Associate of Applied Science in Health and Wellness

Overview

The mission of the AAS Health and Wellness degree program is to broaden students’ knowledge and skills with a mind-body-spirit approach to health and wellness. Students will explore various approaches to health and wellness and study the concepts, values, and applications of this exciting field of health science.

The AAS Health and Wellness program is aimed particularly at students who want to coach clients in developing healthy lifestyle habits, including: nutrition, managing daily stress, and becoming more physically active. This program is intended for anyone seeking a healthier life for themselves and their families and to help others achieve health and wellness in a non-clinical setting through education and coaching strategies.

The Associate of Applied Science in Health and Wellness program is designed to provide a solid foundation for entry-level careers in traditional health settings such as hospitals, private medical offices, and public health agencies as well as integrative health and wellness organizations and companies. Graduates can be at the forefront of the movement of collaborative and integrative health care. In addition, opportunities may exist in newly emerging preventative health services in corporate wellness centers, college health services, insurance agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

For all graduates, this program:

  • Is approved by the National Association of Nutrition Professional (NANP)
  • Meets the education requirements for graduates to sit for the Board Exam in Holistic Nutrition certification, offered by the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board (http://nanp.org/hncb), entitling successful candidates to use the title, “Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition®”, in accordance with State laws.¹

Recommended Sequence

The recommended course sequence for this program is published in the ACHS Program Catalog available to download online here.

Highlights

Meets the education requirements for graduates to sit for the Board Exam in Holistic Nutrition certification, offered by the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board*

*Please note: In addition to completing this program, documentation of 500 hours (includes a minimum of 250 direct contact hours and up to 250 indirect contact hours) of professional experience in holistic nutrition is also required. NANP also offers an exception for new graduates that defers these requirements for two years if the exam is taken within 12 months of graduation. Please visit https://achs.edu/alumni/professional-exams-registration for more information or contact https://www.nanp.org/board-exam-eligibility.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a broad knowledge of effective holistic wellness practices
  • Apply major behavior change theories when designing wellness plans
  • Apply a number of holistic wellness protocols, as well as motivational behaviors, to develop wellness plans for both clients and a general community audience
  • Review recent research in health and wellness coaching, and apply these findings to demonstrate evidence-based practice
  • Explain why the body functions better in a healthy state
  • Describe a variety of diseases that can upset the body’s mechanical and biochemical systems; apply effective educational approaches to help individuals restore balance and wellness
  • Identify scenarios and cases where it is appropriate to refer individuals to their licensed healthcare provider for diagnoses and treatment
  • Describe the details and logistics of setting up a private wellness coaching business; identify effective examples of record keeping, marketing, customer service, legal/ethical behavior, and management
  • Understand your state’s legal and regulatory requirements, and explain how you will practice within these legal parameters
  • Learn and adhere to the ethical and legal obligations of relevant industry organizations, including the International Coach Federation (ICF), the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA), the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC), and the American Herbalist Guild (AHG)
  • Learn and adhere to the International Coach Federation (ICF) ethical guidelines and professional standards, including: establishing the coaching agreement, establishing trust and intimacy with the client, coaching presence, active listening, powerful questioning, direct communication, creating awareness, designing actions, planning and goal setting, and managing progress and accountability
  • Apply major behavior change theories and motivational behaviors to develop wellness plans, nutritional, lifestyle, and wellness coaching for personal use, clients, and a general community audience
  • Communicate effectively during coaching sessions, and use language that has the greatest positive impact on the client
  • Conduct recorded face-to-face or telephone health coaching sessions and have them evaluated by his or her peers
  • Contribute to on-going research on coaching effectiveness
  • Describe the important contributions of advocates, academic researchers, and industry leaders in the field of motivational health behavior planning
  • Use behavioral change and motivational listening and observation skills for maximum benefit to the coaching relationship and the client and to create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust

¹Please note that this program does not prepare students to be eligible to sit for the NCHEC CHES exam and become a Certified Health Education Specialist. Most health education positions require a minimum of a bachelors degree and/or eligibility for the CHES exam.

