Duquesne University's Professional Coaching Certification Program Earns ICF Accreditation

PITTSBURGH, March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Duquesne University's professional coaching certification program, offered by the School of Leadership and Professional Advancement, has been named an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) by the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Of approximately 32 in-person ACTPs in the U.S., Duquesne's is the first ACTP based in Pennsylvania.

"We're delighted to reach this status after roughly a two-year process," said Dean Dorothy Bassett. "ACTP status provides even greater distinction to students and alumni of this program."

Offered through a combination of six weekends, teleconferences and online coursework, students may earn Associate Certified Coach (ACC) or Professional Certified Coach (PCC) certification as defined by the ICF.

The growing coaching profession, which helps clients to fulfill personal and professional lives, offers opportunity for a broad range of individuals to specialize in areas such as executive coaching, nonprofit, wellness and others, said Donna Billings, PCC and training director of Duquesne's program.

"The profession is also appealing to managers who want better skills in their current corporate positions," Billings said, "and we're seeing a great number of retirees who, instead of actually retiring, are rewiring their careers as professional coaches once they leave their primary careers."  

Billings, a former senior manager of training/organizational development for a Fortune 100 company who turned her experience and expertise into a professional coaching practice, noted that "many Fortune 100 companies worldwide are starting to require ICF certification as a prerequisite consideration for coaches."

The next session begins on April 1. The program is approved for PA CareerLink funding and a corporate discount is available. For more information, call 412.396.5600 or visit www.duq.edu/coaching.

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and tradition of academic excellence. The University is nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review for its rich academic programs in 10 schools of study for 10,000-plus graduate and undergraduate students, and by the Washington Monthly for service and contributing to students' social mobility. Duquesne is a member of the U.S. President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction for its contributions to Pittsburgh and communities around the globe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges acknowledge Duquesne's commitment to sustainability.

www.duq.edu.

SOURCE Duquesne University