Learn answers to our most commonly asked questions about UVA's Organizational Leadership Coaching Program.
- Is this program virtual?
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Yes! Every aspect of this program has been tailored specifically for online collaboration via Zoom.
- What is the expected time commitment outside of class?
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Students can anticipate dedicating 4-5 hours per week outside of class time.
- How does peer coaching work?
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Peer-to-peer coaching allows students the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and meaningfully practice their coaching skills as both a peer coach and a peer client. Each participant is assigned a peer from within their cohort, and these pairs work together as an experiential reinforcement of the program’s lessons and techniques.
Peer coaches are given the opportunity to use the frameworks, tools, and techniques learned throughout the program in structured exercises with their partner. When not acting as peer coach, participants serve as a peer client in the exercises and give feedback to their coach from a client’s perspective.
This unique, hands-on educational opportunity has several check-ins throughout the course to exchange reactions and insights, giving students firsthand experience from both sides of the client/coach relationship and empowering them to apply these lessons in work with future clients.
- How does mentor coaching work?
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Our mentors are accredited with the Professional Credential Certification through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and they offer a specialized perspective for students who are going through the program so that the student is supported through their education. While the students are engaged in Peer Coaching, they record and submit their sessions for feedback directly from our mentors. The mentors provide customized, personal feedback and track each student’s progress through consistent achievement mile markers. With mentor coaching, students are able to have direct feedback on where they are excelling, what IFC competencies they are exhibiting, and where they can focus to be most successful.
- How many contact hours do students earn?
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Students earn 88 contact hours.
- Who is this program geared for?
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This program is ideal for:
- Professionals who want to impact or transform their teams and organizations through strong leadership.
- Experienced coaches and trainers who want to take clients deeper or who are seeking a pathway to become International Coaching Federation-credentialed coaches.
- Human capital/leadership development practitioners seeking to learn effective tools and out-of-the-box solutions that can tackle common organizational challenges.
- What are the benefits of becoming credentialed through International Coaching Federation?
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In short, becoming credentialed allows you to boost your earnings and sharpen your skills. In ICF's 2025 student survey, 73% of coaches say professional development is key to meeting client demands.
Whether you're early in your coaching career or are looking to integrate professional coaching into your existing career, the ICF's Associate Certified Coach credential demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and competence to make a difference.