FAQs

Q: How is Health Coaching different from other disciplines such as counseling and psychotherapy?

A: Health Coaching focuses specifically on health and holism, not on disease.

Q: Why is it preferred to have an undergraduate degree in health science or a related area?



A: Health Coaches are trained to work in a multitude of practice settings. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology is essential for understanding a client’s health and for communicating with other health professionals. The delivery of the curriculum assumes a basic understanding of conventional healthcare philosophy and practice.

Q: So, are there special recommendations for students who do not have such a degree and are still pursuing application?

A: Individuals whose professional degree is not in a health related field still are best served by having solid working knowledge of anatomy, physiology and basic medical terminology. That can be acquired through life/work experience (possibly) or through taking other course work in those areas (not offered by the CSH), ideally prior to applying for Health Coaching training.

Q: What is the length of time necessary to complete the program?

A: A minimum of four semesters; five semesters is ideal (maximum time span is four years).

Q: When do Health Coaching courses begin?

A: Fall semester, with the exception of required courses 5101 and 5102 which can be taken in the summer intensive format before beginning fall coursework.

Q: What courses are required?

A: Required courses include:

General requirements:

• CSpH 5101 Intro to Complementary Therapies and Healing Practices (3 credits)
• CSpH 5102 Art of Healing: Self as Healer (1 credit)

Health Coaching specific requirements:

• CSpH 5701 Fundamentals of Health Coaching I (4 credits)
• CSpH 5702 Fundamentals of Health Coaching II (4 credits)
• CSpH 5703 Advanced Health Coaching Practicum (3 credits)
• CSpH 5704 Professional Internship in Health Coaching (2 credits)
• CSpH 5705 Business of Health Coaching (1 credit)

Sample schedule which limits course work to four credits or less per semester (ideal for the working student):

Semester I—Summer Intensive (June)

• CSpH 5102 Art of Healing: Self as Healer (1 credit)
• CSpH 5101 Intro to Complementary Therapies and Healing Practices (3 credits)

Semester I – Fall

• CSpH 5701 Fundamentals of Health Coaching I, with Practicum (4 credits)

Semester 2 – Spring

• CSpH 5702 Fundamentals of Health Coaching II, with Practicum (4 credits)

Summer 2 OFF, but could be used for additional electives or independent studies, such as:

• CSpH 8191 Independent Study (per advisor direction) (1-2 credits)

Semester 3 – Fall

• CSpH 5705 Business of Health Coaching (1 credit)
• CSpH 5703 Advanced Health Coaching Practicum (3 credits)

Semester 4 – Spring

• CSpH 5704 Professional Internship in Health Coaching (2 credits)

Q: What times are the courses held?

A: In-person weekends occur Thursday from1:00 pm - 5:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm, and Sunday 8:30 am- 12 noon. Most web-based work is done on the student’s own time, although there are expectations to meet assignment and journal deadlines weekly. Scheduled phone or web conference calls usually occur at 7 pm Thursday evenings. (All times are Central Standard Time.)

Q: What is the cost? Is financial aid available?

A: Cost is based on University of Minnesota Graduate School tuition rates. You may be eligible for financial aid. Please refer to Onestop, the University of Minnesota Registrar’s Office website for current tuition rates and fees: http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Tuition_Billing/Tuition_Rates.html

Q: How do I apply?

A: Apply online at the Graduate School website: http://www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/apply_online.html

Q: What employment opportunities are available for Health Coaches?

A: This is a new field with a wide range of possibilities. Health Coaches will need to be proactive in searching for employment, creating their own positions, and transforming current positions to incorporate this new knowledge and practice styles. However, the field is growing rapidly in visibility and demand. For example, our internship sites include hospitals and other healthcare facilities; health and fitness clubs; corporations with on-site employee health; and third-party payers. National interest in health coaching from organizations such as the American Academy of Family Practice, and the Institute of Medicine are accelerating the maturation of the field and the prevalence of positions.

Q: Are the University of Minnesota’s classes accredited by the International Coaching Federation?

A:  Accreditation by both ICF and the American Holistic Nursing Association is currently pending.