Online Coaching Education Programs | The Institute for the Study of Youth Sports

ISYS Online Education Programs for Coaches and Sport Parents

MSU Graduate Courses for Coach Education

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Two Options for Graduate Study

Course Schedule

Course Descriptions

Common Questions and Answers

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If you are thinking about a possible career in coaching, consider the options for online graduate study at Michigan State University.
Have You Ever Thought About a Career in Coaching?

Being a coach is considered one of the most challenging and rewarding careers for both men and women.

When asked, student-athletes will often say that coaches are often the second most important role model in their life after their parents.

A coach has the opportunity to help young people become great citizens and leaders in sport and outside of sport.

Are These Courses for You?

Yes, when you are...

A teacher hoping to earn a masters degree in education.

A coach interested in enhancing your coaching, understanding of the sport sciences, and sport leadership knowledge.

A teacher-coach hoping to advance into athletic and school administration.

An administrator seeking deeper understanding of the science and profession of coaching.

So busy with your coaching duties (and work and life!) that enrolling in traditional on campus courses is difficult.

Interested in becoming the best coach you can be!

Benefits

Expertise of Instruction: Learn from experienced MSU professors, each of them well-established in their field of study.
Opportunities: Interact and have the chance to learn with a global group of teacher, coaches, and administrators.
Professional Development: Increase your status and credibility with the certificate and/or the M.A. degree from MSU.

Dual Options for Graduate Study

Online Masters in Education: We have merged our coaching courses with the online Masters of Arts in Education program offered by the Michigan State University College of Education. We offer four coaching education courses, three of which can be assembled as a Concentration Area in this program. The MSU College of Education details the application procedure on their website, where they also provide an overview of the Michigan State University online master of arts in education.
Certificate: The Department of Kinesiology and the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports (ISYS) at Michigan State University now offers two different approaches to online graduate-level study in coaching education. Our original certificate program consists of three 3-semester hour courses that address legal, administrative, psychological, sociological, and physical issues as they relate to the coaching of amateur athletes. After successful completion of all three courses, a Certificate of Completion will be awarded. These courses may be transferable to other graduate degree programs. Please read the FAQ section for details.

Schedule of Courses and Faculty for On-line Graduate Certificate in Coaching

Fall Semester KIN 855 - Psychosocial Bases of Coaching
Dr. Martha Ewing (mewing@msu.edu)

Spring Semester KIN 854 - Sport Law for Coaches and Administrators; Rick Atkinson (atkins27@msu.edu)

Summer Semester KIN 856 - Physical Bases of Coaching
Dr. Scott Riewald (riewald@msu.edu)

Fall Semester KIN 857/940 - Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Sport; Dr. Dan Gould (drgould@msu.edu)

Course Descriptions:

Sport Law for Administrators and Coaches (KIN 854)
Offered every Spring semester, this course prepares athletic administrators, school administrators, coaches, and directors of recreational programs for the responsibilities associated with providing and maintaining educationally sound athletic programs for amateur athletes. Obligations of those who are responsible for managing the risks associated with participation in physical activities are identified, as are the consequences of failing to protect the welfare of individuals who participate in school and agency-sponsored programs. Included are issues surrounding the topics of negligence, supervision, corporal punishment, contracts, termination of employees, due process, defamation, roles of independent contractors, gender equity, sexual harassment and the abuse of power, products liability, expected standard of care, waivers, essential records, transporting athletes and eligibility. Course content is conveyed through text books, journal articles available electronically, message boards, and a weekly chat room session with an attorney.
KIN 854 Course Instructor: Rick Atkinson (atkins27@msu.edu)
Psychosocial Bases of Coaching Athletes (KIN 855)
Offered every Fall semester, this course provides coaches, athletic administrators, and directors of recreational programs with sociological, psychological, philosophical, developmental, and instructional principles for coaching athletes in competitive sports. A lecture-discussion format is used to introduce major concepts followed by an interactive small group exercise designed to allow for application of the information to coaching. Typically, groups will be formed by sport interest so that direct application and unique issues can be identified and discussed among peers. The philosophical area facilitates the development of your own philosophy and understanding how philosophies might differ given the age group one is coaching. Issues associated with coaching elementary through high school will be discussed. The second section deals with how growth and development impact coaching and the issues of matching competitors, early specialization, and gender differences will be explored. Teaching is the main stay of coaching and this course will focus on how to be an effective teacher, how to give effective demonstrations, and plan the season as well as daily practices. The psychology of performance will be viewed through discussion of motivation, anxiety, confidence, and coping strategies. For each of these areas, applied exercises and discussions will be conducted. Finally, sport does not exist in a vacuum. Hence, the influence of society on our conduct of sport will be discussed. We will examine how we socialize youth into sport and out of sport! Additionally, we will examine the socialization of athletes through sport, including the issues of aggression and developing good sports.
KIN 855 Course Instructor: Dr. Martha Ewing (mewing@msu.edu)
Physical Bases of Coaching Athletes (KIN 856)
Offered every Summer semester, this course provides coaches, athletic administrators, and directors of recreational programs with principles of anatomy, physiology, sports medicine, and biomechanics as a foundation for coaching amateur athletes in various sports. This course uses manuals, on-line instructional materials, many supporting figures and tables, video clips, active learning exercises, and on-line journal articles to support the learning and application process. Module I on the anatomical bases of coaching includes units on the skeletal, muscular, and neuromuscular bases of movement. It also addresses specific regions of the body to facilitate an understanding of joints, movement, and potential injuries through applied analyses of exercise and performance. The physiological bases of coaching is included in Module II. Emphasis is placed on muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and thermoregulatory systems of exercise as they relate to the demands of various sports. Methods of conditioning are addressed through examples, and practical materials and forms that can easily be applied to specific sport settings. The medical bases of coaching, included in Module III, covers the following topics: contraindicated activities; the prevention, care, and rehabilitation of common sports injuries; and special injuries to girls and women in sports. Biomechanical bases of coaching are covered in Module IV. Concepts of biomechanics are presented with accompanying examples and video clips to make learning easy and to aid coaches in their analysis of sports skills.
KIN 856 Course Instructor: Dr. Scott Riewald (riewald@msu.edu)
Promoting Positive Youth Development through Sport (KIN 857/940)
Offered every fall semester, this course provides coaches, athletic administrators, and directors of recreational programs or individuals who are interested in this area with an understanding of ways to facilitate positive youth and student-athlete development through sport. Emphasis will be placed on specific bases and policy implications for educational athletics whether housed in school or non-school environments. Module 1 will explore the emerging youth development literature that focuses on the role of sport and other extracurricular activities play in enhancing positive youth development including attachment to school and educational aspirations, the development of life skills such as initiative, teamwork, and emotional control, and physical health and development (fitness, mental health). Possible detrimental effects such as increased alcohol use, burnout, and overuse injuries will also be examined. Module 2 will explore critical issues of potential concern in contemporary youth sports: an overemphasis on winning and outcomes; poor sportsmanship; increased expectations and pressure placed on young athletes; increasing costs; overinvolved parents; talent development; recreational and performance enhancing drug use; and sports specialization. Module 3 will focus on sport policy issues that influence positive youth development through sport. Chief among these are the need for coach and parent education, program evaluation and accountability, Title IX, and program funding. A lecture-discussion format is used to introduce major concepts followed by an interactive small-group exercise designed to allow for application of the information to coaching and sport leadership. Video conferencing and interviews from well-respected sport leaders, youth development researchers, coaches, and young athletes will be included as well.
KIN 857/940 Course Instructor: Dr. Daniel Gould (drgould@msu.edu)

Some Common Questions and Answers:

For whom are these courses intended?
The Online Coaching Education Courses were created to meet the needs of coaches and educators who are currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Education and are compiling coaching courses to form a sport leadership and coaching concentration, and for those individuals that hold a Bachelor's degree and are not currently enrolled at MSU. However, we do attempt to accommodate as many MSU students as is logistically possible. Current MSU graduate students may apply for enrollment to any of the 3-credit courses by emailing onlineed@msu.edu and they will be put on a waiting list. MSU students will be admitted on a space-available basis. Decisions regarding enrollment of MSU students are made during the two-week period leading up to the beginning of each course. Thus, if you are not admitted to the MAED or are signing up as a Lifelong Student, then you will not be admitted until at the very earliest 2 weeks prior to the start of the course.

What is the cost for each online course?
The cost for online courses can be found HERE.

Must I be enrolled in a Master's degree program at Michigan State University in order to enroll in one or more of the courses in the online coaching education series?
No, enrollment in a Master's degree program is not required to take the KIN coaching education courses. The courses can either be taken independently, or as part of the certificate program. In some cases, they may be accepted as part of a master's degree program, e.g., MSU's Online MA degree in Education or the MS degree in Kinesiology. Individuals who are not seeking a Master's degree can enroll in the courses through Lifelong Education at Michigan State University.

