Why Coaching Now? The Need for Transformative Leaders
The modern workplace is marked by constant change, rising burnout and the need to adapt quickly. With traditional, top-down management struggling to keep pace, professional coaching has become essential for effective leadership. A leader adept in coaching skills can empower individuals and teams to navigate complexity by finding their own solutions and help shift the dynamic from directing to developing.
Furthermore, certified coaches are valuable assets, whether as an internal leader or an independent consultant, who can drive genuine development. With the coaching industry valued at nearly $5 billion - and demand for coaches projected to rise by 40% - the professional value is clear. Executive coaches earn an average of $300 per hour. Investing in this skill set means investing in a high-impact, purpose-driven career.
To that end, the University of Virginia's Organizational Leadership Coaching Program provides a direct and trusted path forward to this role. This immersive, four-month program equips you with the skills, certifications and confidence to become an effective coach.
UVA's Advantage: The Gold Standard in Four Months
UVA's program has everything you need to launch a coaching practice in four months.
- ICF Accreditation and Credentialing: The program is built on the foundation of - and accredited by! - the International Coaching Federation, which is the global gold standard. It fulfills all 88 education hours and includes the 10 required mentor coaching hours with a Professional Certified Coach. Upon completion, and after receiving an additional 90 paid coaching hours, you will be positioned to sit for the Associate Certified Coach exam.
- Practical and Immersive Learning: Learning happens in dynamic, synchronous sessions on Zoom where you'll engage with peers and seasoned, ICF-certified instructors. Through interactive labs, you move from theory to hands-on practice, receiving personalized feedback that sharpens your skills in real time.
- Proprietary, Industry-Leading Assessment Tools for Immediate Impact: UVA graduates earn a certification in DRiV, a powerful tool for assessing motivations and drivers, and then receive additional training in CSI 2, which provides insight into managing personal and organizational change.
Your Next Step Toward a Purpose-Driven Career
In UVA’s program, HR practitioners and consultants can add a globally recognized credential to their toolkit. Managers and leaders can move beyond managing tasks to developing people. And human capital professionals can gain practical solutions for today's organizational challenges.
If you want to impact your teams through strong leadership, this program is for you.
UVA provides a fast-tracked path to becoming an impactful coach, backed by the trust and reputation of a world-class university. The application deadline for the January 2026 cohort is December 15, 2025.