Graduate Certificate in Professional Coaching

The aim of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Coaching is to provide students who already have a degree, or extensive applicable experience, with advanced theoretical and applied knowledge in a specialised field, which can be used in professional practice or further advanced study in this area.

The programme offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning, with an emphasis on applied knowledge and skill. High importance is placed on the development of professional coaching skills (such as communication, presentation, interpersonal and problem solving skills) in addition to the development of specific professional coaching knowledge.

You will learn to:

• Analyse strategic issues facing the emerging profession of professional coaching and its role in various contemporary environments.
• Use standards of professional coaching ethics to enable the development of the professional coaching and effective management relationship.
• Solve problems, both independently and as part of a team.

This programme is suitable for professionals working in areas of social development (teachers, trainers, consultants, HR professionals), social support services (social workers, nurses, therapist), and service industries with a strong client orientation (eg tourism and hospitality).

Compulsory Papers                              

MGT725 Role of Professional Coaching (15 credits)

Students in this paper will explore the origins of professional coaching and its role in today’s environment. The paper will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a portfolio of core coaching competencies and explore the emerging profession of professional coaching, including applicability to real life situations; characteristics, outcomes and benefits for a coachee; and the professional standards and code of conduct included in professional coaching ethics.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

• Research the differences between coaching competencies on the levels of knowledge, skills and attitudes in relation to primary coaching areas and outcomes.
• Critically evaluate a potential client coachability index, including consideration of the mentor-coaching benefits.
• Critically assess the ethical framework of coaching and potential ethical conflicts.

MGT726 Professional Coaching Relationships and Environment (15 credits)

This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to develop a professional coaching relationship, in differing environments and utilising differing styles, in a project-based setting through the focus of a business enterprise opportunity or existing business enterprise.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

• Critically examine the key aspects of the coach-coachee relationship and analyse these in context of a professional coaching psychological contract that recognises the dynamics of professional coaching relationships with different partners.
• Critically evaluate professional coaching styles in order to assess own preferred style and manage the creation of professional coaching environments and provision.
• Prepare, execute, and evaluate professional coaching projects to develop a professional coaching model that can accommodate differing topics in differing environments.

MGT727 Professional Coaching Tools (15 credits)

This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to develop the suite of tools and techniques necessary to undertake professional coaching and enable the creation of a portfolio for use in a professional coaching environment.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

• Critically assess a variety of different professional coaching tools and evaluate the application of each tool.
• Critically examine professional coaching techniques.
• Research and develop own vision, mission, values and strategy for a professional coaching business.

Student must complete one of the following two elective papers: 

MGT627 (MGT233) Life and Career Coaching (15 credits) (Note: Successful completion of MGT725 is a pre-requisite for this paper)

This paper provides students with the advanced knowledge of professional standards of professional coaching ethics to enable the development of the professional coaching and effective management relationship and the exploration of the difference between career counselling and career coaching.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

• Evaluate the relationship between professional coaching and effective management.
• Critically compare/contrast career coaching with career counselling.
• Develop own action plan for career coaching case study.

MGT628 (MGT234) Executive and SME Coaching (15 credits) (Note: Successful completion of MGT725 is a pre-requisite for this paper)

This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills to undertake transactional and transformational professional coaching in a corporate environment, together with an understanding of key professional coaching areas of relevance to SME business owners and professionals.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

• Recognise and assess potential problem areas and identify solutions for the application of transactional and transformational coaching models in the corporate world.
• Critically assess the professional coaching issues for SME business owners and skilled professionals, including the characteristics of work/life balance.
• Provide professional coaching for differing stages of SME business development (from start-up to exit).