M.S.S. Sports Coaching

This Master of Sports Science in Sports Coaching program focuses on key areas such as coaching methodology, sports administration, sports psychology, and leadership strategies and is tailored for professionals seeking to advance their coaching careers.

This program is offered online only.

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Apply Now For Free!

Program Overview

Historically the role of Head Coach included expertise in all the areas of sport team operations, namely physical training, administration, teaching technical and tactical skills, performance psychology, etc. While are still many examples where the Head Coaches wear all the hats, the role of Head Coach has evolved to be more of a CEO of the sport performance team which includes specialized professionals in key areas working under the direction of the Head Coach in service to the athletes. This 33-credit hour master’s degree program is designed to equip you for both paths in sport coaching. Graduates are prepared for coaching and leadership roles at all levels from youth international team setting by developing the skills to be an innovator.

Who This Program Is For
• Coaches who wish to be more effective and gain more fulfillment from their current positions.
 
• Current youth and high school coaches whose career path will benefit from the advanced degree.
 
• Coaches and Athletes who aspire to coach at the college level.
 
• Those in the sports Industry looking to serve in emerging roles such as High-Performance Director
Why Choose This Program
• Designed to develop Scholar-Coaches who can assess current issues and innovate new solutions
 
• Taught by experts with research and coaching experience across all levels of organized sport
 
• Flexible schedule to align with your coaching responsibilities
What You’ll Learn
• Teaching Technical and Tactic Skills
 
• Leadership of Athletes and Staff
 
• Development of evidence-based training plans
 
• Ethical decision-making models to support coaching philosophy
 
• Applications for Mental Skills
 
• Effective Administrative Skills

M.S.S. Sports Coaching

This program focuses on key areas such as coaching methodology, sports administration, sports psychology, and leadership strategies and is tailored for professionals seeking to advance their coaching careers.

This program is offered online only.

Request Information
Apply Now For Free!

Program Overview

Historically the role of Head Coach included expertise in all the areas of sport team operations, namely physical training, administration, teaching technical and tactical skills, performance psychology, etc.

While are still many examples where the Head Coaches wear all the hats, the role of Head Coach has evolved to be more of a CEO of the sport performance team which includes specialized professionals in key areas working under the direction of the Head Coach in service to the athletes.

This 33-credit hour master’s degree program is designed to equip you for both paths in sport coaching. Graduates are prepared for coaching and leadership roles at all levels from youth international team setting by developing the skills to be an innovator.

Who This Program Is For
• Coaches who wish to be more effective and gain more fulfillment from their current positions.
 
• Current youth and high school coaches whose career path will benefit from the advanced degree.
 
• Coaches and Athletes who aspire to coach at the college level.
 
• Those in the sports Industry looking to serve in emerging roles such as High-Performance Director
Why Choose This Program
• Designed to develop Scholar-Coaches who can assess current issues and innovate new solutions
 
• Taught by experts with research and coaching experience across all levels of organized sport
 
• Flexible schedule to align with your coaching responsibilities
What You’ll Learn
• Teaching Technical and Tactic Skills
 
• Leadership of Athletes and Staff
 
• Development of evidence-based training plans
 
• Ethical decision-making models to support coaching philosophy
 
• Applications for Mental Skills
 
• Effective Administrative Skills
From the Director
“Coaching is not just limited to physical conditioning and strategy anymore. Its leadership, mental and physical training, communication, and so much more. This program at USSU builds head coaches and leaders that athletes want to follow and learn from.”
Dr. Roch King

Chair of Sport Coaching
Professor, School of Sport Performance

Career Outlook
Graduates of the Master of Sports Science in Sport Coaching are prepared for leadership roles across youth, collegiate, professional, and community sport settings, with career opportunities in coaching, athletic development, sport administration, and athlete mentorship. The program equips professionals with advanced coaching strategies, leadership skills, and evidence-based approaches to developing athletes and teams while strengthening long-term career advancement and earning potential. As the field continues to evolve, human-centered coaching and mentorship remain essential—making sport coaching one of the most enduring and “AI-proof” professions built on relationships, communication, and personal development.
Careers include:
Coach in Educational Setting (middle School, high school, college)
Coach in Club/Professional Setting
High Performance Director
Recreation Director
Teacher/Educator
From the Director
“The knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful sports coach have continued to expand. The same is true for those that have the responsibility of developing coaches. The MSS in Sports Coaching is designed to develop ‘Scholar Coaches’ who are comfortable at the leading edge of tactics, analysis, skill development, and organizational operations in their sport. Graduates are prepared to lead elite programs, and develop athletes and staff, and contribute to scholarship in human performance.”
Dr. Roch King

