This study was designed to investigate the differences in Motivational Interviewing (MI) skill acquisition and retention among probation officers. This study had a randomized, experimental, pretest-posttest control group design using the MITI 3.1.1 and the VASE-R to measure MI skill acquisition and retention. A random sample (n = 24) of probation officers from southeast Texas were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups or a control group. Each experimental group was assigned a different learning intervention. The interventions included an MI learning group, an MI coaching/feedback group, and a group that received MI learning groups as well as the coaching/feedback treatments. Salient results included no significant increase in MI skills from the coaching/feedback and the learning group intervention. A significant difference in skill acquisition was found in the group which contained both interventions. The implications of the study suggest that coaches may need to develop coaching skills prior to agency MI implementation and that learning groups may provide a way for practitioners to increase certain MI skills. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]