FAQ
I want to talk to someone live about your programs. How can I do that?
We are more than happy to talk to potential students. You may contact us directly at 415.221.4618 or 800.332.4618. You’ll likely speak with Christy Svanemyr, our Director of Undergraduate Development. If you would like someone to call you, please contact us by sending us a message indicating your interest in the course.
If you’re interested in speaking to a graduate of our courses who does not work for New Ventures West, we would be happy to refer you to someone (often in your geographical area) with whom you can have a conversation. Here are some facts about the Professional Coaching Course that might help inform your conversation.
Where can I find some basic facts about the PCC?
Here is a snapshot of the PCC. It includes facts like tuition, duration, and class size.
What is the prerequisite for the PCC?
Before being accepted into the Professional Coaching Course (PCC), applicants must have completed or be registered for one of the prerequisite courses.
The most common way to fulfill the requirement is the two-day Coaching to Excellence (CTE) class that is available in several cities around the country. It provides an important grounding in the foundations of Integral Coaching methodology. Also, it gives you an opportunity to get to know us and gives us an opportunity to know you. Alternatively, coaches who have some experience already may choose the three-day Integral Coaching Principles (ICP) class. Either one will satisfy the requirement; you need not take both.
Which prerequisite should I take?
Coaching To Excellence (CTE) is a two-day course designed for anyone who is interested in learning the core fundamentals of the Integral Coaching methodology. You do not need any prior knowledge or experience in coaching to attend. The CTE is a hands-on primer that is applicable to the workplace and everyday life. Through exercises, practice and demonstrations, you learn the core foundations of what it takes to evoke long-term excellence in others. Both beginners and more experienced coaches are welcomed and challenged in this course.
Integral Coaching Principles (ICP) is a three-day course designed for experienced professionals who have practice working one-on-one with clients. It’s specifically for experienced coaches, graduates from other coaching schools, managers or other professionals with coaching experience, therapists, consultants, or anyone looking to add rigor and structure to their practice. This course introduces the three core models that we teach in the Professional Coaching Course (PCC).
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When should I take my prerequisite?
We recommend (and prefer) that applicants complete their prerequisite before applying to the PCC, so that they have a firsthand sense of our work before committing themselves to the yearlong program. In fact, recommendation by the CTE or ICP leader is part of our process in determining your readiness for the PCC.
However, in cases where scheduling is a problem, it's possible for us to consider your PCC application before you've completed the prerequisite. In such cases, we may ask to speak by phone before we respond to your application. And, you must register for the prerequisite at the time that you are accepted into the PCC and complete it before Session Two of the PCC for which you are registered.
How much do the prerequisite classes cost?
Coaching to Excellence costs $695. This tuition includes a copy of James Flaherty’s book, Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others and all course materials. If you choose to take Integral Coaching Principles to fulfill your prerequisite, the tuition for this class is $1,275; it also includes a copy of the book and all course materials.
I've had lots of coaching training; may I skip the prerequisite?
Many people come to us with an extensive background of training and certifications. While the work you have done in the past will support you in your coaching, you are still required to take a prerequisite. Our courses lay out the foundation of our Integral Coaching methodology and offer an entry point into a new type of conversation about how we humans change. This includes language, distinctions and models that invite you to look at life in a different way. Beginning to study this methodology in the prerequisite course prepares you to enter the PCC.
Are there any exceptions to the prerequisite requirement?
There are no exceptions. No amount of previous experience or education counts as a substitute; the work in these classes is essential to the PCC.
How is the class structured?
When you enroll in the PCC, you join an intimate group of 20 professionals who study, learn, and practice together for an entire year and quickly form a supportive learning community. No other coaching school offers a continuous, small-group learning environment. The curriculum blends a rigorous course of study with hands-on practice and attention to participants' own individual development.
Return to the top
What kind of support will I receive during the class?
Learning to coach is not something we can do alone. Throughout the year, you receive support and extensive feedback from a very experienced faculty and from your classmates in several ways.
How do I submit my application?
You can mail, fax, or email your application (including your essays and JPEG photo). Submission information can be found on the first page of the application.
