Sports Coaching

Master of Sports Science Degree Program

A student interested in pursuing a degree in sports coaching should have a background in sport as a player or coach. Undergraduate majors with backgrounds in health, physical education, recreation or sport related fields are most suitable.

The graduate curriculum in sports coaching prepares students for careers of leadership in the field of coaching. Program objectives are established to prepare each student for the multiplicity of demands involved in the control and operation of individual and team sports.

Distance Learning

The Academy’s distance learning program requires that each student work with a faculty member, one-on-one, so that guided discovery facilitates learning using an online, asynchronous, computer mediated delivery method. Through rolling enrollment, students have the option of registering for online courses any time during the academic year. In addition, the asynchronous, online learning environment does not require any meeting times during the course of study.

Three Track Options (Choose one)

All students must complete 33 hours of study in sports coaching. Aside from the 24 semester hours in required courses, students may choose one of the following options:

Mentorship Track

The student takes a nine semester hour mentorship consisting of 450 contact hours with an expert in the student's field of interest. For examples of mentorship sites, visit the mentorship office.

Thesis Track

The student takes SAR 575, "Professional Writing and Applied Research" for three semester hours and a six semester hour thesis under the direction of a faculty chairperson for a total of nine semester hours.

Non-Thesis Track

The student takes three elective courses, each totaling three semester hours, for a total of nine semester hours. Courses selected must be approved by the student's advisor. For a list of available electives, visit the Master's Academic Course Descriptions in the 2006-2007 Graduate Catalog.

• Master of Sports Science, Sports Coaching brochure, pdf

To start the admissions process, please complete the online application.

If you have further questions, please contact an admissions counselor at: 1-800-223-2668 or admissions@ussa.edu.