4. Where can I obtain materials for enrollment? Am I able to enroll via the internet, via surface mail, or must I be present on the Michigan State University campus?
Enrollment in the courses will be possible through any of the avenues listed above. Information about enrolling in the Lifelong Education courses is available on the website of the Office of the Registrar.

How can I obtain the required texts and course packet of readings? Can I pay for them and have them sent to me, or do I have to pick them up on the MSU campus?
Required textbooks may be ordered directly from the publisher or through bookstores on or near the MSU campus.

What type of tools must I have in order to gain access to the readings, graphics, video clips, etc., provided in the online coaching education series?
Every MSU Virtual University (VU) course requires a minimum of the following set of tools. Many VU courses have other specialized technical needs as well. Be sure to check the course preview page to read about particular needs for that course. At a minimum, each Virtual University student needs access to either:

An Intel-based Pentium II 233 (MHz PC; 64MB or more of RAM (128MB recommended); Netscape 4.5 or higher, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher; and Windows NT, 95, 98, ME, XP, or 2000 operating system.
OR
A Macintosh compatible G3 233 MHz, with System 7.5 or higher (System 8.5 recommended); 64MB or more of RAM (128MB recommended); and Netscape 4.06 or higher, or Internext Explorer 4.0 or higher.
AND
Minimum screen resolution of 800x600 (1024x768 recommended); color monitor; 4MB videoRAM (8MB recommended); 56K modem or high-speed connection to internet.

Don't think you have it? This would be a good time to call us and ask about it. Call VU Help Desk at 1-800-500-1554 (North America including Hawaii) or (517) 355-2345 (East Lansing and International). As with all computing situations involving the internet or other file sharing, VU recommends that you practice safe computing -- install and use a virus detection and repair software package, and back-up your work regularly. The technical requirements for taking each of the online series courses will be listd on teh preview page for each course.

What is the timetable for the KIN online coaching courses? Are they available on a semester basis? If I enroll, must I go through the course as a cohort, or can I progress on my own time schedule? If there is a timetable, how much flexibility is there within the time limits?
The online coaching courses are offered as traditional semester-long courses. Students generally will go through the course as a cohort, so that they can benefit from chat rooms and other interactive activities. However, students will be able to proceed at their own rate within blocks of time as specified in the schedule for each course. Students can take these courses in any order. Upon successful completion of three online courses, students will receive their certificate.
Example: "I expect to be away from my job for two weeks during the fall semester. Will this absence prohibit my enrollment or my progress through the course?"
Ordinarily, a scheduled two-week absence should not prevent you from enrolling, or progressing successfully through the course. However, it is best to contact the instructor for your specific course to determine if the time you plan to be absent interferes with major deadlines for the course.
Is there some type of certification associated with completion of a course or a combination of courses in the KIN online series? Are these courses equivalent to the existing Coaches Advancement Program (CAP) now being offered through the Michigan High School Athletic Association?
Successful completion of a three-course sequence will result in a Certificate of Completion signed by the Department of Kinesiology and the Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports. Completion of a three-course sequence will include most of the content in a CAP program: Level 1 and 2, now offered by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, with one exception: In order for coaches to receive a Level 2 CAP certification, they must also attend the 2.5 hour MHSAA CAP workshop entitled, 'Coaches Make the Difference.' A small fee will be associated to cover instructor costs and materials. To gain advanced CAP certification, coaches must also attend all of the Level 3-6 courses as this content is unique to the MHSAA CAP program. More information on these workshops is available through the MHSAA (www.mhsaa.org).

How frequently will the courses in the Coaches Education online series be offered?
Current plans are to offer these courses once each year. However, the schedule of offerings will be determined by the demand for the courses.

Who should I contact for additional information about Coaches Education online courses?
Carol Christofferson, Online Master of Arts in Education Program
E-mail: onlineed@msu.edu
For general information about the content of these courses:
Dr. Larry Lauer, Institute for the Study of Youth Sports
E-mail: lauerl@msu.edu
For specific information about one of the courses, contact the instructor of the course using the email address provided.

The ISYS/MHSAA Sport Parent Education Course

The Sport Parent Education Course is designed to enhance the role of parents in their children's sport experience. Parents should finish the course with a better understanding of how to help their children, their children's teams and coaches, as well as an understanding of how to maximize their enjoyment of "educational athletics." This course is a self-paced online course that involves videoclips, audio instruction, and interactive exercises.
More Information and Registration

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