Program Overview
The Certified Coach Diploma Program is designed to train and certify qualified individuals as Certified Coaches and help them apply for ACC (Associate Certified Coach) and PCC (Professional Certified Coach) designation with ICF (International Coach Federation). Through this training course students will gain the tools and skills necessary to transform the lives of others in various fields. Students will learn how to help others overcome negative thinking and fears, and remove the root causes of failure. After completion of this course students will have an in-depth understanding of what needs to be done to launch and grow a coaching practice.
ICF credential-holders are part of a self-regulating group of elite coaches who provide accountability to clients and the coaching profession as a whole. They pursue and complete rigorous education and practice requirements that provide unquestionable legitimacy to their commitment to excellence in coaching.
Topics/Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this Diploma program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Understand the theory, principles, and methods of coaching
- Comply with the conduct and ethics of coaching
- Establish trust and intimacy during a session
- Display fairness and lack of prejudice
- Confidently utilize coaching skills and tactics
- Provide excellent coaching to others
- Create a safe space for a client
- Lead a client to powerful breakthroughs
- Encourage clients to be self-confident and have a stronger self-image
- Use language that has the greatest positive impact on their client
- Help clients to set intentions, goals, and visions of desired outcome
- Assist clients in action planning
- Facilitate resolution of clients’ problems
- Cope with barriers and resistance during the session
- Adapt to different type of clients
- Focus their attention on what is important for the client
- Structure sessions and set goals
- Understand what is required to start their own practice as a coach
Program Organization
Ashton College’s Coach Certificate Diploma covers the 11 Core Competencies of the International Coach Federation (ICF). During their studies, students learn how to partner with clients in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires clients to maximize their potential in different fields.
| Title of Course/Work Experience Component * | # of Hours* |
|---|---|
| 1. Foundation Module | 30 |
| History of Coaching | 3 |
| Ethical Guidelines & Professional Standards | 6 |
| Integrity and Accountability | 6 |
| Structure of Coaching Session | 6 |
| Coaching Agreements | 3 |
| Positive Self-Image | 3 |
| Mentor Coaching Sessions | 3 |
| 2. Communication Module | 30 |
| Active Listening | 3 |
| Powerful Questioning | 4 |
| Direct Communication | 4 |
| Using Analogy and Metaphor | 4 |
| Dealing with Resistance | 3 |
| Emotional Intelligence | 3 |
| Mindfulness | 3 |
| Mentor Coaching Sessions | 6 |
| 3. Relationships Module | 40 |
| Establishing Trust & Intimacy with the Client | 5 |
| Coaching Presence | 5 |
| In-Person Coaching Techniques | 3 |
| Virtual Coaching Techniques | 3 |
| Life Coaching | 5 |
| Relationship Coaching | 5 |
| Business Coaching | 5 |
| Executive Coaching | 5 |
| Team Coaching | 2 |
| Kids and Youth | 2 |
| Mentor Coaching Sessions | 3 |
| 4. Facilitating Learning and Results | 40 |
| Creating Awareness | 6 |
| Designing Actions | 6 |
| Planning and Goal Setting | 6 |
| Use of Visualization and Other Techniques | 5 |
| Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) | 5 |
| Managing Progress | 6 |
| Mentor Coaching Sessions | 6 |
| 5. Completion | 20 |
| Establishing Your Own Practice | 6 |
| Welcome Package and First Consultation | 3 |
| ICF Credentialing Process & CPD | 3 |
| Mentor Coaching Sessions (one-on-one) | 3 |
| 1:1 Assessment | 2 |
| Final Exam | 3 |
| Total: | 160 |
Course Descriptions
Certified Coach 01 (CC01) – Foundation Module (30 Hours)
Brief Program Description
This course introduces students to the concept of meeting ethical guidelines and professional standards. Understanding of coaching ethics and standards and the ability to apply them appropriately in all coaching situations will be explored. Students will learn how to establish the coaching agreement, and gain the ability to understand what is required in the specific coaching interaction and how to come to an agreement with both prospective and new clients about the coaching process and relationship.
