A Tradition of Health Coaching Leadership
The Center has been a leader in the health coaching field for almost two decades. Since 2005, it offered the first academically-based graduate health coaching program in the United States, which was a post-baccalaureate graduate Certificate in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices with an emphasis in health coaching. The program expanded to include a Master of Arts in Integrative Health and Wellbeing Coaching in 2014.
"We are drawing to the program professionals from many fields including nursing, medicine, psychology, social work, and counseling as well as many other disciplines,” said Center Founder and Director Dr. Mary Jo Kreitzer. "While some want to specifically work as a health coach, many are recognizing the importance of incorporating coaching skills into their regular practice as a health care provider."
An In-Demand Area of Practice
Graduates of this new degree program will work in a multitude of practice settings, including hospitals, clinics, health educational facilities, community centers, senior living centers, fitness venues, corporations, schools, and private practice.
“Health coaching is a relatively young and rapidly developing field, which shows great promise as a player in changing the nature of our existing healthcare system," said Dr. Nico Pronk, President and Chief Sciences Officer at HealthPartners. “We whole-heartedly look forward to interfacing with UMN student interns and graduates as they provide needed services in tomorrow’s health care system."
A Unique Curriculum with a Heart of Personal Transformation and Leadership
Our curriculum builds upon our strengths of personal transformation, group coaching skills, a strong internship program, and an integrative health focus. In Fall 2023, we will launch new courses that will increase the emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, trauma informed coaching and leadership within the health coaching discipline. In addition, our curriculum prepares graduates to transition into healthcare settings including interdisciplinary healthcare teams in preparation for health coaching reimbursement codes. Please see the press release from the NBHWC here.
“Our curriculum is unique because it supports those seeking to become an NBC-HWC AND supports those that already are an NBC-HWC and are looking to take their organization and coaching practice to the next level through timely skill development in leadership, management, health equity, and trauma-informed approaches to care.”
We believe that building on our strengths, and with our new focus on leadership, health equity, and preparing health coaches to work in a variety of settings including interdisciplinary healthcare teams, we will increase the impact our students can make with individuals, in their communities, and beyond.