Leadership Coaching Certificate
The Leadership Coaching Certificate Program provides students an opportunity to complete the requirements necessary to earn both an international (ICF) and a national (BCC) credential in an emerging field. These credentials acknowledge the high standard of coach training that students have received and increase their credibility as high quality coaches in the field.
The University of San Diego’s Leadership Coaching Certificate is a comprehensive program that uses proven approaches to prepare established and aspiring coaches with the skills needed to advance their professions. These approaches are unique in helping coaches become reflective practitioners who are able to bring quality and depth to their work in a range of professional settings. An emphasis is placed on developing the coach as an instrument of practice, where the relationship with the client is at the center.
Professionals with established coaching practices, those who are new to the field, human resource officers and those from related careers are ideal candidates. Consultants and clinicians can also benefit greatly from the program. Managers who find that coaching is increasingly an expectation in their work will also find value in completing these courses. USD graduate students can use these courses towards their MA or PhD course requirements.
The Leadership Coaching Certificate Program is an International Coaching Foundation (ICF) Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP). It is also a Board Certified Coach (BCC) founding CCE-approved coach training program for the Executive Leadership Coaching certification preparation. Participants who successfully complete all five courses and pass the final live evaluation of coaching will have the training and mentor coaching hours required to apply for an ACC or PCC credential through the ICF via the ACTP Path. Details about the required client experience hours and the Coach Knowledge Assessment can be found on the ICF’s website www.coachfederation.org. In addition, participants successfully completing the program will be eligible to apply for a BCC credential and to take the BCC exam through the Center for Credentialing and Education.

Upon successful completion of the certificate, participants will be able to:
- Coach individuals, teams, and groups
- Consistently demonstrate coaching skills aligned with ICF core competencies
- Self-observe and self-correct to avoid situations that compromise coaching
- Use a holistic, developmental approach to coaching
- Apply performance/situational coaching practices where relevant
- Recognize and deal with cultural differences and assist clients in doing the same
- Co-create fieldwork tailored to support and stabilize client development
The Foundations of Leadership Coaching Course, the first in the course series, is typically scheduled to be offered beginning each September, during USD's Fall term, with the subsequent courses to follow.
Contact Beth Garofalo for questions or inquiries by email or at 619-260-7790.
Curriculum
The Leadership Coaching Certificate offers a total of 150 hours of coach specific training that is conducted in person on campus. It comprises five courses and takes place over three semesters, lasting approximately twelve months. In addition to providing coaching specific learning modules, the program offers experiential and applied learning opportunities for students through peer-to-peer and client-based coaching practice. Assigned reading and reflective assignments assist participants in further integrating their learning. Throughout the program, students’ development is supported through mentor coaching provided by credentialed coaches. Successfully completing all the courses in the series, as well as the passing of a final evaluation of demonstrated coaching skills, is required in order to receive the Certificate in Leadership Coaching from the University of San Diego.
The five required courses must be taken in sequence, with the exception of Human Relations for Leaders, which may be taken either in January or July of an academic year.
The course sequence, by semester, is as follows:
For course descriptions, click here.
The Foundations of Leadership Coaching Course, the first in the course series, is next scheduled to be offered in September 2020.
Contact Beth Garofalo for questions or inquiries by email or at 619-260-7790.
Faculty
Linda Braun-Leibowitz MA Clin. Psy., Certified Integral Coach, PCC
Linda is an adjunct professor and lead instructor for the Leadership Coaching Certificate program, University of San Diego. She is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, as well as a Certified Integral® Coach. She has 25 years of experience in the fields of coaching, facilitation, and training. She has previously served as faculty for the Center for Coaching in South Africa and as adjunct faculty for New Ventures West in San Francisco. Linda practiced as a licensed Clinical Psychologist for several years before transitioning into organizational consulting and executive and leadership coaching. As a coach practitioner, Linda co-founded her own coaching business in San Diego where she coaches senior leaders and their teams in a wide range of for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Zachary Green PhD, BCC
Zachary is a professor of practice in Leadership Studies and the Director of Leadership and Diversity Initiatives at the Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego. He is lead faculty for the RISE Urban Leadership Fellows and founding faculty of the USD Leadership Coaching Certificate Program. A clinical psychologist by training, Zachary teaches courses on organizational behavior, coaching, human development, dialogue, negotiations, mindfulness, and love. As a practitioner, Zachary’s clients include multinational corporations, government agencies, NGO’s, universities, religious institutions, and nonprofit entities. He has coached top leaders at the World Bank for the better part of two decades. Zachary holds certification as a Board Certified Coach (BCC) and is a member of the International Coach Federation. Zachary was instrumental in founding the leadership coaching program at USD.
Apply Now
Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2021.Frequently Asked Questions
I am not a USD student, how do I enroll?
I am not a US resident, will this program qualify me for a student visa?
How long is the program and when can I start?
What is the program format and schedule? Can I do it online?
Our program must be completed in person on campus. There are 5 courses in a specific sequence. The current schedule can be found here.
What is the cost of the program?
How do I register?
Nondegree-seeking students ar required to apply to the program and upon acceptance, will register for one class at a time and pay via credit card. Courses registration information will be made available to all admitted applicants during each term's registration period.
Email bethg@sandiego.edu for any additional questions.
General Cancellation and Transfer Policy
Those enrolling in Graduate Credit must follow the university guidelines or adding/dropping classes
Non credit participants - You may cancel 30 days or more prior to the starting date of the course, and your registration fee is refundable minus 5%. If you cancel between 30 and 14 days prior, we will refund 50% of the program fee. No refunds are possible less than 14 days prior to the starting date.
Alternatively, you are welcome to transfer your entire registration fee to a future course, one time only. Once a registration fee is transferred, it will not be eligible for a future refund nor another
transfer. Request for a transfer must be made prior to the start of the course and be completed
within one year.
You may substitute another student in your place at any time prior to the start of the course
at no cost.
Reimbursement for Canceled Courses
If we do not meet the minimum enrollment required to run a course, we reserve the right to
cancel it. Should this occur, all registrations fees collected to date will be refunded. Though it is
not typical for our programs to be canceled, to avoid confusion and disappointment, we suggest
that participants who are traveling for the course secure insurance and/or refundable tickets.
No refund will be provided by USD on airline tickets or accommodations.