Health and Wellness Coaching

The Certificate of Achievement in Health and Wellness Coaching gives students the skills to improve the health of individuals and groups through interventions in behavior change, nutrition, and physical activity. Program graduates will facilitate healthy lifestyle change in multiple sectors of the allied health field. Students are exposed to the science of behavior change, interpersonal communication, nutrition, physical activity, and entrepreneurship. Students will be prepared to sit for the American Council on Exercise's nationally accredited Health Coach Certification exam and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching Certification exam.

ProgramStudent Learning Outcomes:

Critical Thinking: Apply core critical thinking skills of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and explanation in the development of nutritional and fitness plans and the acquisition of skill development including proper techniques, physiological principles and kinesthetic awareness.

Communication: Demonstrate effective and sensitive verbal, nonverbal and written communications skills.

Self-Awareness: Value and implement physical fitness activities, wellness strategies and principles in support of a healthy lifestyle.

Information Literacy: Utilize current technology to research and compile information in health and wellness, human performance.

Program Prerequisites Skills/EnrollmentLimitations:

No additional entry criteria are required and the selection process complies with California Code of regulations, Title 5, Section 58106.

Career Technical Education (CTE):

This program allows students to work as health and wellness coaches and to advance their careers as personal trainers, group fitness instructors and medical exercise specialists. This program also helps those in the allied health field, including but not limited to, registered nurses, registered dietitians, physicians, physician assistant, physical therapists and physical therapy assistants to advance their understanding of health behavior change.

Transfer:

Students that complete this program may be able to use units to complete degrees in Public Health or Health Education. No other transfer considerations.

HighUnit/Accrediting and/or Licensing Standards:

Upon completion of this certificate students will be prepared to sit for the both the American Council on Exercise (ACE) andNational Board for Health and Wellness Coaching certification examinations. 

This program includes courses in the Exercise Science, Health, Business, Nutrition and Communications Departments. Many of the proposed courses are being offered for the first time and no enrollment, success or retention data is available for these courses. BUSE 129, EXSC 294,EXSC 298, HEAL 103, HEAL 105 and HEAL 107 are new courses.

The Success Rate for Exercise Science for the previous 5 years is 80% and the Success Rate for Health is 71%. Retention Rate for Exercise Science during the same period is 87% and for Health is 89%.

Currently, we have 30 students who are enrolled in the Personal Training Certificate Program. We estimate one-third of these students will continue their education with the Health and Wellness Coaching Program, and that we will draw 10-20 additional students who are already working in the allied health fields per year. Therefore, we estimate the number of awards each year will be approximately 30.

The Exercise Science, Health and AthleticsProgram offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide practical and theoretical training for student’s success by providing an accessible and practical environment to teach and practice personal wellness, athletic and healthy lifestyle skills and strategies. The wide variety of course offerings target our diverse student body in providing a range of exercise, health, athletics and theory courses. Our program is a key component in providing a comprehensive community college environment focused on student success through the promotion of a healthy mind and body. Student learning and success in our program, like that of the college, support transfer, workforce training, and lifelong learning. Faculty and staff work to create a collaborative environment for students that promote leadership, academic success, and foster responsible citizens who make a positive social impact. Students will explain the principles of behavior modification as it applies to physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Students will apply evidence-based strategies to improve the health of behaviors of individuals and groups. Students will be prepared to sit for the American Council on Exercise's nationally accredited Health Coach Certification exam and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching Certification exam.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this program students will possess an excellent foundation in knowledge and professional skills required for the profession of Wellness Coaching. 

Upon successful completion of this program students will be qualified to sit for the American Council on Exercise'snationally accredited Health Coach Certification exam and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching Certification exam.

Upon successful completion of this program students will be qualified for entry-level employment or independent entrepreneurship in the field of Wellness Coaching and related fields. 

Health and Wellness Coaching is an emerging field with potential employment opportunities in a variety of settings here in San Diego from hospitals (Kaiser, UCSD, Scripps, Sharp and others) to coaching at fitness centers. Our current Advisory Board includes representatives from a wide range of employers including: Cigna, WorkBetter Wellness, ACE, and Brainstorm Fitness. 

The Health and Exercise Science programs at SanDiego Mesa College, with an emphasis on building necessary employment skills or four-year university transfer, has a long history of maintaining currency in these respective fields.  Faculty are professionally engaged beyond the college setting and provide students connections to the community, with possibilities for internships in health clubs. 

Currently, San Diego Mesa College offers an Associate of Arts/Science Degree in Kinesiology and a Certificate of Achievement in Personal Training. The Coaching Wellness program will allow students to develop additional cutting edge skills in the fitness and wellness industries. 

Units required for the certificate ranges from 18.5 - 19. Courses represented are in the following departments: Health Education, Exercise Science, Nutrition, Business, and Communication Studies.