SRJC Is an HCAI-Designated Education Program
Our program has been formally designated by the California State Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) as offering an approved curriculum aligned with Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) competencies. Students who complete the required coursework and fieldwork are eligible to apply for certification upon graduation.
Certification is not guaranteed. While our curriculum is aligned with CWC competencies, students must enroll in the correct courses, complete the required fieldwork hours, and work with an academic counselor to build a Student Education Plan (SEP) that meets certification requirements.
What is a Wellness Coach?
Certified Wellness Coaches (CWCs) support the mental health and well-being of California's children and youth through prevention and early intervention services. They work alongside licensed professionals to provide care that addresses the physical, emotional, and mental needs of young people.
Work in settings including
- K–12 schools
- College campuses
- Community organizations
- Health centers and clinics
Work alongside professionals such as
- School psychologists
- Counselors
- Social workers
- Health & wellness staff
How to Qualify as a Certified Wellness Coach
There are two pathways to earning your CWC I certification — both require a qualifying associate degree and fieldwork experience hours.
Pathway One
Education Pathway
Best for students currently enrolled at SRJC, or graduates who completed a qualifying degree within the last 6 years.
Qualifying Degrees at SRJC
- AA-T Social Work & Human Services
- AA Social Work & Human Services
- AA-T Psychology
Pathway Two
Workforce Pathway
Best for people already working in behavioral health settings who have direct experience serving children and youth through age 25 — in schools, non-profits, community organizations, or health centers — within the last six years.
Qualifying Degree
- Any Associate Degree
Course Sequence
These are all the courses required to meet the CWC core competencies, as approved by HCAI in our program roadmap.
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| Year 1 · Semester 1 | |
| SWHS 90Introduction to Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
| PSYC C1000Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SWHS 87Ethical Issues in Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
| Year 1 · Semester 2 | |
| COUN 7Identity & Diversity | 3 |
| SWHS 93Introduction to Case Management | 3 |
| CDEV C1000Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| Year 2 · Semester 1 | |
| SWHS 91Skills and Techniques in Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
| SWHS 81Prevention and Education on Addiction | 3 |
| SWHS 92Introduction to Group Counseling | 3 |
| Year 2 · Semester 2 | |
| SWHS 95Advocating for Social Change | 3 |
| SWHS 86Social Work Seminar and Fieldwork (150 hours) | 3 |
| Total CWC-Specific Units | 33 |
This sequence assumes full-time enrollment and is designed to stack into our Associate Degree for Transfer or local Addiction Studies pathway. Course availability may vary by semester — meet with an academic counselor to build your personalized Student Education Plan (SEP).
Your Next Steps
Where you start depends on where you are. Find your path below.
I'm starting fresh
I don't have a qualifying degree yet and want to enroll at SRJC.
I already have a degree
I earned a qualifying associate or bachelor's degree within the last 6 years.
A note on certification and employment: While this program is designed to prepare students for behavioral health careers and offers hands-on fieldwork that may lead to professional opportunities, employment is not guaranteed. Certification as a Wellness Coach is a qualification, not a job title.
The scope of work for Certified Wellness Coaches includes wellness education, individual and group support, screening, care coordination, and crisis referral — it does not include clinical therapy or diagnosis. Job titles may vary across employers, but certification demonstrates a graduate is equipped for entry-level behavioral health roles within the CWC scope of practice.
For more information on the CWC certification process, visit cawellnesscoach.org.
