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.
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.
Ideal for: Allied health, healthcare, & career transitions
Ideal for
Allied health, healthcare, & career transitions
Duration: 8 courses over 8 months
Duration
8 courses over 8 months
Tuition: $8,500
Tuition
$8,500
Format: Online & On-Campus
Format
Online & On-Campus
Schedule: 2-3 days, once a month
Schedule
2-3 days, once a month
Semester of Entry: Fall & spring
Semester of Entry
Fall & spring
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
Testimonials from current students and alumni.
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
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 - 2025.
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.
Kelly Buis, RN, MSN, PCC is an executive coach and leadership development consultant whose focus is helping leaders and teams to experience the most expansive and best versions of themselves. ... Read more
Jennifer Landis-Santos
Certified Career Counselor (NCDA), Executive Leadership Coach (PCC), National Board Certified Health and Wellness (NBCHWC). Jennifer Landis–Santos is the founder of Career Wellness. She began her career as a ... Read more
Jennifer Miller
Jennifer Miller, MA, ACC, NBC-HWC is an experienced Health & Wellness Coach who allies with individuals to improve the wellbeing of their body, mind, & spirit. Following careers as ... Read more
Laila Morcos Zissis
Professional Certified Coach, Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach Laila Morcos Zissis - Ever since she was young, Laila Morcos Zissis has had a thirst for hearing peoples stories, telling ... Read more
Trisha Nakano Bhagen
Trisha is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Learning Experience Designer, and mindfulness + yoga teacher With archetypes as an educator and coach, Trisha serves as ... Read more
Petra Platzer
Petra Platzer, PhD, PCC, NBC-HWC serves as Program Director and instructional faculty in the Health & Wellness Coaching Program. Dr. Platzer, Program Director, is a development-oriented coach, facilitator, educator, and ... Read more
Julie Reisler
Julie is an author, multi-time TEDx speaker and experienced health & business coach. Author and Life Designer® Julie Reisler is the founder and CEO of Empowered Living, a life design ... Read more
Katherine Smith
Katherine Smith, MPH, NBC-HWC, ACC is a dual-credentialed Health and Wellness Coach and trainer, and Professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH), teaching in their health and wellness ... Read more
James Svagerko
Jim is a Health and Wellness Coach, Executive Leadership Coach, Educator/Facilitator and Organizational Change Consultant. Jim Svagerko is an executive leadership coach, health and wellness coach and organizational change ... Read more
William Watts
Coaching and trail running, great ingredients for well-being. For the past 29 years, Russ has guided leaders to reach their potential by using mindfulness, ability to assess situations and ... Read more
Martha Wescoat-Andes
Martha Wescoat-Andes is an ICF leadership coach and a nationally board certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC) with extensive executive experience in public higher education and local government leadership. ... Read more
Jennifer Wood
Jen Wood, MA, NBC-HWC, PCC, RYT-200, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, industry health leader and educator. Jen’s career began in education and evolved into corporate Human Resources where ... Read more
How to Apply
Application Dates
Fall Cohort
Application Opens—Jan 1
Deadline—Jul 15
Spring Cohort
Application Opens—Jun 1
Deadline—Jan 15
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
Tuition
Tuition varies by course. Total program tuition for all 8 courses is $8,500. Textbooks are not included.
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.
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.
SCS is registered with GoArmyEd.com to accept SF-182 training
authorization forms. GoArmyEd.com is the virtual gateway for all eligible active duty, National Guard, and Army
Reserve soldiers to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online. GoArmyEd.com is also the virtual gateway for Army
Civilians to apply for their Civilian education, training, and leadership development events.
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.
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.
Eligible federal employees across the country receive a 10% scholarship applied to the current tuition rate for all SCS degree programs and professional certificate programs each academic semester. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu for steps to be added to this discount group.
