Applied Health & Wellness Coaching

Programme Description
This is an academically accredited programme aimed at developing practitioner knowledge and skills in empowering people to achieve their own individual vision of wellness. One of the key themes of Healthy Ireland is 'empowering people and their communities' (p. 24 DOH 2013) and is also a key focus in the Slaintecare report (2017) and we envisage that this programme will equip the Healthcare Practitioner and other professionals working in prevention and management of long term conditions with the knowledge and empowerment skills for undertaking that role.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) Category 2 programme approval is pending. In addition, Our Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health and Wellness Coaching is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training and Education Programme by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Graduates of the Certificate are eligible to apply for the HWC Certifying Examination to become National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBCHWC). Learn more by visiting www.nbhwc.org

Programme Structure and Content
Students can exit with a Postgraduate Certificate on successful completion of year one of the programme, or a Postgraduate Diploma on successful completion of years one and two of the programme. Students who elect to complete year 3, will at the end of their studies hold a Master of Health Sciences qualification (not both a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master of Health Sciences award).

The following modules are conducted over 2 semesters in each year of the programme:

Year1: Postgraduate Certificate (30 ECTS)
• Fundamentals of Coaching and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours
• Foundations of Health and Wellness Coaching
• Advanced Theory and Practice of Health and Wellness Coaching

Year 2: Postgraduate Diploma (30 ECTS)
• Advanced Nutrition in Health and Wellness Coaching
• Coaching Strategies for Psychological Wellbeing
• Advanced Research Skills

Year 3: Master of Health Science (30 ECTS)
• Research Dissertation

An undergraduate degree (level 8) with second class honours or above. In certain circumstances we will consider applications from candidates who do not meet the above requirements provided they have a professional qualification in a relevant subject area and/or having relevant coaching experience. Students who do not have the level 8 requirements will need to compile a portfolio to provide evidence of their ability to study at post-graduate level.

Application Process: www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie

Students registering on to the MSc/Diploma/Certificate may complete the programme in a 3-year timeframe. Students must complete the entire programme within 5 years from initial registration.

Programme Delivery
The programme is delivered via blended learning using a combination of on-line directed learning, weekly online live classes, and face-to-face skills teaching. The face-to-face teaching component (2 workshops per module) will take place at intervals throughout the semester. Workshops will focus on key coaching skills and application. Students will complete applied coaching practice assignments throughout the programme. The programme is delivered by a core team of lecturers with backgrounds in nutrition, nursing, health and wellness coaching and PhD study in the field of coaching and health promotion.

Download an application form from www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie
Weblink below

Employment opportunities
Graduates will have the skills to coach people on their health behaviour as part of their current role or to develop a role as a health and wellness coach in private practice.

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health and Wellness Coaching is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training and Education Programme by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Graduates of the Certificate are eligible to apply for the HWC Certifying Examination to become National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC HWC). Learn more by visiting www.nbhwc.org