What is ACSTH?
ACSTH is the acronym for Approved Coach Specific Training Hours. It is one of the “pathways” for applying ICF credentials like ACC and PCC. Students who desire flexibility and freedom in their coach training journey can opt for an ACSTH coaching certificate.
ACSTH coaching training institutes have ICF accredited, experienced mentors who conduct the coach training sessions for the aspirant coaches. Mentor coaches guide through every step of the training program. They have one-on-one interactive sessions with the trainees, curate course assignments, and observe potential coaches live as they coach clients. However, students at the end of the course are not assessed by the institute mentors, but are directly assessed by ICF assessors.
The students on completion of the training can apply directly for their ICF ACC or PCC credentials.
Who should apply for The ACSTH pathway?
While it is confusing at times for students to decide between the ACTP and ACSTH pathways, it is important to remember that the aim of both is to allow coaches to acquire accreditation.
The ACSTH pathway is ideal for coaches who want to gain in-depth knowledge and increase their skills and abilities, self -starters, leaders and entrepreneurs who wish to add coaching to their skills repertoire and ACC level coaches who wish to achieve PCC accreditation.
What are the requirements for applying for ICF credentials through ACSTH?
Participants can apply for Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credentials after completing 60 hours of ACSTH coach training. On completing another 65 hours of ACSTH coach training they are eligible for applying for Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentials.
The ICF credentials applicants, after successfully performing supervised live coaching sessions with the clients during ACSTH training, submit their session recordings, logbooks, and written transcripts directly to the ICF credentialing body for their ICF ACC or PCC credentials applications.
Participants need to clear their Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) examination to test their knowledge of ICF core competencies before applying for ICF credentials.
What are the program details of ACSTH?
ACSTH is a flexible pathway to apply for ICF credentials where the participants can opt for both level 1 and level 2 of coach training together or separately depending on their availability of time and coaching ambition. On completion of level 1, 60 hours of ACSTH training, participants can apply for ACC (Associated Certified) credentials. Existing coaches with ACC credentials after completing level 2 of ACSTH training, 65 hours, and new aspirants after jointly enrolling for level 1 and 2 (60+65) hours of training can apply for PCC or Professional Certified Coach credentials. ACSTH coach training is also known as up-gradation training where practicing coaches can become ICF accredited coaches.
The training has self-study hours, mentor coaching, peer coaching, and assignments, but there is no performance examination at the end of the program.
5 important points to remember while choosing an ACSTH coaching certificate.
ACSTH or Approved Coach Specific Training hours are the most popular coach training program among the existing and the new coaches for becoming a professional certified ICF ACC or PCC accredited coach. Some of the points to note while choosing an ACSTH coaching certificate are:
- ACSTH is a flexible ICF-approved coach training program: ACSTH is a flexible coach training program spread over a minimum of 4 to 6 months. Even though ACSTH is a flexible coach training program, the program is divided into two levels and coaches need to necessarily complete level one which involves 60-hours of ACSTH coach training.
- ACSTH coach training is a fast way to get ICF certification: As it is an “a la carte” coach training program, aspirants may not have to complete the entire coaching program in one go. The institutes providing ACSTH coaching programs provide aspirants an option for applying for ACC credentials after completing 60 hours of training and completing 100 hours of coaching experience hours. Aspirants can get the ICF-approved high-ranking PCC credentials post completing level two of the ACSTH program and of course post adding 500 hours of coaching practice as and when they can.
- ACSTH coaching should have inclusive mentor coaching: Before enrolling in an ACSTH coach training program from any ICF-approved coach training institute, make sure the program has an inclusive minimum of 10 hours of mentor coaching. The number of one-on-one mentor sessions is very important for documentation while filling up forms for credentials applications through ICF. This is important as hiring an additional mentor can escalate costs and increase your coach training budget.
- ACSTH coach training institutes must be ICF approved: On completion of the ACSTH coach training program, the aspirants are chosen by the ICF assessors. Therefore, it is mandatory to check if the program by the coach training institute is ICF approved. Only on completion of ICF-approved ACSTH coach training successfully can the candidates apply for ICF credentials.
- ICF credentials after the ASCTH coach training program are applied by self: Participants should keep in mind that the coaching institutes only guide them and help them complete their coach training program but do not apply for the ICF credentials on their behalf. Students must keep their client session audio recordings, logbooks, and written transcription properly and attach them all while applying for ICF credentials. ACSTH coach training providers are mediators for pursuing high coaching accreditations.
