Professional Coach, Life Coach Certification, and Academic Coach Certification

If you want to become a certified professional coach, life coach, or academic coach through the International Coaching Federation or Association for Coaching, you must complete accredited training. The professional coach training, life coach training, and academic coach training program at ACA meets that requirement and includes the following:

• Professional Coach Training, Life Coach Training, and Academic Coach Training accredited by the International Coaching Federation

• Pathway to ICF Credentialing

• Pathway to AC Credentialing

• A 72-Hour Level 1 or AACT Accredited Training Program

• A 144-Hour Level 2 or ACCT Accredited Training Program

• Cohort Training

• Includes 10 Mentoring Hours (all programs)

• Includes a Performance Evaluation (all programs)

• Level 1 and AACT is a Direct Pathway to the ACC is a Direct Pathway to the Foundation Coach credential.

• Level 2 and ACCT is a Direct Pathway to ACC and PCC (can be used for MCC through the portfolio pathway)

• Varied Learning: Synchronous interactive training live with an instructor, asynchronous training, and observed coaching sessions.

• Graduate as a Certified Professional Coach, Life Coach, or Academic Coach

Professional Coach Certification, Life Coach Certification, Academic Coach Certification, and ICF Certification Made Easy

how to become a professional coach, life coach, or academic coach

First, you want to complete accredited coach training. Complete our ICF and AC accredited academic, professional, and life coach certification training online. More on who ICF and the AC are below. After you have completed your training, you will want to work towards your certification with ICF and the AC. After training, you will complete 50 or 100 hours of coaching for your ACC or Foundation, 100 for your Coach credential with the AC, 500 for PCC with ICF, and 2500 for MCC with ICF. This coaching can be with peers, clients, students, co-workers, family, or even friends. Becoming a professional coach, life coach, or academic coach is a fantastic journey. It starts with training and ends with a career that is fulfilling and impactful.

Who is ICF?

The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the leading global community for advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. ICF sets the standard in ethics and coaching competencies. Becoming an ICF-credentialed professional life or academic coach shows that you are well-versed in the ethical standards and core coaching competencies. It shows clients, coachees, and employers that you are educated, experienced, and part of an organization setting the standard in coaching.

Who is the AC?

The Association for Coaching (AC) is another leading global community advancing the coaching profession through ethics and independent certification. Their international presence is felt throughout the coaching community. Their coaching competencies and ethical standards show just how important accredited coach training is to our industry.

ICF & AC Certification and graduating aca

Upon completing the Level 1 or AACT course or the Level 2 or ACCT course, you will have earned 72 or 144 hours of training, which can be used towards a credential with ICF. For ICF, the credentials are an Associated Certified Coach (ACC) credential requiring a minimum of 60 hours of training or a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential requiring 125 hours of training with the International Coaching Federation. Our Level 1 and Level 2 programs have undergone a rigorous accreditation process by ICF and the AC and are accredited as comprehensive programs. Students who graduate from the program are considered Certified Professional Coaches (CPC) and are eligible to receive their ACC credentials with Level 1 and PCC credentials with Level 2 through ICF. Students are also eligible for their Foundation or Coach credential through the AC.

Mentoring and a performance evaluation are included in all programs. All 10 required mentor hours to get your credential through ICF and the AC are included. Students must pass a performance evaluation to graduate from all programs. A performance evaluation is a recorded coaching session submitted to the evaluator of ACA. Students must pass to graduate and are offered resubmissions if necessary. There are a few other necessary documents needed for an AC certification including a coaching philosophy.

The Level 1 or AACT Path Towards Credentialing

The Level 1 pathway is a direct pathway to the ACC (Associate Certified Coach) credential with the International Coaching Federation. It provides the Foundation credential with the AC. We include all components needed for the credential. All you need to do is gain coaching hours and pass an exam!

The Level 2 or ACCT Path towards Credentialing

The Level 2 pathway is one pathway to becoming credentialed with ICF. It entails a minimum of 128 hours of approved training. Taking the Level 2 pathway is a great way to get all the knowledge you need to be successful, and training never expires. Use it with your ACC, PCC, and MCC. With ACA you can earn 144 hours of training in an average of 6 months, including mentoring. With this program you can apply for the Coach credential with the Association for Coaching.

The aca advantage

• Includes 10 hours of mentoring!

• Get ready to be ICF credentialed in 3-4 months, including mentoring!

• Get ready to be AC credentialed!

• Learn from highly qualified and certified coaches.

• Customized and personalized learning.

• An interactive environment with lots of live examples!

• Live online training with an instructor!

• Small class sizes!