Health Sciences: Health Coaching Concentration, Bachelor of Science
Graduates from the Health Coaching concentration are prepared to work in worksite health promotion programs, insurance disease prevention programs, behavioral health facilities, or in private practice as a health coach assisting clients with behavior change and disease prevention. This is an ideal program for students who would like to assist clients with lifestyle changes and for those who may be interested in a Master's in Behavior Change, Health Promotion or Counseling.
With a degree in Health Coaching, you have a variety of career options that allow you to work in healthcare, wellness, fitness, corporate settings, and more. Here are some of the most common paths:
1. Health and Wellness Coaching
Certified Health Coach: Work one-on-one with clients to help them achieve their health goals (nutrition, fitness, stress management). National Board Certification is also available.
Behavior Change Specialist: Help clients develop sustainable habits for better health.
Virtual Health Coach: Offer online coaching through video calls or apps.
Weight Management Coach: Guide clients in healthy weight loss or maintenance.
Chronic Disease Management Coach: Support clients with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or obesity.
2. Corporate Wellness Coaching
Corporate Wellness Coach: Develop wellness programs for employees in large organizations.
Employee Wellness Coordinator: Organize fitness challenges, mental health workshops, and health screenings.
Stress Management Coach: Teach mindfulness and relaxation techniques to employees.
Workplace Ergonomics Specialist: Advise companies on creating healthier workspaces.
3. Nutrition and Dietary Intake Coaching
Nutrition Coach (with additional certification): Provide dietary advice and meal planning.
Holistic Health Coach: Use natural and whole-food-based approaches to health.
Sports Nutrition Coach: Guide athletes in optimizing their diets for performance.
Weight Management Coach: Help clients develop sustainable eating habits for healthy weight management.
4. Mental and Emotional Wellness
Mindfulness Coach: Teach clients stress management techniques, meditation, and relaxation.
Stress Management Coach: Help clients identify and manage stressors in their lives.
Self-Care Coach: Guide clients in developing self-care routines.
Resilience Coach: Help clients build mental and emotional strength.
5. Healthcare Settings
Health Coach in Medical Clinics: Support patients in managing chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease).
Patient Education Specialist: Teach patients about lifestyle changes for better health.
Rehabilitation Health Coach: Guide patients recovering from surgeries or injuries.
Telehealth Coach: Provide remote coaching for patients in rural or underserved areas.
6. Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Online Health Coaching Business: Offer personalized coaching through a website or app.
Wellness Workshop Facilitator: Lead health and wellness seminars or retreats.
Health and Wellness Blogger/Influencer: Share tips and build a following online.
Create Health Coaching Programs: Design and sell coaching packages, e-books, or online courses.
7. Specialty Health Coaching
Sleep Coach: Help clients improve sleep quality and manage sleep disorders.
Gut Health Coach: Guide clients in improving digestion and gut health.
Hormonal Health Coach: Support clients dealing with hormonal imbalances.
Chronic Pain Coach: Teach pain management techniques to clients.
8. Non-Profit and Community Health
Community Health Coach: Offer coaching services in underserved communities.
Wellness Program Coordinator: Manage health coaching programs for non-profits.
Support Group Leader: Lead groups for people with shared health challenges (smoking cessation, weight loss).
9. Advanced Careers with Further Education
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES): Help clients manage diabetes.
Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist (with further education): Use psychology to support health behavior change.
Functional Medicine Health Coach: Work with a functional medicine practitioner to provide holistic coaching.
Nurse Health Coach (with nursing license): Combine nursing skills with coaching for patient support.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Summarize and synthesize information relevant to assessing and improving population health and healthcare issues.
- Exhibit the ability to read and interpret scientific research with application of the scientific methods, statistics, study design, and reporting in the health sciences.
- Evaluate and integrate critical concepts and skills acquired in the health sciences curriculum to common professional problems in the health science fields of interest.
- Exhibit effective oral and written communication as well as mass communication regarding subjects related to the health sciences in an individual and group setting.
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge, skills and critical problems solving in a field-based and/or clinical setting.
Outcomes Assessment Activities
- Pre/post test writing assignment;
- Portfolio;
- End-of-program exam;
- End-of-program survey; and
- Supervisor surveys.