When should I submit my application?
Sometimes the PCC fills to capacity months in advance (with our maximum of 20 participants). It is difficult to predict when any given course will fill. Therefore, we recommend that you apply as soon as you are sure that you want to take the program and are free for all the dates of the class. You will have the best chance of admission into the group you want by submitting your application early.
How do you process and respond to applications?
The Professional Coaching Course leader reviews and accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis. We select applicants whom we feel have the greatest chance of success in the program and whom we consider likely to contribute to a developmental community. You will receive a response to your application within 10 days, often sooner.
I am not a college graduate; will that work against me in the application process?
Absolutely not. We are open to anyone, with any background. We are looking for people with a capacity to self-observe, an eagerness to learn and a willingness to be a beginner.
Return to the top
Why do I have to answer essay questions to apply?
Our intent in asking these questions is two-fold:
Does being certified by New Ventures West mean I am also ICF certified?
No. The ICF recognizes the Professional Coaching Course as an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP). Graduating from the PCC earns you the designation of certified Integral Coach®. It also means you have completed the educational component required for ICF credentialing as an Associate Certified Coach or Professional Certified Coach.
If you desire this additional designation, you apply directly to the ICF using their ACTP application and provide a copy of your NVW certificate, 2 letters of recommendation from NVW faculty, and a log of your coaching hours. The number of hours you have coached will determine which credential you are eligible for. You can find more information here.
Why does it take a whole year? Isn't there a faster way to get certified?
Getting certified isn’t simply a matter of getting a list of things done or fulfilling certain quantitative requirements. Earning the Integral Coach® certification requires developing our unique coaching voice, the ability to listen profoundly, respond with creative compassion, and lots and lots of practice. This development, this practice, takes time.
Integral Coaching is a methodology of understanding and working with others to produce authentic and sustainable changes in their lives. Like any other serious learning endeavor, mastering this methodology takes time. While we understand that you may be eager to receive your credentials, we’ve found that a year is the minimum amount of time necessary to produce outstanding coaches.
How much does it cost to get certified?
Our prerequisite course, Coaching to Excellence, costs $695. (If you choose to take Integral Coaching Principles instead, that tuition is $1,275.) Our yearlong Professional Coaching Course costs $9,500. Those two fees together include absolutely everything: classroom sessions, one-on-one coaching, mentoring, books and materials, and certification. There are no additional fees.
What methods of payment do you accept?
For most payment options, it is possible to pay either by credit card or by check. If you choose to pay by credit card, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. If you select the early-pay option (Option B), you may pay by check only.
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What do I do if I want to use two different modes of payment for my deposit and remaining tuition?
If you would like to pay for your deposit with one method of payment and the balance of your tuition with another, we are happy to accommodate this. You can:
What percentage of people who attempt certification don’t pass?
Less than 5%. That’s because our application process, starting with the Coaching to Excellence class, helps us identify participants who are a good fit for our program. Throughout the year we stay in close contact with you and we follow your development. Before certification, we’ll have a conversation with you specifically to help clarify whether or not you are ready to get certified. We do our best to prepare you for the process and also to let you know if we have any concerns. If we recommend that you postpone certification, you can come back at a later time and sit for certification at no extra cost. If you decide on your own not to pursue certification with your class, then there will be a $750 charge to go through with another group at a later time.
How much time does it take during the year to get the coursework done?
It varies throughout the year. Students report that they spend an average of 5-10 hours a week on coursework. In the first session of the PCC you will receive your own personalized development program and will have practices and exercises to support you in developing the body and voice of a coach. We take those practices into account when we estimate the time. The rest of the time is spent on written homework, reading, coaching, and client case studies.
Do you help coaches with business development during the yearlong course?
Our yearlong program is designed to build the body and the voice of a coach and to teach you how to coach. There is so much to learn about Integral Coaching methodology itself that we do not have time to address business development during the year. Instead, we offer a separate course for this called Coach as Entrepreneur. It can be taken before, during or after the PCC.
Return to the top
How will you support me after I graduate?
We are strongly committed to helping our graduates succeed. In this vein, we offer several opportunities for continuing education, including free Coaching Roundtables, our quarterly newsletter, and many programs exclusively to support the ongoing growth and development of our graduates such as Master Classes, Coaching Reunion Weekends, and more. Furthermore, our coaches can list themselves on the Find A Coach section of our website, where potential clients can view coach profiles and contact coaches with whom they are interested in working.
How do you compare with other coaching schools?
While we don’t feel we are qualified to speak to the offerings of other coaching schools, we can highlight the distinctive qualities of our school.
New Ventures West has been training coaches for more than two decades and we have an international reputation as one of the preeminent schools in the field. Our Integral Coaching® programs are based on a rigorous methodology, the intent of which is to build our clients’ competence for long-term excellence, rather than merely supporting them to reach goals.
Because we are integral in nature, we don’t differentiate between life, executive or career coaching. We coach the person, not the topic. We ask ourselves, how is this person relating to their topic, and how can we help them develop the capacity to handle the situation more effectively?
We train our coaches in person with a faculty of nine for a class of 20 students, providing lots of individualized attention and support. This intimate group of students and faculty stay together for the entire year. Participants build strong relationships with their classmates that often continue long after the program is complete.
We invite you to research the offers of other schools and to decide for yourself if we’re a good fit for you. To facilitate your ability to cross-compare certification programs, here is a snapshot of the Professional Coaching Course.
Return to the top
I want to benefit from the personal development aspects of your program but I don’t intend to hang out my shingle as a private coach. Is it still appropriate for me to participate?
The way the PCC supports your personal growth is through your development as a practitioner of Integral Coaching services. You don’t need to become a private coach, but you do need to have the intention to contribute to others and the willingness to engage in this methodology and to do the work and assignments in the program.
I’m an experienced coach and don’t care about certification but I’ve heard your Integral Coaching work is very useful; do you have a shorter program?
Integral Coaching Principles is a three-day course designed for seasoned coaches who are looking to add depth and rigor to their practice. We introduce the three core models that we teach in our yearlong program and you’ll be able to integrate this methodology into your current practice immediately.
I have a question that isn’t addressed here. How do I contact you?
Please feel free to call us directly at 415.221.4618 or 800.332.4618. We are available to speak with you between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. If you call at a time when our offices are closed, please leave a message indicating your interest in our programs, and we will return your call promptly. If you prefer to communicate via email, or would like us to get in touch with you, please contact us here.
Return to the top
- I want to talk to someone live about the course. How can I do that?
- Where can I find some basic facts about the PCC?
- What is the prerequisite for the PCC?
- Which prerequisite should I take?
- When should I take my prerequisite?
- How much do the prerequisite classes cost?
- I've had lots of coaching training; may I skip the prerequisite?
- Are there any exceptions to the prerequisite requirement?
- How do I submit my application?
- When should I submit my application?
- How do you process and respond to applications?
- I am not a college graduate; will that work against me in the application process?
- Why do I have to answer essay questions to apply?
- Does being certified by New Ventures West mean I am also ICF certified?
- Why does it take a whole year? Isn't there a faster way to get certified?
- How much does it cost to get certified?
- What percentage of people who attempt certification don’t pass?
- What methods of payment do you accept?
- What do I do if I want to use two different modes of payment for my deposit and remaining tuition?
- How much time does it take during the year to get the coursework done?
- Do you help students with business development during the yearlong course?
- How will you support me after I graduate?
- How do you compare with other coaching schools?
- I want to benefit from the personal development aspects of your program but I don’t intend to hang out my shingle as a private coach. Is it still appropriate for me to participate?
- I’m an experienced coach and don’t care about certification but I’ve heard your Integral Coaching work is very useful; do you have a shorter program?
I want to talk to someone live about your programs. How can I do that?
We are more than happy to talk to potential students. You may contact us directly at 415.221.4618 or 800.332.4618. You’ll likely speak with Christy Svanemyr, our Director of Undergraduate Development. If you would like someone to call you, please contact us by sending us a message indicating your interest in the course.
