Coaching Certification Programs

Jumpstart your coaching career and make a difference in the lives of tweens, teens, and young adults as a youth coach. We offer full professional training and certification paths accredited by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Credentialing and Education.

We’ve had the pleasure of training youth coaches for:

Certified Youth Well-being Coach
36 hours - $1,750 (Package includes: Courses 1-3)

Course 1 of 9: Basic Coaching Skills and Adolescent Well-being Science

Self-study - Knowledge-based learning

The purpose of this program is to introduce youth-serving professionals, parents, and/or other caring adults to core coaching competencies and adolescent well-being science to support and empower tweens, teens, and emerging adults. 

Lessons 1-6 – 12 hours of asynchronous training with assigned reading 

Lessons 1-6 include, Introduction to Coaching, The Adolescent Stage of Development, Coaching Structure, Process, and Skills, Facilitating Engagement, Self-Discovery, & Effective Goals, Facilitating Effective Planning, Goals Striving, & Self-Management, Evoking Awareness & Promoting a Positive Identity 

Course 2 of 9: Practicum & Supervision Seminar 1

Live - Experiential learning

The purpose of this program is to engage trainees in experiential learning to apply core coaching competencies with peers for supervision and feedback. Facilitators and evaluators support trainees’ as they develop proficiency as coach practitioners toward the ICF ACC minimum skills requirements.

7 weekly 2-hour Zoom meetings = 14 hours of synchronous training with faculty and peers in a group forum (maximum of 20 per group) 

Course 3 of 9: Evidence-based Coaching Interventions 1

Self-study - Knowledge-based learning

The purpose of this course is to train caring adults to apply evidence-based coaching grounded in psychology and neuroscience to enhance well-being and resilience in tweens, teens, and emerging adults. 

Lessons 7-11 – 10 hours of asynchronous training with assigned reading 

Lessons 7-11 include Coaching Self-care & Managing the Coaching Engagement, Identifying Stages of Change & Motivational Interviewing, Introduction to Acceptance & Commitment Coaching, Social Connection, SEL, & Health, Academic Coaching & Learning Science 

Upcoming CYWC Training Schedules

Since each of our certification paths includes self-study course blocks, you can enroll anytime before the registration deadline and begin your self-study coursework while awaiting the live course blocks to begin. 

Summer 2025

**Trainees complete Course 1 self-study prior to the first live meeting.

June 26-August 7, 2025, Thursdays 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM US Central Time

Registration deadline is June 12, 2025

Fall 2025

**Trainees complete Course 1 self-study prior to the first live meeting.

1 – August 26 – October 7, 2025, Tuesdays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM US Central Time

2 – August 26 – October 7, 2025, Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 PM US Central Time

Registration deadline is August 12, 2025

Please input the preferred schedule date in the note during checkout

Certified Youth Resilience Coach
76 hours - $3,695 (Package includes: Courses 1-8)

The Certified Youth Resilience Coach program is accredited by the International Coaching Federation as a Level 1 provider for 76 coach specific education/training hours, including 10 mentor coaching hours. This program is also approved through the Center for Credentialing & Education for 60 training hours toward the BCC application.

Course 4 of 9: Practicum & Supervision Seminar 2

Live - Experiential learning

Courses 1-3 are prerequisites
Recommend taking course 4 & 5 together

The purpose of this program is to engage trainees in experiential learning to apply core coaching competencies with peers for supervision and feedback. Facilitators and evaluators support trainees’ as they develop proficiency as coach practitioners toward the ICF ACC minimum skills requirements. 

7 weekly 2-hour Zoom meetings = 14 hours of synchronous training with faculty and peers in a group forum (maximum of 20 per group) 

Course 5 of 9: Evidence-based Coaching Interventions 2

Self-study - Knowledge-based learning

Can be taken with Practicum and Supervision Seminar 2 

The purpose of this course is to train caring adults to apply evidence-based coaching grounded in psychology and neuroscience to enhance well-being and resilience in tweens, teens, and emerging adults. 

Lessons 12-16 – 10 hours of asynchronous and synchronous learning with reading and practice client 

Lessons 12-16 include Well-being at Work, ADHD & Perfectionism, Desistance Coaching for Transitions Away from Crime or Delinquency, Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Coaching, Parent Coaching 

Course 6 of 9: Mentor Coaching 1 (live)

Live 1:1 meetings with a mentor

Can be taken with Practicum 1 or 2

Trainees completing the ICF-accredited CYRC program are required to complete 10 hours of mentor coaching with a qualified mentor coach. Mentor coaching involves coaching and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching session to increase the coach’s capability in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies. Seven of those 10 hours can be in a group setting and three of those hours must be in a 1:1 format. 

3 1:1 hours 

Course 7 of 9: Business of Coaching

Self-study - Knowledge-based learning

Recommend taking course 7 & 8 together

The purpose of this course is to introduce coach practitioners to the various ways coaching is currently applied in professional domains; and provide an overview of how to get started with establishing and maintaining a private coaching client base. 

Lessons 17-20 – 6 hours of asynchronous and synchronous training with homework – practice client and other activities

Lessons 17-20 include Coaching Programs & Group Coaching Considerations, Business Building, Marketing & Relationship Building, and Ongoing Professional Development 

Course 8 of 9: Mentor Coaching 2 - Group

Live - Experiential learning

Trainees completing the ICF-accredited CYRC program are required to complete 10 hours of mentor coaching with a qualified mentor coach. Mentor coaching involves coaching and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching session to increase the coach’s capability in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies. Seven of these hours may be taken in a group setting and three in a 1:1 format. 

7 group hours 

Upcoming CYRC Training Schedules

Since each of our certification paths includes self-study course blocks, you can enroll anytime before the registration deadline and begin your self-study coursework while awaiting the live course blocks to begin.

Summer 2025

**Trainees complete Course 1 self-study prior to the first live meeting.

June 26-December 18, 2025, Thursdays 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM US Central Time

Registration deadline is June 12, 2025

Fall 2025

**Trainees complete Course 1 self-study prior to the first live meeting.

1 – August 26, 2025 – March 3, 2026, Tuesdays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM US Central Time

2 – August 26, 2025 – March 3, 2026, Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 PM US Central Time

Registration deadline is August 12, 2025

***Summer Enrollment Discount: $300.00 tuition discount for full CYRC or CYHC package enrollments purchased by 6/12/25. Does not apply to payment plan enrollments.***

Please input the preferred schedule date in the note during checkout 

Certified Youth Health Coach
91 hours - $4,190 (Courses 1-9)

Course 9: Lifestyle Medicine for Adolescents

Self-study - Knowledge-based learning

This designation is only available to coaches who have completed our Certified Youth Resilience Coach program. CYRCs who complete our Lifestyle Medicine for Adolescents course earn the Certified Youth Health Coach designation. 

Our Certified Youth Health Coaches are equipped to support youth through identifying and engaging in behaviors that promote holistic health, well-being, and thriving. Learn to work with your clients to address specific health and wellness challenges or promote healthy lifestyle habits relating to nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mindfulness, somatic awareness, avoiding risky substances, and mental health.

15 Hours Self-study

Upcoming CYHC Training Schedules

Since each of our certification paths includes self-study course blocks, you can enroll anytime before the registration deadline and begin your self-study coursework while awaiting the live course blocks to begin.

Summer 2025

**Trainees complete Course 1 self-study prior to the first live meeting.

June 26-December 18, 2025, Thursdays 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM US Central Time

Registration deadline is June 12, 2025

Fall 2025

**Trainees complete Course 1 self-study prior to the first live meeting.

1 – August 26, 2025 – March 3, 2026, Tuesdays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM US Central Time

2 – August 26, 2025 – March 3, 2026, Tuesdays 5:30 – 7:30 PM US Central Time

Registration deadline is August 12, 2025

***Summer Enrollment Discount: $300.00 tuition discount for full CYRC or CYHC package enrollments purchased by 6/12/25. Does not apply to payment plan enrollments.***

Please input the preferred schedule date in the note during checkout 

Have Questions? Schedule a Q&A With Us.

Whether you have some coaching experience under your belt, want to better serve youth in your profession, or are exploring a profitable and fulfilling career choice, we’re here to guide you on the best path forward. Fill out our contact form or schedule a live 20-minute Q&A to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

That’s the question we hear most often! Here’s the overview.

CYWC
Generally a good fit for internal staff serving tweens, teens, or emerging adults who have no interest in professional coaching as a career path. They just want to add coaching skills to their current work. This is the path most often selected by leaders within youth-serving organizations and agencies (e.g., schools, non-profits, colleges, universities, juvenile justice, healthcare, etc.) who are seeking professional development for their internal staff.

CYRC (ICF-Accredited and CCE BCC Approved Training Path)
Generally a good fit for aspiring professional coaches, those in leadership roles over coaching staff, small business owners serving adolescents, or those who would like to pursue a private coaching practice as a side gig or career pivot.

CYHC
Generally a good fit for those who serve or hope to serve tweens, teens, or emerging adults within a behavioral health, mental health, public health, health and wellness, or health system role. Those roles may be behavior intervention specialist, community health worker, health education specialist, mental health professional, case manager, juvenile probation officer, juvenile detention officer, peer recovery coach, etc.

All training, supervision, and practicum are completed 100% virtually and available internationally via live Zoom webinar and/or telephone conference call.

Candidates must be 18 years old or older.

Our training programs are ideal for professionals working directly with tweens, teens, and/or emerging adults, professionals leading organizations serving these populations, or those who aim to serve this audience in some capacity.

Coaching is a helping profession focused on learning and growth. Thus, it is a wonderful skillset addition for those in or interested in a career path within helping professions or education (e.g., human resources, counseling, social work, human services, leadership, nursing, teaching, public health, etc.)

Trainees who complete our programs most often apply their skills in the following ways:

  • Coaching as a side gig for access to deep, meaningful work and extra income around a full-time job
  • Coaching as a professional career path
  • Adding coaching skills to enhance their work with tweens, teens, or young adults
  • Coaching in a volunteer or mentoring capacity

Trainees may opt to complete individual courses for continuing education hours or the series of courses required to earn a certification through YCI. We offer three certifications with each one building to the next.

Trainees who complete courses 1-3 earn our Certified Youth Well-being Coach designation. This option is generally a good fit for youth-serving professionals, such as teachers or caseworkers, who want to add coaching skills to enhance their current work.

Trainees who complete courses 1-8 earn our Certified Youth Resilience Coach designation. This is our ICF Level 1 accredited and CCE-approved coach training program. This option is generally a good fit for aspiring professional coaches, those in leadership roles over coaching staff, or those who would like to pursue a private coaching practice as a side gig or career pivot.

Trainees who complete courses 1-9 earn our Certified Youth Health Coach designation. This option is generally a good fit for professional coaches who support youth through mental or health and wellness organizations offering full continuum of care services.

Yes! You can earn your first certification and come back to complete additional courses for next level certifications when you’re ready. Just purchase each next course or set of courses as you’re ready.

Our Certified Youth Well-being Coach and Certified Youth Resilience Coach training programs have an 80% live attendance requirement.

All live classes are recorded so that those who have an allowed absence are able to watch the recording to submit a missed class makeup summary to earn credit.

If you were scheduled to coach the day of your absence, you would also need to complete a makeup practice coaching session outside of class.

Life happens! Your well-being is our priority. If you need to pause your training, you can transfer to a later cohort to complete your training up to one year from the date of your withdrawal from your current cohort.

Absolutely not. Your basic coaching skills are generally applicable to any coaching-appropriate audience – tweens, teens, and adults of all ages.

