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Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching for Impact
with Laura L. Summers, PhD
University of Colorado Denver’s Executive Coaching for Impact certificate empowers emerging and established leaders across organizations, school districts, non‑profits, and higher‑education institutions to elevate their impact through evidence‑based coaching practice.
This offering supports working professionals with a flexible blended‑learning experience featuring monthly, self‑paced online modules paired with live virtual community sessions designed for real‑time questions, guided coaching practice, and personalized feedback. Our research-based curriculum integrates proven coaching methodologies and aligns with the International Coaching Federation's (ICF) coaching competencies.The certificate provides a comprehensive introduction to the strategies, skills, and reflective practices that define effective executive coaching. It places strong emphasis on developing the core competencies required for impactful, ethical, and evidence‑based coaching. Participants learn coaching strategies that span human development theory, organizational change processes, positive psychology principles, and leadership development. The courses also offer experiential practice opportunities that help participants explore, test, and refine their emerging coaching styles.
The following nine courses make up the Executive Coaching for Impact certificate:
- [July 2026] Course 1: Foundations of Executive Coaching [8 modules + Project]
- [Sept. 2026] Course 2: Essential Strategies for Coaching Conversations [8 modules + Project]
- [Oct. 2026] Course 3: Cultivating Growth through Coaching [8 modules + Project]
- [Nov. 2026] Course 4: Difficult Conversations [8 modules + Project]
- [Jan. 2027] Course 5: Coaching Approaches & Models [8 modules + Project]
- [Feb. 2027] Course 6: Coaching through Stages of Concern/ Changes [8 modules + Project]
- [March 2027] Course 7: Team Coaching [8 modules + Project]
- [April 2027] Course 8: Coaching as a Business [8 modules + Project]
- [June 2027] Course 9: Portfolio Development & Practice for ICF [8 modules + Portfolio]
General Agenda: Each course is a four-week professional learning experience that takes place in Canvas and Zoom. The program supports self-directed learning through online, asynchronous discussions and field-based practice activities. Live guest presentations and weekly live community hours enable participants to collectively discuss questions, challenges, and new ideas.
| The Details | |
| Dates | July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 |
| Mode | Asynchronous with optional community hours every week |
| Length | 4 weeks per course |
| Cost | $1,200 |
| Location | Online |
| Graduate Credits Available | 9 |
Audience: Professionals in organizations, school districts, non-profits, and institutions of higher education who are interested in coaching-based conversations to support their work with partners, teams, direct-reports, or clients.
Purpose & Outcomes
- Learn the language, skills, and tools to apply coaching as a lever for transformational change.
- Strengthen organizational culture by implementing effective coaching practices.
- Demonstrate the ICF Core Competencies for Coaching at the ACC level
- Lead coaching engagements that drive meaningful client outcomes—whether aligning coaching with student learning and school improvement goals or connecting coaching work to organizational performance and strategic priorities.
- Develop the ability to identify, nurture, and support emerging leaders within your organization.
- Practice professional coaching techniques that enhance the success of your team, department, or broader organization
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Laura Summers, PhD
Facilitator
Laura Lee Summers, PhD is an accomplished educational leader with over 20 years of award-winning service within the University of Colorado Denver community. During her tenure, she distinguished herself as an associate professor and as director of professional learning and evaluation, specializing in instructional design, professional learning, digital teacher librarianship, and executive coaching. Summers has also held significant leadership positions in P-12 districts, where she focused on professional learning, coaching, and evaluating the effectiveness of district-wide learning initiatives.
Currently, Summers is a sought-after consultant who develops, coaches, and leads invitational online and hybrid professional learning experiences. She serves clients across higher education, P-12 education, business, and non-profit sectors. Her consulting offerings include executive coaching, mentoring, advising on student success, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. A prolific contributor to the field, she has published more than 30 practitioner-based and applied research publications and has presented and facilitated at over 100 events worldwide.