Bringing out the best in others, life coaches are like personal trainers for the mind. With compassion and commitment, life coaches help people improve their lives and achieve their goals; with the assistance of a life coach, individuals develop motivation, build self-esteem, improve their relationships and put an end to bad habits. As more people benefit from coaching, the demand for qualified life coaches is swiftly increasing.
Why a Bachelor's Degree?
With a bachelor’s degree in life coaching, students are qualified to offer life and career coaching, as well as work in a number of mental health services settings. Most life coaching training can be completed in four years or less. As with other bachelor’s degree programs, students should expect to take at least two semesters of general education classes, as well as a variety of classes in the major field. The best life coaching programs place students in an internship prior to graduation, so students can get real world experience.
Inside a Life Coaching Bachelor’s Degree Program
The first two years of a bachelor’s degree in life coaching program will be comprised of general education classes and introductory coursework in the major field. Students should expect to take at least one course in writing, literature, mathematics, history, and natural science. Major field classes do not typically start prior to the second year, and often include a general psychology course, as well as one in developmental psychology.
Classes in the major will usually dominate the last two years of the typical program. Psychotherapy, counseling theories, statistics, research methods, and abnormal psychology are common courses. The best programs place students in an internship prior to graduation, so students can test their knowledge in the field under supervised conditions.
What’s Next for Life Coaching Bachelor’s Degree Holders?
Students who graduate from life coaching programs find a wide array of jobs available to them; they are frequently employed as non-licensed counselors who work in a variety of mental health settings. As with other counseling and social work fields, the profession of life coaching is expected to grow through 2024, according to the BLS. Many who graduate with a life coaching bachelor’s degree find rewarding work as caseworkers, while others specialize in a specific field, such as substance abuse. Professionals in these positions should expect to earn a median salary around $40,000 annually.