LIFC201: Introduction to Life Coaching

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 08/08/2024

Course Description

Offers an introduction to professional coaching from a Christian worldview with special attention given coaching theories, practice, skills, and various coaching specialties. This will include an overview of common client presenting issues.

Rationale

Coaching is a vital new helping field that is growing daily. Some of the core skills for the coaching profession are the same as the counseling profession: building a relationship and learning to effectively communicate with the client. This course helps the student to understand the differences and similarities between the two fields and the opportunity to broaden the scope of help for people in need. If there is ever a time for godly leadership, servanthood, and biblical counsel, it is now. This course seeks to meet that challenge by equipping the student with the basic foundations of life coaching and biblically guiding individuals asking for help.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 4 Discussions that specifically relate to the assigned module’s content. Each discussion will be completed in 2 parts: 1) the student will create a 250–600-word thread in answer to the question provided and 2) the student will then reply to at least 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 100–300 words. Each thread must use at least 2 citations from course readings, and each reply must also use at least 2 citations. (CLOs: A, B, C, E)

Case Study Assignments (2)

Case Studies will be written throughout the course to allow the student the opportunity to apply life coaching principles. In these assignments, the student will be presented a specific case scenario applicable to the course material and the student will respond to each case using the material covered in class up to that date and include biblical integration where appropriate. The student will apply life coaching strategies and implement research principles within simulated sessions. The following skills will be addressed in these assignments: application of assessments and tools, empowering leaders, addressing setbacks, project management, and additional foundational techniques. Each assignment must be at least 400 words. (CLOs: C, D, E)

The student will write an essay addressing a personal niche or specialty in Christian Life Coaching. The student will construct an essay, incorporating material from a variety of sources. The student will use the course textbook and library to access peer-reviewed sources. This assignment allows the student the opportunity to grow in research skills and to become aware of a variety of sources. The student will learn how to properly integrate a biblical worldview within life coaching and use first-person writing to curate this essay. Using tools, assessments, concepts, techniques, and skills, the student will broaden the student’s understanding of life coaching by applying it in the student’s own lives within a biblical worldview. This assignment will be at least 500 words. (CLOs: C, E, F)

Presentation Assignment

As a growing field, it is imperative for life coaching to abide by ethical guidelines and specific standards. Coaches from around the world are coming together to raise standards for training and practice so that coaching can continue to emerge into an increasingly respectable and useful field. While the certification process is personal and there are a host of opportunities available, considerations of ethics protect both clients and coaches to prevent problems from developing later. The good news is that ethical codes and standards for coaches do exist. The student will provide foundational information on life coaching and address ethical guidelines and standards within life coaching. This assignment must be 10-15 slides. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F)

Outline Assignments (2)

The student will complete 2 Outline Assignments to describe a specific learning process within Christian Life Coaching. In these assignments, the student will be presented with a coaching model and a coaching exercise in which they will explain their personal and creative process. Interacting with these assessments is imperative for personal foundation before application with coaching clients. The student will apply life coaching strategies and implement research principles to defend their reasoning. The following skills will be addressed in these assignments: uncovering values, pursuing passion, clarifying the vision, strategy, and setting goals. Each assignment must be at least 400 words. (CLOs: B, C, E)

Quizzes (8)

The student will complete 8 quizzes that are cumulative and cover the material presented in the textbook. Each quiz is open-book/open-notes and is comprised of 10 multiple-choice, short answer, and true/false questions. Each quiz must be completed in 1 sitting, and the student will have 45 minutes to complete each quiz. Each quiz will cover the learn material from the appropriate Module: Week. Once the quiz is opened, it must be completed; it cannot be saved and resumed at a later time. (CLOs: A, B, D, E, F)