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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 Learning and Organizational Change (ELOC) executive education format Coaching Certificate.

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

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

Certificate Comparison: OLCC vs. ELOC

Wondering which certificate to choose? Start with this 6-minute comparison video, and explore key details below. To learn more about how to apply, watch our Certificate Requirements and How to Submit Your Application video.

  OLCC Basics
 ELOC Basics
Link to Certificate Webpage Organizational and Leadership Coaching Certificate (OLCC) Executive Learning and Organizational Change (ELOC)
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

Next Steps

Need support? Watch our Certificate Requirements and How to Submit Your Application video or reach out! The instructions on how to submit your application begin at 2 minutes and 31 seconds into the video.

Benefits of Northwestern University 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. For more details, watch our What You'll Get video.

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?

Take a quiz that will help you determine which coaching certificate is right for you, or request more information to learn more about our programs and join our mailing list

Contact Information

Please don’t hesitate to reach out! A member of our staff will be more than happy to assist!