Health Coach Programme
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What Is Health Coaching and How Does It Work?
The healthcare system we have today spends most of its budget on treating sickness and very little on disease prevention. On average, we spend the last 15 years of our lives suffering from the complications of one of the big four chronic diseases: cancer, dementia, heart disease or diabetes. But the problem is that we medicate the symptoms, rather than treat the root cause of the disease.
As a Professional Health Coach, you’ll use evidence-based lifestyle interventions, coaching skills, and behaviour-change strategies to address the underlying causes of chronic illness. You’ll apply a powerful toolkit of coaching and lifestyle-change techniques to help clients find their own path forward. Your career will be purposeful and transformative, improving health outcomes and positively impacting the lives of your clients, your family, and yourself.
- Work as a Health Coach in a GP clinic or other primary care setting, an insurance company or in a corporate setting.
- Start your own private coaching practice as a Professional Health Coach.
- Expand your scope of practice as a Doctor, PT, Physio, Midwife, Nurse, Counsellor, Naturopath or other health professional.
- Work as an employee wellbeing advisor, school or community youth worker, or aged care wellbeing advisor.
Health Coach Programme Overview
What You’ll Learn
- Live Coaching Labs: 15 x Online Live Immersive Classes
- Coaching Practise: 25 hours (in your own time and in weekly coaching gyms)
Health Coaching Practice
Learn the art of coaching in live, interactive and immersive classes where you will get to practice and apply your learning in a safe setting, while honing your skills and gaining confidence. You will delve into the foundations of coaching and how to integrate both health science knowledge and coaching skills into your practice. Taught by PREKURE’s expert coaching faculty, each lab pairs a live coaching demonstration with hands-on practice in a safe, supportive environment. You’ll leave every session with new tools you can use immediately.
The labs take you through a deliberate arc of skill-building: You’ll begin by learning to resist the “fix-it” urge – one of the most important mindset shifts for any new coach – and develop the presence, curiosity, and non-judgement that separates great coaches from advice-givers. From there, you’ll master the art of deep listening, learn to recognise and amplify a client’s readiness for change, and develop powerful frameworks for moving clients from insight into action. You’ll also explore the less obvious – how to work with a client’s inner saboteur, how biology shapes behaviour (blood sugar, sleep, nervous system regulation, neuroplasticity), how to personalise your coaching using personality insights, and how to support clients to normalise setbacks and keep moving forward.
Frameworks and tools you’ll practise include PRESENCE, OARS and Motivational Interviewing, WRC, GROW and GRIN, DR RID and the Transtheoretical Model of Change. By graduation, you’ll be able to coach confidently within your scope of practice, apply a range of evidence-based communication techniques, and hold the kind of presence that creates real, lasting change for your clients.
Health Coaching Practice: View the live lab learning content and outcomes in the Prospectus.
What You’ll Learn
- 6 x Self-Directed Learning Courses (PK101-PK106)
- University-level study covering the latest science and evidence of preventative lifestyle medicine
- Complete in your own time and at your own pace with online 24/7 access
Health Coaching Science
Dive into the latest science and evidence of preventative lifestyle medicine and gain foundational knowledge in health science, nutrition, mental wellbeing and behavioural change.
You’ll discover how to help others with sustainable behavioural change, explore foundational science-based nutritional knowledge, the latest trends and research in exercise and health, and learn how to create a lifestyle that will optimise brain function, performance and wellbeing today and into old age.
Courses:
- PK101: Behaviour As Medicine
- PK102: Nutrition As Medicine
- PK103: Fitness As Medicine
- PK104: Mental Health & Mind-Body Medicine
- PK105: Making Sense of Research
- PK106: Maximising Your Potential As A Health Coach
Health Coaching Science: View the coursework and learning outcomes in the Prospectus
Tools & support to become a Masterful Coach
As a student you’ll receive 12 months access to weekly live online coaching gyms to deepen your coaching practice and build your coaching hours.
In our weekly live online Ask An Expert sessions you’ll get to connect with the PREKURE science faculty of psychologists, dietitians, professors and behaviour change experts.
PREKURE Health Coaching students receive an exclusive PREKURE eBook, The Science & Art of Exceptional Health Coaching (100-pages).
All theory based online courses are self paced. Learn on your own time, at your own pace, in your own space.
You’ll also experience online live, cohort based immersive labs. With ongoing opportunities to practice and refine your coaching skills and become a masterful professional health coach.
Explore the curriculum. Download the Prospectus!
The Health Coach Programme is right for you if…
- You have more to give and want to make a positive impact in the world.
- You want to learn how to be the best you can be, and discover how to help others to live their best lives.
- You want to become an internationally recognised professional health coach
- You want to be the forefront of preventative medicine, health lifestyle science and behaviour change.
