Sport Coaching, M.S.
College of Applied Human Sciences
The M.S. in Sport Coaching, offered by the College of Applied Human Sciences, is designed for driven individuals who have a coaching placement at the collegiate, scholastic, club, or community level. This program equips you with cutting-edge practices to elevate your coaching career. Embrace lifelong learning and adapt to the dynamic sport industry through our issues-based approach, tackling real-world challenges and opportunities.
Cost:
$744 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
10 Courses / 30 Credits
Duration:
Two years / 8-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2025 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous
Program Overview
Where Motivation and Passion Meet
The Sport Coaching degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences provides students with the essential skills and knowledge to work with athletes in a variety of contexts across their lifetime. Our program is designed to provide the following learning outcomes:
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Content Knowledge – Students will demonstrate an understanding of and
the ability to synthesize and apply Professional Knowledge, Interpersonal Knowledge,
and Intrapersonal Knowledge through the use of best practices related to athlete
development and sport coaching.
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Reflection and Critical Thinking – Students will develop and utilize
critical thinking skills as they refine their professional practice and promote
lifelong athlete development.
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Professionalism and Ethics – Students will model leadership competencies
including ethical practices representative of professional conduct.
Whether you are motivated by career advancement in coaching or improving the sport performance of your current teams and athletes, our degree prepares you to be a lifelong learner who can adapt professional practices to meet the changing needs of the dynamic sport industry. Our issues-based approach emphasizes the real-world challenges and opportunities confronting coaches at all levels. This unique approach is reflected in our course content which includes coaching techniques, training theory, positive youth development, strength and conditioning methods, movement analysis, motor behavior, psychology of coaching, and interscholastic sport administration and leadership.
"The work that I do to develop and support coaching education and development systems across a wide range of organizations will help support NICA’s mission and vision."
Kristen Dieffenbach
Sport Coaching M.S.
Curriculum
The goal of the program is for students to graduate with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for a career in sport coaching.
- Professional Knowledge - Understand advanced disciplinary knowledge and the primary modes of inquiry that form the basis for evidence-informed practice in their field.
- Professional Practice - Apply evidence-informed strategies in their professional practice to meet the differentiated needs of the client groups and key stakeholders whom they serve.
- Professional Leadership - Contribute to the leadership of communities of professional practice as collaborative learners who can facilitate their own continued development and that of others.
Meet the Faculty
- ACE 508: The Sport Coaching Profession, 3 credit hours
- This course should be first course completed
- ACE 585: Applied Professional Development, 3 credit hours
- This should be last course completed)
- ACE 518: Psychology of Coaching
- ACE 522: Motor Behavior for Sport Coaches
- ACE 539: Creating a Healthy Competitive Environment
- ACE 541: Positive Youth Development in Sport
- ACE 510: Training Theories for Coaches
- ACE 568: Sport Movement Analysis
- ACE 569: Strength and Conditioning Methods for Coaches
- ACE 530: Coaching Education Administration
- SM 571: Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration
- SM 578: Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration
- SM 545: Current Issues & Applications in Sport Management
- SM 580: Social and Ethical Responsibility in Sport
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Students may be admitted provisionally with a GPA of 2.75 or lower; however, provisional students must earn a 3.0 in the first 9 hours of coursework to continue in the program. Admission preference is given to individuals with coaching experience. All students need access to sport teams and athletes on a regular basis, given the applied nature of many course assignments.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- Complete the
Online WVU Graduate Application
- Upload a current resume highlighting professional background, experience, and qualifications
- Write a Professional Statement
- 1-2 written pages on professional goals and reasons for seeking admission
- Graduate degree-seeking applicants must send their official transcript from the undergraduate institution that granted the bachelor’s degree.
- It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as National Student Clearing House, Parchment, or eScrip-Safe to GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
- Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent to: WVU Hub, P.O. Box 6004, Morgantown, WV 26506
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International applicants are required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with Our Team
Jessica Carr Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-6841 Jessica.Carr1@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
An M.S. in Sports Coaching is an ideal degree for individuals seeking to pursue careers that involve working with athletes across a developmental perspective. These degree programs provide in-depth instruction of theory and current practices, and many include practical experiences to enable students to gain real-world skills to increase success. Graduates are equipped with a functional knowledge of various dimensions of the coaching profession including interpersonal knowledge, professional knowledge related to pedagogy/content and applied sport science, and leadership development.
Career Paths
- Sports Coach or Scout
- Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
- Education Administrator
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teacher
- Athlete and Sports Competitor
- Umpire, Referee and Other Sports Official
- Athletic Trainer
- Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Instructor
- Secondary School Teacher