Lead by example. Transform the rest.

Extraordinary leaders aren’t born with their skills. At some point, they had experienced leaders in the field coach them to elevate the dynamic of teamwork and drive productivity. This Sherpa Executive Coaching Certification Program involves six phases earning you the Certified Sherpa Coach designation upon completion. The course’s CEU hours can be used toward International Coach Federation* (ICF) continuing education hours when you apply.

Snapshot

Format: Classroom

Hours: 78

Credits: 7.8 CEUs

Where: Athens, GA

When: Fall 2025

Cost: See details below

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Elite executives cannot stay sharp if they neglect to properly coach their teams. Extraordinary teams require extraordinary leadership. Lead by example by earning your coaching designation through expert classroom instruction and synergize your clients.

Learn the foundations of executive coaching and why it matters, communication tools and styles that are most conducive to success, and best practices for negotiating with clients. This program asks the big questions that push beyond conventional standards. By examining the coaching process, the class can organically cover every square inch of the coaching process through expert weekly support. The client based practicum is an opportunity to put what you learn to action and gain a fresh perspective on building rapport with your clients.

As you take the class, you’ll have 60 hours in the classroom and 18 hours of expert weekly support with a practicum client assignment which continues after the two-week classroom phase concludes. The Sherpa process involves six phases, with comprehensive exercises, assessments, and activities associated with each phase. See the course syllabus for more details.

  • Recognize the difference between executive coaching, therapy/counseling, consulting, and mentoring.
  • Interpret the concept of metacognition as it relates to Why It Matters.
  • Define and explain Impact on Business, the 6 phases, 2 routes, 10 paths, and 33 tools included in the Sherpa coaching process.
  • Collaborate effectively with classmates to practice and examine the process.
  • Understand and demonstrate the ten Characteristics of a Good Coach.
  • Create client-mapping evidence for five program case studies.
  • Manage 12-15 expert-facilitated coaching sessions with a Practicum Client and Certified Practicum Instructor.
  • Given the decision-making tools, choose the route, path, and tools to guide the practicum client toward their Summit; including an action plan.

Who Should Attend?

This program benefits a wide variety of professionals including human resource managers, training and development professionals, corporate and career coaches, or practicing executive coaches who are not yet certified.

Course Information

Course Number: 

1411-006

Course Date Info: 

One-Hour Virtual Orientation: Monday, September 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Week 1: October 6 -10, 2025
Week 2: November 10 - 13, 2025
Participation in both weeks is required.

After the in-classroom sessions, you will complete a multi-week, asynchronous practicum client assignment with your Sherpa Coach. *Course details, dates, and times are subject to change.

Location: 
UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
1197 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602
United States
See map: Google Maps
US
Course Fee(s): 

Standard fee which includes lodging and instruction: $11,999 (U.S. funds)

The registration fee includes all instructional materials, daily lunch and breaks, lodging, and parking. Our office issues a final confirmation to you on or about September 3.

A commuter fee is available for participants who live in the Athens area.

Standard Refund and Program Cancellation Policies:
The Georgia Center issues refunds (minus a $250 processing fee) for cancellations made on or before September 1, 2025, by emailing our office at student@georgiacenter.uga.edu. No refunds are made for cancellations after September 1, 2025. If a program is cancelled for any reason, the Georgia Center will not be responsible for any cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies. When booking airline reservations, ensure the tickets are refundable should the course be cancelled for any reason. Our office will issue final confirmation to you around September 3.

About the Georgia Center:
The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel is located on the beautiful and historic UGA campus in Athens, Georgia. Learn more on the Hotel website.

The program is based on the textbook, The Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching. The following Certified Sherpa Coaches could be instructors/facilitators for the class; subject to change without notice.

DeCoffette WardDeCoffette Ward is a master executive coach, an author, facilitator, lead instructor, and Chief People Office with Sherpa Library LLC. DeCoffette brings 20 years of facilitation and leadership experience, which has allowed her to contribute to the growth and success of companies in the electric power industry, the military, and manufacturing. Along with Brenda Corbett, she is a Sherpa co-author of “Executive Presence: Humility” and her own book called, Dream. Write. Execute.

DeCoffette WardDanielle (Dani) Redder is the CEO at Sherpa Library LLC, as well as a Master Certified Sherpa Executive Coach. She received her coaching certification from the University of Georgia in 2015 and has a BA in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Cincinnati. As a coach and facilitator, she has worked with business leaders, C-Suite and hi-potential talent to build maximize their strengths and align their objectives with the organizations’ strategic goals. Through her engaging and energetic style and interactions, Dani is an expert in building self-awareness in her clients through focusing on improving client behaviors and how it manifests them into relevant action and results.