| With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this | | | | does not necessarily mean that "non-accredited |
| millennium, many of you are seeking the right choice | | | | schools" provide less value or poorer quality |
| for training and certification. Hopefully this article will | | | | programs." |
| answer some of your questions. | | | | So how does the potential coaching student make a |
| There are many fine life coach schools, academies | | | | sound choice? Here are some ways: |
| and institutes. Some are accredited and some not. | | | | Read student testimonials |
| Should the school's accreditation make a difference to | | | | Verify the school's philosophies allign with yours |
| you? In my opinion, no. | | | | Contact the school to see if they are prompt with |
| Because there are no universal standards for the life | | | | replies to your questions |
| coaching profession, there are no universal standards | | | | Look for a school that teaches in your desired niche or |
| for schools. Also, because well-paid coaches generally | | | | target market - Here is an example: |
| work in a niche, those niches are such that they are | | | | Let's say you are a Christian and prefer training that |
| developed by the coach independently of any training | | | | agrees with your faith. It will be important to select a |
| they might receive. | | | | Christian (bible-based) certification course. Admittedly |
| What makes the issue of accreditation particularly | | | | training from a true biblical world view offers few |
| confusing is marketing. Accreditation is being used as a | | | | options. Most are secular programs that have been |
| marketing tool in some cases, not as a barometer of | | | | repackaged to appeal to a Christian student. Some |
| their success. Many coaching schools are accredited | | | | are accredited and some not. But this should not |
| only because a group of colleagues got together and | | | | matter, because there is no governing body to decide |
| decided to form a group and accredit their associates' | | | | whose course is best. There are two types of |
| schools. How do you know whether this is the case | | | | accreditation for coaching schools, Christian and |
| for a school you are interested in? You really don't | | | | secular. A school that offers uncompromisingly biblical |
| know and generally can't find out. | | | | content will seek Christian accreditation and uphold |
| Many schools use accreditation as a marketing ploy to | | | | those standards. The Christian schools with |
| draw you in and charge exorbitant rates. If you just | | | | accreditation from secular accrediting bodies are less |
| want to spend more money, go ahead. Price really has | | | | likely to have substantive biblical content, because |
| little to do with the effectiveness of the materials. | | | | secular groups frequently subscribe to new age or |
| Mid-range schools generally work harder to please | | | | Eastern philosophies and may influence course content |
| students and offer as good or better training in many | | | | and materials. Additionally, a school whose leaders |
| cases, because students get more one-on-one time | | | | have a true biblical perspective will seek Godly |
| with instructors. | | | | approval, while others will seek man's approval. |
| How important is a school's accreditation? Let's put it | | | | Through my research and contact with various |
| into realistic perspective. What is most important to a | | | | institutions, there was only one Christian coaching |
| prospective coaching client is, can this coach help me? | | | | school which impressed me. That is the Professional |
| Most clients look to see whether a coach has had | | | | Christian Counseling and Coaching Academy. ( |
| formal coach training, but not into the background of | | | | PCCCA offers training and certification for Christian |
| the school. And the truth is, clients don't care whether | | | | Life Coaches and Christian Counselors. The current |
| the school you attended, is accredited. It just doesn't | | | | economy has given Christian coaches and counselors |
| come up. Clients will decide to use your services if | | | | a major boost while many secular coaches find |
| they like you, feel a connection, and see that you offer | | | | themselves out of work and out of business. In tight |
| the solutions they need. That's pretty much it. | | | | economic times luxuries are first to go, but people are |
| Since coaching is a distinct and relatively new | | | | seeking God's direction more than ever. |
| profession, and no universal standards exist, many | | | | I found PCCCA stands on their principles of faith, |
| new schools have come into existence. To build a | | | | maintains the integrity of their programs and |
| fence around the training community and the income | | | | consistently strives for excellence. Their programs |
| derived from it, some schools formed organizations to | | | | have been newly revised in 2010 for content and |
| accredit only their schools of choice and make it nearly | | | | expanded business and marketing components that |
| impossible for a newer school to become accredited. | | | | include social media. What is more, they offer |
| They will mandate applicant schools to show evidence | | | | one-to-one training with practicing coaches, serving as |
| of ten or more years of professional success, before | | | | coach training instructors. Any coaching school's |
| they even consider them for accreditation. Then, they | | | | success relies on what they bring to the table with |
| apply personal biases for accrediting schools, so unless | | | | their skills, integrity, reasonable fees and knowledge. |
| a school fits within their philosophies, they aren't eligible | | | | Add that to superb training and you have an |
| or will not be approved. | | | | unbeatable combination. While PCCCA has Christian |
| Peer Resources ( ), recognized world leader in coach | | | | Coaching School Accreditation, and has received their |
| training resources states "accreditation" in the coaching | | | | highest recognition with the Award of Excellence, |
| field at present has a number of troubling aspects, | | | | prospective students can be assured they do not |
| including its lack of wide-spread acceptance, conflicts | | | | have secular ties or accreditation. |
| of interests between reviewers and some rated | | | | Regardless of your world view, I recommend that |
| schools, minimal reporting of results, and questionable | | | | prospective coaching students not be persuaded by |
| or vague criteria. While accreditation typically means | | | | gimicky advertising, high fees and accreditation. Look |
| the school has been reviewed by an external source, it | | | | for the best school for you. Period. |