Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching
What is an Instructional Coach?
An instructional coach is a mentor who partners with teachers to improve instruction, design quality curriculum, and effectively use data to guide instruction as well as determine areas for development. Simply put… instructional coaching is coaching that helps teachers to meet the needs of students to increase their achievement and performance.
Who can be an Instructional Coach?
Candidates for this program include:
- Teachers who are seeking instructional leadership opportunities.
- Mentor teachers or Classroom teachers interested in becoming mentor teachers.
- PLC or grade level leaders.
Why become an Instructional Coach?
- Greater influence
- As an instructional coach you are able to support multiple teachers, either within a single school or at multiple schools in a district.
- New opportunities
- Many Instructional Coaches obtain opportunities beyond the classroom and move into school or district instructional leadership roles.
About the program
Candidates in the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching program participate in field experiences that require them to apply coursework in their school and classroom settings, analyze student work and facilitate coaching conversations, and reflect on their practice in the context of theories of coaching. These experiences broaden their ability to coach in various education contexts as well as to help teachers analyze student work and reflect on their instruction.
Courses
There are four courses in the program:
- Principles of Coaching I
- Coaching for an Equitable Learning Environment
- Principles of Coaching II
- Application of Coaching Principles
Each course is fully online. Participants need access to teachers that they can work with to develop their coaching practice.
Courses are taught and facilitated by expert practitioners and are designed to leverage peer feedback and interaction as well as opportunities for application and practice of the elements of instructional coaching.
When are courses offered?
Courses will be offered in the Fall and Spring semesters beginning in Fall 2023, and some courses may be offered in the summer.
What do I need to apply?
- Undergraduate degree in education or closely related field from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75
- Three years of successful teaching experience or other professional education experience
- Two letters of reference from current or past supervisors (must include principal) that document leadership and/or administrative experiences and potential for success as an instructional coach
- Personal statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
A clear criminal background will be necessary to work in schools.
Apply Now
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Luke Reinke
Director of the Instructional Coaching Graduate Certificate Program
LReinke@charlotte.edu
704-687-0847 x70847
Education Recruitment Office
trecruitment@uncc.edu