If you're passionate about wellness, healing, and helping others thrive, pursuing a career in Holistic Health & Wellness Coaching may be your next inspired step. At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we’ve recently updated and expanded our Health & Wellness Coach curriculum to better meet the needs of today’s wellness professionals—and the individuals and communities they serve.
This newly revised program is more hands-on, integrative, and aligned with real-world wellness practices than ever before. Whether you're just starting your path or looking to deepen your practice, this program equips you with practical tools and holistic knowledge to make a meaningful impact.
What Is a Holistic Health & Wellness Coach?
A Health & Wellness Coach helps individuals set and achieve personal wellness goals through behavior change strategies, lifestyle education, and compassionate support. Coaches work with clients on a range of issues, including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and life balance.
Holistic wellness coaches take a mind-body-spirit approach, integrating mental, emotional, and physical well-being into every coaching relationship.
What’s New in the Updated Curriculum?
Designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s wellness professionals, this refreshed program now offers an even deeper integration of nutrition, sustainable living, and herbal gardening—giving you a toolkit that’s both powerful and practical. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll explore:
Holistic Nutrition
Students learn the fundamentals of nutrition through a holistic lens—connecting food to physical health, mood, energy, and emotional wellness. Coursework includes applied culinary, macro & micro nutrients, whole & raw foods, microbiome wellness, coaching clients in making sustainable dietary changes with mindful eating, and so much more.
Urban Gardening
Incorporated in our new curriculum is a deeper dive into regenerative practices and sustainability. Whether you live in a city apartment or have land to grow, you'll gain the skills to cultivate edible and health-promoting herbs in any setting.
Practical Herbalism
Explore how to grow, harvest, and apply herbs for natural wellness—supporting immunity, digestion, stress relief, and more. Integrating these herbs into simple recipes, you’ll be able to share that skill with future coaching clients.
This curriculum was redesigned with intention—to give you a grounded, holistic foundation that empowers you to coach with clarity, compassion, and creativity.
Whether you're supporting clients one-on-one or creating community through workshops, your ability to weave together body, mind, spirit—and nature—will set you apart.
NBHWC Approval and Career Opportunities
One of the most exciting aspects of this program is that it’s approved training by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Upon completing the program, students are eligible to complete the remaining NBHWC application requirements to sit for the Board Exam. These are done outside of SWIHA, and the exam is a separate fee. Once the exam is passed, NBHWC allows the opportunity to receive a complimentary listing in the National Directory of Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coaches. You will also have access to an exclusive job board that connects you with available positions for health coaches listed through the NBHWC directory.
Why Choose SWIHA?
In addition to a newly updated curriculum, SWIHA offers a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Students benefit from:
- - Admissions Coaches to help you get started
- - Academic Advisors for ongoing support
- - Success Coaches to assist with career planning and connections
- - Financial aid for those who qualify
SWIHA’s commitment is to educate and empower holistic professionals who are ready to serve the world with skill, heart, and purpose.
Ready to Begin?
The updated Holistic Health & Wellness Coach program is now enrolling. Whether your dream is to start a private coaching practice, work in integrative healthcare, or lead wellness education in your community, this program offers the foundation you need to turn your passion into a career.
