Online Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching Programs
Sport and athletic coaching constitute a field of study devoted to professionalizing coaching in schools and recreational programs through research and the formulation of guidelines for best practices. The general practice of coaching incorporates leadership, communication, and organizational management skills, principles of social and behavioral science, and the science of nutritional health and kinesiology. Coaches also benefit understanding and applying statistical analytics, and developing player recruitment, budget management, and fundraising strategies. Finally, coaches typically study the legal and ethical issues in sports, particularly as they relate to coaching school-age athletes and at colleges and universities.
While sport and athletic coaching has traditionally been taught through both formal and informal apprenticeships, advances in sports analytics, medicine, and psychology have helped to professionalize the field. Growing awareness of ethical issues in sports, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, have also contributed to the formalization of training in the field. Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching programs provide students who are interested in forging a career in the field with the knowledge and skills needed to work for colleges and universities, elementary and secondary schools, and private and publicly funded recreational programs.
What is a Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching Degree?
A Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching degree is a graduate degree conferred by an accredited college or university that provides training and instruction in the principles and practices of coaching. Students in a sport or athletic coaching master’s program study elements of kinesiology/movement science, organizational leadership, sports medicine and psychology, and nutritional science. These programs also cover the ethics and legal issues attached to sport and athletic coaching and recruitment, as well as contemporary issues in athletics and education, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, funding, and sports technologies.
Graduate programs in sport and athletic coaching are designed for teachers, athletes, and mid-career professionals who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and who are interested in pursuing a career in coaching in schools, colleges, recreational programs, and other formal settings. These programs typically provide a combination of didactic instruction in subjects relevant to the coaching profession as well as practical experience during which students apply what they have learned in their courses.
Online Masters in Sport and Athletic Coaching Programs
Online master’s programs deliver coursework that would otherwise require students to attend campus-based classes via the internet using online platforms known as learning management systems (LMSs). Students in an online program view live and/or pre-recorded lectures and other course materials, participate in online discussion groups, and complete most of their other coursework, including assignments and exams, via a school’s LMS. Most online master’s programs in sport and athletic coaching provide all or the majority of their didactic instruction online.
Master’s in education programs often require students to complete internships or practicums as part of their curriculum. Student pursuing their degree online must still complete these experiences in person at a program-approved location, typically within commuting distance from their place of employment or residence. In addition, some online master’s programs in the field require students to attend a limited number of on-campus sessions or residencies, which may be associated with specific courses or at distinct points during the program (i.e., for orientation at the beginning, or as part of a master’s capstone or thesis project). Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are not listed on OnlineEducation.com, as they are classified as hybrid programs and not as online programs on the site.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching Programs
There is no formal naming convention for Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching degree programs. However, most programs are designated as either Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (MEd), or Master of Science (MS) programs. OnlineEducation.com researches master’s programs in education to identify programs that have a distinct sport and athletic coaching curriculum. Qualifying programs are typically offered through schools of education, teaching, kinesiology, or professional studies. Common names for sport and athletic coaching master’s programs include MA, MEd, and MS programs in:
- Athletic Coaching
- Athletic Coaching and Administration
- Coaching and Sports Performance
- Coaching Leadership
- Education in Sports Leadership
- Sport Coaching
- Sport and Athletic Coaching
In addition to researching program curricula and classifying online programs based on the number of campus visits they require per year, OnlineEducation.com ensures that all programs listed on the site are offered by regionally accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Athletic and Sport Coaching Programs
Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching program curricula are designed to help students improve practical coaching proficiencies while deepening their understanding of the physiological and psychological aspects of sports and cultivating leadership skills. Specific curricular requirements vary by program, but most programs include core coursework in teaching methodologies, kinesiology/movement science, physical and nutritional fitness, sports medicine, sports psychology, ethics and sportsmanship, research and data analysis, and contemporary issues in coaching. Sport and athletic coaching master’s students typically also learn recruitment, budgeting, fundraising and other administrative skills.
