MUSC National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach Training & Education Program

Immersive Curriculum:
Our curriculum, guided by best practices and industry standards, covers a broad spectrum of essential topics for health coaching success.

Expert Faculty:
Learn from seasoned instructors who are leaders in the field of health coaching, bringing a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom.

Balanced Learning:
Adapt your learning to your lifestyle with our hybrid course format. Asynchronous modules and assignments are supplemented with virtual interactive lectures, peer feedback groups, coaching mentor sessions and practical skills assessments. The program also includes a required intensive weekend in Charleston, SC, scheduled for the third weekend of the course.

Practical Training:
Gain hands-on experience through interactive workshops, case studies, coaching practical skills development and simulated client sessions, preparing you to coach individuals from diverse backgrounds effectively.

Small Class Sizes:
Our small class size ensures personalized attention, fostering an engaging and supportive learning environment that accommodates all learning styles.

National Board Certification:
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) certification exam, enhancing credibility and career opportunities.

Our program is led by Kaitlin F. DaPore, NBC-HWC, the MUSC Health and Wellness Coach Program Director with over a decade of health coaching experience in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Under her leadership, our faculty includes a distinguished group of instructors who are leaders in their respective fields. This diverse team comprises:

Lifestyle Medicine Physicians:
Experts in preventive healthcare, focusing on the use of lifestyle interventions to optimize health.

Registered Dietitians:
Specialists in nutrition who provide evidence-based dietary guidance tailored to individual needs.

Exercise Physiologists:
Professionals who design and implement exercise programs that enhance physical health and fitness.

Clinical Psychologists:
Experts in mental health who integrate psychological principles into health coaching to support behavior change and overall wellbeing.

The MUSC program is distinguished by its faculty of renowned instructors, who collectively bring decades of experience in optimizing health and wellbeing across a wide variety of populations and settings. This unparalleled expertise ensures that our students receive the highest quality education and practical training, preparing them to excel in the dynamic field of health and wellness coaching.

How much does the program cost?
The cost for the 5-month program is $5,500. Payment is due before the first day of instruction.

How long is the program?
The program is a 21-week intensive course completed over 5 months.

Who can apply for the program?
Our program welcomes individuals from varied backgrounds, including healthcare professionals, wellness enthusiasts and those aspiring to pursue a career in health coaching.

What are the prerequisites for enrolling in the program?
A bachelor’s degree in any field or a background in health care, wellness, or related fields. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, including registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists and registered dietitians.

How is the curriculum delivered, and how much time can I expect to spend on coursework?
The program consists of 80 hours of virtual and in-person learning. Sessions are designed to be both synchronous and asynchronous to accommodate diverse schedules.

Is financial aid available?
No, financial aid is not currently available for this program.

Will there be an onsite weekend in Charleston, SC?
Yes, the program includes an onsite weekend in Charleston, SC. This immersive experience provides an opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, network with peers and deepen your understanding of health coaching in a vibrant setting.

What is the attendance policy?
Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions, both virtual and in-person. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and make-up sessions will be provided on a case-by-case basis to ensure that all trainees successfully complete the program. 

What are the minimum technology requirements for the program?
Participants will need access to a computer with internet and basic software applications. Specific hardware and software requirements will be outlined in the program materials.

Is there a continuing education component to the program?
At this moment, the program does not offer continuing education opportunities but provides connections to resources to help you stay current in the health coaching field.

Will there be homework assignments?
Yes, homework assignments are an integral part of the learning process and help reinforce concepts covered in class. Expect to dedicate additional time outside of scheduled sessions to complete assignments and readings. Trainees should expect to spend approximately 4 hours weekly on assignments and triad work outside of synchronous course time.

Are there any textbooks or materials needed for the program?
Yes, a list of required textbooks and materials will be provided upon enrollment. These resources are essential for completing assignments and mastering course content.

What documentation can be expected upon completion of the course?
Participants will receive a certificate of completion from MUSC Health and the College of Health Professions, serving as recognition of your achievement and enhancing your credentials in health coaching.

Once I complete the course, what must I do to be eligible to sit for the NBHWC Board Exam?
To be eligible for the NBHWC Board Exam you will need to complete 50 coaching sessions that meet the eligibility requirements listed on the NBHWC Coaching Log. These sessions, which must occur after you pass a skills assessment within your training program, allow for skill development, competence in client interaction, and preparation for certification.

Participation

• Actively participate in case studies, role-plays, presentations and other learning activities during in-person and online sessions.
• Contribution quality and completion will be evaluated.

Attendance

Attendance is critical to meet the standards set by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Students may not miss more than two live classes. Students may be dismissed from the program if they do not meet the NBHWC attendance requirements.

For any missed class—whether excused or unexcused—students are required to make up the missed hours and content, and all unexcused absences will result in penalization to your attendance/participation grade. This includes watching recorded sessions and scheduling a follow-up meeting with instructors to review material and complete any additional assignments. Schedule will show which classes require meeting with the instructor during office hours and which watching the recording is suitable. Office hours to be announced.

Excused Absences

Excused absences are limited to situations such as jury duty, medical emergencies (documented by a medical professional), or the death of an immediate family member. Even for excused absences, students must complete all make-up work as required to fulfill NBHWC attendance standards.

Hybrid Course Structure and Intensive Weekend

This course includes both online and in-person components. A mandatory intensive weekend session will be held in Charleston, SC, from January 24–26 (week two of the course). Attendance at this in-person session is required and cannot be made up.

Failure to adhere to this policy may jeopardize a student’s ability to complete the course and qualify for certification under NBHWC standards. Students are encouraged to communicate in advance with faculty about any potential conflicts to discuss potential solutions.

Coaching Triad Groups

• Weekly meetings with coaching triad groups for practice and feedback.
• Attend a minimum of three Mentored Triad Sessions throughout the program.
• Mandatory attendance for all Mentored Triad Sessions; schedules will be posted after the course begins.

Journal Entries

• Weekly reflection journal: share a bulleted list of 5 important experiences in a discussion post.
• Reflect on course content and triad group experiences.
• Journal entries are due on Sundays; grade based on completion.

Practical Skills Assessments

• Complete 3 practical skills assessments, each coaching session must be at least 20 minutes.
• Faculty will evaluate and grade using practical skills assessment rubrics.
• The third assessment is pass/fail; passing all assessments is required to complete the course and be eligible for the national board exam.
• Schedule a 20-30 minute feedback meeting with faculty after each assessment.

Asynchronous Modules

• Complete weekly asynchronous modules, including learning objectives, tasks, resources and assignments.
• Recommended completion by Friday to allow time for the quiz and journal entry by Sunday.

Weekly Quizzes

• Complete weekly quizzes covering required readings, live classes and asynchronous modules.
• Each quiz allows for 3 attempts, requiring an average score of 80% to pass.
• Quizzes consist of 5-10 questions and take approximately 30 minutes.
• Quizzes are due on Sundays to allow time for content absorption.