LIFC 501 Introduction to Life Coaching

This course serves as an introduction of professional coaching from a Christian perspective with special attention given to coaching theories, practice, skills, and various coaching specialties.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


Coaching is a vital new helping field that is growing daily. Some of the core skills for the coaching profession are the same as the counseling profession: building a relationship and learning to effectively communicate with the client. This course helps to understand the differences and similarities between the two fields and the opportunity to broaden the scope of help for people in need. If there is ever a time for godly leadership, servanthood, and biblical counsel, it is now. This course seeks to meet that challenge by equipping the student with the basic foundations of life coaching and biblically guiding individuals asking for help.


Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete five (5) Discussions that specifically relate to the course content. Each discussion will be completed in two parts: (1) the student will submit a thread (250-word minimum; approximately 400-word maximum) in answer to the question provided and (2) the student will then post replies (100 word minimum each; approximately 200 word maximum each) to at least 2 other classmates’ threads. To receive full credit, the student must use his or her text(s), pertinent research, and/or the Bible to inform the post. The initial thread must contain citations to at least three (3) sources, and each reply must contain citations to at least one (1) source. In the initial post, the student must be sure to cite from course materials and outside sources in addition to any Biblical citations made. All sources cited must be according to current APA style guide standards. The student must review the grading rubric and instructions provided within the course before beginning this assignment. 

Reading Response Assignments

The student will complete two Reading Response Assignments. The first Reading Response Assignment will be over the Webb text. The second Reading Response Assignment will be on the Blackaby and Royall text. Each Reading Response assignment has guidelines specific to the assigned text. Students will reflect on their reading through three reflection and application activities. These papers should be written in current APA formatting and follow the assignment instructions. The student must review the grading rubric and instructions provided within the course before beginning this assignment.

Case Study: Coaching Clients Through Transition Assignment

For the case study assignment, the student will write a 5–7-page case study paper (along with the title, abstract, and reference pages). For this written assignment, the student will identify two (2) challenging transitions that people often go through at some point in their lives and explain how a coach could help individuals through such transitions. The student will also address how the topics and approaches covered will impact the student’s coaching ministry/business as well as the student’s personal life. The paper must cite from at least four (4) scholarly references published within the last five years, and it must make use of current APA formatting.

Quizzes (4)

The student will complete four (4) quizzes that are cumulative and cover the material presented in the lecture presentations and class readings in each assigned Module: Week. Each quiz will be open book/open notes, consist of 20 multiple-choice questions, allow for one attempt, and have a time limit of 1 hour. Points will be deducted for the student going beyond the allotted 1-hour timeframe.

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

The student will rate him/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program. The quiz will contain 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question and is limited to 60 minutes. The student is allowed 1 attempt to complete the quiz.


Top 1% For Online Programs

Have questions about this course or a program?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists.