| Frequently Asked Questions |
How are we different to other providers?
When you start comparing us with other course providers you might notice that:
- Some colleges limit the amount of time you have to complete the course. Many course providers only allow you 12 months to complete the course. And after those 12 months are up they may require you to pay a fee to continue. With our course you can take as long as you need, without paying additional fees.
- Some colleges will only give you 7 days to return your course if it’s not right for you. If our course is not what you expected and you want a full refund we allow you 30 days to return it and claim your money back.
- Some colleges will charge you an administration fee to return the course. We refund all of your fees.
How long does it usually take to complete the course?
The course can take nine months to complete. But you can do it as quickly or slowly as you want. That's the great advantage of distance learning.
Do I need to finish the course within a certain time?
You can take as long as you want. Unlike other organizations, we don't set any time limits.
What do the courses cost?
To see the fees, click here. You can also enroll on that page.
Does the cost for the course include everything I need? Or are there any extra fees?
There are no other costs or fees.
Can I spread the cost of the courses over a period of time?
Yes. You can pay over five months. This costs about 20% more. To see the cost of paying by installments, please click here.
How could I get my money back if I don't like the course?
Just return the course in good condition within 30 days of receiving it, and we'll send you a full refund.
And if, after seeking work at the end of the course, you don't earn at least the cost of the course inside three months, we'll also refund your fees.
Can I start the course at any time?
Yes. You can start whenever you want. There are no fixed starting dates.
Is the course all from home, or do I have to go somewhere to sit tests?
It's all from home.
I live in the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada etc. Is the course suitable for me?
Yes. We have students all over the world, in 28 countries. We
welcome payment in any currency.
How can I contact my tutor or the Institute?
There have two types of people you can contact - your tutor and a course advisor.
The tutor marks your work, and helps you with any problems. You can fax, email or post assignments to your tutor, whenever you want.
We don't give out the tutor's phone number, because a few people would spend all day talking to their tutors, who would never get any work done or be available to other students.
But sometimes students get stuck, or have an urgent query. If so, you can phone a course advisor at the Institute at any time during business hours. If you leave a message out of business hours we'll call you back the next day. You can contact course advisors as often as you want, and about anything to do with business coaching.
Is the course accredited? And by whom?
Yes, we're accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council. You can find them at www.odlqc.org.uk. We're listed under Learning Institute, our parent organization.
We're also accredited by Public Eye and Better Business Bureau.
We are also registered with the Department for Education and Skills on its Register of Education and Training Providers.
Is there an Accreditation body for coaching? Or a governing body?
No. That means you don't need permission from anyone to work as a coach.
Will the course give me credits towards a degree or some other study?
No. But it will help you set up and run your own business. And we encourage all students to continue their studies after completing the course.
Are the tutors professional business coaches?
Yes, all tutors are working business coaches. Some other organizations use college lecturers, which means you don't get the information from those who work as a coach every day.
Can I get insurance to practice as a management consultant?
Yes. We can recommend brokers or insurance companies in the UK and North America who will sell you professional liability insurance. If you live in other countries, we can also help.
Can coaching be taught, just like accounting or the law?
Yes. Only it's a lot more fun!
Will the Diploma enable me to operate professionally?
Yes. the course is designed specifically to help you set up and run your own practice. Amazingly, some courses, even at university, omit this all-important aspect. What's the point of learning the skills without knowing how to use them to earn a livelihood? We give you enough technical knowledge to work as a business coach, and we also provide detailed guidance on marketing, operation and finance to run your own business.
Will the qualification help me get a job?
There aren't many jobs in business coaching organizations. This is because many of them are small. And when bigger firms hire, you could be lost in the pile of job applications.
The easiest way to earn a living as a coach is to work for yourself. It's also the most lucrative. So in the course we focus on how you can work from home as an management consultant.
Will you show me how to find work?
Yes, the course includes practical guidance on finding clients. You can also get additional help from your tutor or a course advisor.
Is there a final exam?
No, there is no final exam. The course is based on continuous assessment, through the assignments you send to your tutor.
And continuous assessment lets you check all the time that you're on track to succeed.
So you should look on each assignment as an exciting challenge. No, it's true! You'll enjoy them. Really. We promise you!
What happens if I fail an assignment?
You just do the work again! 80% of students complete the course without ever failing an assignment. But anyone might misunderstand the question, or produce an insufficiently detailed answer. So your tutor will explain the problem and ask you to send in the assignment again. and don't worry, when you do this, your work will truly be much better.
Can I submit hand-written assignments?
Yes. That's no problem.
Can I submit assignments by E-mail?
Yes. That's no problem.
Can I join the course without prior experience?
Yes. That's no problem. We make no assumptions about people's prior knowledge. The main needis to have a passion for coaching.
Can I tackle the topics in any order I choose?
Yes, you can. So, if you want to tackle a particular topic, you can go straight to that module. This is useful if you have a job or a client that requires you to know about a particular subject. You might note that some other organizations supply only one or two modules at a time.
I haven't studied for years. The thought of returning to study makes me nervous.
Don't worry. We sympathize. But this course is nothing like your memories of being stuck inside a stuffy classroom on a summer's day with an old-style teacher droning on.
For a start, this is a subject that really interests you (or you wouldn't have read this far).
And getting this deep into the website shows that you can absorb information and concentrate for long periods of time.
Also, you'll see that we write clearly and simply. And that's how we've written the course materials. Some other organizations write long and boring pages that make your eyes glaze over. We promise you that our course is nothing like that. You'll find this course is informative and enjoyable. In fact, many students are almost upset at finishing the course. Like turning the last page in a thriller, they wish there was more.
Do I get the whole course or just individual modules one at a time?
We send you the whole course when you register. This means you can study any topic you want to. You can also see what topics are coming up. Getting everything in one package makes it easier for you to get an overview of the course. As we mentioned above, some other organizations supply only one or two modules at a time.
How does this course compare with others?
We think this is the best course in the world. Bar none. But please examine other courses before making a decision. Consider these points:
1. Is the course comprehensive? Does it cover all subjects, including weddings?
2. Will your studies be supported by a tutor? Research shows that people succeed much better on courses that include a personal tutor. The tutor is your teacher, of course. But the tutor is also your mentor, and provides support.
3. Is it interactive? That is, do the course materials regularly make you stop and think, and do exercises? Too many other courses consist of page after page of boring lecture notes. A course should keep you active and engaged.
4. Does it teach you about setting up your own business? College courses are often weak on this point.
5. Is it accredited?
6. Can you get a refund if you don't like the course?
For our course, the answer to all these questions is 'Yes'. But check out other people's courses as well before registering. We want you to make the choice that's right for you.
So, how can I find out about other courses?
1. See if any courses are available at your local college or nearby university. But remember that they may not include real-world business information.
2. Scour the internet. But beware: many dot com entrepreneurs with no experience in the field think they can teach business coaching.
3. See if you can contact a careers advisor. As they would be the first to admit, careers advisors know nothing about coaching. And the careers books they consult will probably suggest getting a three to five-year college degree in your chosen field. Which may (or may not) be a good thing, but it isn't an option for most of our students (many of whom already have a degree!). And a degree isn't needed for your practice.
Can a newcomer break into coaching and earn money?
Yes, absolutely. We show you how.
Are there any restrictions on me setting up as an consultant?
No state or federal laws stop you setting up and running your own practice.
To keep you straight, we also provide detailed advice on forming a company, keeping records, and paying taxes.
Any other questions?
If you have a question, why not email us now? We could add it to our list of FAQs.
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