Level 1 Certificate Requirements Overview
There are three requirements to receive a Level 1 Certificate from Positive Acorn:
#1- Coaching Skills Course and Group Mentoring Course (or equivalent mentor coaching outside of Positive Acorn)
#2- Three hours of Individual Mentor Coaching (not included in course package)
#3- Pass the Performance Evaluation ($375 fee)
#1- COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Coaching Skills Course
You must complete the coursework and attend 70% of the Coaching Skills live sessions to meet the requirements of the Level 1 Certificate.
Group Mentor Coaching Course
Students must have 10 hours of mentor coaching to receive a Level 1 Certificate. This can be completed in a combination of group and individual mentor coaching. However, three hours must be individual mentor coaching hours. The remaining seven hour may be in a group mentor coaching course.
For those enrolled in Positive Acorn’s Group Mentor Coaching course, you must complete the coursework and attend 100% of the Group Mentor Coaching live sessions to meet the requirements of the Level 1 Certificate. We also accept group and individual mentoring from other coach trainers, subject to review.
For example, if you choose to complete all ten hours using individual mentor coaching, or if you choose to take a group mentoring course elsewhere, you may still receive a Level 1 certificate from Positive Acorn. However, please contact us prior to contracting individual mentor coaching sessions to have this pre-approved.
#2- MENTOR COACHING REQUIREMENT
Three hour-long Individual Mentor Coaching Sessions are required for a Level 1 Certificate.
Mentor Coaching is working with a qualified and experienced coach to improve one’s competencies and understanding of the coaching process. Three hours of Individual Mentor Coaching sessions are required for a Level 1 Certificate. Typically, mentor coaching involves a general discussion of coaching elements and direct, supportive feedback based on recordings of one’s coaching sessions.
Mentor coaching is an important part of skills development and can be enhanced by a good relationship. You want to find a mentor who fits you well. You may be primarily concerned with creating a recording that is likely to pass the performance evaluation. You may want to develop outstanding coaching skills. It may be that you are looking for increased self-awareness. While all of these are aspects of mentor coaching, mentors will differ in their emphasis on each and their personality and communication styles. Ultimately, you want someone you trust and can feel comfortable with. When searching for a mentor, you might consider any or all of the following:
- Professional background and experience with coaching
- Languages spoken
- Approach to giving feedback
- Cultural literacy
Although you are welcome to find a mentor of your own choosing, We have curated a short list of potential mentors, in your mentor coaching topic. Each of these is someone who offers mentor coaching and who we know is a skilled, thoughtful, and experienced coach. To receive your Level 1 Certificate through Positive Acorn, your mentor must hold a PCC or MCC ICF Credential. Before contracting with a mentor, please reach out to have your mentor coach pre-approved.
#3- PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
You must pass a Performance Evaluation to receive a Level 1 Certificate.
To complete the Performance Evaluation, you will submit a recording of your coaching and a transcript. The recording should be between 30-60 minutes long. Performance evaluation transcripts need to be word-for-word and timestamped at every speaker change. This recording will be reviewed by a qualified ICF Assessor.
The performance evaluation requires a separate fee of $375. There is more information on the process and advice and policies regarding completing the performance evaluation in the topic specific to Performance Evaluations.
POSITIVE ACORN LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATE TIMELINE
Participants should aim to complete these requirements in one year from beginning the program. We work with students who need more time.
POSITIVE ACORN PARTIAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
All participants who have completed their Coaching Skills and Group Mentor Coaching coursework and payment plans will initially receive a partial completion certificate. We confer this certificate to ensure all participants have a certificate in hand. Some students may choose to end their training with a partial completion certificate. The partial completion certificate does not expire and can be used for ICF credentialing.
ICF offers applicants with a partial completion certificate the opportunity to complete the performance evaluation directly through ICF at the time of application. ICF offers the performance evaluation in English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Spanish, and Swedish. Because Positive Acorn only allows completion in English, completing it directly through ICF may be a better choice for students who would like to complete their performance evaluation in one of these languages.
For those students who are completing the full Level 1 certificate, it is the student’s responsibility to contact Positive Acorn when they are ready to complete the performance evaluation and when they have completed their individual mentor coaching sessions to receive their full Level 1 certificates. Upon completion of all requirements, graduates will receive a full Level 1 certificate.