General Information

The aim of the Graduate Certificate in Coaching is, through both coursework and assignments, to equip students with the knowledge and skills to reflect and think critically about their coaching in order to challenge and  question numerous taken-for-granted practices and assumptions within sport concerning what it means to be an effective and ethical coach. This includes issues and topics related to historical forms of exclusion within  sport and coaching resulting from racism, long-standing colonial structures, and other forms of bias and prejudice such as gender-based inequities. It is in this way that this Certificate will aim to promote inclusion and diversity specially as it relates to the positive and enriching opportunities that can come from an Indigenous perspective on sport and coaching. Content across the Certificate, therefore, will be informed by a range of natural and  social science perspectives, as well as the arts and humanities, and various quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Entrance Requirements

The Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

The undergraduate degree can be in any discipline however, a degree in a sport-related area is preferred. Some experience working in a coaching environment will be considered an asset.

A minimum 1 year of relevant work experience is also required (preferably in coaching).

Where applicable, applicants must meet the minimum GPS English Language Requirement.

Applicants are also required to submit the following:

• Current resume/curriculum vitae
• One professional letter of reference
• One letter of intent

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic requirement but have considerable relevant professional experience may also be admissible. Individuals who feel this situation applies to them are encouraged to  contact the Manager, Community and International Education, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation to discuss their status.

Length of Program

The maximum time to complete the Graduate Certificate as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.

Laddering

Students who complete the certificate in good standing may be able to use the courses from the certificate to receive advanced standing in the course-based Master of Arts  or course-based Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation , or the Master of Coaching . Completion of the certificate does not guarantee admission to a master’s degree program. The certificate may be used for both the basis of admission and laddered into the course-based master degree. Details on laddering can be found in the Calendar under Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies .