The Masters in Coaching has also been developed in response to demand from qualified and experienced coaches who are seeking advanced training that complements and extends the existing ICE provision of entry level qualifications focusing on coaching knowledge, practice skills and professional standards.
The Cambridge MSt differentiates itself from existing master’s programmes offered by other higher education institutions in the UK by focusing on (a) evidence-based models of psychological coaching; (b) professional applicability beyond specific sectors and domains, such as mentoring, education or career coaching, to include the full range of coaching contexts; (c) an inter-disciplinary approach that challenges students to develop a wide ranging curiosity of thought and research; (d) advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills that results in robust academic writing and research output, commensurate with a world-leading institution.
Educational aims
The MSt aims to produce graduates who:
- develop high levels of expertise as advanced practitioners of coaching through engagement with current theoretical and methodological approaches and by learning through practice and reflection on that practice;
- advance their coaching practice through originality and experimentation with evidence based creative approaches suitable to a range of contexts;
- use contemporary theory and philosophy to develop and enhance advanced coaching practice through engagement with psychologically informed approaches;
- have the ability to critically explore and evaluate different psychologically informed approaches to advanced coaching practice;
- engage with and analyse current and future developments within the field of coaching;
- develop inherent curiosity and advanced critical thinking and research skills relevant to advanced practitioners in contemporary and future coaching scenarios in a range of contexts;
- feel safe to explore and experiment with new approaches, honestly reflect on their development and freely provide and receive feedback on their professional practice to enable the development of their authentic and unique coaching identity fit for the future of coaching.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and understanding
- specialised, advanced knowledge of psychological models relevant to advanced coaching practice, to include neuroscience and systems approaches;
- critical engagement with and evaluation of the evidence base for effective coaching practice and measurement of outcomes;
- extensive understanding of a specialised field within coaching;
- detailed understanding of contemporary and future trends and issues in coaching and their implications for the coaching profession;
- advanced awareness of self and identity as a coach and the impact of culture, values and ethics on advanced coaching practice;
- advanced knowledge of research methodology.
Skills and other attributes
- critical review of advanced theoretical discourses from a multi-disciplinary perspective;
- development of new, creative approaches and concepts in response to contemporary issues and developments within coaching;
- highly developed research, critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
- design and execution of investigations to explore contemporary and future areas of theory and practice;
- selection of and critical evaluation of research methodology;
- advanced specialised (life or executive) evidence based and psychologically informed coaching skills for complex and evolving contexts;
- the ability to reflect on the application of contemporary thinking to specific areas of coaching and the value of different reflective models to reflect on practice;
- critical sensitivity to the ethical implications of developments and issues within coaching and impact on advanced practice.
Continuing
Successful completion of the MSt at a high grade may allow students to progress to a PhD either at the University of Cambridge or another institution.
Graduate employability and career destinations
It is expected that candidates accepted onto the programme will either have an established coaching business practice or working as professional coaches within an organisational context. However, by undertaking further learning and development in coaching by a highly respected institution will implicitly improve a person’s marketability and / or employability.