University of Kentucky®
Graduate Certificate in
Health and Wellness Coaching
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 9
CREDENTIALS Certificate
COST PER CREDIT
$806.00
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- Health and Wellness Coaching
About this Program
The online Graduate Certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion prepares professionals to help individuals create meaningful, sustainable lifestyle changes that improve overall health and well-being. Designed for working professionals and students seeking flexible graduate-level training, this program equips students with the skills to be effective health coaches, grounded in health education and health promotion principles.
Through practical application of these skills, culminating in an internship experience, students gain real-world experience in the field of health coaching. Our program is unique in that it is approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) through the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
Whether you are looking to enhance an existing healthcare career, transition into wellness-focused work, or strengthen your ability to support healthier communities, the Health and Wellness Coaching Graduate Certificate provides career-relevant training grounded in contemporary wellness science and coaching best practices.
Gain the Knowledge and Experience to become a Certified Health & Wellness Coach
- Can be completed in one year
- Hands-on experiential coaching embedded throughout
- Work with a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
- Gain the opportunity to be eligible for the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach credential (NBC-HWC)
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Designed For
This program is ideal for healthcare professionals, wellness practitioners, educators, fitness professionals, and individuals who want to help others improve their health through behavior change and supportive coaching strategies. It is also well suited for professionals seeking to expand their expertise in preventive health, lifestyle medicine, employee wellness, or client-centered health promotion.
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Learn more about the Health and Wellness Coaching online program.
- ✔ Financial Aid Resources
- ✔ Application Deadline Reminders
- ✔ Application Assistance Resources
- ✔ Connections to Program Representatives
Earn your degree on your schedule. Online makes it possible.
Fill out this form to be sent information on the Graduate Certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
Students learn to guide others in areas such as nutrition, stress management, physical activity, chronic disease prevention, and healthy lifestyle development while emphasizing empathy, accountability, and client-centered communication. The program cumulates in an internship course, where students apply their knowledge. Topics include:
- Theories and models specific to health education, health promotion, and behavior change
- Communication and active listening techniques
- Goal setting and accountability practices
- Stress management and resilience strategies
- Nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle principles
- Chronic disease prevention and health promotion
- Ethics and professionalism in coaching relationships
- Client-centered coaching methods
- Wellness program development and evaluation
Course Examples
- KHP 673 Health Promotion and Behavior Change
- KHP 609 Seminar in Health and Safety Education
- KHP 679 Health Promotion and Health Coaching Internship
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How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
The curriculum can be completed as a complement to a graduate degree program or as a standalone course of study. Current University of Kentucky graduate students are encouraged to apply early in their studies, with applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.5 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue the Graduate Certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching (500 words)
- Three recommenders (emails addresses only)
Program Contact
Deadlines
Spring 2027
Pathway to NBHWC Exam
This program makes you eligible to sit for the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach credential (NBC-HWC).
✅ Complete an NBHWC approved training program.
✅ Complete 50 health and wellness coaching sessions. (These are completed within your UK Certificate through the internship course. Be sure to log dates and durations during this time.)
✅Complete a minimum of an associates degree or 4,000 hours of work experience. (Students meet this requirement by having a bachelor's degree upon program admission).
NBHWC Exams are offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer Exams are completed at a testing facility ($100 application fee and $400 exam fee.) Results are received within 8 weeks. Upon passing, there is an annual $75 fee and requirement of 36 CEUs every 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a master's degree to enroll in this graduate certificate?
The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.
Can I take this graduate certificate by itself?
Yes, graduate certificates can be taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.
What is the admission criteria?
Admission Criteria is located on each Program Page under the section titled "How to Apply".
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The cost of tuition and fees is listed at the top of this page. Please reference Student Account Services for more detailed information about tuition and fees.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully online programs, state of residence does not affect tuition rate. Tuition is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
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Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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