Training

Calm

A collage of three images showing nutritionists and wellness coaches meeting with their patients as well as various fruits and vegetables

The Center for Applied Lifestyle Medicine (CALM) offers training and certification in Applied Lifestyle Coaching.

Applied lifestyle medicine coaching focuses on helping individuals adopt and sustain lifestyle behaviors aimed at preventing and treating chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Lifestyle Medicine Coaches are trained to apply evidence-based and theoretically derived behavior change principles focused on assisting clients with 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, restorative sleep, avoidance of risky substances, and developing healthy social connections aimed at achieving sustained behavior change.

The CALM training programs aim to equip future Lifestyle Medicine Coaches with the skills needed to provide practical coaching services in a variety of settings (e.g., hospitals, health centers, health organizations, insurance companies, private practice, etc.).

CALM offers the following training programs for students and professionals

Undergraduate Public Health Lifestyle Medicine Minor (starting Fall 2026)
Graduate Certificate in Applied Lifestyle Medicine Coaching (starting Fall 2025)
Professional Certificate in Applied Lifestyle Medicine Coaching (starting Fall 2025)

Each program features three online courses with one course requiring weekly synchronous participation. Courses are taught by trained and experienced National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches specializing in lifestyle medicine and behavior change. Courses cover topics such as lifestyle-related chronic condition, the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, client assessment, developing lifestyle-related therapeutic prescriptions, motivational interviewing, behavior change strategies, coaching structure and process, and ethics/legal considerations, to meet standards and competencies of the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC.)

^{University of South Florida’s Applied Lifestyle Medicine Coaching Certificate is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the HWC Certifying Examination to become National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC).}

Undergraduate Courses

A nutritionist talking to her patient in an office.

HSC 3170 Introduction of Lifestyle Medicine

This class provides students with an overview of Lifestyle Medicine and the use of whole food, plant predominant dietary lifestyle, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connection as a primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention for chronic disease. As pre-health or health majors, this course will develop the foundational content and skills to effectively assess and provide lifestyle prescriptions for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention through evidence-based practices. 

A woman wearing headphones and looking at her computer.

PHC 4472 Health and Wellness Coaching: Core Methods

Introduction to core frameworks, methods, and skills required for Health and Wellness Coach credentialing. Emphasis is placed on professional competencies and skill-building practice to effectively guide clients toward healthy and sustained lifestyle change. 

PHC 4941 Health and Wellness Coaching: Practicum

Students will demonstrate competencies required for Health & Wellness Coaching credentialing through engaging as a Health & Wellness Coach under the supervision of a certified health and wellness coach. 

Graduate Courses

A nutritionist talking to his patient in an office.

PHC 6587 Health and Wellness Coaching: Applied Lifestyle Medicine

A nutritionist on a virtual call with her patient.

PHC 6589 Health and Wellness Coaching: Core Principles

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PHC 6586 Health and Wellness Coaching: Skill Development

University of South Florida
- Sarah Scharf, DrPH Candidate, College of Public Health. Title: An Exploratory Study of Influential Factors for Health and Wellness Coaching Opportunities for Health Care Professionals
- Michelle Catlin, PhD Candidate, College of Education. Title: Mindfulness in Action: Advancing Adult Learning and Development Through a Critical Reflective Inquiry on Coaching for College Student Success, the Peer-to-Peer Learning Experience, and the Progressive Power of Cultivating Mindfulness
- Krysta Banke, PhD Graduate, College of Education. Title: Honors Thesis Writers’ Motivation and Productivity Supports and Thwarts: A Developmental Analysis of the Honors Thesis Program at USF.
- Amy Gatto, PhD Candidate, College of Public Health. Title: Valuation and Prioritization of Mental Health Advocacy among College Students.
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
- Alyssa Doslea, DrPH Candidate. Title: Association of Adverse Childhood Events with Trauma among College Students
- Abil Joseph, BS Biology, Honors College. Title: Safety and Efficacy of Weight Loss Medication
- Emerson Mendez, BS Biomedical Sciences, Honors College. Title: The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Teletherapy: Efficacy in Mental Health Interventions
- Hassan Choudhary, BS Biomedical Sciences Candidate, Honors College. Title: Remote Learning and Increased Computer Usage During COVID-19 and the Resulting Health Issues
- Nikolas Jen, BS Biomedical Sciences Candidate, Honors College. Title: Impact of Perceived Parenting Style on Eating and Physical Activity