Last updated on July 16, 2024
One of the best ways to establish your credibility as a coach is to get a coaching certification from a reputable organization. This article is the first in a series where we’ll be exploring the best life coach training and certification programs.
Today we’re looking at Coach Training Alliance, which is an organization that offers a range of popular coaching certification trainings and programs. We cover their coaching programs, including costs, reviews from graduates, and how to decide if Coach Training Alliance is right for you.
Table of Contents
About Coach Training Alliance
Coach Training Alliance was founded in 2000 by Will Craig, a former president of the International Coach Federation (ICF) Denver chapter. Since then, they have certified over 10,000 coaches through their various training programs and certifications.
They have a very practical approach to coach training, with a heavy focus on accelerated learning, and on instantly applying that learning to your practice and business. The result is a “condensed coach training that incorporates an earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship.”
ICF vs. Coach Training Alliance
Coach Training Alliance has over 20 programs that have been accredited or credentialed by the International Coach Federation. The International Coach Federation (ICF) is a large, global organization that offers both individual- and program-level credentialing. In order to accredit a coaching program, the ICF reviews the organization and its program to ensure it meets its high standards.
Whereas an individual ICF Coaching Credential is primarily meant to prepare a coach to practice effective, ethical, and responsible coaching, Coach Training Alliance programs combine coaching skills instruction with practical business and marketing skills. For this reason, pursuing an ICF credential and participating in a Coach Training Alliance program can be complementary, rather than mutually exclusive.
In fact, CTA is one of the most affordable ways to obtain ICF accreditation in coaching. CTA makes this pathway very clear, unlike other programs that might leave you confused upon graduation.
How Much Does Coach Training Alliance Cost?
Coach Training Alliance offers several different training courses and programs. Here’s an overview of their main offerings, including course length, cost, and other relevant details.
Certified Coach Program
The CTA Certified Coach Program is built on the concept of a 3-legged stool. The idea being that to be a successful coach, you need to learn skills in the following 3 areas: coaching, marketing, and business.
The number of programs on the Coach Training Alliance website can be overwhelming. But if you’re interested in their main coach certification program, then look for the Certified Coach Program. You can start with the quiz or the free workshop to take a closer look before you decide to sign up.
From the Coach Training Alliance website: “The program is designed to have you working and earning income before the course is complete. This is accomplished through ‘Just-In-Time’ knowledge transfer where you learn what you need to know, when you need to know it, in order to derive the most benefit for yourself and your clients.” They also offer the Coach Training Accelerator, for those interested in a self-paced coach training program.
- Program Cost: $4,339 (Payable in full or in three, seven or nine parts)
- Course Length: 6 months (22 weeks with time off, holidays, etc.)
20+ Additional Coaching Programs
In addition to their main Certified Coach Program, Coach Training Alliance offers a number of additional training programs and courses. They have advanced courses ranging from weight loss coaching to choosing a niche to the New Life Story® Coaches Training, as well as other advanced trainings.
They also offer a Nuts & Bolts of Coaching series, with programs designed to help you build and grow your coaching business. And if you’re interested in coaching employees or in the corporate sector, they have a range of Organizational Coaching programs.
You can find more details, including course length, cost, and an overview of the purpose of each program on the individual program pages on the Coach Training Alliance website.
Deals, Discounts, and Refund Policy
At the time of this writing, Coach Training Alliance doesn’t have any deals, coupons, discounts, or promo codes that we could find.
Coach Training Alliance has the following refund policy: You may cancel without penalty if the request is received at least 7 days before the course begins. If you cancel 7 days prior to the course start date, we’ll refund the tuition paid. No refunds are made after class begins.
Coach Training Alliance Reviews
The majority of online reviews we found for Coach Training Alliance programs are positive. You can read testimonials from Coach Training Alliance graduates on their own testimonials page.
Reviews From Graduates
Here’s a sampling of reviews from coaches who have graduated from Coach Training Alliance training certification programs.
Letitia Suk
“This program has opened up a new season of life for me by giving me tools, ideas, experience and top-of-the line training to start a new career. I can’t say enough positive comments about how professional yet personal this training was.”
– Letitia Suk (Author, Speaker, Life Coach)
Mary Owens
“The ‘coach the coach’ sessions and the feedback from those are the heart of the program. Coaching live is where the learning is for me. It builds my confidence and believability.”
– Mary Owens (Transitional Life Coach)
Ray Brejcha
“By the time the course was complete I already had 17 paying clients. What a boost to my confidence!”
– Ray Brejcha (Executive Coach)
Christine Paciello
“My instructors were very knowledgeable and I thought the program and material was well structured and provided the tools – and confidence – needed to start a coaching career. Classes were very interactive and the mock coaching sessions we engaged in helped me to prepare for what to expect – and how to structure my own sessions and start my business, Herwork Coaching.”
– Christine Paciello
Bob Brenner
“My desire to receive proper life coach training and certification came from the same place of integrity that inspired my weight loss of 253 pounds. I looked into other coaching programs, but CTA’s admissions staff, faculty, content and methods are first-class, and so relevant. There was no competition.”
Online Reviews
Here are some relevant reviews found on the Coach Training Alliance page on Indeed. While the majority of Coach Training Alliance reviews on Indeed were positive, we’ve also included the negative feedback from their lowest (2-star) review.
Coach Training Alliance Faculty
If you want an inside look at some of the Coach Training Alliance culture and faculty, here are a few videos from Coach Training Alliance graduates turned mentors. In the text below, we’ve included their answers to why they originally chose Coach Training Alliance for their coaching certification.
Jennifer Powers
Q. Why did you choose CTA?
A. CTA was a no-brainer for me. First of all, there was someone in my speaking cohort who had a wonderful experience through CTA. And so through that reference and […] the amazing Becoming a Coach calls with Lisa Pisano. […] It was really about the combination of both learning how to coach and also understanding how to build a business. And to be certain, what I loved most about it, was that I knew for sure I would have two paying clients at the end of the process, which was really exciting to me. And really like sort of surprising. That that could even be possible. So, it was an easy sell for me.
Nan Einarson
Q. Why did you choose CTA?
A. Well I did my research. I looked at a number of coaching schools. What I loved about CTA was what they call the three-legged stool [coaching, business, and marketing]. I wanted to know the structure of a coaching call. I wanted to know the structure of a coaching business. I have had lots of entrepreneurial experience, business experience. But I had no clue about a coaching business. So CTA was going to teach me how to start up and grow a coaching business. How to enhance my coaching skills. And, you know, learn to be a good coach. And how to market my coaching business so I would be successful. So I was in.
Is Coach Training Alliance Right For You?
Choosing a certification or coach training program is a personal decision based on your coaching goals, business goals, past experience, and personality. Coach Training Alliance is an established organization that has certified over 10,000 coaches since 2000. Ultimately, choosing the right coaching certification for you comes down to finding a reputable organization and program that aligns with your values, goals, and personality.
Take the Coach Certification Quiz
Need help choosing a coach training and certification program? We created this short quiz to help you find the best program for you.
Take the quizThe Certified Coach Program from Coach Training Alliance is designed for coaches and aspiring coaches who want to improve their coaching skills, while also learning the practical skills of building a business.
If that sounds like a good fit and you’re interested in looking into Coach Training Alliance, you can start with their quiz or sign up for the free Becoming a Certified Coach Workshop.
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