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Concordia University Concordia celebrates 50 years!
Concordia University Concordia celebrates 50 years!

John Molson Executive Centre

John Molson Executive Centre

Professional Goal-Centric Certified Coach

What is PGCC?

The PROFESSIONAL GOAL-CENTRIC CERTIFIED COACH (PGCC) program combines a strong grounding in coaching with ongoing experience-based supervision. Its unique features provide root knowledge and experience in the critical areas of coaching theory and practice. The PGCC program is divided into theory and competency development modules aligned with coaching standards recognized internationally by the International Coach Federation (ICF). Through core learning modules and supervised practice, participants gain competence in the essential skills and models of coaching, as well as a perspective of coaching applications in various sectors of work and society. 

Overview

The PGCC program is ICF approved. As such, it enables you to master the ICF's core coaching competencies thereby equipping you to perform effectively as a Professional Goal-Centric Certified Coach. Through program work and supervised practice, it is anticipated that you will develop the requisite perspectives and skill sets to function effectively in coaching relationships. Practical coaching assignments will deepen your experiential foundation for working with future clients.

Successful completion of PGCC as an ICF-approved level 2 program qualifies participants for PCC-level accreditation from the ICF.

PGCC applicants must already possess:

  • A high level of professional competency in a related domain of practice
  • At least five (5) years full-time work or life experience
  • A minimum of an undergraduate degree (exceptions may be made for applicants showing evidence of equivalency in education and relevant training)

Program information

  • Length: 18 days in class + fieldwork requirements, offering 169 ICF coach training hours (134 synchronous/35 asynchronous)
  • Structure: In-person on the Loyola Campus of Concordia University in Montreal (please note that, should the situation require it, we will pivot the in-person cohort to online delivery)
  • Coaching Experiences: 100+ hours coaching, mentoring, and being coached
  • Program Dates: September 2025-May 2026

To be certified, participants must fulfill the following PGCC program requirements:

  • Attendance at all training dates
  • A minimum of 30 documented coaching sessions (minimum length 30 minutes) with pro-bono clients external to the program
  • A minimum of 10 documented mentor coaching hours with a faculty-approved certified mentor coach external to the program*
  • Demeanor that demonstrates consistent adherence to ethical and professional standards of coaching.

*Please note: Fees for sessions with external mentor coaches are not covered by the program tuition. Please read "Frequently asked questions" for additional program costs.

  • Successful completion of all assignments including:
    • Personalized coaching documents
    • Required and self-selected readings on coaching
    • Presentation on personal development objectives
    • Final report on coaching practice
    • Written examination based on textbook and coursework
  • Consensus agreement by facilitators that the participant has achieved a satisfactory level of coaching competency at the PCC level. *

*Please note: Program participants will have an opportunity to demonstrate their level of coaching competency at the PCC level, as determined by the ICF, during the formal assessment period (May/June 2026). Those who are not successful in their demonstration will have the opportunity for two (2) retakes (at a cost of $175 each).

If none of the retakes provide evidence of PCC level coaching, the participant will be given a Certificate of Attendance rather than a Certificate of Completion.

Upon having met all of the above-stated criteria, each participant will be certified as a Professional Goal-Centric Certified Coach (PGCC) by the John Molson Executive Centre, Concordia University.

Upon successful completion of PGCC, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion with the designation of Professional Goal-Centric Certified Coach. This allows application for the ICF PCC credentials following the level 2 application path. It is to be noted that further requirements from the ICF must be fulfilled when applying for ICF credentials.

PGCC is a Level 2 ICF accredited program.

 

 Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

September 2025

September 6

 September 7

October 2025

 October 4 October 5

November 2025

November 8

 November 9

December 2025

December 6

 December 7

January 2026

January 10

 January 11

February 2026

February 7

 February 8

March 2026

March 14

 March 15

April 2026

April 11

 April 12
May 2026 May 9 May 10

PGCC adheres to the philosophical and evidence-based tradition of goal-centric coaching. It relies on solid empirical research from diverse disciplines concerning behaviour change, effective communication, ethical principles, and the need for reflective practice among professional coaches.

