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The peer group within CEC is made up of professionals with graduate degrees. Our students who have taken courses in other training programs before they enrolled in our program consistently report that our students are at a higher level of sophistication than the mix of students they have found elsewhere. When you consider that the other students greatly influence your experience, as you are exposed to the type of questions they ask and practice coaching with them on a regular basis, most professionals factor "who will be the other students" into their decision-making. We believe that the CEC program is the most content rich of the coach training programs. You receive training in both personal coaching and executive coaching. Most of our students already have years of experience and training in communication and building rapport - so our courses are not similar to paraprofessional counseling skills courses -- which is a criticism of many coach-training programs. For students who do not have a background in psychology or a mental health related field, we have a specially designed, Master Communication Skills course. In addition, our Niche Marketing: How to Create Your Ideal Practice course, provides systematic guidance to assist students in discovering their unique brilliance, formulate a niche coaching practice, and design and implement a strategic marketing plan. Participants also get practice coaching in all of our courses. Our students have the added benefit of networking with others from around the country that have similar interests. Q: Is the field of coaching overcrowded? A: No. For example, there are 500,000 mental health professionals in the US, but only about 2,000 significantly trained graduate level professional coaches. Moreover, more people potentially are interested in coaching services than psychotherapy. Q: I have a MBA. I notice much of your marketing seems to be directed towards psychologists who are interested in transitioning into coaching. Do you think the program is appropriate for me? A: You clearly meet our admission requirement of having a graduate level degree. We do market our program to psychologists, as some psychologists are very interested in this type of career transition. However, we actively seek and encourage MBAs, Organizational Development and Human Relations specialists, attorneys, medical professionals, and educators in our program. MBAs typically have business experience that psychologists lack so MBAs enrich our student population in an important manner. Similarly, psychologists often have particular communication and assessment skills that business people often benefit from being exposed to so it is a good peer-learning environment. About twenty-five percent of our students are professionals in a field other than psychology. Of most interest to you though, would be the content of our programs - we have a much more content rich curriculum than other training programs. You could review some of our course topics online or print out our brochures from our homepage. Also, Linda Black, MBA, our Program Coordinator, would be happy to assist you at 888-764-8844. Q: How do I apply for the certification program? A: We recommend that you take some of our in-person courses. You might enroll in one of our three-day in-person programs first to determine if our training program is the right match for you or you might prefer to begin with one of our six day or seven day intensive programs (the Intensive program is the path most students take). You will get to meet some of our faculty and we will be able to meet you. Then you would complete a brief two-page application. Our certification is for mature, self-directed adults who hold a graduate degree or are enrolled in a graduate degree program. Applicants need strong interpersonal relationship skills and communication skills. Ideal applicants will have had significant professional experience. The ability to process complex information and "think on one's feet" is essential. As space can be limited in our program early application is advised. Most, but not all, applicants who meet our educational requirements, will be accepted into our certification program. Occasionally, and only in unusual circumstances, a student has attended our program, but has not demonstrated a typical level of professionalism that characterizes our student body. In a case such as that our education committee would meet to discuss the student's observed performance in our program, and the student may receive a recommendation that another program would be a better fit. In that case, the student would not be able to continue in our program, no tuition paid would be refunded for classes already completed, but the courses completed would still count towards certification with the International Coach Federation Portfolio Certification Application. Once accepted into the program, a transcript file will be opened in our office for you. A more in-depth description of the 72-hour certification program is available. Please call to request the "Certification Track Worksheet." We can mail, fax or e-mail that to you. Q: Can someone without a graduate degree take your courses? A: Yes, some of our in-person courses are "open enrollment" which means you may be able to enroll in them without a graduate degree (a B.A. or B.S. is required) if you have appropriate professional experience. You will need to contact us for individual permission, which usually is granted. However, our certification program, our teleconference courses, our Assessments course and our Coaching Competency and Feedback course are open only to students who possess a graduate degree or are enrolled in a graduate degree program. Q: I'm interested in becoming certified in coaching - I have many years of experience in my field and have used coaching in my professional role many times. Do you provide certification in coaching to individuals who do not have a graduate degree? A: The 72-hour Certified Coach certificate and the 128-hour ICF Accredited Coach Training Program Certificate Program (Certified Personal and Executive Coach) does require a graduate degree. However, all our in-person courses can be used for the International Coach Federation's (ICF's) certification portfolio application process. Hence, sometimes a student may take some courses from our program, even if they do not have a graduate degree, and use their course credit for seeking a certification through ICF. Also, if you do not have a graduate degree but do have outstanding executive level experience please contact us with your mailing address. In about a year we will launch our "Executive Track Certification" for exceptional senior executives who have many years of experience but may not have a graduate degree. Q: I am currently enrolled in a Master's degree program. Can I apply for your certification programs?