Level 2 (PCC) Pathway: Intermediate Diploma Programme

Science and Art of Coaching + Art and Alchemy of Coaching

ICF-Accredited Coaching Education Level 2

Our combined coaching education package of the Science and Art of Coaching and the Art and Alchemy of Coaching is a Level 2 ICF-accredited coaching education programme and provides a total of 165.50 ICF accredited coaching education hours and meets the coaching education requirement for those wishing to apply for their PCC credential.

Equipping You For the Future

Coaching is one of the fastest growing professions and is enabling positive change in people’s communication skills, performance, confidence and many other aspects of their behaviour and mindset.

In an environment that is increasingly complex and constantly changing, coaching is a powerful tool to help people navigate situations, tasks, challenges, goals and aspirations for greater success, fulfillment and wellbeing.

Organisations too, more than ever before, need the skills and principles of coaching in order to develop a culture that is inclusive, accountable, innovative and agile. Organisations with these qualities are better able to handle the complexity and speed of change of today’s business environment. Research clearly indicates that organisations with coaching capability and culture are more likely to be high performing, more equipped to handle change and experience better financial performance and growth than other organisations within their industry sector.

If you would like to become an ICF certified coach and achieve an Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential, there are 5 steps to follow:

Coaching Education:

Our combined coaching education package of the Science and Art of Coaching and the Art and Alchemy of Coaching  is a a Level 2 ICF-accredited coaching education program and provides a total of 165.50 ICF accredited coaching education hours and meets the coaching education requirement for those wishing to apply for their PCC credential.

ICF-Accredited Coaching Education Level 2

Mentor Coaching:

The purpose of Mentor Coaching is primarily to deepen your understanding and demonstration of the ICF Core Competencies and therefore your skills and confidence as a practicing coach. It is also part of the ICF’s credentialing pathway, which supports and prepares coaches for their performance assessment in pursuit of the ICF credential.

Our Mentor Coaching programme (MCG) has four simple steps:

  1. Individual programme preparation (1.5 hours)
  2. Four x two-hour online Group Mentor Coaching sessions (8 hours)
  3. Three hours of 1-1 Mentor Coaching sessions (3 hours)
  4. Peer coaching sessions in-between each online session focussing on specific ICF Core Competencies as the programme progresses (6 hours)

This programme fulfils the 10 hours of coach mentoring required for your ICF credential application or PCC credential renewal.

The programme takes approximately 4-months to complete and is also accredited with 18.5 Core Competency CCEs or 10 hours of Mentor Coaching plus 8.5 Core Competency CCEs (which is an additional benefit of further CCEs for those credentialed coaches when renewing their credential).

Coaching Experience:

To be eligible for an ICF PCC credential you need to have at least 500 hours of coaching experience following the start of your coach-specific coaching education.

Performance Evaluation:

The performance evaluation process involves you submitting two recordings of you coaching regular clients who have hired you as a coach, and must last between 20- to 60-minutes, along with the corresponding transcript. This will be reviewed by Performance Evaluators.

ICF Credentialing Exam:

This is a computer-based written exam (administered by ICF Credentials and Standards) that is designed to measure your knowledge of and ability to apply the ICF definition of coaching, ICF Core Competencies and ICF Code of Ethics.

Our programmes are offered in English.

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Recommended for:​

Coaches looking to obtain their PCC credential.

This pathway is for those looking for advanced coaching education to obtain their PCC credential.

It is a complete programme from entry level training, through to our Diploma Level (ACC) and onto our Intermediate Diploma Level (PCC). It is recommended for coaches who want to make coaching a significant part of their work and are keen to progress toward the ICF PCC credential as soon as possible. The Diploma and Intermediate Diploma stages can be staggered and timed to suit your own development timeline. Please see more details and guidelines in our Development Timeline tab.

If you already hold an ICF ACC credential and are now looking for additional development toward your ICF PCC credential, please see our From ACC to PCC Pathway.

This programme is offered in English.

