MASTER OF ARTS
IN COACHING LEADERSHIP

Admission criteria and eligibility information:

• A minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and some level of coaching experience is required for admission.
• Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA and/or no coaching experience must submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement (outlining interests and professional goals) to megan.henderson@loras.edu in addition to the online application, resume, and official transcripts to be considered for admission.

All courses are three credits and completed entirely online, except the Coaching Internship and Coaching Capstone courses.

CLD-505 Sports Nutrition
This course will focus on the fundamentals of sports nutrition tailored towards coaches. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of basic nutritional concepts as they relate to overall health, improvement of sports performance, effective recovery regimens and hydration. Students will explore nutritional strategies for athletes of varying sports, experience levels and ages.

CLD-510 Legal and Ethical Issues of Coaching
This course will explore the requisite legal and ethical issues most applicable to the coaching profession.   The legal component will include federal legislation and applicable cases on discrimination and labor law.  Students will also be provided information on the topics of negligence, contract law, due process and governing bodies.  The ethical component will apply Catholic social teaching principles to a myriad of issues coaches are likely to encounter in their profession.

CLD-515 Principles of Coaching and Skill Development
This course will provide youth, high school and college coaches the ability to examine many areas in the coaching profession.  Students will develop their coaching philosophy, observe and analyze different coaching and leadership styles, and learn how to best develop a team physically and mentally.  Students will also explore ways of planning, teaching and training technically in sport for multiple age groups.

CLD-520 Research Methods and Analysis
The primary intent of this course is to expose you to the various research processes related to coaching leadership and sport administration. This will include the conception of a research hypothesis, literature reviews, statistical and measurement concepts, types of research/study designs, data collection methods and the analysis and presentation of results. The overarching goal is to develop skill in critically evaluating published or presented research in the field, which may include aspects of Sport and Athletic Industry, Kinesiology, Sports Administration, Athletic Training and Strength Training.

CLD-525 Contemporary Issues in Coaching
This course will explore issues current and relevant to coaches.  Students will be exposed to these critical issues with an emphasis on preparing them for the divergent opinions they will encounter within their constituents.

CLD-530 Inclusive Leadership in Athletic Coaching
This course will focus on leadership theories and practices as applied to sport coaching and administration.  An emphasis will be placed on leadership strategies that are inclusive of men and women, as well as, individuals of varying of races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. Students will explore techniques that are used to overcome significant barriers to inclusion and to leverage talent regardless of background.

CLD-535 Administration and Management in Sport
This course will provide an overview of the administrative duties regularly assigned to athletic coaches.  Administrative responsibilities that may be addressed in the course include, but are not limited to, revenue management, risk management, human resources, public relations, facility management, and scheduling.  Students will have opportunities to apply business management essentials to sport programs.

CLD-540 Applied Sports Physiology
Sports Physiology will allow students to evaluate the basic principles of human physiology with direct application to acute and chronic exercise. This course will focus on the importance of each metabolic system involved in athletic performance, while gaining an understanding of how exercise training is planned and administered. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of exercise physiology as it relates to coaching and other exercise training professions.

CLD-545 Sports Psychology
Sport Psychology will cover the basic concepts, theories & principles essential to understanding the psychological and behavioral aspects of sport. Emphasis is given to the applied aspects of the social and psychological factors of sport performance including leadership behavior, exercise motivation, personality, and self-perception. This course will serve to aid in the application of psychological principles to coaching in athletics.

CLD-605 Coaching Internship
Students will participate in an immersive internship of their choosing, in coordination with a faculty member of necessary interest and expertise, allowing students to gain hands on experience in the sport of their choosing. 3 Credits.

CLD-615 Coaching Capstone
Students will integrate and apply what they have learned in their coaching leadership coursework to complete a capstone project in a coaching related area they’d like to explore further. This project will involve self directed learning, where a faculty member from the program will serve as a mentor. Projects may include but are not limited to case studies, reflective essays, review of literature, resume, observation logs, interviews and presentations. 3 Credits.

Application and Admission

What are the academic requirements for admission into the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership?
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and some level of coaching experience is required for admission.

How do I apply for admission?
Please see the Admission Criteria & Application Checklist section of this webpage.

What are the application deadlines?
Spring enrollment – all materials due by December 1
Summer enrollment- all materials due by May 1
Fall enrollment – all materials due by July 1

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on an individual basis.

