Overview of Certificate
The Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Certificate is oriented around the fundamental coaching competencies and skills recognized by professional credentialing organizations. The certificate program is best suited for individuals interested in obtaining skills and competencies in fundamental, intermediate, and advanced coaching methods that can be taken as a current degree student or non-degree student.
For those individuals currently enrolled in one of the CIMHS degree programs, the required three courses (9 credits) may be taken as part of their required curriculum. The Integrative Wellness Coaching Certificate program offers one enrollment period in the spring semester. By completing the required coursework and passing the practical examination, students will earn a Certificate in Integrative Wellness Coaching.
Saybrook's Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Certificate program is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as a Level 1 program with 125 contact hours and is a National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Approved Training Program with 88 instructional hours.
Note: As part of the certificate courses, students will complete a Practical Skills Assessment (PSA), four additional skill evaluations, and a practical examination. Students must achieve an 82% or higher on the examination, the PSA, and the two evaluations in 5593 to receive the certification. It is possible to pass course requirements and not obtain the certificate.
The Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Certificate program is available to all students interested in Integrative Wellness Coaching who do not currently hold an ICF or NBHWC credential. Students who have completed part of the program before 2025 must retake the 2025 IWC Certificate program in its entirety to align with updated ICF and NBHWC accreditation standards. The IWC Certificate program is unavailable to Teaching Fellows, adjunct faculty, or core faculty, and auditing the program courses is not permitted
Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
- Explain the influence of biopsychosocial factors on general health and wellbeing and the implications for individuals, organizations, and/or communities.
- Describe and apply the foundational values, ethical principles, and best practices of the field to oneself and others.
- Apply cultural humility, diversity awareness, and inclusion to support health equity and social justice in healthcare systems.
- Articulate the application of self-reflection and self-care skills.
- Assess and synthesize evidence, theories, and established practices in integrative healthcare.
- Critically evaluate research methods and apply published research.
- Compose original, grammatically correct, coherent, concise, and well-articulated written work in APA style.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the certificate program may market themselves as having a certificate in Integrative Wellness Coaching and work in a variety of settings including private practice, health care, corporate wellness, and educational institutions. In addition, graduates are eligible to apply for additional credentialing through the ICF and NBHWC.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for the non-degree Certificate in IWC must submit the following documents:
- An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of an undergraduate degree, with a 3.0 GPA or better;
- Professional resume or CV;
- Personal statement; and
- The Department chair may require a writing sample if applicants submit a personal statement that contains any grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, or poorly organized text.
- Interview with the IWC Certificate Program Director
Residential /University / Virtual Learning Experience
All new students begin their studies with a Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a certificate program orientation, are held online the week before the fall and spring semesters start. Participation is strongly encouraged.
Students enrolled in the IWC certificate program must attend any residential, university, or virtual learning experience as required for the courses they choose to enroll in. Refer to the course descriptions for requirements.
Credits/Hours
Students should expect to spend approximately 40 hours per every one credit hour, or 120 hours of schoolwork for each 3-credit course, engaged in schoolwork (e.g., reading, watching videos, completing assignments, and more). Therefore, students should anticipate spending approximately 8 hours weekly on schoolwork for each 15-week course. The time needed will vary by course, week, and student.
Mode of Delivery
Most of the coursework is conducted online and at a distance, so students can live and work anywhere in the world as they engage with faculty and peers. The classes incorporate various instructional and assessment methods, including asynchronous discussion forums, live videoconferences, interactive web-based activities, and written assignments. In addition, the MBM department utilizes virtual and residential learning experiences for real-time training to support online classes. These virtual and community learning conferences are held at the start of the spring and fall semesters.
Fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks; summer courses are 8 or 12 weeks long.
Length of Certificate
The average time to complete the 9-credit IWC certificate requirements is three semesters or one year, starting in the spring (15 weeks), continuing in the summer 8 weeks), and ending in the fall semester (15 weeks).
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