Background of Coaching

  • Professional Coaching: History and current orientation
  • Relation to other helping professions

Theoretical Underpinnings

  • Theoretical perspectives underlying coaching and behaviour change
  • A meta-model of the coaching process
  • Stage models of individual change processes

Coach’s Posture

  • Coaching Orientation
  • Ethics, goals, boundaries, and agreements in coaching
  • Somatic presence and mindfulness
  • Mapping the coaching environment

Core Competencies of Dialogue, Reflection and Inquiry

  • The power of dialogue
  • Encouraging expression - fostering openness
  • Empathic reflections - mirroring and pacing
  • The methodology of inquiry

Core Competency of Creating Awareness

  • Identifying passion, strengths and resources
  • Challenging self-limiting beliefs
  • Creating awareness of discrepancies
  • Enabling creativity and innovation
  • Dreaming and visioning

Influencing Behavior

  • Feedback, reframes and challenges
  • Metaphors
  • Intuition and interpretation
  • Appreciative guidance

Goal Setting and Action Planning to Promote Client Growth

  • Accessing motivation
  • Identifying skills, resources and opportunities
  • Addressing obstacles and barriers
  • Eliciting commitment
  • Fostering accountability
  • Co-creating assignments

Safeguarding the Change

  • Holding the agenda - awareness of standards
  • Monitoring action
  • Supporting mastery
  • Identifying and celebrating success
  • Preventing relapse

Attendance

Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. Participants who miss a session or part of a session will be asked to make up the time missed (hour for hour). In the event of emergency, a maximum of 15 hours (two days) can be replaced with prior permission from the facilitators. Costs for replacement sessions are the responsibility of the participant. Proof of registration and attendance at the replacement sessions is required as is a summary of the learning acquired in the replacement session. Replacement possibilities must be approved by facilitators.

Management of learning

Commitment and openness to personal change is essential to becoming an effective coach. In this program, participants are expected to manage their own learning by:

  1. asking relevant questions and seeking clarifications when necessary;
  2. sharing their experiences with others;
  3. seeking and being receptive to feedback;
  4. providing feedback when appropriate; and
  5. taking responsibility for feelings and emotions raised throughout the learning journey.

Since PGCC is a professional training program leading to certification in the field of coaching, facilitators reserve the right to give participants clear feedback when their behaviour is deemed conflicting with professional norms for a coach’s personal and professional conduct. Faculty may request that individuals withdraw from the program if their behaviour is deemed unprofessional.

General guidelines for participation

All PGCC participants will be expected to behave in a manner that manifests a professional coach-like attitude of caring, respect, fairness, and support toward all others in the cohort-based learning community. Participants are asked to abide by the following norms:

  • Respect confidentiality;
  • Acknowledge the expertise in this group, yet keep a beginner's mind;
  • Exhibit appropriate coach-like behaviour in all engagements;
  • Refrain from acting on negative judgment of others;
  • Support other's learning trajectories;
  • Demonstrate inclusivity, equity, and non-competitiveness;
  • Cultivate self-awareness and self-responsibility;
  • Be fully present, monitor their participation, and show up on time on training dates;
  • Be receptive to feedback;
  • Bring their own experiences to bear in group discussions: speak in the first-person, rather than framing ideas as generalities, or on behalf of other program participants.

What PGCC alumni are saying

Antonio Starnino
A key element that makes PGCC unique is its focus on mentoring. During my time in the program, I can confidently say that the most potent learnings I experienced were a result of the feedback I received from the diverse mentors who supported PGCC. Each mentor had a unique style, experience, and approach, which allowed me to leverage these differences to become a more well-rounded coach. PGCC's impact extended beyond just becoming a better coach. It helped me grow as a facilitator, leader, and person.

Antonio Starnino

Diane Fulton
As a practicing coach in the program, I learned the art of listening, not just listening for content but listening for deep meaning; listening for what is most important to the speaker, what do they value most, what makes their life come alive for them. There are so many skills and insights that I gained from my time in the program that remain with me today and continue to enrich my life.

