Professionally minded, passionate, lifelong learners hold the key to developing the effective sport programs of tomorrow. But what do highly motivated future coaches and sport leaders need to learn? We believe that kinesiology and the sport sciences form the backbone of an effective sport program. Our Michigan State University online master's degree program builds fundamental knowledge and skills in the sport sciences, including sport psychology, skill acquisition, human development, physiology, and anatomy.
Courses in leadership, positive youth development, safety promotion, law, ethics, and administration help our students to build programs of distinction. Our semester-long practicum course employs intensive video review and reflection to help students refine their coaching practice, and our capstone options help students to integrate knowledge and skills acquired during the program. Our degree delivers core competencies for sport coaches and leaders at the youth, age-group, scholastic, intercollegiate, or professional level. Designed with current coaches and leaders in mind, the online delivery of coursework enables you to work around a busy schedule.
Our master’s degree program will enable you to build your confidence and improve in your coaching/leadership capacity. Although a degree is not a requirement for entering into the coaching profession, this degree will enhance your knowledge and skills and help you advance in the job market. There are some circumstances where a degree is a requirement for placement or advancement in sports coaching jobs. A master's degree is typically required for new coaches who want to work at the intercollegiate level. Depending on state and school district policies, this master's degree can enable a salary increase for teacher-coaches; if this situation pertains to you, we recommend that you discuss the matter with your supervisor(s).
Based on your chosen concentration (coaching or sport administration), the master's degree program can help you become more efficient in the following areas:
If you are committed to working in the sport professions, our Master of Applied Sport Sciences degree program is for you. High-performance coaches, teacher-coaches, and youth sport coaches will benefit from our coaching concentration. Sport leaders (administrators, athletic directors, and coach developers) will benefit from our sport management concentration. Current and future strength and conditioning coaches, along with sport coaches of all levels, will benefit from our strength and conditioning concentration. Historically, students with prior or current work experience in the sport professions truly thrive in our program.
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will since 1855.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs since 1998. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.
Complete 27 credits from one of the following concentrations
a. Two of the following Physical Cognate courses (6 credits):
b. Two of the following Physical Cognate courses (6 credits):
c. Two of the following Psychosocial Cognate courses (6 credits):
d. One of the following Administration Cognate courses (3 credits):
e. Complete two additional 3-credit Kinesiology courses approved by the student's academic advisor.
f. Complete one of the following courses (3 credits):
a. The following course (3 credits):
b. Four of the following courses (12 credits):
c. One of the following courses (3 credits):
d. Complete three additional 3-credit Kinesiology courses approved by the student's academic advisor.
a. All of the following courses (9 credits):
b. One of the following courses (3 credits):
c. One of the following Psychosocial Cognate courses (3 credits):
d. One of the following Administration Cognate courses (3 credits):
e. One of the following courses (3 credits):
f. Complete two additional 3-credit Kinesiology courses approved by the student's academic advisor.
g. Completion of a final examination or evaluation.