Master of Science in Advanced Sports Coaching & Leadership

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Course Overview

Program Background

The knowledge, skills and competencies required to be an effective and successful coach are many and often challenging of the individual within their working environment. The skills developed as a coach are mainly gained through direct coaching practice in the real-world. Sometimes they are complemented with formal coach education. The blend of both formal coach education and the exposure to a real-life working environment is a powerful and ideal mix for the coach wherein they can draw from, reflect on and use their real world coaching experiences to complement their more formal learning and development. This unique programme of study considers and uses both approaches as its main focus.

Accreditation

The MSc in Advanced Sports Coaching & Leadership is run in unison with Irish American University who award the program under its accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is one of the world’s leading accrediting bodies. Students enrolled on this Masters program will be conferred by Irish American University.

Furthermore, Setanta College Professional Advisory Board, other subject matter experts, and international sporting organisations have informed, reviewed, and approved the program content. This includes World Rugby, the Titleist Performance Institute, and the NSCA who recognise our programmes and qualifications.

Courses covered:

Reflective Practice & Professional Skills
Reflective practice lies at the heart of the work of the influential coach, teacher, instructor, and health practitioner, providing a core principle around which careers can be built. This course will explore critical topics for practitioners, ensuring they develop the skills and competencies to undertake consultancy at the individual, group, community, or wider population levels. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the importance of maintaining legal, regulatory, and ethical standards and essential insight into the various frameworks adopted in applied work. It aims to develop the ability to work with a range of athletes and sports settings and to develop, monitor, and evaluate interventions used in the rehabilitation process. It will also assess the potential role of emerging approaches to rehabilitation programs and the importance of multi-disciplinary teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills for a successful career.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate systematic understanding of professional practice issues in coaching and critically reflect upon own professional skills to benefit future learning and practice.
2. Identify ethical issues in applied sports coaching and performance and use effective frameworks to develop overarching practice principles.
3. Demonstrate competence to work effectively with a range of various athletes, clients and populations.
Coaching Process
This coaching program covers fundamental aspects such as coaching philosophy, communication, goal setting, assessment, and feedback. Coaches will acquire proficiency in guiding athletes toward enhanced performance. Emphasizing adaptability and reflective practice, the curriculum enables coaches to tailor approaches to individual needs, fostering continuous improvement in coaching effectiveness. The course also instills ethical and empathetic coaching leadership, emphasizing sportsmanship, integrity, and respect. Sub-topics include conflict resolution, time management, mental skills training, and stress management. With a focus on Learning Outcomes, coaches will develop a holistic skill set, ensuring their ability to lead ethically, adapt dynamically, and continuously improve in fostering positive coaching environments.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in effective communication, goal setting, assessment, and feedback.
2. Adapt coaching styles and methods to meet the unique needs of athletes and situations.
3. Exhibit ethical and empathetic leadership in coaching.
Performance Analysis and Data-Informed Coaching
Coaches are expected to showcase proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting performance data through the use of relevant software and tools. It emphasizes the development of data-driven coaching strategies, which involve creating athlete-specific training plans and game tactics based on thorough performance analysis. The module further emphasizes and justifies the importance of effective communication, as coaches should be able to convey data-driven insights to athletes and coaching staff, promoting collaboration and ultimately enhancing overall team performance.
Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting performance data, using relevant software and tools, to inform coaching decisions.
2. Apply data-driven coaching strategies, including athlete-specific training plans and game tactics, based on thorough performance analysis.
3. Effectively communicate data-driven insights to athletes and coaching staff, fostering collaboration and enhancing overall team performance .
Coaching Management and Leadership
