Life can get so complicated that we may need someone to advise us on personal and professional issues. Basically, life Coaches usually undergo a series of training to come in handy at this point in our lives.
If this sounds fascinating to you, if you would like to proffer solutions or walk people through challenging times in their life, then it is important to get a degree in Life Coaching from one of the best coaching schools in the world.
Basically, as a professional life coach, you can help someone to identify and create a vision. Also, you can help people reach their goals as a life coach/motivational speaker. Take your time to read through this article and choose the coaching school that best fits your needs.
So, this article will give you information on the best coaching schools in the world offering the best programs, acceptance rate, and tuition fees. In addition, it answers your curiosity about what exactly your job as a life coach is, how much salary you will make and the employment outlook for this profession.
Actually, coaching as a profession started in the 1980s. Though the history of life coaching today was created by Thomas Leonard who was an American financial planner when he noticed that his clients needed something extra from him than just the usual tips on how to invest and safeguard their money.
So, Leonard established the first formal coach-training program in the early 1990s. This coach-training program was called Coach University.
In addition, he played a major role in establishing the International Coach Federation. This organization was the first to make and publish industry standards and ethics. Also, this body is responsible for giving accreditation to coaching schools and independent credentialing of coaches.
Table of contents
- What does a Life Coach do?
- How long will it take me to become a professional Life Coach?
- What is the Salary of Life Coaches?
- What is the job growth of Life Coaches?
- How much does it cost to go to any of the best life coaching schools?
- Do I need a degree to become a life coach/motivational speaker?
- Step by Step Guide on how to become a Life Coach?
- Best Life Coaching Schools in the World
- FAQs on the Best Life Coaching Schools in the World
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
What does a Life Coach do?
A life coach is a professional that is trained to help you maximize your full potential and reach your desired results. However, a motivational speaker’s definition can vary depending on what your specific goals are.
Basically, a life coach encourages and advises their clients on several professional and personal issues. In fact, life coaching/motivational speaking is different from giving advice, consulting, and teaching.
Besides, everyone needs the services of a life coach to help when they need to take a decision as it concerns some professional projects and personal goals. Coaches help you grow by studying your present situation and identifying potential challenges. The coach does this by creating a custom plan of action designed to help you achieve specific outcomes in your life.
You can also check this: How can I become a Life Coach? Programs, Schools, Cost & Salary Read more
How long will it take me to become a professional Life Coach?
Earning your life coaching certificate from any of the best life coaching schools in the world may take you 16 to 100 hours to complete depending on your program. Also, it does not matter if you choose to do a shorter program or a longer one.
However, online programs can be completed in a faster time, but this does not reduce their value.
What is the Salary of Life Coaches?
The average salary for life coaches is $46,678 according to PayScale. However, there is a wide range of what people can earn. Although, the salary of the lowest earners is about $28,000 and the highest earners make $92,000.
However, they are not necessarily locked into these salary figures. This is because many life coaches are self-employed and they are able to decide their own hourly rates. Life coaches with certifications may charge hourly fees of over $300.
Also, this can only depend on their training and level of experience, according to a report by the International Coach Federation. Finally, coaches who work with executives can make up to $500 per hour, according to Forbes.
What is the job growth of Life Coaches?
Well, the employment of life coaches is expected to grow by 13% through 2028 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Moreover, other occupations are predicted to grow by 5%, making growth for life coaching jobs faster than average.
Like any career field, it’s important to be aware that national long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions.
How much does it cost to go to any of the best life coaching schools?
Honestly, the average cost for a life coaching program ranges from $1,500 to $11,000. So, entry-level and advanced training programs are available to match your current coaching experience.
Also, some of the best life coaching schools that offer advanced life coaching training will allow you to take courses as your finances permit. Well, this is to allow you to spread the tuition costs over the course of several months.
You can also read our: 15 Best Philosophy Schools in the World | Read more
Do I need a degree to become a life coach/motivational speaker?
The answer is “No“. Actually, the duty of a life coach is to motivate and encourage people to reach their full potential. Although there is no specific degree program you need to complete to become a motivational speaker you may acquire training in certain fields to enhance your efficiency.
Step by Step Guide on how to become a Life Coach?
Actually, coaching is a very big field. So, professionals have a lot of niches to choose from. However, some of the possible areas of specialization for life coaches include:
- Business
- Career transition and job search
- Romantic relationships
- Academic issues
- Spirituality
- Aging
- Work-life balance
- Weight loss
- General wellness
Honestly, helping people to improve different areas of their life is a big task and it requires specialized training to be effective. While getting training from any of the best life coaching schools in the world, aspiring coaches learn the psychological principles of coaching.
Also, they learn how to conduct a coaching assessment to determine clients’ needs, ethics in coaching, and communication skills.
However, try and find a program that has been accredited in any of the best schools for life coaching in the world. With this, you’ll get the best results from your training. Thus, an example of such an association is the International Coach Federation.
Normally, earning a certification in addition to a degree in any of the best life coaching schools in the world can go a long way toward gaining the trust of potential clients. Besides, the credentials are provided by professional associations like the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the International Association of Coaching.
As it stands, the (ICF) offers a Professional Certified Coach certification that needs professionals to have 500 hours of coaching experience. In fact, you must complete the Coach Knowledge Assessment successfully if you apply.
In addition, you must complete a series of tests to demonstrate your knowledge of coaching principles before earning the Master Masteries Coach designation from the International Association of Coaching.
Furthermore
On the other hand, it is very necessary for you to get certain legal protections as a business owner. An example of such is a Limited Liability Company or Corporation designation.
Actually, a certified life coach is not required to carry insurance. But, getting coverage can help protect their business and give clients peace of mind.
Best Life Coaching Schools in the World
We have put together a list of the best life coaching schools in the world that offer certificates and training programs in life coaching.
Actually, we selected our best life coaching schools based on programs offered, acceptance rate, graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, the tuition fee of the life coaching program, our information from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review.
Based on these criteria, here is the list of the best life coaching schools in the world:
- Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC)
- Coach Training Institute (CTI)
- Rutgers University (Newark, NJ)
- Georgetown University
- The Univesity of California – Davis
- University of Rochester
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- George Mason University
- Academy of Leadership Coaching & NLP
- Fielding Graduate University
- Gestalt Institute of Cleveland
#1. Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC)
This coaching school has been around for over ten years now and has classes offered all over the US, as well as offerings in Canada, the UK, and the EU.
Most times, the program in this best life coaching school begins by providing foundations of life coaching. After that, students will now have the option to develop niche expertise for themselves.
This process is called Energy Leadership. Thus, this is about how to understand and shift your energy so you can achieve your goals and reach your potential in life, and of course, do the same for your clients.
IPEC starts with online education classes for more than 350 hours of modules. However, students finish most of their programs online and have access to live conferences in one of sixteen training locations.
Also, this life coaching school offers a training program, though its tuition fee is $9895.
Accreditation: Society for Human Resource Management, HR Certification and Board Certified Coach (BCC)
Address: 149 Avenue at the Common, Suite 202, Shrewsbury, NJ.
#2. Coach Training Institute (CTI)
The Coaches Training Institute (CTI) is a private and for-profit institution that was founded in 1992 by three of the earliest recognized visionaries in coaching. These people are Laura Whitworth, Karen and Henry Kimsey-House. Also, their collaboration with Thomas Leonard led to the founding of coaching as an industry.
In fact, the duration of study in this best life coaching school is 2 years. CTI also offers a training program and the cost is $11,200.
Accreditation: International Coach Federation (ICF)
Address: 4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 500, San Rafael, CA 94903 US.
#3. Rutgers University (Newark, NJ)
Rutgers University is a public research university and the largest amongst other universities in New Jersey. Also, this school is among the best schools for life coaching in the world with a population of 44,870 students.
However, life coaching in this school takes four (4) years to complete. Rutgers University which is among the best life coaching schools in the world offers a certificate program.
Rutgers University has an acceptance rate of 57% and a graduation rate of 81%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 16:1. Though, the tuition fee for the life coaching program is $14,409 (in-state) and $30,717 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: New Brunswick, NJ, United States
#4. Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private research university in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
On the other hand, students complete the life coaching certificate program in this best life coaching school within four years.
Furthermore, it has an acceptance rate of 17% and a graduation rate of 95%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 14:1 while the tuition fee for the program is $13,995.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057, United States
#5. University of California – Davis
This is a public research and land-grant university adjacent to Davis, California. Besides, the University of California, Davis is part of the University of California system. Also, it has the third-largest enrollment in the system after UCLA and UC Berkeley.
Well, the certificate program in this coaching school takes just four years to complete.
The acceptance rate in this best school for life coaching in the world is 42% and the graduation rate is 83%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 20:1 while the tuition fee for this program is $14,402 (in-state), $43,394 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Address: 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, United States
#6. University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private research university in Rochester, New York. Also, this school awards undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees.