Specific Program Requirements
Program Overview
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 35 |
| Major Requirements | 11 |
| Concentration Requirements | 56 |
| Electives or Minor | 18 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Specific General Education Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 223 | Human Physiology and Anatomy I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 223L | Human Physiology and Anatomy I Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| BIOL 224 | Human Physiology and Anatomy II (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 224L | Human Physiology and Anatomy II Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| MATH 156 | Introduction to Statistics (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| General Education English | 3 | |
| General Education History | 3 | |
| General Education Humanities | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
Specific Concentration Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 112 | Nutrition | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| CIS 103 | Introduction to PowerPoint | 1 |
| CIS 104 | Introduction to Excel Spreadsheets | 1 |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | Principles of Chemistry Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| EPER 162 | Personal Health | 3 |
| EPER 162L | Personal Health Lab | 1 |
| EPER 201 | Drugs and Healthy Lifestyles | 3 |
| EPER 212 | Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| EPER 222 | Behavior Facilitation | 3 |
| HS 101 | Introduction to Health Professions | 2 |
| HS 230 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| HS 312 | Nutrition & Food Systems in Public Health | 3 |
| HS 322 | Health Coaching Concepts | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention | 3 |
| HS 422 | Applied Health Coaching | 3 |
| HS 493 | Seminar | 2 |
| HS 498 | Internship | 6 |
| PSYC 212 | Psychology of Diversity | 3 |
| PSYC 362 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 403 | Emotional Intelligence | 3 |
| PSYC 471 | Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 61 | |
HS Coaching Electives
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose 3 classes for a total of 9 credits: | 9 | |
| Theories Of Personality | 3 | |
| Health, Culture, and Society | 3 | |
| Evaluation of Health Issues | 3 | |
| Community and Global Health | 3 | |
| Exercise Physiology | 3 | |
| Exercise Physiology Lab | 1 | |
| Kinesiology | 3 | |
| Grant Writing & Community Partnerships | 3 | |
| Poverty and Inequality in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Positive Psychology | 3 | |
| Public Health Program Planning | 3 | |
| Public Health Program Evaluation | 3 | |
| Exercise Assessment & Prescription | 3 | |
| Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology | 3 | |
| Behavior Modification | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Specific Graduation Requirements
All HSHM Majors are required to:
- Complete a concentration of study with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Earn a 2.0 overall GPA to enroll in 300 or 400-level courses in the department;
- Earn a minimum grade of a “C” in all prerequisite and major courses;
- Repeat prerequisite and major courses with a grade of “D” or lower until a grade of “C” or higher is achieved; and
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in required English and speech communication courses.
- Earn at least 120 credit hours with at least 40 upper-division credits.
- Successfully complete an internship course.
- Submit a graduation contract by the deadline the semester of graduation.
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HS 101 | Introduction to Health Professions | 2 |
| MATH 156 | Introduction to Statistics (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 103 | Introduction to PowerPoint | 1 |
| CIS 104 | Introduction to Excel Spreadsheets | 1 |
| EPER 162 & 162L |
Personal Health and Personal Health Lab |
4 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| General Education English | 3 | |
| General Education Humanities | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 112 | Nutrition | 3 |
| BIOL 223 & 223L |
Human Physiology and Anatomy I (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy I Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| EPER 201 | Drugs and Healthy Lifestyles | 3 |
| General Education History | 3 | |
| General Education Humanities | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| BIOL 224 & 224L |
Human Physiology and Anatomy II (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy II Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| EPER 222 | Behavior Facilitation | 3 |
| HS 230 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| Elective or Minor | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 111 & 111L |
Principles of Chemistry (GT-SC2) and Principles of Chemistry Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| HS 322 | Health Coaching Concepts | 3 |
| PSYC 212 | Psychology of Diversity | 3 |
| Elective or Minor | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS 312 | Nutrition & Food Systems in Public Health | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention | 3 |
| HS 422 | Applied Health Coaching | 3 |
| PSYC 403 | Emotional Intelligence | 3 |
| Elective or Minor | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| HS 493 | Seminar | 2 |
| PSYC 362 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Health Coaching Selection Courses | 6 | |
| Elective or Minor | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS 498 | Internship | 6 |
| PSYC 471 | Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| Health Coaching Selection Courses | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor at least 2 upper division | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |