Adv Diploma in Coaching
Association for Coaching Accredited Diploma in Coach Training
INTRODUCTION
The Association for Coaching Accredited Advanced Diploma in Coaching Accelerated Route has been launched in 2025.
It provides opportunities for learners to become knowledgeable about the theory, research and practice of coaching.
Successful completion of the Accredited Advanced Diploma in Coaching Accelerated Route offers a simplified and streamlined journey to achieve Association for Coaching Individual Coach Accreditation at one of the following four levels:
- Foundation Coach
- Foundation Executive Coach
- Coach
- Executive Coach
See the AC Accreditation overview PDF for further details. The video above provides a useful overview to the programme.
AIMS
The aims are to enable learners to become knowledgeable in coaching and be proficient in coaching skills. The objectives are all of those in each of the following modules.
CONTENT
The Advanced Diploma consists of three modular certificate programmes:
a) Certificate in Coaching (5 days)
b) Certificate in Stress Management and Performance Coaching (3 x 2 days)
c) Certificate in Psychological Coaching/Certificate in Coaching Psychology (5 days)
The training will provide a broad-based understanding of the theory and practice of coaching and will take a behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, rational emotive behavioural and solution focused approach to psychological coaching and its application to a range of different areas of coaching. Learners are expected to undertake skills practice and engage in self-study activities (e.g., reading books and articles). As module c) includes training-related coaching assessment and group supervision, it is recommended to be taken at the end of the taught programme.
NB. All five training modules, as shown in a-c above, include submitting written Post Programme Reviews and additional work as required. Course attendance should be for a minimum of 90% per module.
Whilst undertaking the programme, participants are required to engage in suitable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities. This can include attendance at conferences/workshops and networking groups run by the Association for Coaching, International Society for Coaching Psychology or the British Psychological Society Division of Coaching Psychology.
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
The course is suitable for coaches, psychologists, managers, supervisors, HR staff, trainers, counsellors, ministers, healthcare and other professionals.
SELECTION
The selection process requires a completed application form and may include a personal interview with a course leader/trainer to ascertain suitability for the course. Learners may be asked to provide a reference from a professional who knows them and their work. The potential attributes looked for in the selection process include the capacity to cope with the emotional, intellectual and practical demands of the Diploma programme and of providing coaching and receiving supervision. The programme is not an opportunity to work out personal issues which may need the support of personal coaching or counselling but a commitment to self-disclosure in relation to course learning and personal awareness will be expected.
ASSESSMENT
In addition to passing three taught modular Certificates, the Diploma includes successful demonstration of the following assessed elements:
- Coaching Experience (hours to be completed under supervision by an Accredited Coach or Chartered Psychologist or equivalent)
- Engagement in Supervision Sessions (evidenced by Supervision Record, Coach Learning Log and Coach Supervisor’s Reference)
- Evidence of CPD Hours
- Evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Written Personal Coaching Approach, consistent with the training received with the Centre for Coaching
- Written Coaching Case Study
- Adherence to AC Global Code of Ethics for Coaches & Mentors
- Coach Fitness to Practice (evidenced by a written summary of live coaching/group supervision from the Certificate in Psychological Coaching/Coaching Psychology)
- Client Reference(s)
- Written Coach Self-assessment of Practice and Coaching Development Plan
- Attendance at an Academic Forum(s) and Group Supervision(s)
The specific requirements (e.g., number of hours, word length and focus) will vary depending on the Association for Coaching Individual Accreditation Level the learner is working towards (e.g., Foundation Coach, Foundation Executive Coach, Coach, Executive Coach).
SUPERVISION
Module c) provides training related group supervision. We also provide a limited number of group supervision forums delivered online via the Zoom platform. However, it is essential that regular supervision of coaching work be provided at the place of work or privately from an accredited/experienced coach or accredited coaching supervisor. This additional supervision is the financial responsibility of the learner.
The supervisor will be expected to provide a reference on the coaching abilities of the coach. It is recommended that the supervisor understands solution focused and/or cognitive behavioural coaching.