Diane Fulton, graduate of the inaugural PGCC cohort, 2007-2008

Antonio Starnino
During your initial weekend at PGCC, you enter as strangers. By the end of the session, you depart as deeply connected individuals, driven to continue evolving together. It's truly magical. PGCC has been an important building block in my life on my journey to self-actualization. It enabled me to get to know amazing peers, mentors, and faculty. Participating in the program and continuing my engagement with my peers and in the lineage of past and future PGCC coaches gives me a feeling of connectedness, meaning, and hope.

Martin Krafft

Read our blog: "A transformative journey inside Concordia's professional coaching program"

Application process

PGCC applicants must already have:

  • Demonstrated professional competency in a related domain of practice relevant to coaching
  • At least five (5) years full-time work experience
  • A minimum of an undergraduate degree  (exceptions may be made for applicants showing evidence of equivalency in education and relevant training)

Applicants must submit the following documents:

  • A current CV including educational, work and other relevant (e.g. volunteer) experience
  • A letter of intent (Please see ‘Supporting documents’)

Applicants must successfully complete a virtual interview with the Coaching Coordinator at a mutually convenient time.

Applicants are required to apply online. A $115 non-refundable application fee applies. Receipt of payment with the application will start the admission process.

*Please note: Payment of the application fee does not guarantee admission to the program. Please review the admission requirements stated above before submitting your application.

Once your application for admission to the program is received you will be contacted to submit the following documents by email:

  • A current CV including educational, work and other relevant (e.g. volunteer) experience
  • A letter of intent (approximately 2 pages) addressing the following questions:
    • What draws you to coaching?
    • What do you think makes an effective coach?
    • What are some of the unique qualities you bring to the program.
    • How do your past experiences complement coaching?
    • What are you looking for in a coach-specific training? What might the program offer you? What skills do you wish to develop through the program?

Once your supporting documents have been reviewed, you will be contacted to arrange for a virtual interview. The completion of an interview with the Coaching Coordinator is necessary to determine your eligibility to enter the program. It is one of the criteria used by the Selection Committee in the final acceptance of applicants for PGCC.

Once the interview with the Coaching Coordinator is completed and the Selection Committee has rendered its decision, successful applicants will receive a letter of acceptance into the PGCC program. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their admission results.

Program Payment Requirements

  1. A non-refundable $115* application fee is required to apply to this program.
  2. The program fee for the in-person cohort is $10,345.50* (early bird rate for registrations between January 29 - May 31, 2025). $11,495 (regular fee, for registrations as of May 31, 2025). 
  3. If you are accepted to the program, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance and will be required to pay 50% of the program fee within 14 days to hold your place in the program.
  4. The remaining payment (50% of the program fee) must be paid on or before the start date of the program (dates to be specified by the Program Manager).
  5. *Please note: Tuition Tax receipts (T2202A/Relevé 8) will be issued for the program fees.
  6. The John Molson Executive Centre reserves the right to dismiss any participant whose account is more than 30 days in arrears.
Cancellation & Deferral Policy

Dates and fee

Dates: September 6, 2025 - May 10, 2026 

Delivery: In-person on the Loyola Campus of Concordia University in Montreal (please bear in mind that, should the situation require it, we will pivot the in-person cohort to online delivery)

Language: English (Documents may be submitted in French. The final assessment may also be taken in French)

Application fee: $115 CAD (non-refundable)

Program fee: Early bird $10,345.50 (ends May 31, 2025), regular $11,495*

  • The program fee covers tuition, program materials and a Smart Certificate with the JMEC and ICF logos. 

Additional costs: Mentor coaching and books. Please read additional costs related to the program and ICF certification. Participants will have three months at the end of the program to send their documents to earn the certification. An administrative fee of $175 per month must be paid to submit the documents after the three months period (Maximum of two additional months after the final completion date of the program).

*Please note: Participants may pay the program fee in installments (schedule provided upon acceptance) or in one transaction (5% price reduction valid on regular fee only). The program fee covers tuition, program materials and a Smart Certificate with ICF/LEVEL 2 accreditation. 

