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Coaching Certificates

Giving coaches the skills, credentials, and experience to help people and organizations grow.

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Coaching Certificates: Overview

Northwestern offers two coaching certificates: a graduate-level certificate in Organizational and Leadership Coaching (OLCC) and an executive education format coaching certificate through Executive Learning and Organizational Change (ELOC Coaching).

Northwestern’s coaching education is THE REAL DEAL. You will experience...

  • potent models & frameworks
  • rigorous reflective practice
  • evidence-based learning
  • abundant coaching opportunities

Compare Coaching Certificates

Compare the two coaching certificates using the video and table below.

  OLCC Basics
 ELOC Coaching Basics
Link to Certificate Webpage Organizational and Leadership Coaching Certificate (OLCC) Executive Learning and Organizational Change (ELOC) Coaching
Who is this for?
  • Minimum 5 years work experience​
  • 3.2 undergrad GPA ​
  • Recommended 15 years work experience​
  • No GPA or transcript requirement​
Course Structure

Four, 10-week graduate-level courses​

  • Commitment: 10-12 hours per week​
  • Virtual, synchronous course meetings​
  • Three-day, in-person onsite meetings​ in Evanston, IL

Four executive, open enrollment courses​

  • Courses vary in length and format
  • Commitment: 2-5 hours per week (depends on the course)​
  • All-virtual certificate completion possible
  • Options for in-person courses
Timing & Logistics
  • Cohort-based, with staggered start options
  • 12–21 months (cohort-based, staggered start)
  • Start with any course (except the Coaching Lab)​
  • ~6 months (or take as long as you like)
Course Content Graduate-level study with compelling readings, collaborative projects, hands-on coaching practice, and co-curricular experiences that connect all four courses (all 4 courses can be applied toward a master’s degree) Based on OLCC’s core foundations, with reduced academic reading and fewer assignments. Courses are non-credit-bearing and not applicable toward OLCC or MSLOC
Cost (watch our Cost video) ~$25,000 ~$11,000
Key Benefits & Options
  • Sufficient training hours for CCE’s Board Certified Coach (BCC) credentials
  • Sufficient training hours for ICF’s ACC & PCC credentials
  • Northwestern University Student status​
  • Sufficient training hours for CCE’s Board Certified Coach (BCC) credentials
  • Sufficient training hours for ICF’s ACC credential

Certificate Costs

Explore the cost of each coaching certificate. Refer to the comparison table above for the current listed costs.

Next Steps

Need support? Watch the requirements and application walkthrough. Instructions for submitting your application begin at 2:31.

Benefits of Northwestern Coach Education

No matter which certificate you choose, Northwestern MS in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC) Coaching Certificates offer a wide range of benefits and open up a whole host of career opportunities. See below for the possibilities if you complete either one of these rigorous programs.

Table summarizing the value of SESP's coaching certificates: alumni career paths, the growing coaching industry, certificate benefits, and additional credentials available.

* Aggregated Data, including ICF 2023 Global Study

** CEO Confidence Index Jan. 2024, Chief Executive Group
Careers and Benefits Unlock New Possibilities
  • Participants work in a range of fields, such as organizational consulting, leadership development, and executive coaching
  • Alums have founded large coaching firms, built internal coaching functions, added expert coaching to consulting practice, and launched solo practices
  • Take advantage of 300% market growth since 2010, and still a rapidly growing coaching industry *
  • 60% of CEOs list talent retention as their #1 priority – position yourself to be part of this powerful retention strategy through organizational and leadership coaching **
COACHING CERTIFICATE BENEFITS
  • Robust Hogan assessments and executive coach debrief
  • Networking opportunities with private LinkedIn groups
  • Ongoing learning and support in our Coaching Alumni group
 EARN ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS

Still Have Questions?

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Contact Information

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