Moreover, this school offers a certificate life coaching program that takes four years to complete.
Above all, the University of Rochester has an acceptance rate of 36% and a graduation rate of 84%. Besides, the student-faculty ratio of this best life coaching school is 10:1 while the tuition fee for the life coaching program is $11,500.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: Rochester, NY, United States
#7. University of Wisconsin – Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university in Madison, Wisconsin that was founded in 1848.
Actually, this institution being one of the best schools for Life coach majors in the world has an acceptance rate of 53%. Also, the graduation rate is 84%.
Finally, the student-faculty ratio is 17:1 while the tuition fee for the coaching program is $10,555 (in-state) and $36,805 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Address: Madison, WI, United States
#8. George Mason University
George Mason University is a public research university based in Fairfax County, Virginia. However, the Commonwealth of Virginia approved the establishment of a Northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia in 1956.
On the other hand, George Mason University was then opened in September of 1957.
In fact, the certificate life coaching program in this best school for life coaching in the world takes four years to complete.
Furthermore, it has an acceptance rate of 81% and a graduation rate of 67%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 17:1 while the tuition fee is $8,995 (Entry-level program) $3,100 (Advanced program).
Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)
Address: 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
#9. Academy of Leadership Coaching & NLP
The Academy of Leadership Coaching & NLP is a private, for-profit international coach training and leadership development company. Also, the ALCN is formed mainly for the support and training of leaders, coaches, and businesses on a global level.
In fact, this best school for life coaching offers a training program that takes two years to complete. Thus, the programs include:
- Leadership retreats
- NLP Practitioner
- Individual leadership coaching
- NLP Foundation Program
- Leadership development programs
- NLP Master Practitioner
However, these programs are mainly for managers, Entrepreneurs, political leaders, and other individuals that wish to improve and increase their leading and coaching skills. Also, the tuition fee here is $10,995-$12,995.
Accreditation: International Coach Federation (ICF)
Address: TransHuman Consulting
402, Xeno Residency, Green Hamlet, Kondapur Hyderabad – 500084
#10. Fielding Graduate University
Fielding Graduate University is a private, non-profit university in Santa Barbara, California that was founded in 1974. Basically, this coaching school allows students to bring credits with them and to take credits from the school to another school. Also, above 1,000 students take classes from the Fielding Graduate University.
Above all, this school has an acceptance rate of (N/A) and a graduation rate of (N/A). Additionally, the student-faculty ratio of this best life coaching school is 7:1 while the tuition fee is $720 per credit.
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCSCUC)
Address: De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
#11. Gestalt Institute of Cleveland
The Gestalt Institute is a private and not-for-profit school that offers a dynamic, holistic, and creative approach to coaching. The training program in this school takes two years to complete.
However, once a student completes the program, the person will be eligible to apply to ICF for certification and to CCE to become a Board Certified Coach. So, if the student is successful, he/she gets the Gestalt Professional Certified Coach (GPCC) certification.
On the other hand, the student-faculty ratio is 17:1 while the tuition fee is $9,850.
Accreditation: ICF (ACTP) and the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE)
Address: 1 Berea Commons Suite 216, Berea, OH 44017, United States
FAQs on the Best Life Coaching Schools in the World
In most places the answer currently is, “No”, but it may change very soon. Most people who want to become business, executive, or professional coaches wonder if they need credentials to legally practice coaching. In fact, having a recognized certification, such as ICF or IAC, can help you in and increase yor client base.
Yes. Anyone that wants to become a life coach can regardless of age or educational background. It is an industry that has little regulation, despite its pace of growth.
They work on both. It depends on the type of life coaches you want. You may work with a life coach to improve your business, start a new entrepreneurial endeavor, improve your health through diet and exercise or improve your relationships with loved ones.
The cost for completing the coach training for the ACC is approximately $4,180.
Conclusion
Professionals who work as life coaches encourage individuals to grow in their careers and personal lives. Actually, the aim of life coaching is to help people improve the quality of their lives.
Usually, life coaching certificate programs in some of the best life coaching schools need successful completion of about 4-7 courses in an arranged order. Similarly, coaching courses teach students how to communicate very well with clients, build strong trust relationships and listen fully.
Finally, studying in some of the best life coaching schools in the world will help you to acquire recognized certification, such as ICF or IAC. With this certification, you’ll become a professional, and clients will come looking for you instead of the other way round.
References
- Become a Coach | International Coach Federation (ICF)
- Best Life Coaching Training Courses
- What I Tell Anyone Who Wants to Be a Life Coach
- What is the best life coach certification program?