Sport Coaching Leadership MS

Major: Sport Coaching Leadership
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 13.1314
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 27-2022

About the Program

The MS in Sport Coaching Leadership program is an online master's program in the School of Education. The MS degree will prepare students in the areas of coaching theory, development of a coaching philosophy, understanding of the needs of athletes, recruitment, compliance, and program planning. The program will also share examples of coaching models in the local and global context and allow for hands-on opportunities in three practicum experiences. The goal of the program is to prepare students to advance their coaching careers in environments that include sport-based youth development, scholastic, collegiate, club, or professional coaching.

Students in the MS in Sport Coaching Leadership program will take 33.0 credits of core courses in the coaching curriculum and then select 12.0 credits in a specialization. Academic advisors will work closely with each student to determine the best academic plan.

Specialization - Custom-designed concentration

Coaches in the program elect a custom-designed concentration that best suits their individual career goals. The custom-designed concentration focuses on a specific interest in an interdisciplinary and custom program experience. Many coaches are interested in diverse professional development areas. Students can choose from the following areas: Creativity, Higher Education, Education, Sport Management, Business, Entrepreneurship, or other related fields deemed most appropriate for the student's individual career goals. The specialization option allows coaches to focus their energy in a particular area to create a unique and personalized pathway to accomplish their career goals.

Students may be able to apply courses from the custom-designed concentration toward an additional graduate minor or certificate program. Consult an Academic Advisor to discuss these options.

Additional Information

For more information please visit the Sport Coaching Leadership website.

Admission Requirements

The MS in Sport Coaching Leadership requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Candidates should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and some experience in coaching, teaching, or sport management.

Degree Requirements

Core courses
EDCR 510Leadership in Educational Contexts and Systems3.0
EDCR 512Using and Integrating Learning Technologies3.0
EDCR 514Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice in Education3.0
EDCR 518Evidence-Based Evaluation3.0
PHIL 502Ethics in Coaching3.0
or SCL 502 Ethical Considerations in Coaching
SCL 614Sport Performance & Energy Systems3.0
SCL 615Athletic Recruiting3.0
SCL 619Global Coaching Seminar6.0
SCL 695Coaching Practicum I0.5
SCL 696Coaching Practicum II0.5
SCL 697Coaching Practicum III2.0
SMT 612Development & Fundraising Strategies in Sport3.0
Custom-Designed Concentration12.0
Electives or Graduate Minor
Elective options include:
Coaching Theory and Principles
Learning Strategies in Coaching
Coaching Psychology
Athlete Leadership Development
Kinesiology
Emerging Trends in Sport
Managing Coaches & Teams
Total Credits45.0

Sample Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDCR 5103.0EDCR 5143.0EDCR 5183.0SCL 6196.0
Concentration or Graduate Minor Elective3.0PHIL 502 or SCL 5023.0SCL 6153.0Concentration or Graduate Minor Elective3.0
 SCL 6950.5SCL 6960.5 
 6 6.5 6.5 9
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
EDCR 5123.0SCL 6143.0SMT 6123.0 
Concentration or Graduate Minor Elective3.0SCL 6972.0Concentration or Graduate Minor Elective3.0 
 6 5 6 
Total Credits 45

Sport Coaching Leadership Faculty

Madeline Barlow, PhD Sport Psychology Coordinator. Adjunct Instructor. Works directly with teams and coaches to enhance performance and overall experience by teaching mental skills for peak performance, including goal setting, energy management, managing stress and emotions, and increasing awareness and confidence.
Karen Freeman, MS, RD, CSSD. Adjunct Instructor. Dynamic and experienced nutrition consultant specializing in sports nutrition, weight management, cholesterol-lowering diets, and eating disorders for children and adults; has worked with the San Diego Chargers, the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Raiders, San Diego Spirit women's soccer team, the San Diego Padres, and the US Olympic Training Center (USOC) in Chula Vista.
Cameron Kiosoglous, PhD (Virginia Tech University) Program Director. Assistant Clinical Professor. Coached on the USRowing National Team staff since 2002, including the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games; coaching development; measuring coaching quality; self-insight and reflective practices; coaching leadership; conference presenter; published author.
Michael Rankin, MS (Drexel University) Director of Strength and Conditioning. Adjunct Faculty. At Drexel since September 2002; became interim head strength and conditioning coach in February 2003 and was named director in 2008.
Michael Shannon, MS. Adjunct Instructor. Provides athlete performance services at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista and consulting services with rowing programs interested in sustained competitive performance; works with elite athletes from a wide variety of sports, specializing in endurance sports, from both summer and winter sports training for national and world competitions such as the Olympic Games and Pan American Games.
Jen Valore, MS (James Madison University). Adjunct Professor. Dean of Academics & Leadership at our Lady of Mercy Academy; head coach of the Academy's girls lacrosse program since 2017.
  • Schedule of Classes
  • All Course Descriptions
  • Co-op
  • Academic Advising
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Fees
LEARN MORE