CBU approved to integrate wellness coaching into BSW degree

Riverside, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2025) – In December, the California Department of Health Care Access and Information approved California Baptist University to train future wellness coaches through its Bachelor of Social Work program.

Wellness coaches identify and refer youth in a crisis, educate youth on mental health wellness and provide individual and group support. They free up licensed social workers to focus on youth with more complex needs, according to the HCAI website.

A wellness coach is a newly created position by the state of California, and it is part of a broader state initiative to address the mental health needs of youth up to age 25.

“The need for behavioral health support for children and youth in California is great, particularly within the Inland Empire,” said Dr. Antonio Mejico Jr., associate dean of the Division of Social Work. “The wellness coach program aims to fill the gaps in the current behavioral health workface by expanding and diversifying the network of support to children and youth throughout the Inland Empire and beyond.”

Many schools and community organizations are employing certified wellness coaches, and now CBU will be training some of the first. CBU is currently the only private university to offer a wellness coach program to BSW students, Mejico said.

“The wellness coach program aligns with the CBU’s commitment to serve our community in a manner that recognizes the needs of our neighbors and responds to those needs through service with compassion,” Mejico said.

Students in the BSW program will be able to add a wellness coach certificate once they complete their field work hours. All other requirements are already covered by CBU’s BSW program, aside from a prerequisite psychology course.

“Getting a wellness coach certificate earlier on in their academics will make students more competitive as they graduate. And it's a great pathway into school social work,” said Dr. Kristina Gordon, BSW program director.  

To learn more about CBU’s BSW program, visit calbaptist.edu/bsw