- You’re a lifelong learner, and want to be immersed in the very latest university-level learning, discover cutting-edge research and gain deep knowledge.
- You want to learn and be inspired by a world-leading faculty of passionate experts and change-makers making a real difference in health.
- You want to join a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for health and wellbeing.
YOU’RE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MASTERCLASS
Free Health Coaching 101 Live Masterclass
Learn the key coaching skills and foundational concepts that flip the traditional medical model – empowering you to support sustainable change and explore a rewarding career in professional health coaching. We are running both New Zealand & Australian sessions.
Ready To Get Started?
Are you ready to change your career and make a real impact?
Speak with a Health & Career Coach to find out if you have what it takes to join the PREKURE community.
PREKURE Health Coach Certification: Accreditation & Recognition
We’re not a university—and that’s a good thing! Our learning has been independently assessed to be the same level of learning as a university. However, unlike universities and traditional education providers who must go through lengthy bureaucratic processes to update their curriculum, often taking years to reflect the latest science, at PREKURE, we move faster.
Our training is designed for real-world impact, with content that evolves in real time to stay aligned with cutting-edge research in metabolic health, nutrition, mental wellbeing, and behaviour change science. You can learn more about our accreditations here.
The Latest Graduate Stories
PREKURE Programme Comparisons
| Health Coach Programme | Mental Health Coach Programme | Metabolic Nutrition Coach Programme | Master Health Coach Programme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Lifestyle Science: PK101-PK106 24/7 access to online portal of videos, podcasts, resources, templates. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Live Health Coaching Labs 15 x 2 hour+ live learning classes led by industry experts. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Metabolic Medicine & Advanced Nutritional Science: PK207-PK212 24/7 access to online portal of videos, podcasts, resources, templates. | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mental Health Lifestyle Science: PK301-PK306 24/7 access to online portal of videos, podcasts, resources, templates. | - | ✔ | - | ✔ |
| Live Advanced Health Coaching Labs 15 x 2 hour+ live learning classes led by industry experts. | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Business Fundamentals For Coaches | - | - | - | ✔ |
| Quarterly Master Workshops | - | - | - | ✔ |
| NZQA | Assessed as a micro-credential equivalency of Level 5 on the NZQF* | Assessed as a micro-credential equivalency of Level 5-Level 7 on the NZQF* | Assessed as a micro-credential equivalency of Level 5 on the NZQF* | Assessed as a micro-credential equivalency of Level 5-Level 7 on the NZQF* |
| Duration | Estimated completion: 12 months part-time Weekly 7 hours | Estimated completion: 18 months part-time Weekly 7 hours | Estimated completion: 18 months part-time Weekly 7 hours | Estimated completion: 24 months part-time Weekly 7 hours |
| Certification | PREKURE Certified Health Coach | PREKURE Certified Health Coach PREKURE Certified Mental Health Coach | PREKURE Certified Health Coach PREKURE Certified Metabolic Nutrition Coach | PREKURE Certified Health Coach PREKURE Certified Mental Health Coach PREKURE Certified Metabolic Nutrition Coach PREKURE Certified Master Coach |
| Private Community Group | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Community Events In-person meetups, regional seminars, annual networking and graduation ceremony | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Coaching Gyms | 100 x 60 min sessions | 150 x 60 min sessions | 150 x 60 min sessions | 200 x 60 min sessions |
| Live Ask an Expert Sessions | 50 x 60 minute sessions | 75 x 60 minute sessions | 75 x 60 minute sessions | 100 x 60 minute sessions |
| Approved by UKIHCA | - | - | - | ✔ |
| University-Level Learning | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Exclusive PREKURE eBook: The Science & Art of Exceptional Health Coaching (100-pages) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Exclusive PREKURE eBook: The Practice of Advanced Coaching Book (200-pages) | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Study Fee | Down payment + $395(NZD) /month interest-free over 12 months | Down payment + $395(NZD) /month interest-free over 18 months | Down payment + $395(NZD) /month interest-free over 18 months | Down payment + $395(NZD) /month interest-free over 24 months |
| View More | Browse the Health Coach Programme | Browse the Mental Health Coach Programme | Browse the Metabolic Nutrition Coach Programme | Browse the Master Health Coach Programme |
Over 30 globally-leading, world-class experts
Learn from our diverse, world-class faculty of over 30 professors, researchers, Health Coaches and clinicians, who will equip you with real-world knowledge and practical skills.
Health Coach Programme Reviews & Graduate Stories
Health Coach Programme Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of undertaking the Health Coach Programme?
The PREKURE Health Coach Programme is both a personal and professional transformation. You’ll not only gain the tools to live your best life – you’ll also learn how to support others to do the same, with confidence and credibility.
