require certification. Our graduates can expect to find jobs in clinical and corporate settings, as well as private practice. Your job titles could include: 

  • Certified health coach
  • Health coach
  • Nutrition coach

Additionally, many of the following career holders are counting skills in health and wellness coaching to be vitally important to their professional success:

  • Dietitians
  • Nurses
  • Nutritionists
  • Personal trainers
  • Public health professionals

Online Health and Wellness Coach Certification Classes

N&D 545. Nutrition in Disease Prevention and Wellness. 3 Credits.

An exploration of prevention and wellness models specifically designed to decrease the mortality and morbidity of chronic disease in the United States population. The course focuses on the involvement of optimal nutrition and health behaviors in prevention of disease and promotion of wellbeing that encompasses a whole person perspective. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. SS.

N&D 550. Nutrition Education and Program Planning. 3 Credits.

Theoretical, research and applied aspects of adult nutrition education. Curriculum design models, instructional tools, program planning and evaluation of education interventions will be discussed in the context of chronic disease prevention. Effective teaching strategies and procedural models for designing effective nutrition education programs targeting the general public will be presented. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor. On demand.

N&D 560. Nutrition and Health Coaching. 3 Credits.

This course develops and strengthens advanced nutrition coaching skills and nutrition counseling interventions using the evidence-based motivational interviewing style. The focus will be on attending to client-centered orientation and building therapeutic relationships through engaged communication skills. Core competencies explored with an emphasis on enhancing practical skill development through video demonstrations, real play, case studies, creative reflection, practice sessions with instructor feedback, and facilitated group discussions. Prerequisite: Admission into the program. F.

Health and Wellness Coach Certification Online

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online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

UND's online graduate certificate in Health and Wellness coaching is 100% online. You are never required to come to campus.

Live Online Health and Wellness Coach Certificate Courses

Synchronous Classes

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture
  • Ask questions
  • Participate in class discussions
  • Conduct group activities
  • Participate in video sharing
  • Have chat conversations
  • Use interactive whiteboards
  • Take live polls

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

Top-Tier Online Health and Wellness Coach Certificate

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

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Explore More Options

Connect with the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

  • Department of Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Certificate Programs
Department Contact
Anne Bodensteiner
Graduate Program Director
P 701.777.3752
anne.bodensteiner@UND.edu

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