Gain the skills needed to become a health and wellness coach by examining key concepts of wellness-oriented coaching, the psychology of behavior change, and the fundamentals of our society’s greatest health challenges.
Program Overview
The Certificate in Health & Wellness Coaching prepares you with the well-rounded expertise needed to become a health and wellness coach. You’ll examine key health and wellness concepts such as wellness-oriented coaching, the psychology of behavior change in a health context, and the fundamentals of chronic disease. You’ll also engage in mindfulness activities, practice individual and group coaching, incorporate self-reflection into your practice, and apply your skills through a supervised practicum.
In the classroom, you’ll learn through a holistic approach to health coaching based on Georgetown University's core value of cura personalis, or “care for the whole person,” which calls on health practitioners to address the mind, body, and spirit of their clients.
The Institute for Transformational Leadership's Certificate in Health & Wellness Coaching is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). It is also an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Level 1 accredited program.
Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll be able to:
- Facilitate behavior change using mindfulness skills and motivational interviewing
- Guide clients toward optimal health within the continuum of chronic disease to well-being
- Conduct one-on-one and group health coaching sessions
- Navigate the business elements of a health coaching practice
The Georgetown experience exceeded my every expectation and transformed my life in ways I couldn’t have dreamed. The program was truly life-changing. As a student, I went through the coaching process myself, which allowed me to do serious introspection, reflection, and soul-searching.
Kit Noonan
Certificate in Health & Wellness Coaching
Curriculum & Schedule
You must successfully complete all eight required courses including the 30-hour coaching practicum for a total of 11.25 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or 112.5 contact hours. The program must be completed in sequence as a cohort over eight months. Criteria for completion include a summary of the practicum and a “pass” rating on the final coaching session recording. Full attendance for each class session is mandatory to successfully complete this Certificate Program. For more information on course schedules, please see the HWC Schedule - 2026.
- Fundamentals: Psychology of Behavior Change (1.95 CEUs)
- Health & Wellness Coaching Skills I (1.3 CEUs)
- Health & Wellness Coaching Skills II (1.3 CEUs)
- Health & Wellness Coaching: Advanced Frameworks (1.3 CEUs)
- Health & Wellness Coaching Integration (1.3 CEUs)
- Your Health & Wellness Coaching Practice (1.95 CEUs)
- Health and Wellness Focus Topics (0.75 CEUs)
- Health & Wellness Coaching Practicum (1.4 CEUs)
What Is Live Online Learning?
Live online instruction is enhanced by incorporating various instructional practices and technology tools. Features such as Zoom video conferencing, breakout rooms, and chat allow for real-time interaction and collaboration among learners. Tools like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Canvas Groups facilitate teamwork and information sharing within the learning community. Polling, surveys, and threaded discussion boards promote active engagement and the expression of opinions. It is important to foster social respect, privacy, and incorporate Jesuit values to create a supportive and inclusive online environment. By utilizing these practices and tools effectively, live online instruction can be engaging, interactive, and conducive to meaningful learning experiences.
What Is On-Campus Learning?
On-Campus programs combine traditional classroom learning with interactive experiential methodology. Classes typically meet for two or three consecutive days once a month at our downtown Washington, D.C., campus.
How to Apply
The Spring 2026 cohort application deadline has been extended to February 11.
Application Dates
Fall Cohort
Application Opens—Jan 1
- Deadline—Jul 15
Spring Cohort
Application Opens—Jun 1
- Deadline—Feb 11
Admissions Decisions
Students are admitted on a rolling basis. Admissions decisions will be issued within 2-4 weeks of receipt of your complete application packet, which includes your letters of recommendation.
Program Prerequisites
In order to ensure that there is a baseline of knowledge and experience of students in the cohort, applicants must meet at least one of following prerequisites:
- Completion of a degree or licensure in a related field (i.e. nursing, social work, psychology, counseling, nutrition, personal training/fitness)
- Completion of a related educational program and/or training program (i.e. patient navigation, leadership coaching)
- A minimum of one year of employment in a related field (i.e. home health care, social work, social services support, fitness, nutrition, allied health)
On a case-by-case basis, volunteer experience in a related field will also be considered as an alternative to the employment prerequisite. Applicants must also be open to feedback, capable of self-examination, and willing to challenge their own beliefs.
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in order to enroll in our certificate programs. For each cohort, an application review committee offers admission to a diverse group of students to enrich the classroom experience.
Tips for the Online Application
- Our online application securely stores your information and saves your progress so you can update and complete your information at your convenience
- Click the “SAVE” button at each stage of the application process to ensure that your work and documents are uploaded
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.
A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native speakers of English but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.
Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs, however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.
Tuition & Funding
The total tuition for this program is $8,500. All course materials are included with the tuition.
Funding
Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.
Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.
If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.
Federal agencies may:
- Pay training and education expenses from appropriated funds or other available funds for training needed to support program functions
- Reimburse employees for all or part of the costs of training or education
- Share training and education costs with employees
- Pay travel expenses for employees assigned to training
- Adjust an employee's normal work schedule for educational purposes not related to official duties
Georgetown accepts Standard Form-182 (SF-182) for training authorizations from the federal government.
*Federal employees should ask the appropriate budget officer about training budgets available.
Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.
The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:
- Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
- Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
- PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.
A number of tuition benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and under various parts of the GI Bill®. Please visit the Resources for Military Students page for additional information and instructions.
Tuition Discounts
Only one tuition discount may be applied at the time of registration. Tuition discounts cannot be combined. Tuition discounts are not applied retroactively. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu with any questions.
GU Alumni 10% Discount
Georgetown University alumni and SCS certificate completers are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount for many certificates offered within SCS’s Institute for Transformational Leadership (ITL) portfolio. When registering for an eligible certificate through the SCS website, you will see the "10% Georgetown Alumni Discount" as an option. The Enrollment Team will then verify your eligibility status as a Georgetown University alumnus or certificate completer.
Total tuition for the Certificate in Health & Wellness Coaching program is $8,500.
Still Have Questions?
Certificate Admissions and Enrollment
Email: itlprograms@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7000
Student Accounts
Email: noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7696
Certifying Military Benefits
Email: pdcvabenefits@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 784-7321
