Leader as Coach - ICF Level 1

The UBC Leader as Coach ICF Level 1 training program offers the opportunity to complete an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Accredited Level 1 Coach Education, including 8 hours of group mentor coaching, 3 hours of one-on-one mentor coaching, 5 observed coaching sessions with feedback and a structure to support ongoing coaching practice and logging coaching hours towards an ICF Associate Certified Coach credential through the Level 1 Path

By the end of this program, you'll be able to::

• Articulate the distinction between coaching and other leadership and management approaches, recognizing when coaching may be the most effective approach
• Demonstrate the development of core coaching skills and presence through integrated learning, application and reflective practice
• Navigate coaching conversations using the COEC Model as a reference point for conversational preparation, engagement and reflection
• Use awareness, transparency and invitation to co-create psychologically safe spaces that include and address the internal and external context of the conversation participants (biases, social and cultural identity, roles, power dynamics, etc.)
• Consistently support ongoing development and performance of self and others, through a systemic and assets-based lens, to work productively with relevant, reliable and actionable feedback
• Take on new perspectives to see and work abundantly with broader system constraints, resistance, challenges and opportunities
• Express your leadership style and philosophy relative to coaching as a learning methodology
• Cultivate proof of the positive impact you’re making through your commitment of time, energy and focus on your development as a leader and coach
• Take the next steps to apply for your International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential via the ACC Level 1 Path

In a workplace context, organizational coaches enable organizations to achieve strategic goals, enhance leadership and create culture change, such as:

• change the quality and impact of organizational conversations, culture and accountability
• advance personal and professional development and success
• help people to thrive and do their best work within complex systems
• address organizational challenges by creating high-trust working relationships and leveraging coaching as a learning methodology for adaptive change

Beyond this program: For individuals and organizations looking to transform their equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) goals into action, see the UBC Centre for Equitable Systems Design.

Why UBC?

The UBC Certificate in Organizational Coaching program emerged from UBC’s long running and successful internal coaching program for faculty and staff, UBC Coaching Services. The University holds a CoachingWise designation from the International Coaching Federation British Columbia Chapter.

Our coaching programs have also won the EMCC Global Coaching Award in 2024 and two ICF Prism Awards, in 2005 and 2018, recognizing the University’s high standard of excellence in coaching programs. These are prestigious honours from the world’s most prominent professional accreditation bodies for businesses and organizations with coaching programs that fulfill rigorous professional standards, address key strategic goals, shape organizational culture and yield discernible and measurable positive impact.

Sharing the systemic lens and attention to context prominently featured in our ICF Level 2 coach education program, the UBC Certificate in Organizational Coaching, Leader as Coach is for people who are:

• Learning-oriented and open to trying new things with new people
• Managers and leaders working in organizations and communities of any kind
• Wanting to expand their leadership effectiveness and influence, specifically the ability to develop self and others using coaching as a learning methodology
• Interested in pursuing an International Coaching Federation Level 1 program enroute to applying for an ACC credential

Our students hold different titles and roles, and include specialists, senior leaders, managers and consultants. Some of our students are:

• human resources/talent specialists and managers
• directors and managers of culture and change
• organizational development managers
• account supervisors and executives
• learning, development and training managers
• senior communications partners
• presidents
• consultants and coaches
• project/program managers.

A diversity of industries and sectors are well represented in our coaching programs:

• healthcare
• technology
• public sector and government
• financial and real estate
• education
• transportation
• film and entertainment
• sole proprietors and consultancies.

The total cost of the program is $6,400. This includes Leader as Coach Fundamentals, Engaging & Motivating Conversations, Development Conversations, two additional elective modules of your choice, and Leader as Coach Credential Path. All courses must be completed within 36 months of the first course start date.

Please register and pay for each course individually. All fees are in Canadian dollars, subject to change and to GST (where applicable). For details on forms of payment accepted, please see How to pay.

Please see page 17 of the program handbook for information on our withdrawal, refund and cancellation policies.

UBC Leader as Coach is a modular 12- to 16-month long program participants can complete at their own pace. The program takes approximately 60 hours to complete. The program starts with Leader as Coach Fundamentals with three offerings per year, in September, January and May.

Please see page 9 of the program handbook for the Program Format.

Upcoming Leader as Coach Fundamentals course start dates:

• January 5, 2026
• May 4, 2026
• September 7, 2026

Before registering for the courses in this program, carefully read and understand the program handbook.

Click on individual courses below for more information and registration.

Required Courses

Elective Courses

This part-time program, comprised of multiple courses, is designed for working professionals by combining evidence-based content with context-informed practice.

