In Fall 2025, the Department of Kinesiology launched the Master of Applied Sport Sciences (MASS). It is a revised and reinvigorated version of the program previously known as the Sport Coaching, Leadership and Administration degree (SCLA).
“This name best encapsulates the type of preparation our degree program now provides,” said Andy Driska, MASS co-director.
A hallmark of the new program is a fluid integration of three concentrations: coaching, sport management and strength and conditioning. Students in each concentration receive extensive disciplinary education within their chosen concentration and take courses across the other two concentrations.
“This enables a breadth of educational preparation and stronger connections between students,” added Driska.
The MASS program adds new courses on skepticism and inquiry in the sport sciences, organizational behavior in sport, nutrition, sport finance, psychology of athletic performance and applied sport analytics.
This program helps working practitioners and professionals, whose responsibilities can vary based on their title or even on day-to-day needs. For example, a sport coach often has managerial responsibilities and needs to have some basic knowledge of strength and conditioning principles. The MASS program can meet all those varying job needs — and students get the added benefit of being trained by world-renowned MSU experts.
In addition, the diverse course offerings can help individuals seeking to change roles or advance in their careers. The three concentration areas of the master’s program align directly with current graduate certificates in Sport Coaching and Sport Leadership and Management, and a new graduate certificate titled Sport Performance Training (launching January 2026). Each graduate certificate provides an excellent opportunity to advance or pivot one’s career and serves as an “on-ramp” into the master’s program for those who wish to continue their studies.
To support the program, the department also welcomed Nick Mortensen as the lead faculty member for the strength and conditioning concentration and Sangchul Park, who will contribute to the sport management concentration.
This change, while transformative, is just the beginning.
“We’re always exploring ways to expand and strengthen our program to meet the needs of our students,” said Jennifer Roth, associate professor and MASS co-director. “Our goal is to provide meaningful experiences that support their interests, help them grow and prepare them for success in their future careers.”
Related news
- Andy Driska is the 2025 recipient of the College of Education Fixed-Term Faculty and Academic Staff Leadership Award.
- Read the blog for the Master of Applied Sport Sciences program, including posts from Driska and Roth.