The behavioral science knowledge you’ll gain is also generally applicable. You are practicing coaching peer trainees who are adults of all ages with various backgrounds, experiences, and cultures during your in-class training. This means that you’re learning to coach adults of all ages through this program.

Because your training with us is approved by the International Coaching Federation, you also qualify to obtain a higher credential through the ICF upon successful completion with us. The ICF’s designations are general professional coaching designations accepted in most coaching-related roles.

Self-Study Courses: All tuition paid for self-study courses is non-refundable upon release of course access to the buyer.
Live Meeting Courses: Registrants can cancel or withdraw participation at any time within 14 days prior to the first scheduled live meeting date for their enrolled group for a full refund of paid tuition. Registrants can cancel within 7 days following the first live meeting date for the enrolled group for a 50% refund of paid tuition. If registrants cancel or withdraw from training more than 7 days following the first live meeting date for the enrolled group they are not entitled to any refund or any reductions in tuition owed, as they must cover the cost of the lost seat.

Just click the CYWC, CYRC, or CYHC Full Package button to add the full program of your choice to the cart. Be sure to note which of the live schedules you want for the live courses included in your package upon checkout.

Coaching is currently considered an avocational skillset in the United States, as most coaches do not secure full-time gainful employment solely through coaching skills or certifications. Most professional coaches are employed in other professions full-time and either 1) use coaching skills to enhance their full-time work, 2) coach on the side as an outlet for passion work while preparing a career pivot, or 3) add coaching to other relevant business offerings for their audience.

According to the International Coaching Federation’s most recent Global Coaching Study (2020), coach practitioners include external and internal coach practitioners, human resources/talent development manager/or director who uses coaching skills, and manager/leader who uses coaching skills.
This same study found 94% of coach practitioners offer services in addition to coaching, including consulting (60%), training (60%), and/or facilitation services (54%).

Most of our coach trainees are employed in youth serving roles (e.g., teacher, non-profit worker, juvenile justice worker, caseworker, therapist, etc.), are parents of adolescents, or caring community members who pursue our training for additional skills to better engage and support the adolescents in their networks.

Most full-time, salaried, youth-serving coaching roles can be found within schools, colleges, universities, and non-profits. Examples are:
Academic Coach
Learning Coach
Student Success Coach
Career Coach
Leadership Coach

These roles typically require at least a Bachelor’s degree and 2-4 years of experience serving youth. Those who are in other full-time roles and lack the years of experience needed to qualify may complete our programs to begin building that experience on the side while preparing to pivot.

Yes, our internal payment plans can be accessed via the “Explore Payment Options” buttons on the Courses Overview page above, or directly on each specific class in the checkout.

You can also add the full certification package to the cart to review external payment plan options offered by our payment processors at check out before making a decision. 

Absolutely! Here are two free lectures that provide insight into what our knowledge-based content is like in the self-study modules.

Click this link to watch a 22-minute lecture – Introduction to Coaching.
Learn what coaching is and what it’s not, the differences between coaching, therapy, and other support services, and how we get to make a difference through coaching.

Click this link to watch a 30-minute lecture on Academic Coaching & Learning Science.
Learn about the research that supports why academic coaching is a vital resource to promote school engagement and protect against school burnout.

If you’re interested in our programs, but want to be sure our content is a fit for you before signing up for a full certification, you can complete a single course, Course 1: Basic Coaching Skills and Adolescent Well-being Science. Just go back to the home page, scroll down to that course highlight, and click Enroll. 

Reach Out to Us to Learn More

Have questions or want to speak with a member of our team? Schedule a meeting or reach out to us directly, and we’ll be happy to assist you on your coaching journey.

Youth Coaching Expert Insights

Discover a library of free expert resources exploring the youth coaching landscape, the experiences of adolescents today, and opportunities to strengthen your approach. 

Elevate Your Impact and Start Coaching Today

Make a positive and measurable impact with the Youth Coaching Institute.  Develop your coaching skillset and begin the journey to becoming a certified youth life coach today.