Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Sciences

Coaching Education – Soccer – MS8163

Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy
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 5-day residency programs)

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 face-to-face residencies.

Ohio University’s Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy is a leader in the field of coaching education, offering a campus-based program since 2001 and an online 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

• Establish a foundation in coaching principles, methodology and a history of soccer and its evolution into the world’s most popular sport.
• Instill the coaching qualities needed for successful leadership and management on and off the playing field.
• Introduce latest strategies for effectively utilizing technology to enhance player development.
• Help coaches improve soccer sport skills and tactics and develop effective strategies to make important adjustments during practice and competition.
• Provide soccer coaches with current practices in injury prevention, recovery, fitness development, hydration, nutrition and other player development concepts.
• Improve organization, planning, evaluation and other administrative skills required to be an effective soccer coach.
• Develop perspectives and strategies for developing and training advanced level players.
• Present a framework for developmentally appropriate and athlete centered practices that will lead to long-term player development, beginning with our youngest players.
• Become a consumer of current research and its application to coaching and player development.

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 four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of three years of soccer coaching experience. 
• A minimum of a United Soccer Coaches National Youth Diploma or 11 vs. 11 Diploma, a US Soccer “D” License, a US Youth Soccer National Youth License, or equivalent.
• Minimum overall undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 2.7 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: