Professional Certificate of Advanced Study in Coaching Supervision

Stage 1a is a pre-course preparation stage. It consists of two months preparation during which participants undertake preliminary reading, reflection, action learning, peer-supervision and supervision practice.

The minimum reading will include specifically designed materials and selected chapters from the book: Bachkirova, T., Jackson, P. & Clutterbuck, D. (Eds), (2021) Coaching and Mentoring Supervision: Theory and Practice 2e, Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Participants will be paired for peer-supervision (at least two sessions) according to provided guidance that will include tasks for reflection and preparation for Stage 1b. In addition, they will be asked to deliver at least one supervision session for a volunteer coach.

This is the main foundation group event leading to a Certificate of Attendance. The intensive 5-day course provides an opportunity for participants to develop their own model of supervision by:

• exploring conceptual issues, coaching discourses and theoretical perspectives on supervision
• engaging with a deeper understanding of the supervision process and related issues
• experimenting with variety of skills essential for coaching supervisors
• practising supervision in a group context facilitated by the course tutors.

The course will engage participants in a range of innovative methods of study that include conceptual discussions, co-active reflection, experiential activities and group supervision.

Participants are not initiated into a particular approach to supervision but are encouraged to experiment with the variety of approaches in order to identify their own model and style of supervision.

Participants could decide to stop on completion of this stage and receive a Certificate of Attendance. Learning and practice hours can be counted towards EMCC ESIA accreditation in conjunction with other learning and practice.

To be undertaken generally within 2 years of stage 1b. Participants at this stage practice as supervisors and receive supervision on their supervision. This stage is preparatory for the submission of the assignment in Stage 3.

Participants can choose to take two (1.5 hour) or three (1 hour) sessions of individual supervision/tutorials from the programme tutors.

These sessions will allow participants both to reflect on their ongoing supervision practice and to receive individualised feedback on the development of their model of coaching supervision.

To be undertaken generally within 2 years of Stage 1b whilst further adding to your supervision experience and completion of practice support through Stage 2.

The assessment consists of one written assignment:

• description and analysis of the candidate’s model of coaching supervision.

After successful completion of Stages 2 and 3, participants receive the Professional Certificate of Advanced Study in Coaching Supervision. The Advanced Certificate is an accredited programme, independently accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). This also enables participants to apply for individual supervisor accreditation with EMCC, subject to building practice hours required and additional fees payable to EMCC.

The 5-day face-to-face part (or equivalent online) is just one stage in the overall programme. The logic behind the modular design is that highly experienced coaches with a good psychological background do not need traditional training in supervision. They need an engagement with the most important themes of supervision in the atmosphere of challenge and experimentation with a group of equally experienced coaches. 

The programme also provides a flexible staged approach so that you can tailor the extent of your commitment to your current needs. Participants following all four stages will be supported through a lot of developmental work outside of the group face-to-face stage.

When you complete an application form we will consider the information you provide. We might ask additional questions or arrange an interview to discuss if this is a suitable programme to undertake at this stage.

The current course is based on an academically accredited award bearing programme (PGCert in Supervision for Coaching & Mentoring).

After successful completion of Stage 3, participants receive the Professional Certificate of Advanced Study in Coaching Supervision. The Advanced Certificate is an accredited programme, independently accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). This also enables participants to apply for individual supervisor accreditation with EMCC, subject to building practice hours required and additional fees payable to EMCC.

Over and above this, the tutors are recognised authors in this field who act as advisors for professional bodies’ effort in development of professional standards. As such the programme’s academic and learning credentials are of a very high standard. For the purpose of professional development, it goes well beyond the evidencing of a particular set of competencies and behaviours and provides a more rounded and extended development of professional capability. We feel strongly that the requisite skills of an effective supervisor demand this higher level of development. 

Yes, you can. You will be paired with another student for Stage 1a and will be able to arrange your buddy meetings online. The intensive (Stage 1b) course is run face-to-face in Oxford over 5 days, or online over 8 mornings. So you can choose whether to come to the UK for the face-to-face programme, or attend an online programme remotely. All optional stages are possible to arrange at a distance.

The programme is also offered by Leading Systemically in partnership with Oxford Brookes covering Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. For details contact Dr Paul Lawrence at paul@leadingsystemically.com.

The programme is also offered in Italian by the Society for Coaching Psychology Italy in partnership with Oxford Brookes.

One essential text for the Stage 1a is Bachkirova, T., Jackson, P. and Clutterbuck, D. Second Edition (2021) Coaching and Mentoring Supervision: Theory and Practice, Open University Press.

You will need to explore further literature in preparation to your assignment (optional Stage 3). The advice on the literature for this stage will be provided during the course and in your supervision sessions.

Yes, you can, but you need to consider the following information:

1. Stages need to be taken in sequence.
2. In order to book your first supervision session (Stage 2) you will need to complete at least three sessions as a supervisor
3. Before you book the second supervision session you will need to complete another three sessions as a supervisor
4. Supervision sessions (Stage 2) are advised to be taken within two years after completion of the intensive course.
5. Stage 3 (assessment stage to receive Professional Certificate of Advanced Study in Coaching Supervision) is recommended to be taken at any point within two years after completion of the intensive course.

Stage 1b is delivered either as a face-to-face 5-day intensive course, or as an online course over 8 mornings. Please consult the website for the dates and delivery method of each programme. All other stages can be complete by distance.

An attendance certificate is awarded after Stage 1. A Professional Certificate of Advanced Study is awarded on successful completion of Stage 3. As an attendee on a University based programme you will benefit from a strong quality management ethos and experience in advanced level education that may not be the case for other providers.

You will normally be required to attend all practice sessions in Stage 1 unless absolutely unavoidable. Both 'active' parts of practice are an absolute pre-requisite to proceed to Stages 2 and 3.

Our Professional Certificate of Advanced Study in Coaching Supervision is now recognised by the EMCC's ESQA accreditation - a quality award for training providers of coaching supervision.

What award can you apply for?

You need to apply for EIA (EMCC Global Individual Accreditation) in order to also apply for ESIA (EMCC Global Supervision Individual Accreditation), but the two can be done simultaneously.

You can apply for both on the same application form.

What is EMCC Global Individual Accreditation (EIA)?

The EIA is an internationally recognised accreditation that demonstrates that an individual practising as a professional mentor/coach has the appropriate level of knowledge and the ability to apply it effectively in their practice.

What is EMCC Global Supervision Individual Accreditation (ESIA)?

The ESIA is an internationally recognised accreditation that demonstrates that an individual practising as a professional mentor/coach supervisor has the appropriate level of knowledge and the ability to apply it effectively in his/her practice.

When and how can I apply?

You can apply for EIA and ESIA when you completed Stage 3 of Professional Certificate of Advanced Study in Coaching Supervision.

We will email everyone who successfully completed Stage 3 with information on How to Apply.

If you were already contacted by us you can download the application form.

Email EMCC to accreditation@emccglobal.org with your application form attached.