Center for Leadership & Development
Cannon-Clary College of Education
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Executive & Workplace Coaching
Mission and Vision for The Center
The Center’s Executive and Workplace Coaching Curriculum
We are a dedicated team of faculty and staff committed to providing our students access to a life-changing academic experience that prepares coaching scholars with knowledge and training to provide coaching services according to ICF competencies, values and ethics.
Our faculty and staff utilize a “student first” mindset. We strive to create the optimal educational experience, to better understand students’ unique needs, and to create a positive environment in which learners can be challenged and supported. The real-word experience of our faculty allows us to provide a curriculum that balances theory and practice. Our curriculum is continually reviewed to ensure course content is relevant, current and focused. Each course is designed according to ICF guidelines by practitioner scholars with the goal of equipping learners to instantly apply the coaching competencies.
Our Executive and Workplace Coaching Curriculum is offered via 90-minute weekly Zoom sessions as well as asynchronous content — including recorded videos, reading assignments, group discussions and competency assessments — to ensure student learning and coaching readiness.
Courses
LEAD 6201 Coaching Theory & Methodology
Course Description: LEAD 6201 provides an in-depth overview of professional coaching. Through the course, students will be introduced to the International Coaching Federation's (ICF) core competencies as well as how key coaching concepts relate to ICF core competencies. Those key concepts often pertain to the coaching mindset — including the role of emotional intelligence, positive psychology, intentional change theory, and the growth mindset. As a result of this course, students will gain greater awareness of self, a solid foundation for the ICF core competencies, and confidence utilizing a coaching mindset that is curious, open, flexible, confident, and client centered.
LEAD 6202 Coaching Application and Practice
Course Description: LEAD 6202 explores the various models and competencies utilized by effective coaches. Students will learn how to cultivate a climate of trust and safety within their coaching conversations. In addition, students will practice the skills required to remain fully engaged with their clients and utilize an approach that is open, flexible, grounded, and confident. As a result of this course, students will learn to create and maintain a relationship of mutual respect and trust, listen actively, while also communicating directly and creating awareness that prompts growth.
LEAD 6203 The Ethical Practice
Course Description: Through this course, learners will be introduced to the ICF Code of Ethics with the goal of ensuring a solid grasp of the standards. In addition, students will also be introduced to the coaching mindset, coaching agreements, trust and safety and coaching presence in the coaching relationship in order to identify how each of these are foundational to the practice of effective and ethical coaching. Learners will be exposed to case studies to consider the integration of the code into their coaching practice, identify potential ethical dilemmas and know how to resolve them.
LEAD 6204 Coaching for Growth
Course Description: LEAD 6204 focuses on planning and goal identification, designing actions for ongoing learning and progress management. Students will consider the common barriers, challenges and mindsets that keep clients from progressing towards their goals. As a result of this course, students will be able to partner with clients to develop SMART goals, keep their clients focused on what’s important, and hold them accountable for their progress.
Contact Hours, Language(s), and Locations
Number of contact hours
| Mentor Coaching: Individual | 4 Contact Hours |
| Mentor Coaching: Group | 8 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6201 Coaching Theory & Methodology Zoom Sessions/Synchronous | 10 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6201 Coaching Theory & Methodology Asynchronous | 3 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6202 Coaching Application & Practice Zoom Sessions/Synchronous | 10 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6202 Coaching Application & Practice Asynchronous | 3 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6203 Ethical Practice of Coaching Zoom Sessions/Synchronous | 10 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6203 Ethical Practice of Coaching Asynchronous | 3 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6204 Coaching for Growth Zoom Sessions/Synchronous | 10 Contact Hours |
| LEAD 6204 Coaching for Growth Asynchronous | 3 Contact Hours |
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64 Contact Hours |
Dates/locations of educational offerings
We offer our classes fully online, and our schedule is based on the academic year. In the fall (August - December), we offer two 8-week blocks, with at least one coaching course offered per block. In the spring (Jan - May), we offer two 8-week blocks, with at least one coaching course offered per block. In the summer (June-July), we offer one 8-week session, with at least one coaching course offered in that session. Our online courses are hosted through Harding University’s learning management system Canvas. Each coaching class includes weekly synchronous sessions that meet for 90 minutes. These sessions are held on either Tuesday or Thursday evenings.
