Applied Health & Wellness Coaching - Sligo St. Angela's

Programme Overview
Despite the widespread evidence-based knowledge that physical activity and healthy eating are good for your health, individuals are not getting any healthier. This programme will provide professionals with the tools to complement their knowledge base and enable them to facilitate their clients to achieve their health goals.

Health coaching draws on a number of underpinning theories including Motivational Interviewing, the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model and Appreciative Inquiry. The aim of health and wellness coaching is to help the individual to choose the behaviour they want to change and support them through goal setting and ongoing goal review and support.

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 a health and wellness area with the knowledge and empowerment skills for undertaking that role.

Programme Outline
Students can exit with a Postgraduate Certificate on successful completion of year one of the programme, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Science 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 Science qualification (not both a Postgraduate Diploma in Science and a Master of Health Science award).

Who's Suited to This Programme:
Healthcare professionals
Nurses
Midwives
Mental Health Practitioners
Health Promotion Practitioners
GPs
Practice Nurses
Dieticians
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Personal Trainers
Nutritionists
Health and Fitness Coaches
Sports Coaches
Community and Social Care Workers
Career Guidance Teachers
College Counsellors,
Teachers
Pharmacists

Who Teaches this 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 health coaching and health promotion.

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

Year 1 Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health and Wellness Coaching (30 ECTS)
• Fundamentals of Coaching and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours
• Foundations of Health and Wellness Coaching
• Advanced Theory and Practice of Health and Wellness Coaching

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).

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

Year 3 Master of Health Science in Applied Health and Wellness Coaching (30 ECTS)
• Research Dissertation

An undergraduate degree (Level 8, NFQ) 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

3 Year timeframe (students must complete entire programme within 5 years).

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

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