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School of Arts, Humanities & Education

Life Coaching

Online Graduate Certificate in Life Coaching

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Those seeking life coach training can discover how to develop effective coach/client relationships with a graduate certificate in life coaching from American Public University (APU).

APU’s life coach certificate online program focuses on developing cultural awareness and exploring emotional intelligence. Courses also consider a solution-focused approach, ethical issues, assessments, and partnering with clients to achieve their goals. The models and strategies explored can be applied to individuals and groups.

You will have an opportunity to practice life coaching skills live with the instructor or through recorded video role playing.

APU’s life coach training curriculum is aligned to coaching competencies identified by the Board Certified Coach (BCC® ) and International Coach Federation (ICF). Upon successful completion, you receive the university-designated Certified Professional Coach (CPC) badge.

BCC® is a registered trademark of Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. 

NOTE: This program has specific admission requirements.

What You Will Do

  1. Distinguish between coaching, counseling, mentoring, and supervising
  2. Demonstrate active listening and coaching skills
  3. Evaluate models for specific coaching situations
  4. Use assessments to promote effective coaching
  5. Create strategies for coaching teams and organizations

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
15
Transfer up to 6 credits
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4926

|
Foundations of Coaching is an eight-week course designed to introduce the models and basic skills used in executive coaching and/or life coaching practices. This course introduces the vital skills, methods, and strategies required of an effective coach including developing coaching relationships, setting goals and planning, developing awareness, asking powerful questions, communication and language, action and accountability and facilitating learning and results. Participants will examine various coaching models and gain knowledge of the ethical considerations associated with coaching relationships. This training prepares participants to coach individuals, groups, and teams for performance, development, skills and personal/professional growth. Participants will engage in coaching conversations, apply best practices, and practice creating empowering coaching experiences.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4927

|
Building on the foundational coaching skills gained in EDUC536 - Emotional Intelligence and Coaching Assessments provides participants with an understanding of emotional intelligence and when and how to use assessments in the coaching experience. Participants learn about Emotional Intelligence (EI) and its role in coaching. Participants examine several coaching assessments to gain familiarity and an understanding of when each assessment is appropriate for coaching. Specifically, participants will consider tools such as the Wheel of Life, Personality Type, DISC, EI, TPI, Strengths, and other assessments designed for various settings. Participants will also examine the ethical considerations associated with using assessments in the coaching relationship. (Prerequisite: EDUC536)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4928

|
Coaching Groups and Teams extends participants’ thinking about coaching from coaching individuals to coaching groups and teams. Participants compare strategies for team and group coaching alongside those for coaching individuals. This course offers participants an opportunity to examine coaching groups and teams within an organizational system. As with the other trainings in this series, participants will explore and expand the application of coaching competencies and focus on ethical considerations associated with coaching groups and teams vs. coaching individuals. (Prerequisite: EDUC633)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2812

|
Career Counseling and Development explores career development theories and the career decision making process. Students learn how to encourage motivation by connecting personal values and interests with academics. Topics include multicultural considerations, the relationship between one’s career development and other life roles, and assessment instruments relevant to career planning. The process of career development will be covered as well as the implications for students with disabilities.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Choose 3 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 2784

|
This course examines theories of child, adolescent, and young adult development and learning. It introduces a comprehensive view of human development across the lifespan, drawing on the application of major theoretical positions - both historical and current. Developmental themes are discussed in terms of their application to typical and atypical human development in children, adolescents, and young adults. Concepts related to the significant role that transitions play in development throughout the lifespan will be integrated throughout the course. Application of theory to the school setting in the areas of learner development, learner styles/differences, the nature of the learner, and learner motivation are discussed.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4582

|
This course examines the marketing process and components of a successful marketing strategy for starting and growing a successful entrepreneurial venture. Students learn about the evolving practice of marketing and the potential for entrepreneurial thinking. Focal points range from issues with conventional marketing paradigms to the development of marketing strategy in the digital age.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Aug 4
Register by Aug 1
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Admission Requirements

  • All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®). Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

Materials Cost

All courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are NO BOOK COSTS associated with earning this degree. 

Technology fee: $85 per course

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

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Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.