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What are the admission requirements for the Diploma program? Is financial assistance available to coaches? I am an international coach. How does this affect my application? |
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Applicants must be NCCP accredited (Competition-Development or Level 3 certified) or equivalent and have a minimum of three years experience coaching a year-round program. Each potential coach candidate must go through an admission process, including submission of the following documentation in support of their online application:
Following the submission of the online application and supporting documents as above, an interview with the NCI selection panel will be scheduled. I am a coach from the old system and would like to finish my Level 4 tasks. What is the best route to complete these in the new system? The deadline to submit outstanding assignments from previous workshops or the Diploma program was December 31st, 2010. Coaches wishing to complete outstanding assignments must contact the NCI director and follow procedures outlined in the NCI Diploma Handbook.
Is there a full-time option to complete the Advanced Coaching Diploma within one year? Based on feedback from coaches and the ability to provide flexibility in completing program requirements, the predominant delivery of the Diploma is through a two year part-time basis. Each semester builds into the next with the mid-point and final presentations strategically placed to facilitate an optimal learning environment. In some circumstances, a full-time option would be available depending on the workshops and fees. If you have any questions about this schedule, please contact the NCI Director at coach@cscpacific.ca
Is financial assistance available to coaches?
Yes, there are a number of grants and scholarships available to eligible coaches who are accepted into the NCI diploma program. The purpose of these grants is to assist coaches in completing the diploma program. Future grants will be geared toward travel bursaries to assist coaches attending diploma workshops in Canadian Sport Centre Pacific Hub locations. A number of other grants may be available to coaches who meet eligibility requirements. For more information on financial assistance please visit the Grants & Scholarships section of the National Coaching Institute website.
I am an international coach. How does this affect my application?
International coaches are required to obtain appropriate immigration status upon entering the country. Please visit the Canadian consulate to gain an appropriate student visa. Admission requirements are similar to a Canadian applicant, with programs in place to ensure equivalencies are met. The tuition amount for an international coach is $13000.00 to complete the program. |
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NCI Diploma / NCCP Level 4-5 Update |
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As many coaches are aware, NCCP education has been going through a number of changes which will help to raise the standard of coaching education through renewed resources and verification of coach competency. These qualifications will contribute to the professionalization coaching and legitimize the role of the coach within Canadian society. With these changes have come challenges in navigating the pathway for gaining appropriate coach accreditation and designations within the NCCP. Below are some key questions concerning the NCI Diploma program (click on the question for more information) |
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What is the NCI Diploma program and how will this change with the evolving NCCP? What is the planned revision for the NCI Diploma? What will happen to coaches currently completing diploma requirements or level four tasks? |
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The short answer is that the NCI diploma qualification will not change at all. The key is to understand the difference between Level 4 certification and an NCI Advanced Coaching Diploma, recognizing that they are not exactly the same. The current NCI diploma curriculum consists of NCCP Level 4 tasks or modules in specific content areas like nutrition, strength and mental preparation. To graduate with a Diploma, coaches are required to complete a certain number of core tasks and present a comprehensive annual training plan. In British Columbia, the NCI Advanced Coaching Diploma is regulated by standards for post-secondary education through the provincial government. Hence the NCI diploma is a validated and valued accreditation for BC and Canada’s top coaches. Level 4 Certification, on the other hand, is accredited by the coach’s National Sport Organization (NSO). Coaches graduating with an NCI diploma may have accumulated the designated number and type of tasks required for Level 4 certification. However, often coaches may need to satisfy other requirements designated by the NSO, which could be additional tasks or demonstrated experience coaching High Performance athletes. Hence, an NCI graduate could be eligible for level 4 certification, but not necessarily fulfill the requirements for Level 4 certification. For more information on obtaining individual Tasks, please visit the NCCP LEVEL 4 TASKS Page. |
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Briefly, the new curriculum will provide increased flexibility for coaches to engage a program with enhanced practical applications to be involved in cutting edge research. The diagram below illustrates the overlay of the NCI in the current NCCP model, whereby the NCI Diploma would be considered an advanced gradation across a variety of coaching contexts. The diagram implies that certified coaches across a variety of contexts can acquire more advanced coaching education with the main entry for coaches in the Competition Development context. Taking the new Competition Development modules is a requirement for entry into the diploma program if coaches are not already level 3 accredited. |
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The key difference in the new diploma compared to the level 4 tasks will be the requirement of the coach to compile evidence that demonstrates competency across NCCP outcomes and criteria. This evidence will take the form of a portfolio and be assessed by content specialists and sport specific mentors. Elements of the portfolio will include: athlete analysis (video), coaching analysis (video), training/competition plans and critical reflections based on relevant coaching scenarios.
The new curriculum will consist of four thematic streams; Coaching Leadership, Coaching Effectiveness; Performance Planning; and Training/Competition Readiness. These streams will provide the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable the coach to build his or her portfolio of required evidence. It will also allow better integration of content areas where coaches will be able to access the most up to date performance enhancement research, rather than focusing on one content area at a time. View an outline of the new curriculum here.
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First, coaches should take comfort in the fact that pre-existing NCCP qualifications are still valid and recognized accreditation. Simply because programs evolve does not mean that one’s qualifications are permanently erased. Second, the NCI-BC recognizes the effort and commitment demonstrated by coaches currently engaged in Level 4 tasks. Hence it is important that these coaches are provided the necessary support to complete their Level 4 tasks within designated timelines and based on current requirements. The delivery of Level 4 tasks were phased out in 2010 and are no longer available in the current format. Coaches wishing to complete outstanding level 4 tasks should ensure that all requirements are completed prior to June of 2011. The flexibility of the new NCI diploma will allow a transition for coaches wishing to accredit particular Level 4 tasks to improve their skills by attending selected workshops in a particular content area. In order to ensure continuity in the coach education pathway where some sports will likely continue to credit level 4 certification, the NCI-BC will assist coaches in obtaining level 4 tasks equivalent within the NCI Diploma program. |
