Professional Goal-Centric Certified Coach

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.

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.

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 - April 15, 2025). $11,495 (regular fee, for registrations as of April 15 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.

"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.

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.