“It [Whole Health Education]…addresses many of the issues that NCQA [the National
Committee for Quality Assurance] sees as central to a more effective health care system.”

As the pioneer and leader of the national Whole Health movement, the pre-requisites NIWH requires will allow its graduates to qualify for upcoming national certifications and licensure, as well as, after graduating from the NIWH program, successfully achieve mainstream job placement in this exciting new health care specialty.

The entrance requirements for the NIWH Whole Health curriculums are in keeping with national guidelines for the practice of and employment in the fields of wellness, medicine, and patient health education, as well as the up-coming education and training requirements for Health and Wellness Coaches to participate in national insurance networks.

Whole Health Education has been nominated
for the prestigious Norman Cousins Award

for Best Practice in Relationship-Centered Care

NIWH serves on the national Leadership Team and Steering Committee for Health Coach Credentialing, along side other health and education leaders which include Duke University, Harvard Institute of Coaching, the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, JFK University, Wellcoaches, the American College of Sports Medicine and HealthCorps, founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz. 

In 2009, HealthCorp began the Steering Committee and invited national leaders to participate. The Steering Committee is tasked with creating the criteria and guidelines for national credentialing and certification of Health and Wellness Coaches.

All applicants must meet the minimum requirements for acceptance into any of the National Institute of Whole Health post-professional programs. In addition, each Whole Health program is open to specific populations of professionals. For example the Whole Health Educator for Nurses with Health Coaching is only open to nurse professionals.

• Minimum of a two (2) or four (4) year degree in a related subject from an accredited college. Four (4) year degrees include all areas of health science, nutrition, psychology, fitness, wellness, education and other related subjects. Examples of appropriate two (2) year degrees are:
  • Nursing degree
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Massage Therapist
  • Surgical Technician
  • Cardiovascular Technician
  • Physician Therapy Assistant
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Medical Assistant degree
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Other related degrees apply
• Licensure or professional certification in health, education or allied health
• Exceptions: licensed or certified health professionals whose scope of practice allows them to provide patient health education. These individuals may work in medical or dental practices where the medical director of the practice can bill and be reimbursed for their patient education services. Includes: LPN, Medical Assistants and Dental Assistants.
• Interview required for application submission
• Recommendation from an NIWH Program Representative
• Formal application to NIWH program
• Copies of license, certification and degree credentials
• Approval and Enrollment offer from the NIWH Admissions Committee

Entry level candidates who possess an unrelated four year, accredited college degree may be considered for enrollment with a signed Waiver of Understanding that they cannot be certified by NIWH until which time they have either become licensed or certified in the health, medical or allied health fields. Also see below, under the Certificate of Study section for more options.

Certificate of Study candidates - Individuals who wish to take a Whole Health curriculum for their personal health knowledge may do so. They will not however, be prepared to work in the field of whole health nor will they be in any way certified by NIWH. They will receive a certificate of study in their chosen Whole Health Certificate of Study progam.

Entry Level Programs – NIWH also provides free career re-direction consulting to assist those who wish to re-direct their career but do not have the education, training or credentials required to legitimately work as a health or allied health professional. NIWH is committed to all individuals becoming properly credentialed so they may qualify to work in the field of integrative health care, whole health or related fields as patient health education. This free counseling is provided for those who wish to work in the field of Whole Health, but do not have the prerequisites for our professionally accredited programs, which do require health care or education credentials. Career re-direction does require additional study beyond the NIWH program, but leads to a meaningful and fully recognized allied health career. For more information please call NIWH and speak with a Program Reresentative.

For more information, or if you have questions about our application pre-requisites, contact the NIWH office at 888-354-HEAL (4325)