Chair of Sport Coaching
Professor, School of Sport Performance

Courses
The Master of Sports Science (MSS) in Sports Coaching combines advanced coursework in coaching methodology, sport psychology, sports administration, strength and conditioning, and sports medicine to prepare students for effective leadership in athletic environments. Through hands-on practicum experiences and flexible track options—including thesis, experiential learning, or elective-based pathways—students develop the technical, tactical, analytical, and interpersonal skills needed to coach and mentor athletes at all levels of sport. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based coaching, athlete development, and human-centered leadership to equip graduates for long-term success in the evolving sports industry.

Core Courses

(6 Semester hours)

  • Contemporary Issues in Sports
  • Quantitative Analysis in Sports

Major Courses

(18 Semester hours)

  • Sports Coaching Methodology
  • Sports Administration for Coaches
  • Sports Strength & Conditioning
  • Sports Psychology
  • Seminar in Sports Medicine

  • Technical and Tactical Sports Coaching Practicum

Track Options

(9 Semester hours)

  • Internship
  • Thesis
  • Non-thesis (3 electives)

Emphasis Options

  • Sports Management
  • Exercise Science
  • Sport Psychology

  • Esports Management

Career Outlook
Graduates of the Master of Science in Sport Coaching are prepared for leadership roles across youth, collegiate, professional, and community sport settings, with career opportunities in coaching, athletic development, sport administration, and athlete mentorship.

The program equips professionals with advanced coaching strategies, leadership skills, and evidence-based approaches to developing athletes and teams while strengthening long-term career advancement and earning potential.

As the field continues to evolve, human-centered coaching and mentorship remain essential—making sport coaching one of the most enduring and “AI-proof” professions built on relationships, communication, and personal development.

Careers include:

Coach in Educational Setting (middle School, high school, college)
Coach in Club/Professional Setting
High Performance Director
Recreation Director
Teacher/Educator
Courses
The Master of Sports Science (MSS) in Sports Coaching combines advanced coursework in coaching methodology, sport psychology, sports administration, strength and conditioning, and sports medicine to prepare students for effective leadership in athletic environments.

Through hands-on practicum experiences and flexible track options—including thesis, experiential learning, or elective-based pathways—students develop the technical, tactical, analytical, and interpersonal skills needed to coach and mentor athletes at all levels of sport.

The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based coaching, athlete development, and human-centered leadership to equip graduates for long-term success in the evolving sports industry.

Core Courses

(6 Semester hours)

  • Contemporary Issues in Sports
  • Quantitative Analysis in Sports
  • Sports Coaching Methodology
  • Sports Administration for Coaches
  • Sports Strength & Conditioning
  • Sports Psychology
  • Seminar in Sports Medicine
  • SCS Coaching Elective

Major Courses

(18 Semester hours)

Track Options

(9 Semester hours)

  • Internship
  • Thesis
  • Non-thesis (3 electives)

Emphasis Options

  • Sports Management
  • Exercise Science
  • Sport Psychology

  • Esports Management

Affordability

Our master’s programs are designed to advance your career, whether you’re transitioning from undergraduate studies or returning as a working professional. We offer affordable per-credit-hour tuition, zero out-of-state tuition fees, and an opportunity to earn your master’s degree in as little as 15 months.

Student Resources

Affordability

Our master’s programs are designed to advance your career, whether you’re transitioning from undergraduate studies or returning as a working professional. We offer affordable per-credit-hour tuition, zero out-of-state tuition fees, and an opportunity to earn your master’s degree in as little as 15 months.

Student Resources