Advance your skills and career as an executive coach through individual, group, team or intercultural coaching. Examine advanced coaching psychology and practices. Gain CCE units.
Upcoming offerings
July 21, 2025
Application deadline
Delivery model
Domestic tuition
International tuition
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Program description
As an experienced executive or business coach, you know the value of keeping your skills fresh. You may even coach your clients on this very topic. Staying on top of your game helps you do your best work in any industry, but especially one as in-demand as executive coaching.
The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Coaching Practices helps you stay up to date, and take your coaching to the next level. This six-month program focuses on honing your skills in coaching individuals, groups and teams. You’ll also learn about coaching across cultures, so you can become truly global in your practice. And you’ll examine advanced coaching psychology and practices, to create an organizational culture of coaching and mentorship.
Each course offered through the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Coaching Practices is aligned with the core competencies of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and counts toward credentialing-required education hours and/or continuing education credits.
You can build from here
When you successfully complete this program you have career advancing options:
- You can transfer credits from this program into our MBA, MGM, MA in Tourism Management and MA in Interdisciplinary Studies programs, and have the tuition adjusted accordingly
- The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Coaching practices can also be used as transfer credit into the MA in Executive and Organizational Coaching program
Through a partnership with the International Coach Federation, courses within this certificate qualify for Continuing Coach Education Credits. Upon completion of each course, students can expect to receive 24 CCEs for each of the following courses:
- Ethics & the Coaching Profession (ADVC670)
- The Psychology of Coaching (ADVC660)
- Group & Team Coaching (ADVC612)
Connect with our Enrolment Advisors to talk about how you can use the credits you have earned towards your master's program at Royal Roads.
Focus on one thing at a time
You can take any two of the courses from the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Coaching Practices as part of our General Studies program. You can transfer credit from these courses to certificates, diplomas and degree programs later if you decide to take your studies further.
Program delivery
You can choose to complete this program in one of two ways:
- entirely online
- through a blend of online courses and on-campus residencies
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous lectures, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
You’ll take one online course at a time for a period of 10 weeks each. Each online course requires approximately 15-20 hours of work per week.
You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course about academic integrity.
Residency
In this program there are two elective courses that have brief on-campus residencies.
Residencies are intensive and immersive. Many students say this time together is the highlight of their program.
During your residency, you can expect to:
- attend classes full time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
- take part in extracurricular activities
Courses
Faculty
Associate faculty
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Transfer agreements
Refine results
Admission to this program is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all aspects of the applicant's work and life experience, volunteer and community activities, practical experience, related training, and formal education.
Standard admission
- Completion of either an undergraduate four-year (or comparable) degree or a graduate degree in arts, science, or education from a recognized post-secondary institution;
- Prerequisite education in the field of coaching (e.g., the RRU Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching or an acceptable alternative);
- Normally, at least three years of full-time experience working as an internal or external executive coach.
Flexible admission
- To be considered for flexible admission, applicants would normally require:
- Extensive relevant work experience as an internal or external coach over at least five full-time years; and
- Relevant education in the field of executive coaching (e.g. the RRU Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching or an acceptable alternative).
Please note: Students wishing to enroll in the ADVC 680 Professional Mentor Coaching course as part of their program must carry, at minimum, a PCC credential awarded by the International Coach Federation (or acceptable equivalent). However, this requirement is NOT a prerequisite for admission to the program itself as students may elect not to enroll in ADVC 680.
English language proficiency
- If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:
Application form
In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
In accordance with RRU's admissions policy and practices, applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, though exceptions may apply for some Graduate Certificate in Advanced Coaching Practices applicants as outlined below:
- All applicants must declare all post-secondary studies (courses, programs, transfer credit, etc.) in their application.
- As part of the application process, applicants anticipating acceptance by standard admission will be required to provide an official transcript for the highest level, most relevant and/or most recent degree credential(s). Whenever possible, applicants are also encouraged to provide unofficial (or official) transcripts from all other institutions currently or previously attended. Additional documents may be requested at any time during the application process. Additionally, upon acceptance Admissions will determine which, if any, additional transcripts or documents will be required, and these requirements may be noted as a condition of admission.
- As part of the application process, applicants anticipating consideration under flexible admission must submit all official transcripts for all institutions currently or previously attended.
In all cases, applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts. Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.
Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
The personal statement should be approximately one page in length and outline your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. The statement should address the topic of how the Graduate Certificate program that you are applying for will contribute to your future career. Relate this to who you are, what you feel you will gain from the program, and the strengths you feel you could bring to the program.
Résumé
A detailed resume provides the Admissions Office with as much information about your work and life experiences as possible. We are interested in knowing where you have worked, for how long, and what you were responsible for in the positions you held. Provide as much information as possible, with special attention to the past ten years of your career. We would also like to see any professional development courses, volunteer positions, professional certification, association memberships or international experience that you may have acquired.
Two reference letters
These documents can be written in a variety of formats. In essence, we expect the writer to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the program, explain why s/he believes you will succeed in such a program, and describe how the program will benefit you. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned.
If applicable:
- Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
- Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
- An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
- Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.
For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.