Health and wellness coaches partner with clients seeking to enhance their well-being through self-directed, lasting changes, aligned with their values. In the course of their work, health & wellness coaches display an unconditional positive regard for their clients and a belief in their capacity for change, honoring the fact that each client is an expert on their own life, while ensuring that all interactions are respectful and non-judgmental.

Source: https://nbhwc.org

• Clinical coaching more present in medical model
• Growing industry 
• Support continuing education of our health care professionals
• Evidence-based approach to influence health care outcomes

• Behavioral health focus and expertise
• Established and growing partnerships with UI Hospitals & Clinics
• Research opportunities
• Built infrastructure within HHP

Step one: Complete course work

• HHP:3030 Lifestyle Medicine, 3 semester hours
• HHP:4020 Health Coaching, 3 semester hours

Step two: Practical skills exam

AFTER completing both courses, students are required to conduct practical skills exam and will receive feedback from the Health Coach Faculty. After practical skills assessment is complete and student passes, paperwork to NBHWC is submitted. The Practical Skills Exam is done in a virtual meeting with the UIowa Health Coach Faculty.

Step three: Practice (50 coaching sessions)

• HHP:4365 Health Coach Practicum
• Independent coaching

Step four: National Board Exam

Apply to sit for NBHWC. Visit https://nbhwc.org to submit application and identify exam dates.

If you're a...

• Current UIOWA student AND current HHP major or minor
  • Course enrollment:
    • Complete HHP:3030 and HHP:4200 as part of your degree plan
  • Tuition:
    • Six semester hours for two courses. See tuition at https://registrar.uiowa.edu/tuition-fees
    • $125 for practical Exam from Health Coach Faculty
• Current UIOWA student BUT not a current HHP major or minor
  • Course enrollment:
    • Complete HHP:3030 and HHP:4200 as part of your degree plan (Get instructor approval if prerequisites are not met. Must have similar courses)
  • Tuition:
    • Six semester hours for two courses. See tuition at https://registrar.uiowa.edu/tuition-fees
    • $125 for practical Exam from Health Coach Faculty
• NOT a current UIOWA student WITH health experience or degree
  • Course enrollment:
    • You must enroll as a 'undergraduate nondegree student'. https://admissions.uiowa.edu/apply/nondegree-students
  • Tuition:
    • Six semester hours for two courses. See tuition at https://registrar.uiowa.edu/tuition-fees
    • $125 for practical Exam from Health Coach Faculty

When are courses offered?

• Courses are offered with the academic semester at the University of Iowa. See academic calendar. Typical start dates are mid-January for Spring Semester, Mid-May for Summer, and Mid-August for Fall semester.

Where and when are courses located?

• Courses are offered at the University of Iowa campus located in Iowa City, IA. Courses may be offered via Zoom if that format is being offered that semester. To see times and locations, visit your dashboard on MyUI and look up HHP:4020 and HHP:3030.

Does the health coach pathway appear on my degree transcript?

• No–the pathway is a training program. Upon completion of both courses and a successful practical skills exam, participants will receive a training certificate. This certificate is required to submit to the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches when applying to sit for the board exam.

What if I decide I want to be a coach after completing both courses rather than deciding before or during the courses, can I still apply?

• Possibly–attendance and a grade of 77% or higher is required in both courses for eligibility, so if your attendance and performance meet pathway requirements, then you can submit coaching sessions for review. You will then schedule the practical skills exam with health coach pathway faculty for final evaluation.