Prerequisites
Applicants need a minimum of a high school diploma and must be 19 years or older at the time of starting the course. No Course Prerequisites.
Learning Objectives*
Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Understand and exhibit behaviors laid out in the ICF Code of Ethics (see Code, Part III of ICF Code of Ethics).
- Understand and follow all ICF Ethical Guidelines.
- Clearly communicate the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions.
- Refer clients to another support professional as needed, knowing when this is needed and the available resources.
- Understand and effectively discuss the guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship (e.g., logistics, fees, scheduling, inclusion of others if appropriate) with the client.
- Reach an agreement about what is appropriate in the relationship and what is not, what is and is not being offered, and about the client’s and coach’s individual responsibilities.
- Determine whether there is an effective match between their coaching method and the needs of the prospective client.
Method(s) of Evaluation/ Assessments*
Students are evaluated through attendance, participation, activities, discussions and problem-sets, and quizzes.
Completion Requirements*
Students must receive a minimum of 75% overall in order to complete the course successfully. Students are expected to abide by the policies of the college. Students are expected to regularly attend LIVE Online classes, and to have read all assigned chapters in the textbook plus any additional readings prior to live sessions. Individual and group assignments should be completed satisfactorily and on time. There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS OR ASSIGNMENTS without prior permission.
Certified Coach 02 (CC02) – Communications Module (30 hours)
Brief Program Description
This course focuses on active listening and the ability to focus completely on what the client is saying and is not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in the context of the client’s desires, and to support the client’s self-expression. Students will learn powerful questioning and the ability to ask questions that reveal the information needed to most effectively benefit the coaching relationship and the client. Direct communication, the ability to communicate effectively during coaching sessions, and how to use language to positively impact the client will all be discussed.
Prerequisites
Applicants need a minimum of a high school diploma and must be 19 years or older at the time of starting the course. Course Prerequisite of CC 01.
Learning Objectives*
Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Attend to the client and the client’s agenda instead of the coach’s agenda for the client.
- Hear the client’s concerns, goals, values and beliefs about what is and is not possible.
- Distinguish between words, tone of voice, and body language.
- Summarize, paraphrase, reiterate, and mirror back what a client has said to ensure clarity and understanding.
- Encourage, accept, explore and reinforce the client’s expression of feelings, perceptions, concerns, beliefs, suggestions, etc.
- Integrate and build on client’s ideas and suggestions.
- Understand the essence of the client’s communication (“Bottom-Line”) and help the client get there rather than engaging in long, descriptive stories.
- Allow the client to vent or “clear” the situation without judgment or attachment in order to move on to next steps.
- Ask questions that reflect active listening and an understanding of the client’s perspective.
- Ask questions that evoke discovery, insight, commitment or action (e.g., those that challenge the client’s assumptions).
- Ask open-ended questions that create greater clarity, possibility or new learning.
- Ask questions that move the client toward what they desire, rather than questions that ask for the client to justify or look backward.
- Be clear, articulate and direct in sharing and providing feedback.
- Reframe and articulate to help the client understand from another perspective what they want or are uncertain about.
- Clearly state coaching objectives, meeting agenda, and purpose of techniques or exercises.
- Use language appropriate and respectful to the client (e.g., non-sexist, non-racist, non-technical, non-jargon).
- Use metaphor and analogy to help to illustrate a point or paint a verbal picture.
Method(s) of Evaluation/ Assessments*
Students are evaluated through attendance, participation, activities, discussions and problem-sets, and quizzes.
Completion Requirements*
Students must receive a minimum of 75% overall in order to complete the course successfully. Students are expected to abide by the policies of the college. Students are expected to regularly attend LIVE Online classes, and to have read all assigned chapters in the textbook plus any additional readings prior to live sessions. Individual and group assignments should be completed satisfactorily and on time. There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS OR ASSIGNMENTS without prior permission.
Certified Coach 03 (CC03) – Relationships Module (40 hours)
Brief Program Description
This course focuses on establishing trust with the client, and the ability to create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust. There is also a focus on coaching presence, and the ability to be fully conscious and create spontaneous relationship with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible and confident.
