2025-2026

Health and Wellness Coaching, Minor

Department of Health Sciences

College of Health and Human Services

This minor is designed to prepare students to coach others in wellness-oriented living, whole-person awareness, and healthful living. Study in this area also provides personal benefits for self and family. Topics include nutrition, stress management, worksite health promotion, and strategies for facilitating change.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Major GPA C
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Health and Wellness Coaching minor is to prepare students to coach others in wellness-oriented living, whole-person awareness, and healthful living. Health and wellness coaches help clients explore, express, understand, and accept feelings so clients can make more informed decisions about their health and lifestyle behaviors. Developing health coaching knowledge and skill sets allows students to utilize them in their personal lives, existing professional careers, or to seek employment as a health and wellness coach. Topics include health coaching skills, stress management, worksite health promotion, and strategies for facilitating change.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
    • Optimize adoption and adherence of exercise and other healthy behaviors by applying effective communication techniques.
    • Optimize adoption and adherence of exercise and other healthy behaviors by applying effective behavioral strategies and motivational technique.
    • Provide educational resources to support clients in the adoption and maintenance of healthy lifestyle behaviors.
    • Provide support within the scope of practice of an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and refer to other health professionals as indicated.
  • Risk Management and Professional Responsibilities
    • Develop and disseminate risk management guidelines for a health/fitness facility to reduce member, employee, and business risk.

Minor Requirements

  • Students enrolled in this minor may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

Additional Information

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.