Register for the 2025-26 cohort

Register for the 2025-26 Cohort (in-person)

Program's Founders, Directors, Faculty & Mentors

Experienced, passionate, innovative. The Professional and Personal Coach Certification faculty team members are leaders in their field.

Jim Gavin, PhD, ABPP, MCC, IMC, is a certified master coach and licensed psychologist who has taught and practiced over the past 45 years. He is deeply committed to the development of human potential and the evolution of human consciousness. His practice focuses on individual development and group learning experiences. He has been privileged to work in a variety of settings, notably in higher education, aviation, mining, tech, public safety, start-ups, and private practice.

Jim is a full professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, and co-designer of the internationally renowned Human Systems Intervention graduate program at Concordia. He also serves as the Director of the Centre for Human Flourishing at Concordia. He is a Master Certified Coach (ICF) and Integral Master Coach® (ICC). Along with his long-term friend and colleague, Dr. Madeleine Mcbrearty, he designed this ICF coach certification program which was first offered in 2007.

His passion for the practice of Aikido and Iaido link magically with his academic knowledge in personal and organizational change processes. Among his numerous publications, Foundations of Professional Coaching (Human Kinetics, 2022), is a classic and comprehensive work. Jim sees himself as a work in progress, and is often reminded of how much he yet has to learn by his five children and his life partner.

Madeleine Mcbrearty, Ph.D., PCC, CMC, is a fully bilingual (English and French) certified coach and an accomplished educator. With several decades of experience in education and in individual and organizational wellness, her focus is on leadership development and psychological safety at work.

Madeleine’s passion is to walk alongside those who seek to achieve professional and personal excellence. As a professional coach and consultant, she partners with clients to identify strengths and leverage resources to foster resiliency and bring about positive change. When working with organizations, her mission is to help foster the creation of a psychologically healthy work culture though the promotion of a coaching leadership style. Madeleine values collaboration and she has a deep appreciation for all aspects of diversity. In everything she does, she brings an intentional emphasis on enhancing self-awareness, empathy and resiliency.

In 2007, Madeleine partnered with Dr. Jim Gavin when they co-founded the ICF accredited Professional and Personal Coach Certificate (PPCC) now the Professional Goal-Centric Coach Certificate (PGCC) program offered at the John Molson Executive Centre. Currently, she is extensively involved in executive coaching and in delivering educational modules – in person and in virtual classrooms – on the topics of leadership and mental health.

Madeleine has taught in the department of Applied Human Sciences at Concordia. She received her doctorate, focused on individual behaviour change, and two master’s degrees also from Concordia University. She has a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coach Federation and is a Certified Mentor Coach (CMC) as well as a certified Social & Emotional Intelligence Coach.

Jim Gavin, PhD, ABPP, MCC, IMC, serves as the Director of Education for the Professional Goal-Centric Coach Certification program, as well as being a co-founder of the program with Dr. Madeleine Mcbrearty. He has taught in the program since its inception in 2007. He is an ICF-Master Certified Coach and an Integral Master Coach. He has written numerous books and research articles on coaching; his most recent publication is Foundations of Professional Coaching.

His doctorate in psychology has given him solid foundation for appreciating the profound importance of the coaching field at this point in history. His love for coaching practice is fed by its forward moving and holistic nature. An invaluable source of inspiration in his work derives from his somatic practices in aikido, iaido, and qigong. But, in truth, he thinks the most important source of his understanding comes from being a parent to five robust and rambunctious children.

As a facilitator of learning, he honors the inherent and accumulated wisdom of those with whom he shares space in the classroom. Magic results when the strengths of novice coaches are valued within the learning agenda. He believes that the cycle of learning necessarily involves practice, reflection, and experimentation, coupled with empirically-based theories and models. As a lifelong learner, Jim sees himself as a work-in-progress.

Nicki Monahan, PCC, has a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and is committed to supporting personal and institutional transformations to fuel social change. With over 25 years of experience working in higher education as a teacher, mentor, faculty coach, and consultant to colleges and universities across North America, she has seen the power of coaching to transform lives and organizations.

