The Applied Sport Sciences online graduate programs at Michigan State University is designed for current and aspiring sport professionals who want to advance their expertise and leadership in coaching, sport management, and sport performance. Through a flexible, fully online format, students learn evidence-based practices in sport science, coaching, leadership, sport administration, and athlete development while learning from experts in the field.
The program emphasizes applied, hands-on learning opportunities that allow students to connect course concepts to real-world challenges in their current professional setting, helping them develop practical skills they can immediately implement. Whether your goal is to become a more effective coach, enhance athlete performance, lead sport organizations, or expand your career opportunities in the sport industry, the Applied Sport Sciences program can enhance your professional knowledge and skills and help you take the next step in your career.
We currently offer a 30-credit Master of Science degree, as well as a 10-credit Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching, a 13-credit Graduate Certificate in Sport Leadership and Management, and a 13-credit Graduate Certificate in Sport Performance Training.
Completely Online
Our graduate programs are offered completely online with no requirement to visit campus, giving you flexibility to complete your coursework in your own setting. Our courses use high-quality video lectures designed for sport practitioners, and instructors make use of connective technologies like Zoom to meet with students. We have offered online graduate courses in sport coaching and leadership since 2003. Our program falls under the MSU College of Education, where our online master’s degree programs in education are continually ranked among the best in the country.
Applied Focus
Projects and coursework in our graduate programs are aimed at affecting change by equipping students with skills for real world settings. With a Big Ten Quality education, you will develop skills to engage in critical thought and leadership on complex, interdisciplinary problems.
Grounded in Evidence-Based Principles
The courses you take in the Applied Sports Science program are taught by experts in their fields, who share the most current evidence-based principles from kinesiology, sport science, leadership, and management. We will prepare you to take on the biggest challenges of the sport environment today and into the future. Our instructors take special care to design learning activities that will help you to apply the science of coaching, leadership, and administration everyday.
Commitment to a Diverse Sport Workforce
A key goal of our program is to contribute to a diverse and inclusive sport workforce. As society undergoes substantial demographic shifts, sport leaders will have to ensure that they are creating spaces that are welcoming and that encourage everyone – athletes, parents, officials, staff and administrators – to embrace their full selves. In our role of educating future sport leaders, we have purposefully infused principles of diversity, equity and inclusion across our curriculum to ensure that students have the necessary skills and cultural competence required to work with all sport stakeholders. We are proud that our student population is diverse and represents a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. We are committed to fostering an environment that continues to welcome new students with different identities and supports their ability to thrive.
Want to Take Our Courses or Earn a Graduate Certificate?
If you're in another MSU program and want to take our courses, request an override – approvals are based on seat availability and reviewed weekly as the term nears.
To pursue one of our graduate certificate programs, submit the Intent-to-Enroll Form before or during your coursework (with approval) if you are in an existing graduate degree program. In your final semester, complete the Completion Review Form to ensure it appears on your transcript.
If you are not in an existing graduate degree program and would like to take the stand-alone graduate certificate, you must apply to our program through the application portal.
Find forms and submission details by visiting our Resources page.
What does our program provide?
Professional Advancement
A master’s degree in the Applied Sport Sciences sets you apart from your peers. It shows employers that you have attained the most current knowledge and skills, and it demonstrates your commitment to continual professional development and improvement.
Big Ten Quality
Graduates of our program will receive a master’s degree from a world-class Big Ten university. Students are taught by expert instructors, including faculty members in the renowned Institute for the Study of Youth Sports in the MSU Department of Kinesiology. Guest lectures from sport leaders from across the world complement the learning experience.
A Strong Network
A network of like-minded colleagues is critical for advancing in the sport professions. Our program provides ample opportunities to build your coaching network, with participation in our on-campus Sport Coaches' Summit and other on-campus engagement events.
One-On-One Advising
Unlike many online graduate programs, students in the Applied Sport Sciences program receive individualized support and mentorship from program faculty. Faculty work one-on-one with students to help them navigate the program, connect coursework to their professional goals, and identify opportunities for career and leadership development. This personalized advising experience helps ensure that each student receives guidance tailored to their unique interests and aspirations in sport.