In addition to a program’s core curriculum, some programs encourage students to specialize in a particular sport or a specific area of athletic coaching. Common areas of specialization include youth sports, college athletics, sport psychology, athletic program administration, strength and conditioning, and kinesiology and athletic performance. Finally, students commonly complete one or more required or elective internships or practicums as part of their master’s program. These practical experiences challenge students to apply what they have learned to coaching in supervised settings.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching Programs
The table below provides details on the types of courses students typically complete as part of an online Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching program. Course names and descriptions are aggregated from actual programs that are currently offered online by accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Theories and Principles of Athletic Coaching | An overview of the coach’s role in sports and athletic programs with a focus on how the coaching profession contributes to the emotional, intellectual, and physical development and education of the student-athlete. |
| Leadership in Sport Coaching and Education | A critical survey of leadership theories and administrative practices as they apply to coaching in educational contexts. Students learn to use principles of organizational behavior and managerial science to create positive sport and athletic learning environments, encourage teamwork, and promote excellence. |
| Coaching Psychology | An introduction to the psychology of sports and how coaches can incorporate theories of behavioral science into the coaching profession. Students learn motivational techniques and other psychology-based practices for improving athletic performance, fostering teamwork, and elevating performance outcomes. |
| Sports Statistics and Analytics | An overview of statistical analysis methods and their application in sports and athletics. Students learn how data is collected, processed and analyzed in order to improve specific outcomes based on a variety of performance metrics and criteria. |
| Energy Systems and Athletic Performance | The connection between nutrition and athletic performance is explored, with a focus on how healthy eating, positive food choices, and general nutritional awareness enhances physical and mental abilities and contributes the development of the student-athlete. |
| Ethics in Coaching | The coach’s role in broader educational and societal context is examined with an emphasis on ethical considerations, ethical decision-making, and ethical behavior. Students also explore the concept of sportsmanship and practices that help instill a healthy attitude toward competition and athletic achievement. |
| Kinesiology | An introduction to the science of human movement and its applications across athletic coaching. Students learn how to use their understanding of kinesiology to design training and fitness programs. |
| College Athletics and the NCAA | An examination of the legal and regulatory frameworks for college athletics, as defined by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the U.S. Department of Education, and other bodies, such as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). |
| Contemporary Issues in Sport and Athletic Coaching | Students examine current societal and ethical issues in sports and athletics education, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Title IX compliance, gender identity, and the use of technology in the coaching profession. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching Programs
The baseline eligibility requirement for a master’s program in the field of education is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Additional requirements vary by school and by program and may include: a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, 3.0, or higher on a four-point scale; undergraduate prerequisites in education, sociology, sociology, statistics, or other relevant subjects; and prior coaching experience. Some programs may also require or give preference to applicants whose undergraduate degree is in a related field, such as education, exercise science, or kinesiology.
Along with submitting undergraduate transcripts and a formal application, candidates may be asked to furnish admissions boards with written answers to one or more essay question prompts, a personal statement, two or three academic or professional references, a current resume or CV, and/or GRE test scores. While many programs no longer require the GRE, some programs still require applicants to submit test scores, and other programs allow students to voluntarily submit scores if they think their scores will help their application.
Online Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching Format Options
There are several program format options that can impact the online learning experience. For example, there are two primary modes of online instruction, synchronous instruction and asynchronous instruction. There are also programs with full-time, part-time, and/or flexible enrollment options. Finally, while many programs are fully online and do not ask students to attend any campus-based sessions, some programs include a limited number of required campus visits. These factors are examined in further details below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: How online coursework is delivered can impact the relative flexibility and convenience of an online program and may also align differently with individual learning styles. Synchronous instruction takes place in real-time and is typified by live-streamed lectures and virtual class meetings. Students who want their online learning experience to more closely resemble attending campus-based classes may prefer programs that utilize synchronous instruction, as it mimics the traditional structure and cadence of on-campus courses. However, synchronous instruction can create scheduling conflicts, particularly for students who intend to continue working while earning their degree.
Asynchronous instruction does not have a real-time component. Instead, asynchronous instruction leverages digital technology to deliver pre-recorded lectures and course modules that students can access at their convenience, 24-7. For programs that use asynchronous instruction, students are typically required to participate in online discussion forums each week as part of their course requirements. Many other course requirements, such as reading assignments, papers, and graded projects, are part of an online program regardless of whether or not the program uses synchronous or asynchronous instruction for delivering lectures and online class discussions. Programs that mainly use asynchronous instruction provide students with greater flexibility but require more self-discipline, as students must have the self-motivation to view pre-recorded lectures and complete assignments in the absence of traditional weekly classes.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment: Online programs are generally designed for a broad range of students, including those who would prefer to enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. Some programs even have flexible enrollment policies that allow students to vary the number of courses they enroll in each term, while others offer specific full-time or part-time tracks that students complete in cohorts. The time it takes to complete a Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching program is largely contingent on the number of credits a student completes per term. A typical, 30- to 45-credit graduate program can be completed in three to four semesters of full-time enrollment, or roughly one to two years. Full-time enrollment generally means committing 40 or more hours per week to coursework while school is in session. Part-time enrollment reduces the number of credits earned and thus the number of courses taken per semester by up to half or more. Most programs can thus be completed in two, three, or four years of part-time enrollment.
Completion time can also vary based on a program’s academic calendar. Some programs offer courses year-round, which can reduce the time it takes to graduate to one year for full-time students and two years for those who opt for part-time enrollment. There are also programs that offer courses four, five, or six times per year in five- to eight-week terms. This type of academic calendar can allow students to take fewer courses per term and still graduate as if they were enrolled on a full-time basis.
Campus Visits: Most online Master’s in Sport and Athletic Coaching programs do not require any campus visits and can be complete entirely online with the exception of required or elective site-based internships and practicums. However, some programs incorporate one or more campus-based sessions, typically for orientations, workshops, networking opportunities, and other experiences that can enhance online learning. However, these campus visits, which are commonly referred to as immersion sessions, intensives, or residencies, require travel that can add to the expense of an online program. Although they typically last only a few days and are often held during the summer, campus visits can also cause scheduling conflicts for working professionals or students with other personal obligations.
Potential applicants should research programs carefully to determine if they do or do not require any campus visits and then consider the pros and cons of these sessions if they do. Students can then determine if they would like to attend an online program that offers these opportunities versus a program that does not. OnlineEducation.com classifies programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year as online programs.