Psychology of Coaching

Coaching psychology is a fast growing and relatively new approach to the enhancement of human performance in work, relationships and life in general. Coaching psychology is an applied positive psychology and sits at the intersection of counselling, clinical, and organisational psychology. Its practitioners work with well-functioning clients, using theoretically grounded and scientifically validated techniques to help them create behavioural change, and enhance their personal development and performance in their business and/or private life. In Asia, Australia, Europe and the USA, personal and professional coaching is a growth industry. Graduates of this program can expect to find employment as human performance consultants and executive coaches in industry, in the human resources field or in private practice.

Overview

The University of Sydney offers the Graduate Certificate of Applied Science (Psychology of Coaching) [GradCertApplSc (PsychCoach)], the Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (Psychology of Coaching) [GradDipApplSc (PsychCoach)] and the Masters of Applied Science (Psychology of Coaching) [MApplSc (PsychCoach)], which is the program preferred by the industry. This postgraduate program teaches the applied science of human performance enhancement and coaching.

This program provides students with a sound grounding in the theoretical and methodological aspects of coaching psychology and teaches fundamental applied coaching skills. The program aims to produce graduates who are skilled coaches, capable of coaching in an extensive variety of settings and with a wide range of client populations including executive, management and personal coaching practice. This program is open to those who wish to gain high-quality, theoretically grounded applied skills in coaching for performance and development. Participants may include (but are not limited to) psychologists, psychologistsin-training, counsellors, individuals working in the human resources field, personnel managers or those seeking a career in performance coaching. This program is most suited to mature-age applicants with work experience and is designed to be undertaken on a part-time basis. The Coaching Psychology Unit seeks to enhance the performance, productivity and quality of life of individuals, organisations and the broader community, through excellence in education, research and the practice of coaching psychology.

University of Sydney Advantage

There are currently very few universities worldwide that offer postgraduate program level qualifications in coaching psychology. The Coaching Psychology Unit at the University is recognised as a world leader in the development of both coaching theory and its real world application. To ensure that students receive the best available training in psychology of coaching, it is taught by practising coaching psychologists, training and management consultants, all of whom have extensive experience in their specialised fields and many of whom have international reputations. The programs offered by the Coaching Psychology Unit offer leading edge training in the theory and practice of coaching.

Program Expectations

Students should expect to gain both a sound grounding in the main psychological theories and principles that inform coaching practice, and a foundation in the core skills of applied coaching. These theoretical and applied skills include:

• an ability to implement coaching in a variety of settings
• an understanding of the strengths, limitations and applications of coaching methodologies
• an ability to design and implement coaching programs in organisational settings
• an understanding of how systems, groups and teams operate, and the application of coaching within complex systems
• an understanding of the central features of personal and life coaching
• an overview of the main forms of psychopathology found in coaching and how to deal appropriately with clients displaying mental health issues

Mode of Delivery

The program is run in a face-to-face mode at the University of Sydney Camperdown campus. We do not offer distance education. Units of study are primarily semester long, although some units are offered in intensive block mode. Some block units are taught outside of the normal semester sessions, and potential students should check the timetabling which is posted on the Coaching Psychology Unit website. Semester-long classes are typically taught in the early evening starting at 4pm with the latest finishing at 9pm. Please note that all classes are highly interactive, and international students should be aware that a high level of spoken English is a necessity.

Admission Requirements

• Entry into the program is competitive. Students should have either a 3-year Psychology degree or a 3-year degree in a cognate discipline with a major in areas such (but not limited to) arts, humanities, business, science or law. At least two years relevant employment experience is required. To help the assessment process we request that applicants provide the names of up to three referees, and applicants should include a short essay of 300 to 500 words outlining their prior experience, their interests in the program and their overall goals on graduation.
• The typical student profile for this program is a mid-career professional who wishes to gain high-quality, theoretically-grounded skills in coaching psychology. Participants may include (but are not limited to) psychologists, psychologists-intraining, counsellors, individuals working in the human resources field, personnel managers or those seeking a career using applied positive psychology. This program is most suited to mature-age applicants with work experience and is designed to be undertaken on a part-time basis.

Program Requirements

GradCertApplSc(PsychCoach):
- satisfactory completion of 24 credit points (cp)

GradDipApplSc(PsychCoach):
- satisfactory completion of 36 cp

MApplSc (PsychCoach):
- satisfactory completion of 48 cp

Units of Study

Up to date list of units of study.

After Graduation

While there is no generally recognised professional qualification for coaches, the program is consistent with the International Coach Federation (ICF) core competencies. Hence successful completion of the program may contribute toward accreditation in the ICF’s portfolio track. Similarly, for students with a four year degree in psychology, participation in the program can be used as part of the requirements for registration as a psychologist via the supervision track. However, the program does not in itself qualify students for registration as a psychologist.

Graduates would normally expect to gain employment in a range of jobs involving human resource development. Private practice, organisational consultancy and professional services firms are also major destinations for our graduates.

Annual intake

15 - 40

Minimum Program Duration – Full Time

GradCertApplSc(PsychCoach) - not offered

GradDipApplSc(PsychCoach) - 2 semesters

MApplSc(PsychCoach) - 2 semesters

Minimum Program Duration - Part Time

GradCertApplSc(PsychCoach) - 2 semesters

GradDipApplSc(PsychCoach) - 3 semesters

MApplSc(PsychCoach) - 4 semesters

Is Mid-Year Entry Available?

Yes

Special Note

Full-time study of GradCertAppSc (PsychCoach) is NOT available and full-time study of the other programs is not recommended for local students.

This program does NOT qualify as an alternative fourth year for registration. This program is not suited for those wishing to obtain an accredited honours equivalent degree in psychology for purposes of registration or membership of the Australia Psychological Society.

For further information please visit:
Psychologists Registration Board of New South Wales
Phone: +61 2 9219 0211
Email:
Website: www.psychreg.health.nsw.gov.au

Further information about membership of the APS may be obtained from:
Australian Psychological Society
Phone: +61 3 8662 3300
Email:
Website: www.psychology.org.au