The Health Coach Certificate complements your degree(s) in the Departments of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Kinesiology and/or Psychology. Many organizations and agencies offer a health coach certificate, but our program provides you with a more comprehensive foundation in nutrition, exercise, and motivational coaching which helps you better compete for employment opportunities after graduation. You will also be able to choose to sit for the American Council on Exercise exam.

Health Coach Certificate requirements

  • Required coursework (23 credits), plus pre-requisites
  • A minimum of 12 credits are taken at Iowa State University.
  • A minimum of 9 credits are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirements for the bachelor’s degree except to satisfy the total credit requirement for graduation and to meet credit requirement in courses numbered 300 or above.
  • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 in courses taken at Iowa State University for a certificate.

Required courses

Food Science and Human Nutrition

View FSHN course catalog

  • FSHN 265: Nutrition for Active and Healthy Lifestyles (3 credits)
    • Pre-requisites: FSHN 264 (Pre-requisites FSHN 167, CHEM 163/163L, BIOL 211)
  • FSHN 364: Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease (3 credits) OR FSHN 365 Obesity and Weight Management (3 credits)
    • Pre-requisites: BIOL 256/256L
  • FSHN 361: Nutrition and Health Assessment (2 credits)
    • Pre-requisites: FSHN 265

Kinesiology

View KIN course catalog

  • KIN 458: Principles of Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription (4 credits)
    • Pre-requisites: KIN 258, KIN 358
  • KIN 467: Exercise and Health: Behavior Change (3 credits)
    • Pre-requisites: KIN 366 or equivalent

Psychology

View PSYCH course catalog

  • PSYCH 422: Counseling Theories and Techniques (3 credits)
    • Pre-requisites: 3 courses in psychology
  • PSYCH 485: Health Psychology (3 credits)
    • Pre-requisites: Junior classification; 6 credits in psychology
  • Practicum experience from FSHN 495 OR KIN 494A and KIN 494B (2 credits)

Application

Once complete, submit the form to the academic adviser in your major’s department.

Food Science and Human Nutrition Advisers: Anne Oldham or Ruth Litchfield

Kinesiology Adviser: Marsha Wissink

Psychology Advisers: Whitney Baker

Ready to get moving?