Master of Science in Kinesiology (Coaching)
Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/coaching/
The M.S. in Kinesiology, Coaching emphasis area was founded on the need to prepare, at the post-baccalaureate level, quality coaches for leadership roles to meet the challenging demands of coaching in the 21st century. The Coaching curriculum emphasizes the development of an athlete-centered coaching philosophy and cultivates the ability to critically reflect through action research and on one's previous and current coaching practices. The Coaching classes are delivered 100% online so coaches can remain in their coaching workplace while completing their degree. Courses are offered using the state-of-the-art course management system, Canvas. Culminating experiences have sport-based research components directly related to professional development in the coaches' sport of interest. The M.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Coaching is a 36-semester credit hour option emphasizing the development of skills, techniques, and concepts necessary to become a master coach.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Accurately apply pertinent coaching theories to individual, partner, and team sport-related settings.
- Effectively enhance athletic performance through psychological assessment and evidence-informed coaching techniques.
- Insightfully develop a personal coaching philosophy and establish an effective coaching style.
- Develop practice plans and medical emergency plans.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
36 semester credit hours (SCH). The majority of the program is taught online.
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology Core | ||
| KINS 5023 | Methods of Research | 3 |
| KINS 5033 | Applied Statistical Principles | 3 |
| Coaching Emphasis | ||
| KINS 5203 | Theory of Coaching | 3 |
| KINS 5243 | Sport Injury Prevention and First Aid | 3 |
| KINS 5253 | Organization and Administration for Effective Team Management | 3 |
| KINS 5263 | Sport Psychology | 3 |
| KINS 5273 | Sport Conditioning and Nutrition | 3 |
| KINS 5293 | Technical Skills Analysis | 3 |
| KINS 5303 | Coaching Tactical Skills | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose two from the following (with approval by program director) | 6 | |
| Leadership Theory and Practice in Sport and the Health Sciences | ||
| Financing the Sport Enterprise | ||
| Legal Issues in Sport | ||
| Sport Media and Marketing | ||
| Exercise Evaluation and Prescription | ||
| Sport in American Society | ||
| Research in Kinesiology | ||
| APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Special Topics (Low Ropes) | ||
| Independent Study | ||
Other electives are possible – consult your advisor | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| Choose one of the following | 3 | |
| Professional Affiliation | ||
| Professional Paper and Project | ||
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
SHPK Master's Program Policies
Culminating Experience
After completing 24 semester credit hours of required coursework (including core courses), School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology students are eligible to complete their culminating experience. Students in the Coaching emphasis area may choose one of two culminating options: 1) Publishable Manuscript or 2) Internship/Professional Affiliation. Students are responsible for reviewing their emphasis area degree requirements, consulting with emphasis area faculty, and familiarizing themselves with the available options. Specific steps to complete each culminating experience option are located within the School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology (SHPK) Graduate Student Handbook.
Publishable Manuscript
All School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology master’s students who select the manuscript option must independently prepare a publishable manuscript reflecting substantial and original research. Students must consult with the major professor to define and refine the project's scope then form a three-person graduate faculty Manuscript Committee to include the major professor and two additional members. One member must be from outside the major/emphasis area. Students are expected to continue working on the manuscript to prepare and submit it for journal publication within the three months immediately following graduation. Use and adherence to a formal authorship agreement are highly recommended. Three consecutive months of insufficient progress will result in the major professor assuming authorship responsibilities toward publication.
Internship/Professional Affiliation
To complete an internship or professional affiliation, a master’s student must enroll in a three-hour internship/professional affiliation course. A student may not register for the internship/professional affiliation course if final grade(s) for core course(s) are pending or if the student has an incomplete grade pending for any core course. Each master’s student must contact their major professor to confirm eligibility and request approval to enroll in the internship/professional affiliation course.
The internship/professional affiliation site must be approved by the major professor and/or faculty member directing the internship/professional affiliation. The internship/professional affiliation must include at least 350 hours of site work for academic credit; however, the internship/professional affiliation site may require additional hours. Students must submit a log or logs of work hours completed and an evaluation of the internship/professional affiliation site. Students must also have the site supervisor submit two evaluations (midterm and final) to the internship/professional affiliation instructor.