The time between starting your coach training and achieving your ICF credential can vary greatly depending upon many factors, such as: how much coaching you are doing, your budgeting preferences and your pace of development or scheduling preferences. The table below offers an approximate/minimum timeline as a guideline; however, you may want or need more flexibility. For example, you may feel ready to complete the Art and Alchemy of Coaching part of the programme soon after you have completed the Science and Art of Coaching part of the programme, or you may prefer to take more time to practice, gain experience, plan, and budget etc. and complete the remainder of your coach education and your mentor coaching element later on. We are very happy to assist you in finding a timeline that suits you!

Step Component Approximate Timeline
1 Coaching Education (S&A) 6 months
2 Coaching Education (A&A) 6 months
3 Mentor Coaching (MCG) 4 months
4 Coaching Experience 12 months +
5 Performance Evaluation (ACC) 2 months +
6 ICF Credentialing Exam 0-1 month
TOTAL ~24-36 months

Learn more about the ICF PCC credential pathway.

Please also see our Credentialing Pathways guidance document to help you consider your preferred development timeline.

If you would like to embark upon an initial development pathway and work towards an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential first, refer to our Level  1 (ACC) Pathway information.

If you already hold an ICF ACC credential and would now like to complete the requirements for an ICF PCC credential application, we refer you to our From ACC to PCC Pathway information.

If you’re not sure about which pathway or programme to choose we invite you to attend our next Think with a Drink webinar or fill out this form and we will be delighted to help find the right pathway for you!

Coaching Education (Level 1): Science & Art of Coaching Programme Content

  • What is the philosophy and definition of coaching and how it differs from other professional ways of working with people?
  • An initial framework for a structured coaching conversation.
  • Introducing essential coaching skills for leaders, managers and internal/external coaches:
    • Listening skills.
    • Thought provoking and forward moving questioning skills.
    • Effective goal setting and visioning leading to clear and committed forward action with accountability.
  • Daily coaching practice with ACC+ level feedback.
  • Daily demonstrations of coaching at ACC/PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercises to explore the ICF Core Competencies at ACC+ level.
  • Daily exercise to explore the use of models and theories taught in coaching practice

  • Developing rapport and building the coach-client relationship.
  • Transactional and transformational coaching.
  • Deeper questioning skills to expand and explore thinking, perspectives and possibilities.
  • Advanced listening skills using all of the senses.
  • Identifying and exploring limiting and empowering beliefs.
  • Professional and ethical practices including organisational contracting.
  • Module includes demonstrations of coaching plus plenty of practice opportunities with feedback.
  • Daily coaching practice with ACC+ level feedback.
  • Daily demonstrations of coaching at ACC/PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercises to explore the ICF Core Competencies at ACC+ level.
  • Daily exercise to explore the use of models and theories taught in coaching practice

  • Neuroscience and coaching.
  • Psychological models to enhance understanding of how human behaviour impacts performance.
  • Using intuition as an effective coaching tool.
  • The place of feedback in coaching.
  • Accessing and leveraging client’s learning.
  • The coach-client partnership.
  • Structuring and developing your coaching practice.
  • Developing the coach as well as the client.
  • Practical ways to use coaching skills in the organisation.
  • Daily coaching practice with ACC+ level feedback.
  • Daily demonstrations of coaching at ACC/PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercises to explore the ICF Core Competencies at ACC+ level.
  • Daily exercise to explore the use of models and theories taught in coaching practice

Coaching Education (Level 2): Art & Alchemy of Coaching Programme Content

The first module is an advanced exploration and practice of the ICF Core Competencies that enables you to be confident of your coaching skills at the ICF Gold Standard Professional Certified Coach level. You will enriching your coaching practice through deeper exploration of the work the client needs to do in order to enable them to enhance their own learning, self-awareness and development.

Curriculum includes:

  • Deep Dive on ICF Core Competencies 3, 6, and 7.
  • Listening for the person through language (minimising, metaprograms, language and preferences, language and biases/filters, the 4th Level of Listening).
  • Exploration of the fullness and richness of contracting, levels of contracting, partnering in contracting.
  • Partnering for psychological equality and a client-centred relationship.
  • Styles of intervention.
  • Use of challenge.
  • Reframing perspectives and perceptual positions.
  • Daily coaching practice with PCC+ level feedback.
  • Daily demonstrations of coaching at PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercises to explore the ICF Core Competencies at PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercise to explore the use of models and theories taught in coaching practice.

