What Makes This Course So Special?
The MSc in Sports Coaching has been devised to provide you with an advanced base of knowledge that will give you the best possible opportunity for pursuing your career goals within sport and the coaching industry.
The blended approach to learning seeks to maximize the range of teaching and learning methods to meet the variety of adult learning styles students bring to their study. The modules will be ‘taken’ at the convenience of your situation – be it according to your learning style, your academic level, your specific diversity of need and your travelling distance; home, European or International.
Throughout the course you will have many opportunities to take part in additional activities that will support your studies and enhance your overall university experience. Some examples include:
• Student research activity within the ASPIRE Sports Research Centre, the Elite Sports Performance Unit and the School of Golf.
• Healthy Campus involvement
• Active Health Centre Involvement
• National Governing Bodies of Sport
• Guest speaker seminars
• Work-in-progress seminars
Find out more about the subject of Sport at Newport.
Course Intro
If you work within the sport and coaching industry or have an undergraduate degree with some coaching experience then this course is for you.
You will further your understanding of the coaching process through a combination of the theoretical and practical elements of the programme. You will develop a critical understanding of sport coaching through the examination of underpinning theories, concepts, models, project management and research skills.
Additional benefits of this course can include the opportunity to work with high performance coaches and athletes from the sport performance unit. The structure and teaching delivery is primarily distance learning, enabling you to study and work in tandem.
What you study
Certificate Stage (3 modules must be completed) and Diploma Stage (other 3 modules completed)
The only stipulation is the Coaching process must be completed in the Certificate Stage.
The Coaching Process
On this module you will examine the theory behind the coaching process. This will help you further your understanding of the coaching environment in which you work.
Philosophy and Ethics of Sports Coaching
This module will provide a backdrop to the concept that coaching is a developing profession and, as such there is a need for participants to understand the diverse nature and complexity of issues relating to all sports coaching.
Research Methods and Project Management Skills for use in Organisations
You will develop both academic research and project management skills throughout this module.
Sports Science for Coaching
This module will further develop a comprehensive understanding of the application of sport science in order to maximise both coaching and athletic performance.
Applied Professional Practice
This module provides you with coaching experience and the guidance of a mentor through a coaching placement. Our links with Newport Gwent Dragons Rugby, Celtic Manor Resort, Welsh Cycling Union and others mean you will have many opportunities to gain the coaching placement that will benefit you most. However, you may choose your current coaching role for the placement if you have an appropriate mentor.
Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Consultancy
This module will develop an understanding of how your own approaches, guidelines and skills for being an entrepreneurial manager in the sports business environment can be developed, incorporating entrepreneurial creativity and awareness to turn opportunities into viable projects or outcomes.
Masters Stage
Dissertation - 20,000 word research project.
A programme specification is available for this course
Where Next?
This course will provide you with opportunities in many careers within sport, not only in coaching, but in other areas of employment as well. In fact this degree is useful in a wide range of occupations, such as:
• Coach Education Personnel
• Sport Coaching Science Personnel
• Elite Sports Coach
• Community Sports Coach
• Physical Education Teacher
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• National Governing Body Officer
• Self-employed Coaching Consultant
• Researcher
• Performance Analyst
Interview Required
Yes. We want to give you the opportunity to ask us questions that are important to you in addition to us assessing your suitability for the course. This can be via skype if you are unable to get to campus. Tutors will take time to explain the content of the programme to you and answer questions you have about the course. You will be asked about why you want to study the course and your reasons for choosing Newport as well as more detailed questions about your studies and interests.
Assessment
Each module up to Masters Level is assessed by 1 or 2 major pieces of work usually consisting of a written assignment and another piece of work.
Staff Soundbite
“The attendance pattern for the course particularly appealed to me as a mature student. Also, the work placement module is of real benefit to my personal development as a coach.”