Logistics and Structure of Coach Training
What can you expect when you start a Coach Education Program?
Read on to understand some of the factors that are involved, to help you make a good decision on which program to choose.
Structure
Coach education programs can be held face-to-face, online, or a combination of both. Class sizes range from 1 on 1 to 30+ people in a class. Consider how you learn, and what is important to you in learning a whole new way of interacting with people.
Do you learn well in large groups? Do you do better in small groups where you get individual attention? Or do you prefer to learn one on one, where you are the sole recipient of the educator’s attention? Do you prefer face-to-face interaction with an educator, or do you learn just as well online?
You will also see references to Asynchronous and Synchronous learning. The former is learning without an educator present, for example watching a video or reading a book, done on your own time. The latter is real-time coach education with an educator present. ICF wants to see most of the coach education you receive be Synchronous, so be sure that is what the program you are interested in offers.
Timing
Different coach education programs have vastly different offerings. An ACTP Certification program (125+ hours) will take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to complete, depending on the graduation requirements.
Classes might be held for 3 days in a row monthly, which would shorten the length of the program, but could tend to be overwhelming for those 3 days. Other programs offer classes weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly, with practice times in-between.
Be sure to ask the coach education classes when the classes are held: weekends, evenings, workdays, etc. Also, find out where they will be held if they are face-to-face.
Costs
For a full ACTP Certification program please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with a free quotation. ACSTH programs cost less, as they are not as long and don’t include mentoring.
Most coach education programs offer some kind of payment plans to help with the cost of the education. ACTO (the Association of Coach Training Organizations) offers partial scholarships awarded based on need and other factors.