Degree Requirements: 88 hours
Completion Time: 38 weeks
Earned Credits: 9
The certificate in Integrative Wellness Coaching is oriented around the fundamental coaching competencies and skills recognized by professional credentialing organizations. The certificate program is best suited for individuals interested in obtaining skills and competencies in fundamental, intermediate, and advanced coaching methods that can be taken as a current degree student or non-degree student.
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As an emerging profession, integrative wellness coaching is quickly becoming recognized as an essential component of health and wellness services, education, and research. Integrative wellness coaching is a solution-focused, holistic, and sustainable approach to wellness that forms an intersection between lifestyle, health needs, and personal transformation. Drawing from current research in professional coaching, lifestyle medicine, positive psychology, and mind-body interventions, students enrolled in Saybrook’s Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Certificate program integrate and apply evidence-based, best practice approaches to support well-being in others. The curriculum presents a foundation of scholarship supporting coaching theories, processes, models, ethical principles, and relevant applications. In addition to critically evaluating and utilizing the published literature, students are developing and mastering specific competencies, skills, and standards of practice expected for integrative wellness coaching professionals.
By satisfying the required coursework of the IWC Certificate program, students are eligible to earn a Certificate in Integrative Wellness Coaching. This certificate program is approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF) for 88 hours of coach training and is also an Approved Training Program by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).
Program Learning Goals
The Program Learning Outcomes reflect skills and competencies required for national certification in professional coaching:
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills to evaluate and utilize evidence-based theories and practices in the professional field of integrative health, wellness, and coaching.
- Appraise, assess, and differentiate client needs in preparation for the implementation of a plan that addresses fundamental health, well-being, and personal life direction.
- Compare and contrast effective approaches in coaching to meet individual client, business, or organization goals.
- Explain and integrate ethical principles and professional practice standards within the field of coaching.
Coaching Philosophy, Model, and Approach
The College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences (CIMHS) is dedicated to a holistic, person-centered, evidence-informed, and integrative perspective to health and health care. CIMHS was launched in 2009 to extend Saybrook University’s humanistic heritage into health care and further areas of mental health care. The Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Certificate program at Saybrook University emphasizes a holistic, person-centered approach to wellness coaching, with full attention to best practices and emerging research. The IWC Certificate program presents a foundation of scholarship supporting coaching theories, processes, models, ethical principles, and relevant applications. The coursework is informed by self-determination theory, behavioral change theory, and positive psychology.
Lead Instructors
Julie A. Cerrato, Ph.D., Beth Haggett, Ph.D., Robin Dickey, Ph.D., Valerie Worthington, Ph.D., James Weeden, Ph.D.
Intended Participants
Saybrook’s Integrative Wellness Coaching Certificate program is approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF) for 88 hours of coach training and is also an Approved Training Program by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). This program is best suited for individuals who are interested in earning a graduate-level education to master the art and science of coaching, as well as exploring a broad range of career opportunities.
Graduates of the IWC Certificate program will be prepared to pursue professional work the following areas:
- Independent consulting and private practice
- Medical centers, hospitals, and other clinical care settings
- Integrative medicine and wellness centers
- Community organizations, public health, and policy settings
- Medical spas and yoga retreat centers
- Corporate wellness
- Health promotion and wellness education programs
- Sports medicine programs
- Research and development
- Educational institutions
- Health and wellness writing and journalism (non-technical, technical)
Language/s that are used in program delivery:
Saybrook’s Integrative Wellness Coaching Certificate program is delivered in English.
How the program is delivered (e.g., face-to-face, webinar, telephonic, combination):
Saybrook’s Integrative Wellness Coaching Certificate program is delivered via attendance at virtual Residential Conference and via participation in online videoconferences, phone calls, and recorded videos.
For admission into Saybrook’s Integrative Wellness Coaching Certificate program, prospective students must have the following:
- An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, with a 3.0 or better GPA;
- A personal statement
- An interview with the chair of Saybrook’s IWC department
Policies on payment of tuition and fees – Saybrook Payment/Fees policy(s)
Policies on refunds and withdrawals – Saybrook Refunds and Withdrawals Policy
COA5628 – Evidence-Based Coaching – Residential Conference Required:
This course presents a comprehensive overview of the foundational coaching competencies and skills as defined by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).
Throughout the duration of the course, students will:
- Learn about the similarities and differences between coaching, counseling, and consulting
- Apply the coaching framework and skills to facilitate effective coaching conversations and processes
- Review the theories and evidence-based approaches that support the coaching process and its outcomes
- Discuss career opportunities within the coaching profession.
This is the first of three required courses in Saybrook’s Integrative Wellness
Coaching Certificate program.
Credit(s): 3.0 Prerequisite(s): None
Offered: SP-Term A/B
Course Length: 15 weeks; two-day, 18-hour virtual Residential Conference required
COA5632 – Intermediate Coaching – Residential Conference Required:
This intermediate-level coaching course is designed to strengthen the core coaching competencies taught in the foundational COA 5628 Evidence-Based Coaching course.
Throughout the eight-week term, students will:
- Discuss and practice intermediate coaching skills and competencies
- Identify and use various health and wellness assessments related to coaching
- Identify opportunities and approaches to integrate mind-body-spirit techniques within coaching sessions
- Strengthen self-coaching skills and self-care practices
- Investigate coaching opportunities within the integrative health care field (e.g., medical, community health and wellness, private practice, corporate wellness).
This is the second of three required courses in the Integrative Wellness Coaching
Certificate program.
Credit(s): 3.0
Prerequisite(s): COA5628 Offered: SU – Term A
Course Length: 8 weeks; two-day, six-hour virtual Residential Conference required
COA5593 – Advanced Coaching Practicum:
In this final skills and competencies development course in the coaching curriculum, students will engage in twelve experiential coaching sessions with 3-4 practice clients.
This advanced coaching practicum provides students with the opportunity to utilize and improve their spectrum of integrative wellness coaching skills within their specific coaching niche. Students will receive weekly faculty supervision and peer coaching support via videoconference, mentoring, and online discussions.
This is the third of three required courses in the Integrative Wellness Coaching Certificate program.
Credit(s): 3.0 Prerequisite(s): COA5628 3.0 credit(s) and COA5628
Offered: FA-Term A/B (Offering depends upon enrollment numbers)
Course Length: 15 weeks; No RC required
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More program information can be found in our academic catalog.