You’ll be trained in the latest lifestyle health science and foundational coaching skills, with plenty of opportunity to practise and build the confidence needed to create real change. Coaching is not about giving advice – it’s about walking alongside others with presence, listening, and curiosity, and empowering them to find their own path forward.
Health Coaches see the person, not just the problem. They help clients stay engaged in their health journey, turn insight into action, and create momentum that lasts. You’ll learn how to apply a flexible, person-centred approach – using a range of practical tools to meet people where they are at.
You’ll graduate with a university-level, internationally recognised certification. As a PREKURE Certified Health Coach, you’ll be recognised by medical professionals and part of a respected, growing network of health changemakers.
You’ll also join a vibrant community of like-minded learners and professionals – people who are purpose-driven, passionate about prevention, and committed to supporting each other every step of the way.
When does the Health Coach programme start?
You can start your online self-directed courses as soon as your enrolment is confirmed. For your live online coaching labs, these are cohort (class) based with limited start dates during the year.
Which courses make up the Health Coach Programme?
1. Health Coaching Science: Six theory courses to complete in your own time and at your own pace:
- PK101: Behaviour as Medicine
- PK102: Nutrition as Medicine
- PK103: Fitness as Medicine
- PK104: Mind-Body Medicine
- PK105: Making Sense of Research
- PK106: Maximising Your Potential as a Health Coach
2. Health Coaching Skills: 40 hours of live coaching labs (mainly scheduled in the evenings).
What happens in the coaching skills labs?
Learn the art of coaching in live, interactive and immersive classes where you will get to practice and apply your learning in a safe setting, while honing your skills and gaining confidence. You will delve into the foundations of coaching and how to integrate both health science knowledge and coaching skills into your practice. Taught by PREKURE’s expert coaching faculty, each lab pairs a live coaching demonstration with hands-on practice in a safe, supportive environment. You’ll leave every session with new tools you can use immediately.
The labs take you through a deliberate arc of skill-building: You’ll begin by learning to resist the “fix-it” urge – one of the most important mindset shifts for any new coach – and develop the presence, curiosity, and non-judgement that separates great coaches from advice-givers. From there, you’ll master the art of deep listening, learn to recognise and amplify a client’s readiness for change, and develop powerful frameworks for moving clients from insight into action. You’ll also explore the less obvious – how to work with a client’s inner saboteur, how biology shapes behaviour (blood sugar, sleep, nervous system regulation, neuroplasticity), how to personalise your coaching using personality insights, and how to support clients to normalise setbacks and keep moving forward.
Frameworks and tools you’ll practise include PRESENCE, OARS and Motivational Interviewing, WRC, GROW and GRIN, DR RID and the Transtheoretical Model of Change. By graduation, you’ll be able to coach confidently within your scope of practice, apply a range of evidence-based communication techniques, and hold the kind of presence that creates real, lasting change for your clients.
What support will I receive as a student?
Over and above your cohort-based live coaching labs, all Health Coach students also receive access to weekly live online coaching gyms and Ask an Expert sessions. This is your weekly space to connect with the PREKURE teaching Faculty and your community of fellow students and graduates, build your confidence and capability as a Coach, connect with the PREKURE science Faculty including our resident psychologist, dietitian, behaviour change expert and Chief Science Officer, and get your questions answered.
How long does it take to complete the programme?
The Health Coach Programme can be completed within 6-12 months with a weekly commitment of approximately 7 hours per week. The self-directed Health Coaching Science courses can be completed in your own time and at your own pace, with online 24/7 access. You will join your live online coaching labs as a small cohort (class) with other Health Coach students and follow a set schedule over ~20 weeks.
Do I need any background or previous qualifications in the health field?
While there is no prior health experience or learning required for entry into this programme, applicants must meet our entry criteria, including:
- The ability to dedicate the necessary time and energy to your studies.
- Alignment with PREKURE’s mission of extending the human healthspan.
- A commitment to lifelong learning and staying at the forefront of the latest evidence and science in health.
- An ambition and desire to be the best you can be and help others to live their best lives.
I'm a nurse, personal trainer, GP, pharmacist, or other health professional. Is this programme right for me?
Absolutely! We have many health professionals who have successfully pivoted their careers or augmented their skills by upskilling in coaching. Whether you’re a nurse, physiotherapist, PT, GP, or other health professional, our Health Coach Programme is designed to complement and enhance your existing expertise. You’ll gain advanced skills in coaching and behavioural change, be equipped to make a greater impact in the lives of your patients/clients, and achieve greater job satisfaction.
How do I know this programme is credible and contains correct information?
This programme is scientifically-based and evidence-informed with full academic references provided for all materials. It is taught by our highly qualified, world-class teaching Faculty with extensive real-world experience including registered dietitian Dr Caryn Zinn, Professor of Public Health Grant Schofield and practising GP and fellow of the RNZCGPs, Dr Glen Davies.