As an educational coach, Nicki partners with faculty to navigate daily challenges, and to maintain joy and sense of purpose in a rapidly changing 21st century educational landscape. An out and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ community with a long history of engaging in education, activism, and advocacy work, her coaching practice acknowledges the impact of systemic barriers on personal growth.

A graduate of Concordia’s Professional Coaching program, Nicki’s coaching education philosophy is rooted in anti-oppressive pedagogy to support learners to harness their potential, achieve success, and discover the power of professional coaching.

Antonio Starnino, M.A., PhD (cand,), PPCC, is a facilitator, coach, consultant, entrepreneur, and service designer with over 15 years of experience in private and public sectors.

His practice focuses on process design, group facilitation, participatory design, organizational development, and design leadership coaching. He co-creates interventions with individuals, small groups, and larger communities to shift their goals, strategy, process, culture, products or services, and organizational structures in a way that aligns with their values and intentions.

He is co-founder of Studio Wé, a strategic design studio that helps organizations reshape their services and experiences. Antonio is a visiting lecturer at Concordia University, teaching advanced facilitation, and a Ph.D. candidate studying the connection between activist group process and design.

 

Benoit Desgroseillers is a graduate of the PPCC program at Concordia University, the predecessor of the current program, PGCC. He has been a mentor/coach in the program since 2020.  

Since then, he continues on his path of learning in coaching, having completed training in NLP, vertical leadership, Non Violent Communication (NVC), and integral coaching. He is also vice-president of talent development for the Finance Montréal industrial cluster. He is responsible for talent development and human resources challenges for the entire financial services industry in Quebec. Former Executive Director of a University Career Centre, EMBA graduate, CHRP member, ICF PCC Certified Professional Coach, he is a privileged witness to HR trends and changes in the labour market and career management.

He is the author of two books on career management and intervention in career transition coaching.

Julie Fournier, ACC, 

Internal Coach and Client Experience Leader for Canada at EY

Julie is an empowering coach and seasoned marketing, communications, and public relations expert with over two decades of experience in fostering growth and resilience. Renowned for inspiring individuals to embrace new possibilities and lead with courage, Julie has carved a niche in guiding stakeholders to transcend their comfort zones and make a lasting impression.

Currently, Julie thrives as an internal coach at EY, a leading professional services firm. Everyday, she helps professionals and leaders to bridge the gap between who they are and who they’d like to be. In parallel, she leads EY’s Client Experience (CX) program for Canada. She is responsible for hearing the voice of the clients and translating the feedback into actionable insights for account teams. Her dual role is instrumental in nurturing a culture of continuous improvement within the firm.

Julie graduated from Laval University with a degree in Business Administration. Later, she completed Concordia University’s Personal and Professional Coaching Certificate program as well as the Journey to Mastery Certificate program. During that time, she was a student of professors James Gavin and Madeleine Mcbrearty. She holds the ACC accreditation with the International Coaching Federation. 

Beyond her corporate endeavors, Julie is a passionate Certified CrossFit Trainer (CCFT-L3) who views the gym as a challenging yet safe environment for testing limits and bolstering self-assurance. In addition to coaching regular group classes, Julie is actively involved serving women over 40, addressing their unique needs around fitness, nutrition and lifestyle during perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause. She has built a community of strong women who are supporting each other to be the healthiest and fittest they can be.

At her core, Julie is driven by a strong belief in humanity. This philosophy has guided her through various challenges and has been a cornerstone of her success.

 

Moranne Elarar, M.A, 

Moranne’s coaching capability comes from her years of experience as a business owner, people leader and mother. Moranne Founded Pronexia, a leading headhunting and employer branding firm supporting organizations to grow and leverage their human capital. Moranne’s notable role over the last 15 years in supporting and consulting leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs to realize and achieve their goals have been the driving force of her coaching practice. As a prominent business leader in a competitive industry and an engaged mother, Moranne is a natural community builder. 

