Certified Wellness Coaches Designated Education Programs

Education & Training: HCAI-Designated Education Programs

HCAI-Designated Education Programs are state-partnered colleges and universities whose curricula meet all the requirements for students to apply for a Wellness Coach certification upon graduation.

What are the benefits of becoming a designated program?

Becoming an HCAI-Designated Education Program gives your students a direct, streamlined pathway to becoming Certified Wellness Coaches, with the minimum required field experience for certification built into their degree program. This means graduates are fully eligible to apply for certification immediately upon graduation, eliminating delays and uncertainty. Designation also elevates your institution’s visibility as a trusted state partner in strengthening California’s behavioral health workforce. It enhances your program’s credibility and makes it more compelling to prospective students who are seeking a clear, outcomes-driven career path in wellness and behavioral health.

Institutional Advantage:

  • Designation highlights your program as a state-recognized pathway to a new and growing behavioral health profession.
  • Increases the appeal of your degree program to prospective students who want additional career opportunities and the ability to apply for Wellness Coach certification upon graduation.
  • Positions your institution as a leader in strengthening California’s behavioral health workforce pipeline.

Workforce Impact:

  • By offering a designated program, your institution helps expand the pool of individuals who are fully prepared to meet certification requirements and enter California’s behavioral health profession without unnecessary delays.

What is the benefit to students?

The Certified Wellness Coach role is designed to be an entry point into behavioral health, where individuals gain experience working with youth. It’s a great chance to explore if a behavioral health career is right for them, while earning their degree, and to build real-world skills that employers want.

Students enrolled in an HCAI-Designated Education Program will be eligible to apply for certification as a Certified Wellness Coach as soon as they graduate.

  • Certification-Ready: All of the certification requirements are built into their program so they can apply for certification as soon as they graduate.  
  • Competent and Skilled: Their classes are aligned with the exact competencies and requirements for becoming a Certified Wellness Coach.  
  • Save time and stress: They will have enough fieldwork hours to apply for certification upon graduation.  
  • Career advantage: They will stand out as a graduate from a state-recognized program preparing California’s new behavioral health workforce. 

Students can learn more in this Frequently Asked Questions document.

Which organizations qualify to become HCAI-Designated Education Programs?

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), such as California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and private non-profit universities that offer degrees in human services, social work, addiction studies, or related fields, are eligible to become a designated education program.

More information can be found here. Contact CWCEdPrograms@hcai.ca.gov if your institution is eligible and interested in exploring next steps.

See which programs are in the process of becoming designated by referencing the interactive map here.

What are the HCAI-Designated Education Program requirements?

Certified Wellness Coach I (Associate Degree)

Offered by California Community Colleges, these programs must incorporate a minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable coursework and at least 150 hours of supervised field experience.

Certified Wellness Coach II (Bachelor’s Degree)

Offered by California State Universities and private nonprofit universities, programs must incorporate a minimum of 120 semester units of degree-applicable coursework and at least 300 hours of supervised field experience.

Reference the “Education Program Requirements” section of this webpage to learn more.

How does an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) become designated?

Qualifying colleges and universities interested in designation must meet with HCAI to confirm alignment of their curriculum with the Certified Wellness Coach competencies. The “pre-application” process identifies any curricular or programmatic gaps and allows the IHE to map out its process for completing those gaps and requesting funding from HCAI to do so.

Once approved, IHEs are connected with third-party administrators (TPA) who administer and manage grants on HCAI’s behalf. They work directly with programs to identify deliverables and timelines. Upon contract execution, all colleges/universities are considered to be under “conditional designation” and in the process of becoming a designated program.

Once all curricular and programmatic gaps are addressed, grantees go through a designation validation process with the TPA and HCAI. Completion of the validation process results in the official status of the program site as an “HCAI-Designated Education Program” and establishes a formal relationship between the institution and HCAI. The institution will receive a formal badge and letter of recognition from HCAI.

What are the field experience requirements for designated programs, and how are placement partnerships confirmed?

Field Experience Requirements
Students in Certified Wellness Coach-designated programs must complete supervised field experience as part of their coursework:

  • 150 hours for associate degree programs (CWC I)
  • 300 hours for bachelor’s degree programs (CWC II)

These hours include direct service, supervision, and related professional activities in child- or youth-serving settings. Field placement instructors may determine the best method for documenting these hours.

To prepare students for certification, either the placement supervisor or field instructor supervisor must complete the Supervisor Verification Form that attests to the skills and competencies gained during their field placements. These can also be viewed below for reference.

To learn more about the certification process, please reference the appropriate section below. HCAI and the TPAs will also provide direct guidance and technical assistance on the certification process to designated programs and students so they are successful in getting certified upon completion of their degree.

Eligible Placement Sites
Placements must be in organizations that provide pre-clinical behavioral health services to children and youth up to age 25. Examples include schools, non-profits, community-based organizations, and health centers or clinics.

Students may also complete related learning experiences such as shadowing, field trips, or guest lectures if they support Certified Wellness Coach competencies.

Supervision
Students must be supervised by qualified professionals such as Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credentialed staff, licensed clinicians, or other trained supervisors who oversee individuals providing early behavioral health services. The field instructor overseeing the course may also sign off on the students’ competencies and hours.

Confirming Partnerships
Education programs can validate partnerships with placement sites through Letters of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), affiliation agreements, or other documentation showing a formal relationship. Programs may work with one or several agencies if sufficient placements are available for all students.

HCAI is happy to make connections between IHEs and employers. Please reach out to WellnessCoach@hcai.ca.gov to discuss this further.