² Depending on electives chosen.

English Composition: Students must complete at least 6 semester credit hours of English composition or equivalent OR Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)-approved writing courses; testing options also available.

General Education: ACHS students complete a total of 24 credits of general education. HECC requires students to complete at least 15 semester credit hours in general education courses including the undergraduate English composition requirement.

Electives or Specialization Track: To complete this program, students may select specialization tracks or 12 credits of elective study.

Introduction to Aromatherapy Online – AROMA 101

Aromatherapy I Online – AROMA 203

Aromatherapy II Online – AROMA 303

Aromatherapy III Online – AROMA 304

Aromatherapy Chemistry Online – AROMA 305

Botany & Plant Identification Online – HERB 331

Introduction to Business Online – BUS 101

Business Communications Online – BUS 304

Marketing Online – BUS 390

Introduction to Chemistry Online – CHEM 120

Introduction to Environmental Science Online – ENV 201

Basics of Herbalism Online – HERB 101

Herbal Studies Online – HERB 201

Herbal Materia Medica I Online – HERB 302

Herbal Materia Medica II Online – HERB 303

Herbal Materia Medica III Online – HERB 304

American History I Online – HIST 201

Community Health Planning Online – HLTH 410

Public Health Education Online – HLTH 416

Principles & Practices of Integrative Health Online – IHS 100

Quantitative Reasoning I – MTH 101

Quantitative Reasoning II – MTH 201

Nutrition, Bodycare & Herbalism Online – NAT 101

Energetic Modalities I: Flower Essences Online – NAT 202

Historical Modalities I: Iridology Online – NAT 203

Energetic Modalities II: Homeopathy Online – NAT 204

Healthcare Terminology Online – NAT 307

Introduction to Nutrition Online – NUT 101

Nutrition Online – NUT 210

Advanced Nutrition Principles I Online – NUT 301

Advanced Nutrition Principles II Online – NUT 302

Nutrition Across the Lifespan Online – NUT 303

Sports Nutrition Online – NUT 304

Holistic Nutrition Online – NUT 308

Topics in Holistic Nutrition Online – NUT 309

Food Production & Healthy Cooking Online – NUT 311

Nutrition Profession and Practice Online – NUT 312

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements Online – NUT 401

Nutrition Coaching & Communication Skills Online – NUT 415

Special Topics in Nutrition – Vegetarian & Gluten-Free Diets Online – NUT 499

Personal Fitness Training Online – PFT 101

Think Smarter! Strengthening Reasoning and Writing Skills Online – PHL 101

Applied Ethics Online – PHL 202

Health Psychology Online – PSY 303

Introduction to Research Methods Online – RES 301

Introduction to Sociology Online – SOC 101

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Career Goals:

  • Health and Wellness Consultant, Educator,² Writer, or Speaker
  • Health and Wellness Consultant within Community, Government, Business, or Residential Care Facilities
  • Health and Wellness Practitioner
  • Health and Wellness Coach
  • Health Care Industry Assistant - Day Spa, Holistic Retreat, Spa facility
  • Holistic Health Practitioner
  • Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner
  • Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
  • Nutritional Therapy Consultant
  • Wellness or Lifestyle Coach or Consultant
  • Support roles including: Administrative or support role in any company in the healthcare industry, Customer service role within the healthcare industry, Sales associate role within the healthcare industry
  • Medical professionals wishing to increase their knowledge of this exciting field and integrate it into a new or existing practice, including Medical Doctors, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Naturopaths, Nurses, Veterinarians, Respiratory Therapists, or Social Workers who are not looking for undergraduate level study
  • Consumers looking to integrate holistic health principles into their life for their personal health and wellbeing.

Current Instructors:

View all ACHS instructors, including bios, photos, and courses taught.

Admissions Requirements:

Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency and recommendation for admission by the ACHS Admissions Committee.

Tuition and Fees:

To estimate the program tuition and fees, click on the required course name to view each Total Course Price. Information is also provided in the Program Fact Sheet.

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