This comprehensive module delves into essential aspects of sports coaching, covering leadership styles, team dynamics, and strategic planning. Coaches will gain expertise in conflict resolution, negotiation, and effective communication. Topics also include motivating athletes, time management, financial and legal considerations, event logistics, media and public relations, and marketing for sports teams. Learning outcomes focus on developing leadership skills, strategic planning abilities, and proficiency in conflict resolution, providing coaches with a holistic toolkit for successful sports management.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Describe leadership skills and strategies necessary for effective management within the coaching environment.
2. Develop the ability to create and implement strategic plans for sports organisations.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in employing effective communication and negotiation skills by fostering a positive coaching environment.
Applied Coaching Psychology
This module provides coaches with a comprehensive understanding of sports psychology, covering key sub-topics such as skill development, expertise approach, perceptual-cognitive expertise, and more. It aims to empower coaches in psychological assessment, mental toughness strategies, and integrating skill acquisition principles for enhanced athlete performance. The exploration of neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and debunking myths in sports coaching adds depth to the learning experience. The overarching goal is to equip coaches with the knowledge and skills to assess athletes’ psychological profiles, enhance mental toughness, and optimize skill development, fostering consistent and high-level performance.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Describe an athlete’s psychological profiling process.
2. Display an understanding of the strategies that foster mental toughness.
3. Integrate skill acquisition principles with sports psychology techniques to enhance athletes’ skill development and performance consistency.
Research Methods and Data Management
The capabilities to both manage data and prosecute research are considered essential for the modern performance focused coach. The plethora of data that may be derived from a variety of sources can often create much confusion for the coach, analyst and support members of the team and indeed the athlete. Further, having the skills to meaningfully manage and interpret this data will allow the student to synthesise and apply relevant data across a wide variety of sporting and physical activity contexts such as within the general fitness industry. The module will also advance the students skills in their approach and competence in identifying and prosecuting sport and exercise related research.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module the student will be able to:
1. Articulate issues and form compliant strategies in the gathering, storing and management of sport related data.
2. Interpret and present data and results in a meaningful format using current best practice.
3. Prepare a research proposal based on sound fundamentals of applied research.
Applied Project
A key skill of the advanced practitioner will be the ability to generate independent solutions to the unique challenges they face in their individual performance environment. Ultimately, they will require the ability to generate their own evidence-based practice that blends external data, their own findings and observations with the unique challenges and confines of their own performance setting. Subsequently, the capacity for independent investigation will be critical, allowing the generation of context specific solutions to key performance problems. This module will extend the course aim of developing multidisciplinary, independent thinkers, enabling students to generate true evidence-based practice that can be directly applied into their own coaching practices. It will enable the student to apply the skills and knowledge generated through the previous modules to the generation of a solution to an applied question they face in their own practice and to communicate these findings in both written and oral formats. The individual project will enable the student to focus on a specific challenge they face and to generate an evidence-based solution to this challenge. For individuals working within a performance organisation, or where the student is sponsored by the organisation, the project will take the form of an agreed solutions-based project based on a challenge faced by the organisation. Here the project will be agreed between the student, the college and the employer.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the project the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of effective enquiry in the strategic development of a performance-based solution.
2. Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct an effective professional enquiry following a systematic approach to an identified problem.
3. Effectively present the findings of the enquiry, along with key practical application for future practice.