Language(s) that are used
Our courses are only offered in English at this time.
Primary Delivery Method: Synchronous sessions via Zoom + online learning modules
Delivery Method: Our courses combine asynchronous and synchronous instruction. Course materials are delivered through Canvas for the asynchronous part of the class, which includes weekly readings, videos, and discussions. While there are due dates for these discussions, students are not required to be online at the same time to engage in the asynchronous discussions. However, students are required to meet synchronously once a week for 90 minutes with the instructor and their peers. Additionally, students are required to meet for 1 hour at least once per class with a mentor coach. This coaching session takes place synchronously outside of the group’s meeting time.
Learning Methods Utilized: Instructor-Led Discussion, PowerPoint, Storytelling, Group Discussion, Fishbowl Coaching, Reading and Response, Self-Assessments, Reflections, Coaching Observation and Feedback
The program is designed primarily for the following:
Our courses are designed for a graduate level population. This means that the prerequisite for joining the program is an undergraduate degree in any academic discipline from an accredited college or university. We also require a GPA of at least 3.0 on their undergraduate degree transcript for unconditional acceptance to the program. For applicants with an undergraduate degree lower than 3.0, we offer conditional admission that requires the student to perform at an acceptable level in their first semester of coursework. This is in line with graduate degree requirements for the university.
- Internal Coaches – Leaders who provide coaching services within their organizations have unique opportunities and challenges that are different than external coaches. We believe that ICF training, specifically a strong grasp of coaching ethics, will help internal coaches thrive.
- Managers and Leaders – As the concept of workplace continues to change (hybrid, remote, on-campus, etc.), managers and leaders are seeking a strategy to increase their effectiveness. This certificate is an ideal program for managers and leaders seeking to incorporate coaching into their approach to management and leadership.
Diversity: Commitment to Honoring Unique Experiences, Insights and Talents
We are committed to the shared vision of making coaching an integral part of a thriving society. We aim to expand the advancement of coaching among external coaches, internal coaches, and workplace leaders. We pledge to regularly reflect on our blind spots and be aware of opportunities for improvement. We will acknowledge the challenges that many coaches and coaching clients face due to systemic problems in their communities. We ascribed to the ICF’s core values of integrity, excellence, collaboration, and respect. The foundation of these values is shared commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, and justice. We place to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, and justice at the forefront of every decision we make, aiming to value and respect the unique talents, insights, and experience that every coach and client brings to the world.
Ethics, Integrity, and Transparency
In addition to the Christian ethics that govern our university, ethical standards are an integral aspect of an ICF coaching credential. Coaching ethics are taken very seriously. Ethics reinforce trust and the credibility of our organization and the profession; ethics provide a foundation for building powerful relationships with our students.
The ICF Code of Ethics informs our coaching education governance, policies and procedures, as well as how we deliver on our portfolio of activities.
This includes ensuring no conflicts of interest exist between our roles delivering coach education and our educational interests including being clear when we are representing ICF policies and when we are representing Harding University, as well as safeguarding student’s privacy and information, protecting the profession, and operating in full transparency.
For our programming, we require all faculty to deliver content, provide feedback and coach mentoring with full integrity. If at any point we realize any member of our community has operated without integrity, we will inform any involved parties and follow the ICF Code of Ethics to correct the issue.
Application for Admission
In general, requirements for admission include:
- A baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
- Completed application
- Official transcript(s)
- Personal Statement
- Résumé/CV
Our Leadership
Andrea Stark Bishop, PhD
Director of The Center
Nathan Mellor, Ed.D., PCC
Director of Coach Education
Donny Lee, Ed.D.
Dean of the Cannon-Clary College of Education
Contact Us
The Center for Leadership & Development is part of the College of Education
Mailing address:
Harding University
The Center for Leadership & Development
915 E. Market Ave.
HU 12254
Searcy, AR 72149-5615