Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD),
Leadership in Coaching and
Sport Management
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Overview
The specialization is designed to allow students to develop and enhance academic and practical skills for success in the academy and other career paths. The specialization reinforces principles in leadership, research, appreciation of literature, and data driven decision making, allowing graduates to create or enhance their own niche in the many disciplines of athletic coaching and sport management. Students will integrate professional and ethical essentials of leadership including DEI in athletic coaching and sport management and validate research principles to make data driven decisions in athletic coaching and sport management. Further, students will justify continual professional development in athletic coaching and sport management and cultivate effective communications with all audiences using a variety of delivery modalities. Finally, students will synthesize literature for research-based practice in athletic coaching and sport management and develop specialization content knowledge in the core and related courses. The specialization blends coursework, research, and practical experience to prepare the graduates for careers in interscholastic, intercollegiate, professional, and recreational sport settings.
Course Details
Specialization Requirements
- 3 course; 9 semester hours
Select one of the following:
In this foundational course, you will examine major theories and practices of organizational development and improvement in educational settings. You will also critique educational leadership competencies related to ethical behavior in educational organizations and synthesize various leadership theories using an educational approach to leadership. Finally, you will utilize educational leadership theories as they apply to real-world leadership situations in education and explore self-evaluation and personal reflection techniques supportive of leadership improvement within educational organizations.
This capstone course in athletic coaching and sport management will immerse students in authentic situations where students can apply the concepts covered in this program. Students will synthesize professional literature and apply concepts of athletic coaching and sport management, to create seminars and develop educational programs in the field. Students will evaluate the governance and organizational structure, as well as critic the rules and regulations associated with intercollegiate athletics.
This course analyzes the policies and principles surrounding ethics and diversity in intercollegiate athletics. Students will review Title IX and its impact in higher education, and assess strategies for developing human resource policies and principles in athletics that include social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Finally, students will develop and evaluate strategies for ethical decision-making in athletic coaching and sport management.
Specialization Elective Courses: PhD
- 3 course; 9 semester hours
This course will examine the role psychology plays in athletic coaching. Students will appraise psychological factors that affect athletes, and recommend strategies to address behavioral disorders, including interventions, and individual and group coaching. Students will generate sport psychology training programs to address these factors in athletes.
This course examines the legal attributes of coaching and sports management as well as the economic factors that impact this field. Students will begin by synthesizing professional literature pertaining to the legal and economic structure of this field. Students will investigate risk management, liability, and negligence pertaining to coaching and sport management and will assess the issues related to compliance in recruitment, eligibility, aspects of the NCAA transfer portal, amateurism, and financial aid in intercollegiate athletics. Students will also examine economic trends and challenges facing sports administrators, and cultivate revenue resources in athletic departments.
This course analyzes the methods and techniques used in evaluating athletic programs, sport teams, and individual performance. Students will develop evaluation strategies based on researched methods and data analysis and how these strategies are integrated into the duties of coaching. Finally, students will develop an evaluation process for continued recruitment and development of athletic talent.
This course will explore the organizational and administrative aspects of sport management. Students will investigate human resource strategies that impact personnel and students, and develop strategies to improve personnel performance in an athletic organization. In addition, students will evaluate the administrative operations, as well as the management of facilities of an athletic organization.
Program Outcomes
The PhD in Education program prepares you for making significant contributions to the body of knowledge in the broad field of education as well as a more narrowed area of instructional specialization. Learning outcomes include the ability to:
- Develop deep knowledge of educational systems, theories, and research in an area of expertise
- Interpret theories, research, and ideas for different audiences through multiple methods of communication
- Integrate ethical principles and professional standards for a specific discipline within the field
- Conduct autonomous or collaborative research using high-level analytical skills
- Contribute to the body of knowledge specific to a discipline within the field
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Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.