Become a Coach-Scholar
Lead meaningful change in the culture of sport through evidence-informed practice
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About Master of Coaching
What Is The Master of Coaching?
The Master of Coaching (MCoach) is an asynchronous online, course-based graduate degree designed for coaches who want to enhance athletic performance and lead meaningful change. The program bridges theory and practice, helping coaches question assumptions and promote ethical, safe and inclusive sport systems.
Why Choose This Program?
Choose this program for its fully flexible asynchronous online delivery and elite mentored experiential learning. You will develop foundational skills across coaching pedagogy, psychology, and sociology, while conducting an intensive 250-hour high-performance practicum and an independent capping research project tailored to your professional interests.
Major Map
Year one establishes your interdisciplinary foundation in sport psychology, sociology, pedagogy and research. Year two advances your practice through an immersive high-performance coaching practicum and capping research project.
Program Information
Degree
Master of Coaching (MCoach)
The course sequence below is recommended for students who plan to complete the Master of Coaching program full-time over two years.
Year 1 – Fall Semester
- KSR 544: Sport Psychology
- KSR 576: Coaching Pedagogy
- KSR 514: Financial Analysis in Sport*
- KSR 590: Directed Study*
Year 1 – Winter Semester
- KSR 575: Sociocultural Perspectives in Coaching
- KSR 579: Applied Research Methods
- KSR 522: Sport Physiology*
- KSR 590: Directed Study*
Year 2 – Fall Semester
- KSR 572: Coaching Practicum
- KSR 900: Capstone Project
Year 2 – Winter Semester
- KSR 572: Coaching Practicum
- KSR 900: Capstone Project
*Indicates a possible elective course. Only 1 elective course is needed to fulfil program requirements.
100% Online: Advanced coach education delivering maximum flexibility for working professionals nationwide.
250+ Practicum Hours: Complete an intensive, full-season high-performance coaching placement under expert mentorship.
2-Year Full-Time Completion: Efficiently complete your degree timeline while managing your ongoing coaching career.
Top 10: The U of A was ranked seventh globally and third nationally in Sports-Related Subjects in 2026 by QS World University Rankings.
Program Objectives
- Equip students with the knowledge and skills to reflect and think critically about their coaching.
- Challenge and question numerous taken-for-granted coaching practices and assumptions within competitive sport.
- Promote inclusion and diversity by addressing historical exclusions, gender inequities, and integrating Indigenous perspectives on sport.
- Establish a coherent, evidence-informed pathway that aligns with national and international standards of professional coaching practice.
Learning Outcomes
You will leave this program with the ability to:
- Design, deliver, and assess athlete-centered coaching plans that enhance performance and well-being.
- Create inclusive and safe high-performance sport environments through effective leadership, communication and collaboration.
- Critically evaluate and integrate evidence from a wide breadth of sport science and coaching research to make informed decisions in their coaching practice.
- Create and share practical tools (e.g., workshops, action research, position statements, research papers) that contribute to the broader sport community.
Careers
Potential career options include:
- High-Performance Coach
- Community Sport Coach
- Sport Administrator / Athletic Director
- Coach Educator / Coach Developer
- Interdisciplinary Support Team Member (e.g., Mental Performance Consultant, Strength and Conditioning Coach)
