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PSY-30174 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

PSY-30174 - Psychological Coaching in Organisations
Coordinator: Deborah Stevens-Gill
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This practical module provides an introduction to coaching in work and organisational settings, giving you the opportunity to develop and apply coaching skills informed by psychological theory and research.
Throughout the module, you will explore evidence-based approaches to coaching and develop an understanding of how coaching can support individual development, performance, wellbeing, and career growth within organisations. Through workshops, peer coaching activities, role-play exercises, and guided reflection, you will have opportunities to practise core coaching skills, including active listening, empathy, questioning, goal setting, and reviewing progress.
You will also explore a range of coaching tools and techniques, such as values exercises, scaling questions, strengths-based approaches, and psychological assessments, considering their suitability and application within organisational contexts. Particular emphasis will be placed on ethical and professional practice and using coaching and psychological theory to inform evidence-based decision making.
This module is highly practical and provides valuable experience for students interested in careers involving coaching, leadership, people development, human resources, organisational development, consultancy, and occupational psychology. The knowledge and skills developed may also support future professional training and development in coaching and related fields.

Aims
This is a practical module that aims to help you develop a range of core skills used in business psychology coaching. The module introduces a range of techniques and gives you an opportunity to practice these skills in a safe environment through discussions, debates and practical role plays with peers.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically evaluate the use of psychological assessment tools and other evidence-based techniques in organisational coaching contexts: 1,2
Demonstrate appropriate coaching skills to establish a coaching relationship, facilitate goal setting and review progress with a volunteer (peer): 1
Apply psychological ethics and professional codes of conduct to identify and manage practical and ethical issues within coaching practice: 1,2
Synthesise and evaluate coaching and psychological theory to justify an evidence-based approach to organisational coaching: 2

Study hours

Active learning hours:
12x 2 hour weekly interactive lecture/workshops
Independent Study Hours:
12x 1 hour per week asynchronous preparation (e.g. skills video, complete psychometric test, reading, preparation for coaching role-plays)
12x 1 hour weekly reflections.
102 hours guided reading, independent learning and assessment preparation (approx 40 hours of which are assessment preparation)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 50%
Coaching Report (2,000 words)
Throughout the module, you will participate in a series of practical coaching sessions and use a range of coaching tools and psychological assessments to support and structure coaching conversations. You will select one coaching session from these practical activities and produce a 2,000-word coaching report addressed directly to the coachee. The report should provide a clear and accessible summary of the coaching conversation, including an explanation of any coaching tools, models or assessments used within the session and their relevance to the coachee's development. You should demonstrate your ability to communicate psychological concepts in a professional and client-friendly manner. The report should also outline the key themes discussed during the session, summarise agreed goals and actions, and provide recommendations for future development and next steps identified through the coaching process. Appendices may be used to provide supporting coaching materials, such as coaching notes, goal-setting documents, completed exercises, assessment outputs or action plans. Appendices are not included in the word count or in the grading. The main body of the report should contain all key explanations, recommendations and discussion.

2: Reflective Diary weighted 50%
Critical Coaching Reflection (1,000 words)
You will produce a 1,000-word critical coaching reflection on your selected coaching session. Drawing on relevant coaching and psychological theory, the reflection should evaluate the effectiveness of your coaching practice, including your use of coaching skills, tools and techniques. You should consider ethical and professional issues, identify strengths and areas for development, and demonstrate how evidence-based principles informed your approach. The reflection should conclude with actions for your future development as a coaching practitioner. Appendices may be included where relevant but are not required. Appendices are provided for supporting materials only and will not contribute to the mark. You should ensure that all critical analysis, evaluation and discussion are contained within the main body of the reflection.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026