In an effort to meet the needs of our students and to address the issues of sport, we are launching two new courses in the Sport Coaching and Leadership program in Summer 2021 (May 17 – August 16).
Sociocultural Issues for Sport Practitioners – KIN 846
This new course will build on a successful special topics course from the previous summer, and will address the intersection of sport with the issues of race, social class, gender/identity, sexual orientation, and (dis)ability. The goal of the course is to help coaches and sport leaders become more culturally competent so they can improve the quality of their work with a more diverse population of athletes, parents, and stakeholders. Students will examine their own beliefs and worldviews, learn and share how sport experiences differ for different populations, and examine specific issues related to inclusive practices in their own sport community. Students will engage in a critical analysis of a sport context, examining how power dynamics shape the sport experience.
Questions or inquiries about this course should be emailed to the instructor, Dr. Andy Driska, in the Department of Kinesiology.
The Sport Enterprise – KIN 851
The global sport industry is valued at nearly $500 billion and is composed of a diverse array of activities, including youth sport, recreation and fitness, collegiate and professional sport, as well as ancillary services such as television broadcasting, sponsorship, merchandise and sports gambling. Individuals who are interested in studying and working in the sport industry should become familiar with its complexities and understand the principles and methods of revenue generation and the management of revenue expenditures. This new course addresses many of those key topics by examining the fundamental business aspects of the sport industry, and acts as a survey examination of principles of marketing, economics, finance, and facilities.
Students will learn necessary skills related to sales (e.g., ticketing, sponsorships), fundraising/development and marketing, and will be introduced to elements of communications that support broader marketing strategies. Technical skills regarding accounting and budgeting will also be taught in order to underscore the importance of accountability and sound financial management in sport organizations. Economic principles as applied to various sectors of the sport industry will be explored along with funding models and opportunities for investment from the private and public sectors. The management of sport facilities, from both operational and financial perspectives, will also be examined.
Questions or inquiries about this course should be emailed to the instructor, Dr. Jeff MacCharles, in the Department of Kinesiology.
Three More Summer Course Offerings
In addition to these two new courses, three other courses in the Sport Coaching and Leadership program will be offered this summer.
- Safety and Injury Control (KIN 829) will address emergency action planning, concussion management, and creating a physically safe practice and competition environment. This course will be taught by Dr. Jessica Wallace of the University of Alabama (and MSU Kinesiology PhD alumnus).
- Physical Bases of Coaching (KIN 856) will address how knowledge from physiology, anatomy, biomechanics can help coaches create seasonal training plans and execute practice designs to develop athleticism in their players. This course will be taught by Dr. Anthony Moreno of Eastern Michigan University (and MSU Kinesiology PhD alumnus).
- Ethics in Sport Coaching and Leadership (KIN 852) will address the moral obligations of coaches and sport leaders and develop ethical decision-making skills. This 1-credit course will be taught by Dr. Jennifer Roth.
How to Enroll
Speak with your advisor to see how these courses could complement your plan of study. These courses are open to graduate students in the Sport Coaching and Leadership programs and the MA in Education. If you are enrolled in another graduate degree program and have an interest in taking any of these courses, you can request an override.
What can the Sport Coaching and Leadership program do for you?
If you are interested in growing your knowledge and skills as a sport coach or sport administrator, one of our graduate programs can help. Our online MS in Sport Coaching and Leadership launched in 2016, and since that time it has enrolled more than 40 students and has produced 17 graduates. This 30-credit program is ideal for scholastic, collegiate, and professional coaches looking for an edge on the playing field and the job market. With a curriculum that unites the sport sciences but designed for the practical nature of sport coaching, this degree will help you use sport science to create better athletes, more harmonious teams, and an effective support network of parents and administrators.
Starting in May 2021 (contingent on final university approvals), we will launch a new degree concentration in sport administration. This concentration will build on our existing program in leadership and teach the essential knowledge and skills to administer sport programs at all levels. It will feature the following core courses:
- Theory and Practice of Modern Sport Leadership (KIN 849)
- The Sport Enterprise (KIN 851)
- Ethics in Sport Coaching and Leadership (KIN 852)
- Athletic Administration and Governance (KIN 853)
- Legal Aspects of Sport (KIN 854)
We also offer two graduate certificate programs that are ideal for students who want to build their skillset, but do not want to commit to a full master’s degree program. A graduate certificate is an excellent add-on for students that are pursuing another degree, but want to develop their sport expertise. Graduate students in Education, K-12 Administration, Kinesiology, Community Sustainability, and Materials Science have completed our graduate certificate program. In May 2021 (contingent on final university approvals), we will launch a new 13-credit graduate certificate in Sport Leadership and Administration to complement our existing graduate certificate in sport coaching.
Next Steps
With any questions about these graduate programs, please reach out to the program coordinator, Dr. Andy Driska.