Overview
The Certificate in Sport Leadership is a non-credit professional development program designed to meet the needs of individuals working in sport leadership roles, such as coaching.
The School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) designed the Sport Leadership curriculum to make use of Sport Industry Research Center (SIRC) faculty’s cutting-edge research. This certificate demonstrates our commitment to our industry partners—and in particular, those working in urban communities—who in turn benefit from our latest and most relevant research.
Academic experts manage this unique certificate, which grounds students in both research and practice. It brings together learning from and collaboration with a handful of nationally recognized partners, supporting professionals in developing first-rate and highly relevant skills as well as strategy.
Program Partners
The key partners in this project include the youth-focused organizations Mentoring IR, Positive Coaching Alliance and Strive as well as WeCOACH. Through these collaborations, the Certificate in Sport Leadership provides a comprehensive curriculum that supports the professional development of individuals who seek to be highly effective leaders.
Program Tracks
The program currently offers a track for coaches working in a variety of environments and situations. In the future, STHM may offer additional tracks, based on demand, to include:
- Executive management of youth sport and sport for development
- Board service in youth sport
- Fundraising and development in non-profit sport organizations
Program Format
Cohorts of 50 students train in-person and on-campus in a series of four (4) intensive full-day modules. Between modules, participants engage with fellow students through an online learning management system, to support their continued growth and apply the learning outcomes from the previous module(s). Students also have the opportunity to offer and receive peer reviews to further evaluate their learning and growth.
Certificate In Sport Leadership: Coaching Track
Modules in this track:
| Module #1: General Coach Education | Includes coaching philosophy, coaching style, communication strategies, teaching technical and tactical skills in sport, practice planning and season planning. |
| Module #2: Youth & Child Development | Includes child development guidelines and other age-specific guidelines for designing sport experiences (in line with long-term athlete development models), gender-specific strategies and trauma-informed coaching. |
| Module #3: Sport & Positive Development | Includes positive youth development myths, strategies for teaching life skills through sport, inclusive practices in sport, diversity issues and opportunities, and mentoring. |
| Module #4: Team Culture & Well-being | Includes establishing a positive team culture, leadership, motivation, mental health for athletes and coaches, and resources available for long-term professional development. |
Completion Requirements
Participants receive certificates once they have completed all four modules and produce proof of the following:
- Criminal Background Check
- Child Abuse History Clearance
- SafeSport™ Training
- HEADS UP Concussion Training
- First Aid/CPR Certification
***Please note there is currently a waiting list for this program. Cohorts are filled through December 2020.***
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