Principal Investigator: Kara Egan, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management, IUPUI
Co-principal Investigators: Nancy Barton, Lecturer; and Ellen Leonard, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Kinesiology, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management, IUPUI
Project Title: Applied Wellness Coaching and Motivational Interviewing -- New Course Development to be Completed in Web Format
Funding Level: $5,000
Abstract:
Health and wellness coaching is a growing area in the health and fitness professions. Wellness coaches provide support and guidance to diverse populations and may work with clients in a variety of areas, including behavior change, stress management, relaxation techniques, time management, smoking cessation, weight loss, or exercise programming. Wellness coaches determine a clients’ readiness to change, help them determine short- and long-term goals, and guide clients to achieve their goals. Coaching involves a skill that requires training and practice. Very few universities offer formalized training in health and wellness coaching. The Department of Kinesiology currently trains students to be experts in health and wellness fields. Our graduates are fitness instructors, physical education and health educators, or continue to professional graduates are fitness instructors, physical education and health educators, or continue to professional school to become physicians, physicians assistants, physical therapists, or occupational therapists. With the growing market for health and wellness coaches, training in the area of coaching is needed. Adding the option to study the art and science of coaching as part of our curriculum for health and fitness professionals is vital for our students to at the forefront of the field. We propose to develop and offer a course focused specifically on the professional discipline of coaching to our fitness and wellness curriculum.
HPER H317 – Applied Wellness Coaching and Motivational Interviewing (3 cr.)
This fully online course will teach our students the skills needed to be successful wellness coaches, as well as provide time for the students to practice these newly learned skills.