Academic Programs Catalog

College of Education

Department of Kinesiology

Graduate Study
Sport Coaching, Leadership, and Administration - Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Sport Coaching, Leadership, and Administration provides opportunities for students to develop expertise in learning and using scientific knowledge and best practices related to coaching and developing athletes and leading sports programs at the intercollegiate, interscholastic, community sports, and university levels. It facilitates interdisciplinary knowledge in various issues related to coaching across the lifespan. Practical experiences are available at high schools, within the university athletic department, and in other sports-related organizations and agencies. The program is available only online.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science degree in Sport Coaching, Leadership, and Administration students must:

  1. have completed a bachelor’s degree in the United States or its equivalent from an accredited institution.
  2. have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average.
  3. submit three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a professional source (colleague, supervisor), and one from an academic source (instructor, advisor).
  4. submit an academic statement of 750 words that clearly describe the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the master’s degree and the goals that the degree will help them attain.
Upon acceptance, students must submit evidence of current CPR, first-aid, and blood borne pathogen training and maintain such certification throughout their enrollment in the program.

Applications are reviewed by faculty who look for indications of high probability of success. Factors that are significant in determining admission are:
  1. A grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
  2. Professional goals that are consistent with the objectives of the master’s program.
  3. Evidence of a philosophical understanding of developmentally appropriate sport experiences.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Sport Coaching, Leadership, and Administration

The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis) and only available online. The student must complete 30 credits distributed as follows:
1. All of the following courses (6 credits):
KIN 852 Ethics in Sport Coaching, Leadership, and Administration 1
KIN 872 The Science of Sport Coaching, Leadership, and Administration 3
KIN 896 Integrative Capstone in Sport Coaching, Leadership, and Administration 2
2. Complete one of the following courses (3 credits):
KIN 880 Sport and Leadership Practicum 3
KIN 893 Internship in Kinesiology 3
3. Complete 21 credits from one of the following concentrations:
Coaching
a. Two of the following Physical Cognate courses (6 credits):
KIN 829 Safety and Injury Control 3
KIN 856 Physical Bases of Coaching Athletes 3
KIN 865 Stages of Athlete Development 3
KIN 868 Skill Development in Athletes 3
b. Two of the following Psychosocial Cognate courses (6 credits):
KIN 846 Sociocultural Issues for Sport Practitioners 3
KIN 849 Theory and Practice of Modern Sport Leadership 3
KIN 855 Psychosocial Bases of Coaching Athletes 3
KIN 857 Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Sport 3
c. One of the following Administration Cognate courses (3 credits):
KIN 851 The Sport Enterprise 3
KIN 853 Athletic Administration and Governance 3
KIN 854 Legal Aspects of Sport 3
d. Complete one additional 3-credit Physical Cognate or Psychosocial Cognate course.
e. Complete one additional 3-credit Kinesiology course approved by the student's academic advisor.
Sport Administration
a. One of the following Physical Cognate courses (3 credits):
KIN 829 Safety and Injury Control 3
KIN 856 Physical Bases of Coaching Athletes 3
KIN 865 Stages of Athlete Development 3
KIN 868 Skill Development in Athletes 3
b. The following course (3 credits):
KIN 849 Theory and Practice of Modern Sport Leadership 3
c. One of the following Psychosocial Cognate courses (3 credits):
KIN 846 Sociocultural Issues for Sport Practitioners 3
KIN 855 Psychosocial Bases of Coaching Athletes 3
KIN 857 Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Sport 3
d. All of the following Administration Cognate courses (9 credits):
KIN 851 The Sport Enterprise 3
KIN 853 Athletic Administration and Governance 3
KIN 854 Legal Aspects of Sport 3
e. Complete one additional 3-credit Kinesiology course approved by the student's academic advisor.
4. Completion of a final examination or evaluation.