Achieve meaningful victory with a coaching career.
If you’ve been searching for a sports coaching or fitness leadership degree program that can both be completed online and help you make a difference in the lives of athletes and in your career goals, congrats: you’ve found it! The Master's Degree in Coaching & Fitness Leadership program from the University of the Cumberlands can give you the fitness and leadership expertise you need to be successful in coaching any stage of individual and team sports – whether that be amateur, college, or professional. Develop practical leadership skills, an understanding of sports, physical fitness, and coaching, and use your skills and knowledge to inspire and lead athletes.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
Online Master's in Coaching and Fitness Leadership
This online master’s program in coaching emphasizes practical application from strong academic content, giving you the tools you'll need to coach, teach, and influence individual and team performance. You’ll learn what it takes to develop an ethical and effective leadership style, how to help athletes prepare to reach their goals, and what it takes to guide individual and team performance during your master’s in coaching. Education for your master’s in coaching degree online program will engage you in topics ranging from exercise physiology and fitness to coaching and management strategies to help prepare you to launch a successful coaching career.
Course Requirements (30 hours)
Choose two courses from the following:
- HHP 531 - Applied Statistics
- HHP 533 - Health and Fitness Psychology
- HHP 536 - Foundations of Physical Activity in Health Promotion
- HHP 630 - Health Promotion through Physical Activity
- HHP 632 - Current Issues in Health Promotion
- HHP 634 - Strength and Conditioning
- HHP 635 - Youth Health and Fitness
- HHP 636 - Plant Based Nutrition
- HHP 637 - Applied Sports Medicine
- HHP 639 - Special Topics
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Mission & Goals
The mission of the coaching & fitness leadership program at Cumberlands is to instill students with strong leadership qualities, an appreciation for sportsmanship, and the skills needed to lead a team of athletes well. Through this program, you will:
Coaching & Fitness Careers & Outcomes
*All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Coach: $38,970
Coach: $38,970
Coaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport.
Sports Scout: $38,970
Sports Scout: $38,970
Scouts evaluate athletes as possible recruits.
Athletic Trainer: $48,420
Athletic Trainer: $48,420
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
Fitness Trainer/Instructor: $40,700
Fitness Trainer/Instructor: $40,700
Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities.
Physical Therapist: $95,620
Physical Therapist: $95,620
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
Exercise Physiologist: $47,940
Exercise Physiologist: $47,940
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover.
Common Questions
A master's in coaching and fitness leadership is a graduate degree focused on developing leadership skills and knowledge in sports coaching and physical fitness. It equips students with the expertise needed to coach at various levels, including amateur, college, and professional sports, by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.
This master's degree typically takes about one to two years to complete, depending on whether you are studying full-time or part-time. The program usually requires around 30 credit hours.
Yes, you can earn a master's in coaching and fitness leadership online. The University of the Cumberlands offers this degree program entirely online, allowing for flexibility to balance your studies with other personal and professional commitments.
A master's in coaching and fitness leadership degree can be highly valuable for those seeking advanced roles in coaching, sports management, and fitness training. It provides specialized knowledge and skills that can lead to better career opportunities and the ability to make a significant impact on athletes' performance and well-being.
With a master's in coaching and fitness leadership, you can pursue careers as a coach, sports scout, athletic trainer, fitness trainer/instructor, physical therapist, or exercise physiologist. These roles involve guiding athletes, developing fitness programs, and providing specialized training and rehabilitation services.
To get a master's in coaching and fitness leadership degree, you need to apply to a university offering the program, such as the University of the Cumberlands. Once admitted, you will need to complete the required coursework, which typically includes core courses, emphasis courses, and electives. The program focuses on both theoretical knowledge and practical application in coaching and fitness leadership.
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