If you’re interested in speaking to a graduate of our courses who does not work for New Ventures West, we would be happy to refer you to someone (often in your geographical area) with whom you can have a conversation. Here are some facts about the Professional Coaching Course that might help inform your conversation.
Where can I find some basic facts about the PCC?
Here is a snapshot of the PCC. It includes facts like tuition, duration, and class size.
What is the prerequisite for the PCC?
Before being accepted into the Professional Coaching Course (PCC), applicants must have completed or be registered for one of the prerequisite courses.
The most common way to fulfill the requirement is the two-day Coaching to Excellence (CTE) class that is available in several cities around the country. It provides an important grounding in the foundations of Integral Coaching methodology. Also, it gives you an opportunity to get to know us and gives us an opportunity to know you. Alternatively, coaches who have some experience already may choose the three-day Integral Coaching Principles (ICP) class. Either one will satisfy the requirement; you need not take both.
Which prerequisite should I take?
Coaching To Excellence (CTE) is a two-day course designed for anyone who is interested in learning the core fundamentals of the Integral Coaching methodology. You do not need any prior knowledge or experience in coaching to attend. The CTE is a hands-on primer that is applicable to the workplace and everyday life. Through exercises, practice and demonstrations, you learn the core foundations of what it takes to evoke long-term excellence in others. Both beginners and more experienced coaches are welcomed and challenged in this course.
Integral Coaching Principles (ICP) is a three-day course designed for experienced professionals who have practice working one-on-one with clients. It’s specifically for experienced coaches, graduates from other coaching schools, managers or other professionals with coaching experience, therapists, consultants, or anyone looking to add rigor and structure to their practice. This course introduces the three core models that we teach in the Professional Coaching Course (PCC).
Return to the top
When should I take my prerequisite?
We recommend (and prefer) that applicants complete their prerequisite before applying to the PCC, so that they have a firsthand sense of our work before committing themselves to the yearlong program. In fact, recommendation by the CTE or ICP leader is part of our process in determining your readiness for the PCC.
However, in cases where scheduling is a problem, it's possible for us to consider your PCC application before you've completed the prerequisite. In such cases, we may ask to speak by phone before we respond to your application. And, you must register for the prerequisite at the time that you are accepted into the PCC and complete it before Session Two of the PCC for which you are registered.
How much do the prerequisite classes cost?
Coaching to Excellence costs $695. This tuition includes a copy of James Flaherty’s book, Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others and all course materials. If you choose to take Integral Coaching Principles to fulfill your prerequisite, the tuition for this class is $1,275; it also includes a copy of the book and all course materials.
I've had lots of coaching training; may I skip the prerequisite?
Many people come to us with an extensive background of training and certifications. While the work you have done in the past will support you in your coaching, you are still required to take a prerequisite. Our courses lay out the foundation of our Integral Coaching methodology and offer an entry point into a new type of conversation about how we humans change. This includes language, distinctions and models that invite you to look at life in a different way. Beginning to study this methodology in the prerequisite course prepares you to enter the PCC.
Are there any exceptions to the prerequisite requirement?
There are no exceptions. No amount of previous experience or education counts as a substitute; the work in these classes is essential to the PCC.
How is the class structured?
When you enroll in the PCC, you join an intimate group of 20 professionals who study, learn, and practice together for an entire year and quickly form a supportive learning community. No other coaching school offers a continuous, small-group learning environment. The curriculum blends a rigorous course of study with hands-on practice and attention to participants' own individual development.
- The PCC is organized around four face-to-face sessions. Each session lasts from Thursday to Sunday.
- Days run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a long afternoon break to eat lunch, do a short assignment, walk, and relax.
- In between sessions, you read books from the "Coach's Bookshelf," complete written assignments, coach clients, and undertake your own individual development program.
- As you engage in these activities, you draw upon the support of small learning groups called pods. Each pod works with a pod mentor, an experienced graduate of the program. You also receive periodic coaching from the course faculty.
Return to the top
What kind of support will I receive during the class?