We have designed a diverse range of learning activities including workshop sessions, coaching labs, demonstrations, live feedback sessions group discussions, mini-lectures, skills practice, case studies, readings, group coaching, mentoring and online discussion and learning between participants and course instructors. We invite you to dive into the learning zone, develop a reflective practice, and stretch your range, as a coach and as a leader. Our 100% online delivery offers a flexible, supportive and interactive learning model. Each course consists of a) pre-course orientation, b) synchronous live learning sessions, c) asynchronous modular learning d) mentor coaching and e) ongoing practice and reflection.

Pre-Course Orientations. In the week prior to the start of each course, you will receive access to the course materials via Canvas and be provided instruction on how to best prepare and get going in your upcoming course. If you’re new to using Canvas or Zoom, we recommend setting aside time to get familiar with both platforms before the course begins.

Synchronous Live Learning Sessions occur weekly or bi-weekly within each course, including work in pairs, dyads, triangles and small and large groups to ensure ample opportunities for participants to work with one another and learn by doing via Zoom. Attendance for these live learning sessions is mandatory as per ICF requirements.

Asynchronous Modular Learning involves self-directed study and responding online via Canvas. Your participation in the online learning community provides an opportunity to engage in critical thinking and reflections on theory and practice; to share experiences, awareness, and knowledge for the purpose of learning together; and to contribute to supporting the learning of others.

Mentor Coaching. Our ICF-credentialed mentor coaches support your development in advancing your awareness and coaching skills towards an ACC credential competency level through group and 1:1 mentor coaching.

Ongoing Practice and Reflection. The integration of a coach approach and skills in context comes through structured and intentional practice and reflection. The courses provide structure and numerous opportunities to gain direct feedback to progressively develop your coaching competencies and confidence as a coach. However, the degree to which coaching is integrated is determined by the participant.

The richness of this shared learning experience depends on our willingness to lean into discomfort in service of learning, to be vulnerable with one another, and to actively engage with the learning community.

Expected effort

This program is spread out over several months, but can be demanding at times, particularly in Leader as Coach Credential Path and in preparation for application for an ACC credential.  It is designed to be a part-time program for working professionals, offering flexibility along with weekly commitments and deadlines.

Please set aside a minimum of 4-5 hours per week for any course to give yourself the time and space to complete readings, participate in live learning sessions and online discussions, and to implement and practice what you are learning.

All Live Learning Sessions and Group / 1:1 Mentor Coaching Calls are mandatory and cannot be missed.  Missing these live calls results in participants not meeting the training criteria required to complete this ICF Level 1 coaching education program.

Please note that coaching practice will likely involve recruiting, scheduling and coordinating ongoing clients for coaching sessions - and this takes time!

Technology requirements

To take this program, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet, using Windows or macOS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone

Textbooks and materials

This program does not require the purchase of any textbooks.

Assessment

Participants are assessed throughout the program according to University of British Columbia grading practices to ensure successful acquisition of required skills, concepts and the ICF Core Competencies. Online module contributions are graded complete/incomplete based on assignment guidelines. Practicum elements are also graded complete/incomplete, and participants are required to initiate conversations should accommodations be required. You are also required to evaluate your own progress.

Assessment criteria for each assignment and course is described in course outlines.

Graduation criteria

Participants must successfully complete all of the courses within the program. This includes a) achieving “Complete” on all course work elements and b) passing the final coaching competency demonstration.

The following are the required courses in the program:

• Leader as Coach Fundamentals
• Required Modules: Engaging & Motivating Conversations and Development Conversations
• Elective Modules: Minimum 2 out of 4 of Feedback Conversations, Career Conversations, Sustainability Conversations and Conflict Conversations
• Leader as Coach Credential Path

Once you have completed the UBC Leader as Coach program requirements, you may request your ICF Level 1 Coach Education Letter of Completion. This completion letter is required to apply for an ICF Associate Certified Coach credential through the Level 1 Path.

After the program

We offer opportunities for our grads to connect and engage in ongoing professional development and coaching exchanges with our broader organizational coaching alumni community. Alumni are also invited to provide learning support to new students while also providing avenues to advance their own learning and training. We are delighted that some of our past graduates have joined our instructor team, which allows us to deliver content in new and exciting ways.

Our instructors are experienced educators, coaches and industry experts who have on-the-ground experience, and expertise in coaching, leadership, human resources practice, business, organizational development, mindfulness, neuroscience, humanistic psychology, adult education and consulting. All have worked with adult learners in person and online.

Our Mentor Coaches are International Coach Federation accredited coaches, and have strong academic and professional backgrounds. Mentor Coaches work one-on-one and in groups to help learners develop, achieve and demonstrate proficiency in their coaching skills and practice. You have the opportunity to work and learn from multiple mentor coaches throughout the program.