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Leader-as-a-Coach Program

The Ryan College of Business (RCoB), Leader-as-Coach Program is a highly-experiential, executive education program focused on core competencies for agile, multi-dimensional leaders seeking to foster engagement and empower teams capable of navigating uncertainty and producing sustainable results. The program will help participants build coaching skills to add to their collection of competencies needed for effective leadership and to recognize situations best suited to apply coaching. Successful completion of the program leads to a RCoB, Leader-as-Coach Program - Certificate of Participation.

WABC Accredited Candidate (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach) Badge
We are a WABC Accredited Candidate (Level 1 – Leader-as-Coach)™

We are currently being assessed by the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches™ (WABC™) to become WABC Accredited™, a globally recognized mark that represents the highest quality leader-as-coach coaching training in the world. We are participating in rigorous independent assessment, designed exclusively for leader-as-coach coaching programs, to ensure we offer high quality, evidence-based training rooted in real-world organizational and business needs. WABC is the leading global association committed to driving business coaching and leader-as-coach coaching excellence with robust, evidence-based practices.

WABC Accredited Candidate (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach) Badge
We are a WABC Accredited Candidate (Level 2 – Leader-as-Coach)™

We are currently being assessed by the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches™ (WABC™) to become WABC Accredited™, a globally recognized mark that represents the highest quality leader-as-coach coaching training in the world. We are participating in rigorous independent assessment, designed exclusively for leader-as-coach coaching programs, to ensure we offer high quality, evidence-based training rooted in real-world organizational and business needs. Once approved, our graduates will be eligible to receive the WABC Certified Leader-as-Coach™ (CLAC™) credential. WABC is the leading global association committed to driving business coaching and leader-as-coach coaching excellence with robust, evidence-based practices.

Program Structure

Pending successful passing of WABC program accreditation assessments, both the RCoB - Certificate of Participation and the WABC Certified Leader-as-CoachTM credential can be earned upon successful completion of all course requirements within the structure and timeframe of the 14-week hybrid program.  Twenty documented coaching hours will be required within the duration of the coaching program to earn the WABC Certified Leader-as-CoachTM credential.  The RCoB Certificate of Participation can be earned by completing the course work without fulfilling documented coaching time requirements.

As a hybrid program, in-person workshop sessions are required on alternating Saturdays twice per month (i.e., seven total in-person sessions) and online asynchronous engagement is required via the Canvas learning management platform between in-person sessions. All in-person sessions will be held at the University of North Texas, Frisco Campus.  Each in-person Saturday session is four hours with lunch provided.  Core components of the program structure are aligned to meet the rigorous WABC requirements.

Program Content

The Leader-as-Coach framework leverages research-supported concepts that are grounded in multidisciplined theory and robust practice that enhance leadership effectiveness and produce evidence-based results. Throughout the  14-week program participants will develop core competencies in coaching,  gain tools to build collaborative and trusting relationships, and equip participants to help others maximize organizational engagement and realize professional potential.

Throughout the program conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities will be applied to various organizational topics, including organizational culture, motivation, leadership, dynamics of power, perception and attribution, communication, performance, developmental assessments, and emotional intelligence. The course utilizes a mixture of practical applications, theoretical concepts, experiential learning, and real-world practice. Discussions and interactive practice activities are designed to help participants acquire knowledge and skills that enable enhanced relationships of trust, value creation, and improved organizational performance.

Target Participants

This program is designed for business and organizational leaders who want to strengthen their leadership impact through best-in-industry leadership coaching education. To the extent possible peer-level appropriate cohorts will be organized, including the following target groups from multiple industries:

  • Executives
  • Experienced leaders
  • Mid-career managers
  • High-potential emerging leaders
  • Entrepreneurs
  • HR and talent development professionals

Enrollment Criteria

Application guidelines to this competitive program call for a minimum of five years professional experience, including recent leadership responsibilities, for degreed applicants and a minimum of eight years of professional experience, including recent leadership responsibilities, for nondegree applicants.

Applications for the program will be accepted from January 2026 for the August–November 2026 cohort.

Application forms will be accessible here by January 2026.

Tuition & Fees

Details on tuition and fees will appear here by January 2026

Course Credit Options

Details on course credit options will appear here by January 2026

Leader-as-Coach Program Faculty

Dr. Doug Killough
Dr. Doug Killough
Department of Management Lecturer
Ken Meyers
Department of Management Lecturer