Learning to coach is not something we can do alone. Throughout the year, you receive support and extensive feedback from a very experienced faculty and from your classmates in several ways.
- You have six private coaching sessions with the course faculty.
- You are a member of a small group (pod), which meets together on a regular basis in between sessions either by telephone or in person (depending upon where people live). Each pod has a pod mentor, an experienced graduate of the program who provides support and counsel. The focus of pod meetings evolves during the year, from students' personal development, to the models and practices of Integral Coaching, to students' experiences coaching clients.
- Individual participants often pair up with each other informally around particular issues of mutual interest.
How do I submit my application?
You can mail, fax, or email your application (including your essays and JPEG photo). Submission information can be found on the first page of the application.
When should I submit my application?
Sometimes the PCC fills to capacity months in advance (with our maximum of 20 participants). It is difficult to predict when any given course will fill. Therefore, we recommend that you apply as soon as you are sure that you want to take the program and are free for all the dates of the class. You will have the best chance of admission into the group you want by submitting your application early.
How do you process and respond to applications?
The Professional Coaching Course leader reviews and accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis. We select applicants whom we feel have the greatest chance of success in the program and whom we consider likely to contribute to a developmental community. You will receive a response to your application within 10 days, often sooner.
I am not a college graduate; will that work against me in the application process?
Absolutely not. We are open to anyone, with any background. We are looking for people with a capacity to self-observe, an eagerness to learn and a willingness to be a beginner.
Return to the top
Why do I have to answer essay questions to apply?
Our intent in asking these questions is two-fold:
- To gain a better understanding of who you are (or, more accurately, your perspective of who you are) and your interest in participating in a rigorous program that involves, among other things, attention to your own personal development.
- To invite you to begin the process of making assessments of your own competence in multiple streams of development.
Does being certified by New Ventures West mean I am also ICF certified?
No. The ICF recognizes the Professional Coaching Course as an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP). Graduating from the PCC earns you the designation of certified Integral Coach®. It also means you have completed the educational component required for ICF credentialing as an Associate Certified Coach or Professional Certified Coach.
If you desire this additional designation, you apply directly to the ICF using their ACTP application and provide a copy of your NVW certificate, 2 letters of recommendation from NVW faculty, and a log of your coaching hours. The number of hours you have coached will determine which credential you are eligible for. You can find more information here.
Why does it take a whole year? Isn't there a faster way to get certified?
Getting certified isn’t simply a matter of getting a list of things done or fulfilling certain quantitative requirements. Earning the Integral Coach® certification requires developing our unique coaching voice, the ability to listen profoundly, respond with creative compassion, and lots and lots of practice. This development, this practice, takes time.
Integral Coaching is a methodology of understanding and working with others to produce authentic and sustainable changes in their lives. Like any other serious learning endeavor, mastering this methodology takes time. While we understand that you may be eager to receive your credentials, we’ve found that a year is the minimum amount of time necessary to produce outstanding coaches.
How much does it cost to get certified?
Our prerequisite course, Coaching to Excellence, costs $695. (If you choose to take Integral Coaching Principles instead, that tuition is $1,275.) Our yearlong Professional Coaching Course costs $9,500. Those two fees together include absolutely everything: classroom sessions, one-on-one coaching, mentoring, books and materials, and certification. There are no additional fees.
What methods of payment do you accept?
For most payment options, it is possible to pay either by credit card or by check. If you choose to pay by credit card, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. If you select the early-pay option (Option B), you may pay by check only.
Return to the top
What do I do if I want to use two different modes of payment for my deposit and remaining tuition?
If you would like to pay for your deposit with one method of payment and the balance of your tuition with another, we are happy to accommodate this. You can:
- pay your deposit with a credit card, and pay for the balance of your tuition by check,
- pay your deposit with a credit card, and pay the balance of your tuition with a different credit card, or
- pay your deposit with a check, and pay the balance of your tuition with a credit card.
What percentage of people who attempt certification don’t pass?
