Health Related Background (M.A.)

Course Descriptions 

Please note all classes may or may not have synchronous classwork. Those courses that require an onsite requirement are noted along with any prerequisites required.

CSPH 5101 Introduction to Integrative Therapies & Healing Practices (3 credits)

This course provides a foundation of  healing traditions within cultural contexts. Students will learn about therapies and healing practices, including traditional Chinese medicine, meditation, mind-body healing, spiritual practices, energy healing, naturopathy, herbalism, movement therapies, homeopathy, manual therapies, and nutrition. No prerequisites required.

CSPH 5701 Fundamentals of Health Coaching 1 (3 credits)

This course provides a foundation of Health Coaching through skill development in Motivational Interviewing and coaching structure. We will explore basic tenets of health coaching including deep listening, effective and empathic communication, mindfulness, unconditional positive regard, and nonjudgement. In addition, this course will include tools for self-development which is key in a health coaches’ professional journey and development of emotional intelligence. We will learn how each person is intrinsically healthy, whole, and wise and how they are the expert in their journey not the health coach. There are onsite requirements for this course. No prerequisites required. Those not in Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5702 Fundamentals of Health Coaching II (4 credits)

This course expands upon students skills in motivational interviewing to include health coaching theories, coaching psychology, goal setting, and theories in behavior change and motivation. In the course students will have the opportunity to remove their “expert hat” and  deepen their understanding of coaching skills and style, empathy, deep listening, effective and empathic communication, and tools for self development. It is the role of the Health Coach to provide a safe, non-judgemental environment to allow for exploration and the practice of skill building  to increase the client’s self-efficacy. In this course you will learn how to facilitate the change process by incorporating the client’s strengths and values. There are onsite requirements for this course. 

Prerequisites: CSPH 5701 Fundamentals of Health Coaching 1 and CSPH 5703 Health Coaching Practicum I. Those not in Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5703 Health Coaching Practicum I (1 credit)

In this course, students participate in a peer-coaching model with their fellow students in dyads or triads, to create opportunities for applying the tools and skills they are learning. The key to this course is practice not perfection in a safe, supportive environment where mistakes are welcomed and learning and growth is at the center. Prerequisites: This course must be taken concurrently or after CSPH 5701 for Health Coaching M.A. and certificate students. Those not in Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5704 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Health & Wellbeing (3 credits)

This course encourages students to reflect on their responsibility to provide culturally competent care as an expression of their professional values and doing the difficult internal work required to increase health equity. In the framework of social determinants of health, this course explores the intersection of health care and marginalized individuals and groups of all cultures, races, ethnicities, disabilities, sexual orientation, size, and gender identities. Students will explore how societal factors, power dynamics, attitudes, biases, historical and institutionalized bias, colonialism, and discrimination have produced health disparities and how these can change with just policies, decision-making, and health equity initiatives. This course has an onsite requirement. No prerequisites required. Those not in the Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5708 Mind-body Science and Trauma-informed Mental Health (3 credits)

Health coaches, mental health providers, and other health care providers all work to facilitate change for their clients, and in that process mental health concerns and the effects of trauma may show up. In this course, students will gain a clear understanding of the scope of practice of non-mental health providers as it relates to mental health, trauma, and the processes of referring clients to other health professionals when appropriate. Students will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health concerns and of trauma and will learn tools and techniques to navigate these concerns within their profession’s scope of practice. Students will also learn the foundations of mind-body science and trauma-informed practices to support their client's journey toward health and wellness. No prerequisites required. Those not in the Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5709 Health and Wellness Coaching for Groups (2 credits)

In this course, students learn and apply the theory and practice of group health and wellbeing coaching in a community site-based practicum setting. Students will learn how to use the group’s wisdom to help each group member take action on a health behavior change they have self-identified. In addition, students will learn how to handle group-based dynamics, conflict resolution skills, interpersonal, and rapport-building skills. Prerequisites: CSPH 5701 Fundamentals of Health Coaching I, CSPH 5702 Fundamentals of Health Coaching II, CSPH 5703 Health Coaching Practicum I, and CSPH 5716 Health Coaching Practicum II. Those not in the Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5714 Health Behavior Change Theory and Lifestyle Medicine (2 credits)

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the opportunity to explore the theoretical issues and current methodologies related to understanding and influencing health behavior change. In this course, students will  examine health-related motivation and behavior change through the study of relevant psychological, sociological, behavioral economics, and educational theory and research. Emphasis is on critique and application of behavioral and behavior-change theories and constructs not only in one-on-one coaching but understanding the systems and environments that impact health behaviors, especially within lifestyle medicine. Health coaches need to understand that health behavior change is not a sole responsibility of the individual but a collective effort. While coaching, understanding the systems at play in regards to health behavior change is key for empathy, perspective, and rapport building especially under the domain of lifestyle medicine. No prerequisites required. Those not in the Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5715 Leadership and Evidence-based Decision-making (2 credits) - beginning fall 2024

This course will examine how evidence-based decision making provides a framework for addressing health coaching quality assessment, best practices, and improvement in patient/client care. Students will learn to assess and evaluate the quality of differing information and evidence and assess how  leaders’ decisions are, or are not, supported by reliable evidence. Students will be able to articulate and apply decision making frameworks to the discipline of health coaching to inform their personal practice and organizations. This course is considered writing intensive. No prerequisites required. Those not in the Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 5716 Health Coaching Practicum II (1 credit)

This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to put theory into practice health coaching real clients. Increasing confidence in coaching skills, coaching presence, and different types of client notes (healthcare/EMR notes vs. Other types) is emphasized. Students are given the opportunity to integrate and apply all previous areas of learning and to explore their resistance, learning edges, and competencies in a supportive supervisory environment. Students will be encouraged to discover their own style of Health Coaching as well as their own growth processes and use of strengths. Ethical issues, professional boundaries, referral processes, and client selection will be introduced. Prerequisites: CSPH 5701 Fundamentals of Health Coaching I and CSPH 5703 Health Coaching Practicum I. This course must be taken concurrently with 5702 Health Coaching Fundamentals II. Those not in the Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

CSPH 8701 Internship (3 credits)

The internship experience is designed to provide, at minimum, 100 hours of health coaching practice in the field, with oversight and supervision provided by numerous partnerships in our communities. This internship experience offers students the opportunity to apply and integrate skills and knowledge gained in the previous semesters of the program. Students, at their internship site, will recruit, schedule, and coach individual clients in short-term and long-term sessions. In addition, coaching notes will be reviewed. This course will also include the development of an evidence-informed case report and opportunities to work on professional communication and leadership skills. Prerequisites: CSPH 5701, 5702, 5703, 5704, 5708, and 5716 are prerequisites for this course. This course must be taken concurrently with 5702 Health Coaching Fundamentals II. Those not in the Health Coaching M.A. or certificate programs must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course.

PubH 6751 Principles of Management in Health Services Organizations (2 credits)

The future of the health coaching discipline requires management and leadership skills of certified health coaches in a variety of settings. In this course, students will learn management competencies with a public health lens, taking into account fundamental public health values such as diversity, equity and inclusion, human rights, social justice, reliance on evidence, community self-determination, and collaboration. The course draws primarily from the fields of organizational theory and behavior to equip students with management and leadership competencies that enable them to make a positive difference in their work organizations and communities and in the health of populations. In addition to facilitating more effective management and leadership, the competencies enable those who will not be in management positions to better understand managers and management and to more effectively contribute to their teams, programs, and communities. This course is required for those who entered the program with a health-related background. No prerequisites required.