Alongside Moranne’s professional endeavors are her backgrounds in Psychology and Coaching; having acquired a Professional and Personal Coaching Certification from the highly recognized ICF accredited PPCC program at Concordia University. Moranne also completed her Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certificate (MMTCP), which supports her mission in creating highly embodied and personalized coaching environments for her clients. Moranne is a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), a curated global business network of entrepreneurs and leaders. She is also an Advisory Board Member for Frank, an international leadership community for women, by women. Moranne is currently completing her master’s degree (MA) of Counselling Psychology to expand and deepen her practice further. Moranne leads and facilitates various workshops and retreats around mindful living, and she volunteers in her local cultural community. In her various roles as Coach, mentor and mindfulness guide, Moranne shows up with a grounded and vibrant energy. Moranne thrives as she works intimately with those striving to live in alignment and attain more clarity and well-being in their daily lives. 

Gail Griffith

Gail holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations and brings over 15 years of experience in the social services field.  Driven by a deep sense of purpose and passion for helping others, Gail has devoted a significant portion of her career to advocating for children in foster care, ensuring they have safe, loving homes and representation of their best interests in the court system.  Her commitment to youth extends beyond her professional work, as she also serves on the board of a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, educating and encouraging young leaders through scholarships and mentoring.

Gail’s journey into coaching began unexpectedly while at an airport, where she discovered the book “What’s Really Holding You Back?”  Inspired by the transformative power of coaching, she pursued a certification in Personal & Professional Coaching from Concordia University.

As a coach, Gail feels privileged to partner with clients in their journey toward achieving their goals and overcoming obstacles.  She is committed to creating a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their dreams and empowering them with tools and strategies to enhance their mental health and well-being.

FAQs

"Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." 

International Coach Federation (ICF)

"Coaching harnesses clients' strengths and resources through action-oriented developmental dialogue. Clients move from intention to goal-attainment through an inspired and empowering relationship."

James Gavin & Madeleine Mcbrearty, Concordia University Coach Certificate Program

Coaching works through relationship:

Forwarding the action:
Coaching is partnering with clients as they move ahead in tangible ways. Coaching sessions culminate in clear action plans that propel clients towards goal attainment and realization of their desired visions.

Helping people realize their dreams:
Coaching can access hidden resources, challenge self-limiting beliefs and create new avenues to dreams previously deemed unreachable.

Working via an energizing process:
Focused dialogue, powerful questions and deep listening lead to profound discoveries that are just part of the exciting journey of a coaching relationship.

Most people can benefit from coaching. Whether in a professional or personal context, individuals often hire a coach to help them see and manifest next steps in their life or career. A coaching relationship requires a real commitment and determination to change. Timing and readiness to change are key factors in a successful coaching relationship.

Some common themes in coaching include:

  • Defining a vision or direction for change
  • Starting a new career or changing jobs
  • Setting and pursuing goals
  • Planning strategically for the future
  • Building self-confidence
  • Balancing work, family, and personal life
  • Navigating current life and career challenges
  • Negotiating decision making
  • Identifying life purpose and priorities
  • Setting professional goals and / or leadership and management objectives

The PGCC program is for those who are actively working in a position where coaching skills would enhance their working relationships and / or for professionals who are interested in pursuing and developing a coaching practice.

The program provides a comprehensive foundation for coaching that can be applied to many different contexts. However, it is important that all participants have an applicable working experience to draw from and be able to actively apply their learnings.

Along with an ongoing reflection on how what one is learning in the program applies to vocation and work experiences, participants must also be willing to embark on a journey of deep personal learning and growth.

Each program participant engages in a coaching relationship with a peer in the program, either as a coach or as a client. This means that you will be working on your own personal change agendas throughout our time together. Experiencing all of this requires that you be open to feedback, self-reflection and change. Please bear in mind that you will be coached by someone whose skills are also in a state of development. In this respect, this will not necessarily be the same as a coaching experience with a professionally certified coach.

The PGCC program is a cohort-based model (no more than 30 participants in each program) that provides a supportive learning environment through dynamic learning experiences. The program offers an approach to coaching that is based in theory, practice and personal development. Through this experiential approach, participants are immersed in deep and socially engaged connections with others so as to embody the principles and practices of coaching.

