Erickson Leads the Way with the ICF

If you have taken one of our Erickson coach trainings, then you would have presented with a number of guiding principles that develop a coaching mindset and assist in conducting powerful conversations. We call these the Erickson Principles. One of them , “Change is inevitable,” seemed most relevant as I was putting together this article on the recent updates from the International Coach Federation (ICF) that influenced Erickson’s own modifications to The Art & Science of Coaching™ program paths.

The ICF is an independent global association that awards credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC) to coaches and accredits coach training program based on their standards and what is known as the ICF Core Competencies.

Erickson has proudly holds multiple accreditations with the ICF. This article outlines our most recent achievements and accreditation transitions.

In fact, as I was preparing to write this article, I was asked by the following question by our Marketing Director, Frances: “When did Erickson originally receive their accreditation for The Art & Science of Coaching™ program?” When I checked the certificate issued by the ICF, I realized that on September 15 of this year, 2023, we will be celebrating 20 years of maintaining the ICF’s highest program standard: the ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Program)!

Recently, the ICF launched a new accreditation model with renamed and upgraded Levels created to replace the ACSTH and ACTP accreditations and to elevate their standards of coaching education.

As stated by Luke Davis of the ICF:

“We are innovating our current global accreditation model to set the highest standards for coach-specific education in the world. Our new structure will enable coaches to find a clearer path to quality education that prepares them for the nuance, complexity and sophistication of today’s coaching consumer.”

– Luke Davis, vice president of ICF Coaching Education

Transition from ACSTH to Level 1

During late 2022, the ICF approved the transition of our Erickson Coach Accreditation program, (previously an ACSTH, Approved Coach Specific Training Hours, program) to the new Level 1 Accreditation. In alignment with and in honour of the ICF’s new Level labelling, we decided to rename the program: The Art & Science of Coaching™ - Level 1.

 The Level 1 path is Erickson’s fast track the first of the three ICF Credentials: the ACC (Associate Certified Coach). In the transition from ACSTH to Level 1, we were required to add an ACC Level Performance Review, which we call the ACC Level Oral Assessment. In addition, Level 1 provides to each Learner the minimum 60 hours of coaching instruction and the required ten hours of mentor coaching.

Transition from ACTP to Level 2

Simultaneously, the ICF also approved the transition of our Erickson Coach Diploma program, (previously an ACTP, Accredited Coach Training Program) to the new Level 2 Accreditation. Again, inspired by the ICF’s accreditation labelling, we decided to rename the program: The Art & Science of Coaching™ - Level 2.

 The Level 2 path is Erickson’s full premier coach training that includes all the content and curriculum of Level 1 and advances towards coaching excellence to ensure the Learner meets a higher standard coaching proficiency. Level 2 is designated as the pathway to PCC (Professional Certified Coach), however Learners can also apply for ACC.   Level 2 has fundamentally the same structure as the former Diploma, including over 125 hours of instruction, ten hour of mentor coaching and the PCC Level Oral Assessment.

 The New Level 3 Accreditation

It is likely by September we will also have been awarded the new Level 3 Accreditation is for programs providing additional coach training required for coaches to obtain their MCC (Master Certified Coach) Credential.

The New Team Coaching Program Accreditation: (Advanced Accreditation in Team Coaching - AATC)

Earlier this year, the ICF launched yet another new program accreditation, the Advanced Accreditation in Team Coaching. We are very excited to announce receiving this this accreditation for our new 60 hour full team coaching program: the  Erickson Team Coaching Certification.

Continuing Coaching Education Units

At present Erickson has l15 short speciality courses listed with the ICF that provide Continuing Coaching Education Units (CCE u’s).   CCE units are necessary for coaches to renew and maintain their ICF Credential (ACC, PCC, MCC)

Erickson programs and the ICF

Having done a quick informal search of the ICF’s Coaching Education search engine it is easy to see that there are very few other coaching training organizations that provide all 3 Levels of Accreditation (Levels 1, 2 and 3), plus the team coaching program accreditation (AATC) and offer the amount of courses that we do that grant CCE units.

All this lead me to conclude:

Erickson proudly leads the way with the ICF!!!

What this also means is that as a Coaching Education organization we are making it more clear and powerful for individuals to rely on Erickson for their entire coach training journey, for all levels, all competencies and for all niches.

Learn more about the Erickson and the ICF by booking a call with one of our friendly enrollment advisors.