Prerequisites
Applicants need a minimum of a high school diploma and must be 19 years or older at the time of starting the course. Course perquisite of CC 02.
Learning Objectives*
Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Show genuine concern for the client’s welfare and future.
- Continuously demonstrate personal integrity, honesty and sincerity.
- Establish clear agreements and keeps promises.
- Demonstrate respect for the client’s perceptions, learning style, personal being.
- Provide ongoing support, and champion new behaviors and actions, including those involving risk-taking and fear of failure, for the client.
- Ask permission to coach clients in sensitive, new areas.
- Be present and flexible during the coaching process, “dancing in the moment.”
- Access their own intuition and trusts their inner knowing—”goes with the gut.”
- Be open to not knowing and takings risks.
- See many ways to work with the client and choose in the moment what is most effective.
- Use humor effectively to create lightness and energy.
- Confidently shift perspectives and experiment with new possibilities for their own action.
- Demonstrate confidence in working with strong emotions and can self-manage and not be overpowered or enmeshed by a client’s emotions.
Method(s) of Evaluation/ Assessments*
Students are evaluated through attendance, participation, activities, discussions and problem-sets, and quizzes.
Completion Requirements*
Students must receive a minimum of 75% overall in order to complete the course successfully. Students are expected to regularly attend LIVE Online classes, and to have read all assigned chapters in the textbook plus any additional readings prior to live sessions. Individual and group assignments should be completed satisfactorily and on time. There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS OR ASSIGNMENTS without prior permission.
Certified Coach 04 (CC04) – Facilitating Learning and Results Module (40 hours)
Brief Program Description
This course focuses on the ability to integrate and accurately evaluate multiple sources of information to make interpretations that help the client gain awareness and thereby achieve agreed-upon results. Designing actions will focus on the ability to create opportunities for ongoing learning for the client during coaching and in work/life situations, as well as taking new actions that will most effectively lead to agreed-upon coaching results. Planning and goal setting will focus on the ability to develop and maintain an effective coaching plan with the client. Managing progress and accountability will be explored with a focus on the ability to hold attention on what is important for the client, and to leave responsibility with the client to take action.
Prerequisites
Applicants need a minimum of a high school diploma and must be 19 years or older at the time of starting the course. Course perquisite of CC 03.
Learning Objectives*
Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Go beyond what is said in assessing client’s concerns, not getting hooked by the client’s description.
- Invoke inquiry for greater understanding, awareness, and clarity.
- Identify for the client their underlying concerns; typical and fixed ways of perceiving themself and the world; differences between the facts and the interpretation; and disparities between thoughts, feelings, and action.
- Help clients to discover for themselves the new thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, emotions, moods, etc. that strengthen their ability to take action and achieve what is important to them.
- Communicate broader perspectives to clients and inspire commitment to shift their viewpoints and find new possibilities for action.
- Help clients to see the different, interrelated factors that affect them and their behaviors (e.g., thoughts, emotions, body, and background).
- Express insights to clients in ways that are useful and meaningful for the client.
- Identify major strengths vs. major areas for learning and growth, and what is most important to address during coaching.
- Ask the client to distinguish between trivial and significant issues, situational vs. recurring behaviors, when detecting a separation between what is being stated and what is being done.
- Help the client to focus on and systematically explore specific concerns and opportunities that are central to agreed-upon coaching goals.
- Engage the client to explore alternative ideas and solutions, to evaluate options, and to make related decisions.
- Promote active experimentation and self-discovery, where the client applies what has been discussed and learned during sessions immediately afterward in his/her work or life setting.
- Celebrate the client’s successes and capabilities for future growth.
- Challenge the client’s assumptions and perspectives to provoke new ideas and find new possibilities for action.
- Advocate or bring forward points of view that are aligned with client goals and, without attachment, engages the client to consider them.
- Help the client “Do It Now” during the coaching session, providing immediate support.
- Encourage stretches and challenges but also a comfortable pace of learning.
- Consolidate collected information and establish a coaching plan and development goals with the client that address concerns and major areas for learning and development.