Personal learning & development. As part of the training, you will be requested to undertake a regular developmental practice of your own choosing (exercising, meditating, reading, journaling etc.). These practices are meant to strengthen your personal foundation as a coach as well as move you along the wellness continuum. Since self-reflection is key to learning and growth, it is important that you keep track of the changes you experience along the path. Not only do we believe that the practices will be beneficial to you, we also trust that your self-reflections will provide you with personal insights into the stages of behaviour change, crucial knowledge to helping clients achieve desired change goals.

Multiple sources of mentorship. Part of the hands-on design of the PGCC program is a built-in multi-dimensional relationship with on-site feedback and learning. In addition to specific and individual mentoring, participants are actively engaged in a learning dialogue with fellow participants through coaching groups. We do believe that this is an important source of learning in the program.

Relational learning over time. We trust in the power and importance of relational learning over time. Our hands-on approach over nine months allows for continuous guidance throughout the program. The cohort model of group learning weaves your experiences with your clients and mentor coaches in the group learning sessions. In each session, the cohort evolves by learning together and from one another. The breadth of experiences within the group takes individual learning to a new level by offering greater insights and increased depth of awareness and understanding.

The answer to this question varies depending on your background. However, it is expected that participants will dedicate a minimum of 30 hours on program-related assignments outside the classroom, as well as 10+ hours of work with a mentor coach. Journaling, reflecting, and engaging in coaching sessions are activities that each student will undertake as part of the program.

Over the course of the nine-month program, and up to 3 months after the final training date, participants will have to complete the requirements of the program. These are:

  • A minimum of 30 documented coaching sessions with non-paying clients;
  • A minimum of 10 documented mentor coaching hours with a certified mentor coach (MCC or PCC credentials). This includes audit of and feedback on 3 coaching sessions as part of the mentoring.
  • Various assignments, including:
    • Personalized coaching documents
    • Book reports on at least two different books
    • An in-class review of your personal change journey during the program
    • A written report detailing the coaching process and your development as a coach
    • A written examination (completed after the final weekend);
  • An in-class assessment of coaching skills demonstrating PCC level of competency as determined by the ICF.

Mentor Coaching: There are 10 required coaching hours with a mentor coach (PCC or MCC level credentials from ICF). You will have an opportunity to personally select a mentor coach to suit your learning preferences. Please note that all mentor coaches must be pre-approved by faculty prior to your contacting them. Mentor coaches are external to the program and costs for their services are not included in the program tuition and can range upwards from $2000 for a package of 10 mentoring hours.

Books: Two required textbooks.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, you will be a Professiona Goal-Centric Certified Coach from Concordia University, through the John Molson Executive Centre. Once certified you can use the PGCC designation.

Please note: You will NOT be issued an ICF certificate. Depending on the number of coaching hours you have accumulated when you apply for ICF certification, you will qualify for either an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) or a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation through the Level 2 application path (see the ICF website for the number of coaching hours and other requirements for each level of certification).

Please answer the following questions in your letter (max 2 pages)

  • What draws you to coaching?
  • What do you believe makes someone a great coach?
  • What are some of the unique qualities that you would bring to the program?
  • How do your past experiences complement coaching?
  • What skills do you wish to develop through this program?
  • What do you believe the PGCC program can offer you?

Coaching is a relational field, so it is important to consider your interpersonal and communication skills in addition to your experience and education. The purpose of the interview is to get additional information about your experiences and interests related to coaching and to answer questions about the program. The interview will help us to determine if the PGCC program is a good fit and relevant for your needs and skills; the interview is a way for us to get to know you a bit more.

Even though a bachelor’s degree is a stated requirement for this professional program, we also believe that work experience can provide you with the necessary skills and principles. If you lack a formal post-secondary degree, please include an additional paragraph in your letter of intent detailing how your work experience has given you a foundation for learning, theoretical knowledge, and working in teams. Applicants must illustrate their ability to think critically and grasp learning concepts.

Contact us

Got questions? Email us at jmec@concordia.ca for more information.

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