Less than 5%. That’s because our application process, starting with the Coaching to Excellence class, helps us identify participants who are a good fit for our program. Throughout the year we stay in close contact with you and we follow your development. Before certification, we’ll have a conversation with you specifically to help clarify whether or not you are ready to get certified. We do our best to prepare you for the process and also to let you know if we have any concerns. If we recommend that you postpone certification, you can come back at a later time and sit for certification at no extra cost. If you decide on your own not to pursue certification with your class, then there will be a $750 charge to go through with another group at a later time.
How much time does it take during the year to get the coursework done?
It varies throughout the year. Students report that they spend an average of 5-10 hours a week on coursework. In the first session of the PCC you will receive your own personalized development program and will have practices and exercises to support you in developing the body and voice of a coach. We take those practices into account when we estimate the time. The rest of the time is spent on written homework, reading, coaching, and client case studies.
Do you help coaches with business development during the yearlong course?
Our yearlong program is designed to build the body and the voice of a coach and to teach you how to coach. There is so much to learn about Integral Coaching methodology itself that we do not have time to address business development during the year. Instead, we offer a separate course for this called Coach as Entrepreneur. It can be taken before, during or after the PCC.
Return to the top
How will you support me after I graduate?
We are strongly committed to helping our graduates succeed. In this vein, we offer several opportunities for continuing education, including free Coaching Roundtables, our quarterly newsletter, and many programs exclusively to support the ongoing growth and development of our graduates such as Master Classes, Coaching Reunion Weekends, and more. Furthermore, our coaches can list themselves on the Find A Coach section of our website, where potential clients can view coach profiles and contact coaches with whom they are interested in working.
How do you compare with other coaching schools?
While we don’t feel we are qualified to speak to the offerings of other coaching schools, we can highlight the distinctive qualities of our school.
New Ventures West has been training coaches for more than two decades and we have an international reputation as one of the preeminent schools in the field. Our Integral Coaching® programs are based on a rigorous methodology, the intent of which is to build our clients’ competence for long-term excellence, rather than merely supporting them to reach goals.
Because we are integral in nature, we don’t differentiate between life, executive or career coaching. We coach the person, not the topic. We ask ourselves, how is this person relating to their topic, and how can we help them develop the capacity to handle the situation more effectively?
We train our coaches in person with a faculty of nine for a class of 20 students, providing lots of individualized attention and support. This intimate group of students and faculty stay together for the entire year. Participants build strong relationships with their classmates that often continue long after the program is complete.
We invite you to research the offers of other schools and to decide for yourself if we’re a good fit for you. To facilitate your ability to cross-compare certification programs, here is a snapshot of the Professional Coaching Course.
Return to the top
I want to benefit from the personal development aspects of your program but I don’t intend to hang out my shingle as a private coach. Is it still appropriate for me to participate?
The way the PCC supports your personal growth is through your development as a practitioner of Integral Coaching services. You don’t need to become a private coach, but you do need to have the intention to contribute to others and the willingness to engage in this methodology and to do the work and assignments in the program.
I’m an experienced coach and don’t care about certification but I’ve heard your Integral Coaching work is very useful; do you have a shorter program?
Integral Coaching Principles is a three-day course designed for seasoned coaches who are looking to add depth and rigor to their practice. We introduce the three core models that we teach in our yearlong program and you’ll be able to integrate this methodology into your current practice immediately.
I have a question that isn’t addressed here. How do I contact you?
Please feel free to call us directly at 415.221.4618 or 800.332.4618. We are available to speak with you between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. If you call at a time when our offices are closed, please leave a message indicating your interest in our programs, and we will return your call promptly. If you prefer to communicate via email, or would like us to get in touch with you, please contact us here.
Return to the top
What our grads are saying:
"I left with the methodology and credentials I sought, but also as a more self-aware, open, and compassionate individual and coach. It was a life journey as well as a coach program. I fully believe that my work with New Ventures West allowed me to build a thriving executive coaching practice based on both the practical tools and deep gifts of this program."
Patti Cain-Stanley
Cain-Stanley & Company
Patti Cain-Stanley
Cain-Stanley & Company