Program Duration

The program duration is 21-24 months. This includes:

6 Online Courses (each module is 12 weeks in duration)
On-site residential weeks, practical application, and lectures.
Final Project (additional 3 months to complete)

Residentials

Much of the learning on the program will occur through a mix of online courses and experiential learning, however, a key part of the program will be the residentials. Whilst the content of each residential will be dependent upon the modules undertaken, the overarching objectives will be similar.

Our residentials are offered in the following locations:

Ireland: GAA National Games Development Centre, Dublin.

The objectives:

To provide hands-on instruction and experience in the practical elements of the course content. Even though the course is focused mainly on an evidence-based practice approach, practical competency in the application of theory to practice and in the ‘art’ and ‘craft’ of coaching will be emphasised. Further, the competence in the use of and interpretation of data using a wide range of coaching technologies and the coaching process will be central to the face to face environment and thus the residential will ensure that practitioners receive high-class instruction in the key practical elements required for effective industry practice.
To allow for practical assessments and presentation-based assessments to be carried out.
To provide contextualisation and critical discussion of the topics covered in the online material. This will essentially be a flipped classroom approach to teaching. This medium will allow practitioners to share experiences and provide a highly interactive learning environment.

A joint program by:

Setanta College and the Irish American University

The Master of Science in Advanced Sports Coaching & Leadership is co-delivered by Setanta College and Irish American University. The program has been developed by the globally renowned industry experts at Setanta College and takes its internationally recognized accreditation from Irish American University’s approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Upon successful completion of this master’s program, students earn degrees conferred by Irish American University.

Course Details & Enrolment

Delivery Method

On-site Attendance

During the second and fourth modules, students are required to attend residentials where hands-on training will be provided by our team of international lecturers, world-renowned coaches, and industry experts. Residentials will take place in Ireland.

In Ireland residentials are held at the GAA National Games Development Centre, Dublin.

Final Project and Assessment

You will submit a final project following the completion of the six online modules. During the online element, you will receive guidance and mentoring from a tutor who will assist you in the selection of a final project.

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of the programme the student will be able to:

1. Display a high level of knowledge and a systematic understanding of coaching processes

1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the challenges within the coaching environment

1. Display advanced research skills related to performance analysis

1. Select novel and insightful responses in planning and managing

1. Demonstrate competence in communication and in applying reflective skills to inform better coaching and management

1. Manage and lead the coaching plan and its implementation and review

1. Evaluate their own skills and competences

1. Reflect on and be aware of the social norms and ethical responsibilities in their role

Entry Requirements

Setanta College is committed to providing accessible and inclusive pathways to postgraduate education, while ensuring that applicants are prepared to successfully engage with postgraduate study. To this end, the following entry routes are available:

1. Academic Qualification Route (Direct Entry)
Applicants who have completed undergraduate studies (i.e. Bachelors degree or a qualification at Level 6 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) or equivalent) are eligible for direct entry to the programme.

2. Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) Route
Applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree (EQF level 6) may still be considered for entry if they can demonstrate:

A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in sport, fitness, health, or a related performance domain.
Relevant experience may include time spent as an athlete, coach, instructor, mentor, or practitioner across amateur or professional settings, community-based programmes, or performance environments.
Evidence of reflective practice, ongoing professional development, and the capacity to engage with academic content.

All RPEL applicants will undergo an individual assessment process to determine suitability.

3. Additional Documentation (Discretionary)
In some cases, particularly where applicants are applying through the RPEL route or hold a qualification from a non-cognate area, the College may request:

A Letter of Interest, outlining the applicant’s motivation, relevant experience, and goals.
A brief interview to discuss the applicant’s background and fit for the programme.

This step is intended to support the applicant and ensure readiness for study at Masters level (EQF level 7).

* Note: Applicants who are not deemed suitable following interview will be provided with a tailored entry pathway to the programme of interest. This may include:

Completing a programme at a more appropriate level of study (e.g., EQF Level 5 or 6), or
Undertaking a bridging programme specifically designed to support academic and personal success at Masters level of learning (EQF Level 7).

4. English Language Proficiency
Where English is not the applicant’s first language, proficiency must be demonstrated by one of the following:

IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5, with no individual component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 88
EF SET: Minimum score of C1

* Note: Other tests may be accepted. If you completed an alternative language assessment than those listed above, please enquire for acceptance.

Recognition and Accreditation

The Master of Science in Advanced Sports Coaching & Leadership is run in unison with Irish American University who awards the program under its accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is one of the world’s leading accrediting bodies. Students enrolled on this Masters program will be conferred by Irish American University.

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MSc in Advanced Sports Coaching & Leadership

Fees & How To Apply

Programme Cost

€9,750

Annual Intakes: March & September

To secure your place on the MSc in Advanced Sports Coaching & Leadership programme, you can pay a deposit of €500 and choose from five payment options, including paying in full, per module, or through instalments. See below for the full list of options:

Deposit €500 | Remainder Before Course Start Date
Deposit €500 | 50% Before Course Start Date and 50% Before Commencing Module 5
Deposit €500 | 6 Equal Installments Paid Before the Start of Each Module
Deposit €500 | 4 Installments of 25% before Modules 1,3,5,7
Deposit €500 | 18 Equal Monthly Installments

IMPORTANT: There is no automatic entry on to the Programme. To be considered for the Master of Science in Advanced Sports Coaching & Leadership, please complete the Application Form by clicking the button below:

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