HCAI-Designated Education Programs
HCAI-Designated Education Programs play a big role in shaping the future of behavioral health in California. They help train future Certified Wellness Coaches who will contribute to a healthier California.
Our Network of 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.
HCAI-Designated Education Programs
Programs Launching Soon
HCAI-Designated Education Programs
Programs Launching Soon
California Community Colleges
(CWC I Qualifying Programs)
California Universities
(CWC II Qualifying Programs)
HCAI-Designated Education Program Requirements
Designated programs are intentionally built around Certified Wellness Coach competencies and skills, better preparing graduates to enter the workforce. Students from designated programs meet all requirements to apply for certification as soon as they graduate.
Certified Wellness Coach I Curriculum
Education
- 60 Credits of classroom education.
- Prepares graduates with foundational knowledge and skills to work in positions that focus on wellness promotion and education, care coordination, and screening for basic behavioral health challenges.
Field Experience
- 400 hours of supervised field experience.
- Field experience can be accomplished by any combination of internships, practicum hours, and work experience.
Certificate
- A Certified Wellness Coach I certification is granted upon completion of the associate’s degree and required field experience.
Certified Wellness Coach II Curriculum
Education
- 120 credits of classroom education.
- Builds on the Certified Wellness Coach I curriculum and prepares graduates with more advanced behavioral health knowledge and skills.
Field Experience
- 800 hours of field experience.
- Field experience can be accomplished by any combination of internships, practicum hours, and work experience.
Certificate
- A Certified Wellness Coach II certification is granted upon completion of the bachelor’s degree and required field experience.
Certified Wellness Coach I Curriculum
Education
- 60 Credits of classroom education.
- Prepares graduates with foundational knowledge and skills to work in positions that focus on wellness promotion and education, care coordination, and screening for basic behavioral health challenges.
Field Experience
- 400 hours of supervised field experience.
- Field experience can be accomplished by any combination of internships, practicum hours, and work experience.
Certificate
- A Certified Wellness Coach I certification is granted upon completion of the associate’s degree and required field experience.
Certified Wellness Coach II Curriculum
Education
- 120 credits of classroom education.
- Builds on the Certified Wellness Coach I curriculum and prepares graduates with more advanced behavioral health knowledge and skills.
Field Experience
- 800 hours of field experience.
- Field experience can be accomplished by any combination of internships, practicum hours, and work experience.
Certificate
- A Certified Wellness Coach II certification is granted upon completion of the bachelor’s degree and required field experience.
How to Become a Designated Education Program
Meet Requirements
Reach out to HCAI to discuss your program’s level of alignment with HCAI’s educational requirements.
Apply for Designated Approval
Work with HCAI to formalize a process to ensure your candidates will meet learning outcome requirements and will be workforce ready.
Receive HCAI Program Designation
Receive your HCAI Program certification and stand out as a recognized leader in supporting mental health wellness.
Enroll Certified Wellness Coach Candidates
Enroll candidates to become Certified Wellness Coaches dedicated to supporting mental health wellness for California’s youth.
What are the benefits of becoming an HCAI-Designated Education Program?
Establish your institution as a trusted state partner dedicated to strengthening California's behavioral health workforce.
Direct Path to Certification
Students get their education and field experience in one place so they can apply for certification right after graduation.
Funding Opportunities
HCAI offers funding to help institutions build and launch new education pathways for future Certified Wellness Coaches.
State-Recognized Advantage
Designation distinguishes your program as an approved pathway to certification, attracting students seeking clear career outcomes and advancing California’s behavioral health workforce.
Direct Path to Certification
Students get their education and field experience in one place so they can apply for certification right after graduation.
Funding Opportunities
HCAI offers funding to help institutions build and launch new education pathways for future Certified Wellness Coaches.
State-Recognized Advantage
Designation distinguishes your program as an approved pathway to certification, attracting students seeking clear career outcomes and advancing California’s behavioral health workforce.
How to Create an HCAI-Designated Curriculum
Creating an HCAI-Designated curriculum is a collaborative process. We’re here to offer resources to help education programs that offer social work, human services, psychology, and addiction studies degrees to align their coursework to our standards. Dedicated HCAI consultants are available to work with you to become program-ready.
If you have any questions, you can send them to CWCEdPrograms@hcai.ca.gov.
How to Create an HCAI-Designated Curriculum
Creating an HCAI-Designated curriculum is a collaborative process. We’re here to offer resources to help education programs that offer social work, human services, psychology, and addiction studies degrees to align their coursework to our standards. Dedicated HCAI consultants are available to work with you to become program-ready.
If you have any questions, you can send them to CWCEdPrograms@hcai.ca.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions: Designated Education Programs
The curriculum for Certified Wellness Coaches comprises two different learning paths: Certified Wellness Coach I and Certified Wellness Coach II. Each one is designed to meet specific educational and skill development needs.
For Certified Wellness Coach I:
- You’ll complete an Associate Degree with a minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable coursework.
- You’ll also complete 150 hours of supervised field experience. Field experience must occur in child-serving settings and include direct services, supervision, and related activities. Supervision must be provided by qualified professionals, such as PPS-credentialed staff, licensed clinicians, or other trained behavioral health supervisors.
- Prepares graduates with foundational knowledge and skills to work in positions that focus on wellness promotion and education, care coordination, and screening for basic behavioral health needs.
When you finish this program, you’ll get an Associate Degree and become a Certified Wellness Coach I.
For Certified Wellness Coach II:
- This path is more in-depth. You’ll complete a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 120 semester units of degree-applicable coursework.
- You’ll also complete 300 hours of supervised field experience. Field experience must occur in child-serving settings and include direct services, supervision, and related activities. Supervision must be provided by qualified professionals, such as PPS-credentialed staff, licensed clinicians, or other trained behavioral health supervisors.
- Builds on the Certified Wellness Coach I curriculum and prepares graduates with more advanced behavioral health knowledge and skills.
After completing this program, you’ll get a Bachelor’s Degree and become a Certified Wellness Coach II.
Both paths make sure Certified Wellness Coaches are ready to help a wide range of people and communities. They can provide basic support and more specialized help too.
Beginning now, colleges and universities with social work, human services, addiction studies, or related programs can start matching their courses with HCAI training needs. To kick start the process, collaborate with HCAI consultants. Connect with our HCAI Certified Wellness Coach team for more guidance.
Private nonprofit universities with human services, social work, or addiction studies programs can also become HCAI-Designated Educational Programs by following the same process as California State Universities.
