Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion

What you'll study

Coursework combines academic study and applied learning to prepare students to establish and document professional coaching relationships and to apply coaching skills in individual and group settings. Key learning outcomes include:

• Designing a formal coaching agreement and maintaining required documentation for a professional coach–client relationship.
• Formulating an integrative personal coaching approach that connects course concepts and faith.
• Using coaching skills and basic assessments to help clients identify strengths, set goals, create action plans, and maintain accountability.
• Analyzing coaching strategies for teams, couples, and groups and designing simple group coaching sessions.
• Linking theory to practice through core competencies and guided experiential techniques (including art, music, adventure, or equine-assisted methods).

Program courses include four core courses plus one elective. Listed course codes from the program materials include CNS-503 Theories and Techniques of Helping Relationships; CNS-505 Theories and Techniques of Career Coaching; and elective or program courses with codes PLC-520, PLC-522, PLC-524, PLC-526. For a complete list of courses and prerequisites, students should consult the university course catalog.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education- and CHEA-recognized agency, with official transcripts sent directly to Indiana Wesleyan University. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from the degree-granting institution where at least 30 semester hours were completed is required. If graduate work has been attempted, all graduate transcripts must be submitted and must show a minimum 3.0 GPA.

To earn the certificate, students must successfully complete all coursework on their certificate plan of study, earn at least a grade of C in each course (a C- or below requires repeating the course), maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0, and pay all tuition and fees. The program notes a course-transfer policy allowing one graduate-level Physics course equivalent to PHYS-501 with a minimum grade of B-.

Career prospects

Graduates will have practical coaching skills applicable to settings that require goal-setting, accountability, and personal development work. The program materials suggest potential roles in education and related industries and list illustrative jobs such as adjunct community college instructor, education service agency specialist, and P–12 classroom physics teacher for dual-enrollment courses—indicating the certificate can complement careers across various sectors rather than serving as a narrowly vocational credential.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Tuition is presented on a per-credit basis in the program materials (the program lists 15 credit hours at a stated per-credit rate). Indiana Wesleyan University indicates financial aid options may be available, including grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement; students are directed to contact enrollment counselors or the financial aid office and may request cost sheets or use the university’s net price tools to estimate costs.