Graduate Certificates

Beginning in fall 2023, we will offer four new certificates in holistic health sciences and the current certificate programs will be discontinued. Information about the new certificates is below. During the 2022-23 academic year, we will suspend admissions to prepare for this exciting transition.

These updated certificates emphasize holistic health sciences and direct engagement in contemplative practices. Our mission is to create well-being through healthy minds and open hearts for our students and the greater WMU community.

  • Health and Wellness Coaching Skills
  • Holism and Contemplative Health Care
  • Mindfulness and Centering Skills
  • Resilience and Well-Being Skills

If you are a graduate student at WMU, you can begin taking classes now and apply for the certificate in fall 2023. Refer to the course rotation document to learn when courses are available.

courses

Certificate descriptions

Health and Wellness Coaching Skills

9 credit hours

Strengthen your graduate degree with specialized training in health and wellness coaching skills. This certificate offers knowledge and skills to help prepare you for national board certification as a health and wellness coach.

  • Courses

    Courses introduce the foundational concepts of whole person health and theories of health and wellness coaching. The final course in the sequence is highly experiential and emphasizes the professional development of coaching skills and approaches to behavioral change for health and wellness.

    Courses are taken in this order:

    1. HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health - or
      HOL 5360 Wellness Skills for Health Professionals (prerequisite)
    2. HOL 5321 Holistic Health Coaching
    3. HOL 5650 Health and Wellness Coaching Skills

Holism and Contemplative Health Care

9 credit hours

Health care providers and helping professionals benefit from insight and valuable skills taught in this certificate. Enhance your ability to engage in self-care while connecting with others with compassion and purpose.

  • Courses
    • HOL 5360 Wellness Skills for Health Professionals (prerequisite)

    and two of the following:

    • HOL 5530 Holistic Strategies for Illness and End of Life
    • HOL 5550 Successful Aging: Holistic Perspectives
    • HOL 5321 Holistic Health Coaching
    • HOL 5350 Holistic Approaches to Stress
    • HOL 5560 Understanding Grief and Loss
    • HOL 5602 Meditation Theory and Practice
    • HOL 5603 Tai Chi and Qigong Theory and Practice
    • HOL 5604 Yoga Theory and Practice
    • HOL 5072 Mindfulness Theory and Skills
    • HOL 5750 Resiliency Theory and Skills

Mindfulness and Centering Skills

9 credit hours

Develop mindfulness-based contemplative (centering) practices the focus on formal mindfulness traditions and practicing as a community. The courses offer support and resources to establish personal mindfulness practice. 

  • Courses
    • HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health - or
      HOL 5360 Wellness Skills for Health Professionals (prerequisite)
    • HOL 5072 Mindfulness Theory and Skills

    and one of the following:

    • HOL 5603 Tai Chi and Qigong Theory and Practice
    • HOL 5604 Yoga Theory and Practice
    • HOL 5850 Applied Mindfulness Skills

Resilience and Well-Being Skills

9 credit hours

Increase personal resilience and a sense of well-being. The courses focus on evidence based research and offer a number of experiential opportunities.                                                                                                 

  • Courses
    • HOL 5310 Introduction to Holistic Health - or
      HOL 5360 Wellness Skills for Health Professionals (prerequisite)

    and two of the following:

    • HOL 5350 Holistic Approaches to Stress
    • HOL 5602 Meditation Theory and Practice
    • HOL 5603 Tai Chi and Qigong Theory and Practice
    • HOL 5750 Resiliency Theory and Skills
  • Elective courses
    • HOL 5072 - Mindfulness Theory and Skills Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5301 - Meditation to Enhance Living Credits: 1 hour
    • HOL 5304 - Yoga to Enhance Living Credits: 1 hour
    • HOL 5321 - Holistic Health Coaching Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5340 - Holistic Health and Spirituality Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5350 - Holistic Approaches to Stress Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5360 - Wellness Skills for Health Professionals Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5530 - Holistic Strategies for Illness and End of Life Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5550 - Successful Aging-Holistic Perspectives Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5560 - Understanding Grief and Loss  Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5602 - Meditation Theory and Practice Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5603 - Tai Chi and Qigong Theory and Practice Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5604 - Yoga Theory and Practice Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5650 - Health and Wellness Coaching Skills Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5750 - Resiliency Theory and Skills Credits: 3 hours
    • HOL 5850 - Applied Mindfulness Skills Credits: 3 hours