The UH Integrative Health and Well-being Coaching Certificate Program is divided into two phases. Admission to the program assumes a commitment to both phases, consecutively (barring any emergency exceptions). Successful completion of Phase 1, including a passing score on a Practical Skills Assessment, is required before moving to Phase 2. During Phase 2, students complete the requisite 50-session practice log required for national board examination eligibility. The practice log is a record of the completion by the student (coach-in-training) of at least 50 coaching sessions with clients.

Phase 1: Core Knowledge and Skills Building

Phase 1 begins with a preliminary module and a welcome session during Week 1 and a three-day intensive during Week 2, followed by 20 weeks of alternating asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Phase 1 covers the core principles and practices of Integrative Health and Well-being coaching including theory and practice in behavior change and coaching psychology, client-centered communication skills that facilitate self-directed change, evidence-informed process and structure, the ethics of coaching, and understanding health and lifestyle conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, exercise, nutrition, work-life balance and much more. In the first half of Phase 1, students read landmark materials, view slide decks, engage in peer discussions, begin practicing components of skills, watch coaching sessions and experience being coached. In the second half of Phase 1, students begin applying their growing knowledge and skills through weekly coaching practice in peer triads while they continue their content learning. With group and individualized mentoring in peer-coaching practice, students will be well-prepared for the final Practical Skills Assessment that is given at the end of this phase, and which must be passed before moving into Phase 2. Documentation of the Practical Skills Assessment including the date it is completed are required for the NBHWC and allows students to use all the client sessions from Phase 2 to contribute to the building of the practice log required for application to sit for the National Board Examination.

Phase 1:

• 22-weeks, including an online three-day intensive (June 13-15, 2024).  Attendance is required. Students complete a Preliminary Module in preparation for the Intensive.
• Module 1-20 begins the week after the 3-day intensive. The modules are offered in an alternating online delivery method, both asynchronously beginning the week of June 24 and synchronously every other Thursday, beginning July 8, 4-7pm CT. Phase 1 runs through November 20, 2024.
• The Practical Skills Assessment must be passed in Phase I, before moving to Phase 2.  

Phase 2: Skills Application and Community based Practice 

This 15-week phase is an opportunity for students to practice their skills through coaching volunteer clients, while also receiving regular individual and group synchronous supervision sessions and learning from both faculty and peers. During the first week of Phase 2, students attend an online Preparation Session, in which they clarify the process for virtual client work, use of consents, recording process and storage, assessment tools, scheduling, marketing presentation and scheduling plans. During Weeks 2-4, students will work with clients and begin receiving one-on-one mentoring with a faculty member. All coaching sessions will be documented on the practice log needed for application to sit for the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) examination. A minimum of 50, 30-minute coaching sessions must be completed. Students will submit selected recordings for individual feedback, and present cases for discussion from faculty and peers during group supervision. Week 15 includes an online Graduation Ceremony. 

Phase 2: 

• Preparation Session begins January 2, 2025. 
• Client care begins the week of January 13, 2025. 
• There are five scheduled synchronous sessions during this time consisting of small group client supervision, every third week, beginning January 9, from 4-7pm CST.