Athlete Empowerment Through Positive Coaching Graduate Certificate
College of Applied Human Sciences
The online Athlete Empowerment Through Positive Coaching Graduate Certificate from WVU's College of Applied Human Sciences is designed for those in sport coaching, psychology, management, education, or related fields who aspire to coach or have been working in the industry. This online certificate program will enhance your credentials with a focus on athlete-centered, ethical, and inclusive practices.
Cost:
$744 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
4 Courses / 12 Credit Hours
Duration:
One year / 8-week and 16-week courses
Dates:
Next Start: January 12, 2026 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Online Asynchronous
Program Overview
Empower Your Team
The Athlete Empowerment Through Positive Coaching Graduate Certificate program equips coaches with specialized skills to enhance athlete empowerment and effectiveness with a focus on positive dynamics, youth development, inclusivity, and ethics. Upon completion, you will be able to inspire athletes, prioritize well-being, navigate complex environments, and contribute positively to the sporting community.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by nationally and internationally recognized experts, the program blends cutting-edge research with real-world application to help you thrive in a competitive industry.
- Versatile Career Paths: Prepare for varied roles at youth, high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
- Make an Impact: Uplift and inspire the athletes you work with using the knowledge gained from the program.
- Flexible Program Structure: This online program's flexibility lets you get a quality education without putting your life on hold.
Curriculum
Learning Outcomes
- Apply positive coaching methodologies, fostering athlete empowerment, mental resilience, and character development to elevate team performance and athlete well-being.
- Leverage insights from the psychology of coaching to enhance athlete motivation, mental skills, and overall personal development, ensuring athletes achieve their full potential on and off the field.
- Integrate sociocultural awareness and ethical considerations into coaching practices, creating inclusive team dynamics, and upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship and integrity.
- ACE 508: The Sport Coaching Profession, 3 credit hours
- ACE 585: Applied Professional Development, 3 credit hours
- Select two of the following:
- ACE 518: Psychology of Coaching, 3 credit hours
- ACE 530: Coaching Education Administration, 3 credit hours
- ACE 539: Creating a Healthy Competitive Environment, 3 credit hours
- ACE 541: Positive Youth Development in Sport, 3 credit hours
- SM 580: Social and Ethical Responsibility in Sport, 3 credit hours
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
- To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor’s degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75.
- WVU operates decentralized admissions.
- Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- One-two page statement of interest in the program
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU)
- Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
- Mail to: WVU Office of Graduate Admissions, One Waterfront Place, PO Box 6510,
Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
- Resume or CV
- Two reference letters
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses. Visit the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start of each academic year.
Careers and Employment
With the new skills and perspective gained from this certificate program, you will be prepared to purse related roles in a variety of areas.
Career Paths
- School Athletics Program
- Community Athletics Programs
- Coaches
- Athletic Administrator
- Performance/Development Consultant