Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Sciences

Coaching Education – Soccer – MS8163

Department of Recreation, Sport Pedagogy, and Consumer Sciences
Ohio University – Athens Campus
McCracken Hall 202C
100 East Union Street
Athens, Ohio, 45701
740.593.4656
rsp@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online (with two in-person residencies)

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Program Overview

This curriculum is the only soccer-specific master’s degree program in the United States, and it is designed to provide the most current information and research in the development of soccer coaches for every level of the sport. The Patton College of Education at Ohio University and the United Soccer Coaches launched an online master’s degree in Recreation and Sport Sciences with a concentration in Soccer Coaching in June 2013. This unique degree program is delivered primarily in an online format with two in-person residencies.

Ohio University’s Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy is a leader in the field of coaching education, offering a campus-based master’s degree since 2001 and an online master’s option since 2008. Students will work in each course with faculty who are content experts and who have extensive coaching and coaching education experience. Because of the online format and the way residencies are organized, students in the program can continue to live, work, and coach in their communities while completing their master’s degree. This is a part-time program in which courses are delivered one at a time, and it takes 5 semesters (approximately 20 months) to complete the program.

Program Learning Objectives

• Develop a detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of the major foundational aspects of sports coaching pedagogy, principles of effective coaching in the world’s most popular sport.
• Distinguish ethical, moral and core values embedded within a player-centered coaching philosophy that can be applied to all levels of soccer.
• Demonstrate the coaching qualities needed to critically analyze successful organization, administration, leadership and management of players and soccer programs both on and off the field.
• Implement effective soccer-specific coaching strategies to improve players technical and tactical development during practice and competition.
• Apply and integrate academic frameworks, theories, and research on current coaching practices related to the technical, tactical, physiological, and psychosocial aspects of soccer.
• Develop a critical knowledge and understanding of injury prevention, performance recovery, fitness development and periodization of training, and other soccer player development concepts.
• Critically analyze the impact of player-centered coaching methodologies and practices on long-term player development in youth and advanced levels of soccer.
• Utilize effective strategies and technologies to analyze player and coach development and performance in practice and competition.

Further Information

Link to Program:  www.ohio.edu/education/recreation-sport-pedagogy/coaching-soccer

Admission Requirements

A prospective student must meet the following requirements to be considered for unconditional admission to the Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy Graduate Program in Soccer Coaching:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of three years of soccer coaching experience. 
• Coaching Education licenses, diplomas or certificates from United Soccer Coaches, US Soccer or equivalent soccer governing bodies.
• Minimum overall undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on the last 90 quarter hours or the last 60 semester hours.
• A two-page personal statement that includes information about your background and prior experience, your professional purpose and career goals, and how the Coaching Education program can help you to fulfill your goals.
• A resume of your educational background, work, and coaching experience.
• Three letters of recommendation using the recommendation form available on the Graduate College website (Forms page). At least one reference must be from someone who can attest to your qualifications in your chosen field and at least one must be from an academic faculty member or colleague who can support your ability to produce successful academic work at the graduate level. Please be certain to identify your intended concentration before giving the form to the person providing the reference.

International Students

This program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours as follows: