PATHWAYS
YOUR OPTIONS FOR STUDY
AN OVERVIEW
There's no single right way to start training as a coach. Some students arrive already certain and they know they want ICF recognition and exactly which specialisation to build a career in. Others know certification is the goal but haven't landed on a specialisation yet. Some want a qualification in hand so they can start practising now, with internationally recognised certification to follow when the time is right. And some are still deciding if coaching is even the path, and want a genuine taste of it before committing to a full diploma. This page maps out the four ways AIPC students actually choose to study, so you can see which one matches where you are at right now.
.01
You know your specialisation and you're ready to commit
You already know you want to be a certified professional coach, and you already know which specialisation you want to build your practice around.
Enrol directly into the Level 2 Diploma of Coaching specialisation of your choice. This is your core coaching training plus your chosen specialisation and commit to the ICF Pathway from day one, working toward your ACC or PCC credential with a mentor alongside you throughout.
Enrol into 1 of the Diploma of Coaching Courses (Level 2)
Understand the commitments to assessment to your ICF Pathway
.02
You want certification but you're still deciding on your specialisation
You know you want to become an ICF recognised coach, but the specialisation isn't clear yet.
Begin with the Level 1 Diploma of Professional Coaching, commit to the ICF Pathway straight away, and choose your specialisation later; once real coaching experience has given you a genuine feel for where you want to go.
Enrol into the Diploma of Professional Coaching (Level 1)
Understand the commitments to assessment to your ACC or PCC credential Pathway
.03
You want to complete the Diploma now, and ICF certification when you're ready
You want a qualification that proves real study and real skill, but you'd rather get out and coach before committing to the full ICF process.
Complete either Level 1 or Level 2, start practising as soon as you graduate, and come back to finish the ICF Pathway, through the mentor assessment bundle. Come back whenever it's right for you, whether that's six months away or a couple of years down the track.
Enrol into the Diploma of Professional Coaching (Level 1) or any of the Level 2 Diplomas
Understand the commitments to ICF Pathway and determine when you will complete this
.04
You want to test the waters before committing to a full Diploma
You're still deciding if coaching is the path for you, or you simply want a real introduction to the concepts before making a bigger commitment. Our short courses give you a genuine taste of coach training without enrolling into a full Diploma. It is a lower-stakes way in, aligned to the first few units of one of the Diploma courses so you already have a head start to Level 1 or Level 2 whenever you're ready to go further.
Investigate the different short course offerings
Determine the level of study and qualification that suits you
The Pathway decision tree