This module highlights the importance of the being of the coach in terms of your mindset, ongoing personal and professional development and coaching presence to underpin the professionalism and quality of your coaching practice. It focusses on coaching the person when working with clients and establishing the conditions for effective coaching practice through the deep trust and safety that is enabled through partnering.

Curriculum includes:

  • Deep dive on ICF Core Competencies 1, 2, 4 and 5.
  • Cultivating trust and safety.
  • Time to think.
  • The relevance of client context.
  • Openness and transparency (navigating boundaries).
  • Working with strong emotions and managing our own emotions.
  • Embodying a coaching mindset.
  • Being into doing.
  • Silence is truly golden.
  • Ethical matters.
  • Deepening the “Being”.
  • Daily coaching practice with PCC+ level feedback.
  • Daily demonstrations of coaching at PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercises to explore the ICF Core Competencies at PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercise to explore the use of models and theories taught in coaching practice

The final module integrates the doing and the being of coaching into a natural, creative and transformative conversation that leads to client growth. You will transition from being a competent technical practitioner to an Alchemist—displaying artistry as you work with your clients in the dance of coaching.

Curriculum includes:

  • Deep dive on ICF Core Competency 8.
  • Transactional vs. transformational coaching.
  • Topic vs. person.
  • Working with the whole person.
  • From steps and actions to growth and potential.
  • How am I an artist when I coach?
  • What does alchemy now mean for me in my coaching practice?
  • Integration exercises.
  • Daily coaching practice with PCC+ level feedback.
  • Daily demonstrations of coaching at PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercises to explore the ICF Core Competencies at PCC+ level.
  • Daily exercise to explore the use of models and theories taught in coaching practice.
  • And more!

Mentor Coaching: Mentor Coaching Group Programme Content

The purpose of Mentor Coaching is primarily to deepen your understanding and demonstration of the ICF Core Competencies and therefore your skills and confidence as a practicing coach.

Our Mentor Coaching Group programme has four simple steps:

  1. Individual programme preparation (1.5 hours)
  2. Four x two-hour online Group Mentor Coaching sessions (8 hours)
  3. Three hours of 1-1 Mentor Coaching sessions (3 hours)
  4. Peer coaching sessions in-between each online session focussing on specific ICF Core Competencies as the programme progresses (6 hours)

This programme fulfils the 10 hours of coach mentoring required for your ICF ACC/PCC Credential application or ACC credential renewal.

The programme takes approximately 4-months to complete and typically runs twice each year (Spring and Autumn) and you can see details of our schedule in the schedule tab.

Programme Schedule

Our Level 2 programming comprises:

  • The Science and Art of Coaching (ACC Diploma Programme)
  • The Art and Alchemy of Coaching (PCC Advanced Diploma Programme)

Based upon your preferred development timeline, you can complete the Advanced Diploma following straight after the Diploma programme, or choose to have a gap in between the two. We will be pleased to assist you in finding the a timeline that suits you. The following schedule shows options for both programmes in the coming period. We update our schedule regularly, however please contact us directly for details of programmes beyond the timeline shown below.

Coaching Education: ACC Diploma Programme: Science & Art of Coaching Programme Schedule

Spring 2024: Live Online

Module 1: Foundational Skills

  • Kick-off Session: February 2, 2024, 2pm – 3pm (London time)
  • Virtual Workshops: February 8, 9 & 12, 2024, 9am – 5pm (London time)
  • Practice Session: March 1, 2024, 9.30am – 12pm (London time)

Module 2: Going Deeper

  • Virtual Workshops: March 21, 22 & 25, 2024, 9 am – 5 pm (London time)
  • Practice Session: April 26, 2024, 9.30am – 12pm (London time)

Module 3: From Science to Art

  • Virtual Workshops: May 16, 17 & 20, 2024, 9 am – 5 pm (London time)
  • Practice/Final Session: June 14, 2024, 9.30am – 12pm (London time)

Autumn 2024: Live Online

Module 1: Foundational Skills

  • Kick-off Session: September 6, 2024, 10am – 11am (London time)
  • Virtual Workshops: September 12, 13 & 16, 2024, 9 am – 5 pm (London time)
  • Practice Session: October 11, 2024, 9.30am – 12pm (London time)

