Becoming a Coach Can be Challenging, But do You Need a Degree to be a Life Coach?

One of the questions that people who are looking into becoming a coach wonder is, “Do you need a degree to be a life coach?” There are some key elements to becoming a coach, and at the end of this article you will be able to tell me the answer to the question, “Do you need a degree to be a life coach.”

Becoming a coach takes leadership. Basically to become a coach who provides results, you need to be able to take people where they can’t or won’t take themselves. If their results are predictable with or without you, then you are not a coach. To become a leader means you go first. Does leadership come naturally? Some people are natural leaders, of course, but to become a great leader or coach you will need specific training. Some of the most famous leaders in history come from the military, not universities. So do you need a degree to be a life coach?

Do You Need a Degree to be a Life Coach, or Does Becoming a Coach Simply Take Leadership?

Becoming a coach means people will treat you as a leader, rather than someone whose problems control them. This has to do with integrity. Having integrity means being committed to doing what you committed to, and empowering others to do the same. It means communicating fully and honestly, whether it is easy or not. Do you need a degree to be a life coach who has integrity? Integrity and reliability are not natural, but they can be learned. But, I’ve never seen a university course titled “Integrity 101” or “Reliability Training for Coaches.”

What’s More Important in Becoming a Coach, Commitment, or Do You Need a Degree to be a Life Coach?

Becoming a coach also requires commitment to your own goals and to your clients’ goals. Behind every goal is a desire to change what we are doing or how we feel. And the outcomes behind the goals are really about who we want to become. And through taking action, we start to become who we need to become and believe what we need to believe in order to fulfill our vision. To stay committed to that path when the ripples of life look like tidal waves requires focus. Do you need a degree to be a life coach who is able to maintain focus in their own lives and help others achieve that in their lives?

So what do you think? Do you need a degree to be a life coach?

Colette Seymann

JTS Advisors Designated Accountability Coach