Depending upon the accreditation route, we recommend that psychologists are supervised by BPS Chartered Psychologists on the RAPPs Register (or equivalent if located outside of the UK). Guidance is available on our website about how to obtain a suitable supervisor.
ASSOCIATION FOR COACHING: COACH COMPETENCIES
INSURANCE
Learners in practice are required to obtain professional indemnity insurance and provide the centre with a copy of their certificate.
PROFESSIONAL COACHING BODY MEMBERSHIP
We require that enrolled learners be members of one or more approved independent professional coaching bodies or other related organisations and abide by their code of ethics. For this accredited programme we recommend the Association for Coaching. Our Advanced Diploma enrolled learners can obtain one year’s complimentary membership of the Association after attending the Certificate in Coaching.
Other societies include EMCC Global, Institute of Leadership, Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, International Society for Coaching Psychology and/or British Psychological Society.
DURATION
This Association for Coaching Accredited Advanced Diploma Accelerated Route programme has been designed to be completed within a 12 to 24 month period. Programmes are not open ended. It is important that the learner demonstrates progress in a timely fashion. Extension beyond the 24 month period is only allowed in extenuating circumstances. Where an extension is sought for up to six months for extenuating circumstances, an additional administration fee is payable and a request for an extension form must be completed.
TRAINERS
The course trainers are Nick Edgerton, Dr Siobhain O’Riordan, Sheila Panchal, Dr Stephen Palmer and Kasia Szymanska who are Chartered Psychologists and/or HCPC Registered Psychologists. All trainers have published papers and chapters on coaching and Stephen, Sheila, Siobhain and Kasia have authored books. Other guest lecturers may also be involved in teaching on the programme.
FEES & PAYMENT
Each of the three full certificate programmes has a set course fee (i.e. Certificate in Coaching; Certificate in Stress Management & Performance Coaching (3 modules); Certificate in Psychological Coaching/Coaching Psychology).
The fee for the AC Accredited Advanced Diploma in Coaching Accelerated Route programme is £1200 including VAT.
To assist financing the programme, instead of paying the one-off Advanced Diploma fee, learners may pay a fee of £410 including VAT when they start each certificate course.
COURSE ACCREDITATION
This programme is an Association for Coaching (AC) Accredited Advanced Diploma in Coach Training (AADCT). It replaces our former Association for Coaching ‘recognised’ courses. The Centre for Coaching, International Academy for Professional Development is on the AC Training Provider Directory.
It is important to recognise the difference between a course being accredited, and a practitioner being accredited.
Taking an accredited training course does not, necessarily lead to the person taking it being accredited.
OTHER PROGRAMMES & TRANSFER
Our new 2025 Association for Coaching Accredited Advanced Diploma in Coaching Accelerated Route has three identical certificate taught modules to the earlier programmes run in previous years. During 2025, current learners can remain on the Advanced Diploma programme we ran in 2024, or they can transfer over to the new Advanced Diploma programme which has the advantage of an accelerated pathway working towards four different options for becoming an accredited coach with the Association for Coaching.
Learners at the Centre and International Academy currently working towards the Advanced Certificate in Coaching/Psychological Coaching/Coaching Psychology programmes which were previously Association for Coaching Recognised, can transfer directly onto the Advanced Diploma in Coaching programme subject to a completed application form and relevant Advanced Diploma in Coaching course fees.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Enrol onto Certificate in Coaching and complete the course
- Complete and submit the application for the Advanced Diploma in Coaching
ASSOCIATION FOR COACHING USEFUL LINKS
AC Coaching Competency Framework
OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES
Association for Professional Executive Coaching & Supervision (APECS) Directory
BPS Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors
International Society for Coaching Psychology (ISCP) Accredited Supervisor Directory –
OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Group and individual supervision service is also provided by the National Academy of Coaching Psychology
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PLEASE READ: GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
ASSOCIATION FOR COACHING REQUIREMENTS
This information is correct at 27/01/25. If a Learner is working towards accreditation, it is their responsibility to check the current Association for Coaching requirements as this can change.