Module 2: Going Deeper

  • Virtual Workshops: November 7, 8 & 11, 2024, 9 am – 5 pm (London time)
  • Practice Session: December 6, 2024, 9.30am – 12pm (London time)

Module 3: From Science to Art

  • Virtual Workshops: January 9, 10 & 13, 2025, 9 am – 5 pm (London time)
  • Practice/Final Session: February 7, 2025, 9.30am – 12pm (London time)

Coaching Eduction: PCC Advanced Diploma Programme: Art and Alchemy of Coaching Programme Schedule

Spring 2024 Live Online

Module 1:

  • Kick-off Session: February 16, 2024, 2pm – 3pm (London time)
  • Virtual workshops: February 22, 23 & 26, 2024, 9am – 5pm (London time)
  • Observed Coaching Practice Session: March 15, 2024, 9am – 12.30pm (London time)

Module 2: 

  • Virtual Workshops: April 11, 12 & 15 2024, 9am – 5pm (London time)
  • Observed Coaching Practice Session: May 3, 2024, 9am – 12.30pm (London time)

Module 3: 

  • Virtual Workshops: June 6, 7 & 10, 2024, 9am – 5pm (London time)
  • Observed Coaching Practice/Final Session: July 5, 2024, 9am – 12.30pm (London time)

Autumn 2024 Live Online

Module 1:

  • Kick-off Session: September 20, 2024, 10am – 11am (London time)
  • Virtual workshops: September 26, 27 & 30, 2024, 9am – 5pm (London time)
  • Observed Coaching Practice Session: October 18, 2024, 9am – 12.30pm (London time)

Module 2: 

  • Virtual Workshops: November 21, 22 & 25, 2024, 9am – 5pm (London time)
  • Observed Coaching Practice Session: December 13, 2024, 9am – 12.30pm (London time)

Module 3: 

  • Virtual Workshops: January 23, 24 & 27, 2025, 9am – 5pm (London time)
  • Observed Coaching Practice/Final Session: February 14, 2025, 9am – 12.30pm (London time)

If you are an organisation wanting to run this programme internally for a group, please contact us directly to discuss further.

Mentor Coaching: Mentor Coaching Group Programme Dates

Our Level 2 Advanced Diploma participants can complete the Mentor Coaching element on a cohort of their choice once they have finished this Coaching Education element. Please see details of the upcoming cohorts of the Mentor Coaching Group Programme here to assist with your planning. We are also very happy to liaise with you on a 1-1 basis to establish the most suitable and convenient development timeline to complete your Level 1 pathway.

Your Investment

The Level 2 package includes:

  • Science and Art of Coaching (ACC Level Coaching Education) (10.5 days of learning in our virtual classroom).
  • Art and Alchemy of Coaching (PCC Level Coaching Education) (10.5 days of learning in our virtual classroom).
  • Access to a coaching Resource Pack and in-depth ICF Core Competency video series.
  • Live Practice Peer Coaching Groups.
  • Complete Mentor Coaching Programme.
  • Performance Evaluation and Certification (at PCC Level).
  • Access to post-programme Coach Advancement Alumni Community with associated alumni benefits.

£13,266 (including taxes)

Register for Spring 2024 by December 15, 2023 and use code SPRING5 at checkout for a 5% discount!

Registration for Spring 2024 will close on January 5, 2024.

We are happy to offer staged instalment payment plans for self-funded students to help spread the cost across your development timeline. See options on the checkout page.

We value our alumni community. Once you’ve completed a coach training programme with Coach Advancement by Tracy Sinclair, you will unlock a number of exclusive benefits including discounts, coaching clinics, peer coaching, social impact project opportunities and more! Learn more about the ways we continue to support coaches who have trained with us here. 

ICF-Accredited Coaching Education Level 2

I’m interested in the Level 2 Intermediate Diploma programme!

Have questions? Not sure which pathway is right for you?

Let us know! We’d love to help you on your coaching journey.

ALUMNI STORIES

Andra Tocaciu
Coaching for High Performance
Andra Tocaciu
Coaching for Agility
Femi Odelusi
Kate Adams, Coach Advancement Alumni
Coaching for Sustainability
Kate Adams

Your coach development is a journey—not a destination

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