- Create a plan with results that are attainable, measurable, specific, and have target dates.
- Make plan adjustments as warranted by the coaching process and by changes in the situation.
- Help the client identify and access different resources for learning (e.g., books, other professionals).
- Identify and target early successes that are important to the client.
- Demonstrate follow-through by asking the client about actions that the client committed to during the previous session(s).
- Acknowledge the client for what they have done, not done, learned or become aware of since the previous coaching session(s).
- Effectively prepare, organize, and review with client information obtained during sessions.
- Keep the client on track between sessions by holding attention on the coaching plan and outcomes, agreed-upon courses of action, and topics for future session(s).
- Focus on the coaching plan while remaining open to adjusting behaviors and actions based on the coaching process and shifts in direction during sessions.
- Be able to move back and forth between the big picture of where the client is heading, setting a context for what is being discussed and where the client wishes to go.
- Promote the client’s self-discipline and hold the client accountable for what they say they are going to do, for the results of an intended action, or for a specific plan with related time frames.
- Develop the client’s ability to make decisions, address key concerns, and develop themself (to get feedback, determine priorities and set the pace of learning, and reflect on and learn from experiences).
- Positively confront the client with the fact that they did not take agreed-upon actions.
Method(s) of Evaluation/ Assessments*
Students are evaluated through attendance, participation, activities, discussions and problem-sets, and quizzes.
Completion Requirements*
Students must receive a minimum of 75% overall in order to complete the course successfully. Students are expected to abide by the policies of the college. Students are expected to regularly attend LIVE Online classes, and to have read all assigned chapters in the textbook plus any additional readings prior to live sessions. Individual and group assignments should be completed satisfactorily and on time. There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS OR ASSIGNMENTS without prior permission.
Certified Coach 05 (CC05) – Completion Module (20 hours)
Brief Program Description
This course focuses on the ability to integrate and accurately incorporate what has been learned in the previous modules to start one’s own coaching practice.
Prerequisites
Applicants need a minimum of a high school diploma and must be 19 years or older at the time of starting the course. Course perquisite of CC 04.
Learning Objectives*
Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Determine what it takes to establish their own practice.
- Create a welcome package and initial consultation.
- Understand the ICF credentialing process & CPD requirements
- Provide Mentor Coaching Sessions (one-on-one)
Method(s) of Evaluation/ Assessments*
Students are evaluated through attendance, participation, activities, discussions and problem-sets, and a final exam.
Completion Requirements*
Students must receive a minimum of 75% overall in order to complete the course successfully. Students are expected to abide by the policies of the college. Students are expected to regularly attend LIVE Online classes, and to have read all assigned chapters in the textbook plus any additional readings prior to live sessions. Individual and group assignments should be completed satisfactorily and on time. There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS OR ASSIGNMENTS without prior permission.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements of our Admissions Policy:
- BC Secondary School Graduation (Grade 12) or equivalent OR Mature Student status.
- Excellent communication skills in written or oral English. Before prospective students can be admitted, they must meet the College English Language Proficiency requirements. Please see our Admissions Policy.
These additional mandatory requirements apply prior to commencing in person mentoring (if applicable) and not at the time of admission:
- Clear criminal records search for the vulnerable sector;
- TB test and/or X-ray and Certificate of Health
Required Materials
List of recommended and required readings will be provided by instructors
Career Options
- Life Coach
- Business Coach
- Relationship Coach
- Team Coach
- Employment Coach
Technical Requirements
Live Online Students
Ashton College uses web conferencing tools to help instructors and students connect and collaborate live online. Students need access to a computer, laptop or smartphone to access the class sessions.
To be able to participate in webinars, students need a webcam and headset, or a microphone and headphones, along with a high-speed internet connection.
Fees
Tuition fees for this program are due and payable 2 weeks prior to the cohort start date. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from this requirement provided that they produce documents before the cohort start date.
All formats of the program are eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
- Application fee: $200 (Domestic Students)
- Tuition fee (Online): $5300 (Domestic Students)
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks.
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