Is this programme recognised internationally?
Yes, the Health Coach Programme is approved by the Australasian Health Coach professional body, HCANZA. We are also an approved training provider with the Canadian Health Coach Alliance (HCA), and endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGPs) for Continuing Medical Education (CME). Furthermore, we follow the International Coaches Federation (ICF) core competencies, definition of coaching and code of ethics.
Is this programme approved by NZQA?
No, PREKURE is not a university—and that’s a good thing! Our learning has been independently assessed to be the same level of learning as a university. However, unlike universities and traditional education providers who must go through lengthy bureaucratic processes to update their curriculum, often taking years to reflect the latest science, at PREKURE, we move faster. Our training is designed for real-world impact, with content that evolves in real time to stay aligned with cutting-edge research in metabolic health, nutrition, mental wellbeing, and behaviour change science.
PREKURE’s Health Coach Programme has been independently assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as having micro-credential equivalency of 30 credits (300 notational learning hours) at Level 5 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
What that means in practical terms is that our program has been evaluated to be at a similar level of learning as a diploma (300 hours of study), with a strong focus on practical, evidence-based coaching skills that you can apply immediately.
Our mental health coursework, included in the Mental Health and Master Coach Programmes, has been assessed as having equivalency of 30 credits (300 notational hours) at Level 7 on the NZQCF, the same level as a Bachelor’s Degree. At this level, learning becomes more advanced, with a focus on critical thinking, in-depth scientific knowledge, and professional application.
What certification will I receive?
If you pass your assessment criteria you will graduate with your Health Coach Programme Certificate and become a PREKURE Certified Health Coach.
For continued use of the PREKURE Certified Health Coach brand mark, you must continue to be registered with a Health Coach or other health professional body.
Are there jobs for Health Coaches?
Yes, Health Coaching is a growing global industry, with job opportunities in GP clinics, government organisations, hospitals, insurance companies, aged care, schools, corporate organisations, and more. Alternatively, you can start your own health coaching private practice.
Can I do the training even if I don’t plan on practicing as a Health Coach?
Yes – you don’t have to be a Coach to utilise your coaching skills! Most of our students go on an (unexpected!) personal journey of discovery and transformation for themselves when studying to become a Health Coach. You’ll use your coaching skills in your everyday life, in your current job, and in your relationships. You’ll transform your own health, and the health of those around you.
How do I know if I will make a good Health Coach?
If you’re passionate about health and wellbeing, love to help other people, find it easy to build relationships and are a good listener, then health coaching could be a great fit for you. Health coaches believe in people. They believe that people can change, and they bring optimism and efficiency to the change process.
Is setting up my own Health Coach business achievable?
Absolutely.
If your vision is to establish your own health coaching private practice, we recommend you undertake our Master Health Coach Programme, and gain access to our business fundamentals course designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to launch your own purpose-led health coaching business.
What are the study fees for the Health Coach Programme?
This is a comprehensive, university-level professional programme of study. Payments are structured as an upfront down-payment fee, plus interest-free payments of $395(NZD) /month over 12 months.
Please enquire with our team to discuss the investment options in more detail
Do I get lifetime programme access?
You will receive a minimum of 12 months access to all learning resources from the date you enrol. You can gain ongoing access through our Graduate Network. This includes access to our regularly updated content, new research, resources and references as we continue to develop and re-release courses with the latest science and evidence.
How can I learn more?
Book a call with a PREKURE Health & Career Coach to talk about what study options will suit you best and find out if you have what it takes to join the PREKURE community.
Or join an upcoming Free Masterclass session where you’ll get to:
- Learn three key coaching skills that you can start using today,
- Discover how the coach approach turns the current medical model on its head,
- And learn more about the role of a professional Health Coach.
What is the scope of practice of a PREKURE Health Coach?
PREKURE Health Coaches are trained lifestyle and behaviour change specialists who work alongside – and in support of – their clients’ doctors and registered health professionals. Their role is to educate, empower, and support clients to make sustainable lifestyle changes that improve their health and wellbeing.
As coaching professionals, they work within a clearly defined scope of practice. They do not diagnose or treat disease – that remains the role of registered health practitioners. Instead, they fill the critical space between clinical advice and real-world action, helping clients build the habits, knowledge, and confidence to take lasting control of their health.
University-Level Learning, Built for the Real World
We’re not a university – and that’s a good thing. Our learning has been independently assessed at the same level as a university qualification. But unlike traditional institutions, where curriculum updates can take years to reflect new science, we move fast.
Our training is designed for real-world impact, with content that evolves in real time – staying aligned with the latest evidence-based research in metabolic health, nutrition, mental wellbeing, and behaviour change medicine.
