With its Certified Coach Program, the Coach Training Alliance is offering a rather innovative course. The feature which stands out the most is the three-pronged approach this program adopts. To be specific, it attempts to merge coaching, business, and marketing skills into one comprehensive package.
This makes the end goal of the program crystal clear from the get-go. Rather than simply focusing on coaching and instructing the attendees in that regard, the aim is to put the successful graduates on the fast track to opening their own coaching practice. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the basics of the program.
The Basics
The first thing you should be aware of is that CTA’s Certified Coach Program spans 22 weeks over roughly six months. This program combines live teleclasses, interactive software, and online resources for attendees to use on a weekly basis.
To be specific, the focal point of each week is a live class, organized via teleconference. These last either 60 or 90 minutes, depending on the topic. In addition, attendees should expect to put in approximately two to five hours of self-study and homework each week.
Speaking of attendees, the program does not allow the class size to exceed twelve students. This is an attempt to make the best of both worlds in this regard.
For one, the program incorporates a pronounced social aspect and your classmates are an invaluable resource. In addition to group classes, online components of the course allow each attendee to share their progress and questions with the rest of the group. Consequently, you can receive help from your peers when you need it and provide assistance in turn.
At the same time, the limit on the maximum number of students is there to provide a personalized experience. Each attendee has specific requirements and a relatively small class size makes it less likely for any individual to get lost in the crowd.
The Curriculum
As mentioned, the program aims to cover all aspects that a successful and profitable coaching practice requires. CTA uses the expression “three-legged stool”, with coaching, business, and marketing each representing one leg. This approach is evident in the curriculum. The full program includes 75 hours of training, including 60 ICF-approved coach-specific education hours, and forms the education component of CTA’s ICF-accredited Level 1 pathway.
Good coaching skills are the foundation for any success in this field so it’s only normal this kind of training is well-represented. It covers a coach’s role, the ethics, and standards involved, as well as the difference between coaching and traditional therapy.
Furthermore, it teaches the prospective coach how to ask meaningful questions, listen intuitively, and help clients uncover their own answers. Simply put, it paints the roadmap and provides the skills a good coach requires.
However, the program does not stop there. It covers a multitude of business issues which are so often the stumbling block on the path of any self-starter, from setting up your office to determining the rates and handling accounting.
Finally, the marketing aspect will help the graduate attract clients, reach wider audiences, and find the right market. It contains many other tips and tricks which can really give a nascent practice the boost it needs to succeed.
Completing the Course
In order to get the certificate, the student needs to fulfill a rather strict set of requirements. These include attending the orientation sessions, actively participating in at least 10 of 12 Group Mentoring sessions and at least 8 of 10 Coach the Coach sessions, completing a minimum of 80% of the assignments, and completing at least 20 sample coaching sessions. Students must also pass the written exam and final critique and coach a minimum of two full-fee clients.
Upon successful completion, graduates receive more than just the certificate. They get the “CTA Certified Coach” insignia to use in emails, business cards, and other material. Plus, they get access to CTA’s online directory of certified coaches where they can advertise their practice and start promoting their business.
Tuition Fee
We all know that there is no such thing as a free lunch and this program is no exception. As of July 2026, the CTA landing page linked in this article lists tuition at $3,897. The course can be paid for in full or divided into three, seven, or nine payments. CTA sometimes offers temporary promotions or displays different pricing on other enrollment pages, so be sure to confirm the current amount before signing up.
Conclusion
Coaching is a relatively new profession and can be the right fit for anyone who enjoys working with people. If you are interested in starting a career in this field, CTA’s Certified Coach Program is an excellent stepping stone.
The program provides a very broad scope of training, covering all the bases. Because it is so encompassing, we believe it is a smart investment and a good way to get your prospective coaching practice off the ground.