What if I’m still finishing up my bachelor’s degree?
Applicants who are undergraduate students in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree may be awarded a provisional acceptance to Loras’s graduate program based on receipt of their in-progress, unofficial transcript and all other application materials; with full acceptance contingent upon receipt of the final, official transcript(s) and the conferred undergraduate degree. If a program has a minimum GPA requirement, the student must meet the minimum GPA at the time the undergraduate degree is conferred for full acceptance.

Does the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership program require an undergraduate degree in a specific program? What are preferred undergraduate majors for admission into the program?
The Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership program does not require an undergraduate degree in any specific undergraduate degree identified. Having either a kinesiology, exercise science, or sports management degree may provide some insight as students enter the program.

How long will it take to receive a decision regarding my application?
Immediately following receipt of all application materials, your file will be reviewed by the Director of Admission for Graduate and Professional Education Programs and you will be notified of an admission decision via email within one week.

How will I be notified of the admission decision?
You will be contacted by email once a decision has been made. If the decision is favorable, you will be required to complete a background check.

Can I take some courses as a non-degree student?
Individuals who would like to take graduate classes for professional development, continuing education credits, or personal enrichment may take up to 9 graduate credits as a non-degree (Special) student. Special students may not enroll in courses without approval from the program director.

In order to enroll in the course(s), students must complete the standard online graduate application (in the Student Profile section of the application, select “Professional & Continuing Education” as the Student Type, and “Other Non-Degree Coursework” as the Academic Program), and email unofficial copies of transcripts from each institution attended to the Director of Admission for Graduate and Professional Education Programs. The transcripts will then be evaluated by the program director to ensure that any necessary pre-requisite course requirements have been met. Please note that degree-seeking students have registration preference.

After the completion of 9 non-degree credits, a student must then apply for formal admission into the program in order to move forward and take additional courses.

Financial aid is not available to non-degree special students.

Is there an option for conditional admission?
A program director may require specific conditions be completed to meet the program requirements prior to full admission into a graduate program. A student may be awarded a conditional admission if the program director recommends the student complete additional undergraduate coursework to achieve a minimum GPA requirement of the program. If a student has not met all program requirements at the time of application, a student may be awarded a conditional admission per the discretion of the program director. Refer to the individual program policies and program directors for specific conditional admission policies. Not all graduate programs have a conditional admission policy.

How can I receive more information about the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership program?
For more information about the application and admission process, please contact Megan Henderson: Director of Admission for Graduate and Professional Education Programs, at megan.henderson@loras.edu or 563.588.7140. For more information about the Coaching Leadership curriculum, please contact Dr. Elaina Biechler: Program Director, at elaina.biechler@loras.edu.

Curriculum and Class Format

How many credits are required in the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership degree?
30 credits are needed to meet the course requirements for the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership.

What is the format of the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership classes?
All classes, with the exception of the internship/capstone course, are online in an asynchronous format. The internship/capstone course must occur with an athletic team under the direction of any of the Coaching Leadership faculty.

Is there a preferred entry point into the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership program?
There is no preferred entry point into the Coaching Leadership program; students may be admitted into either the Spring, Summer, or Fall terms.

Does the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership program accept transfer credits?
Students can transfer a maximum of 9 graduate credits into the program from a previous institution. The courses must be similar in content to coursework offered at Loras and approved by the Program Director.

How long does it take to complete the program?
Students can complete the program in 12 months if they choose. Students also may take 3-6 credits per semester and spread the program across 24 months.

What is a maximum course load per semester?
Typically 9, however students are allowed to take up to 12 depending on their program plan of study that they set up with their advisor.

What is the time commitment outside of class?
Time commitments vary depending on the course and individual’s specific skill set.  As a general rule, students will spend 4 – 6 hours per week outside of classroom instruction on class-related work for each class.

Where are classes held?
All classes are held online through the learning management system, eLearn.

When do classes meet?
Classes are held online in an asynchronous format to allow for flexibility for working students.

Will there be an orientation prior to the first class?
Yes, students are required to attend the Graduate Student Orientation remotely prior to beginning coursework so they can become familiar with the faculty, campus services, and their peers.

Does the program offer online courses?
The entire program, except the internship/capstone is held online.

Is Loras College accredited?
Yes, Loras College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

I’m currently a coach. Should I do the Internship or Capstone course?
You will likely complete a capstone course under the direction of a faculty member.

If I’m interested in playing a sport at Loras while in graduate school, how many credits do I have to take?
Graduate students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking master’s program to be eligible to participate in NCAA athletics at Loras.

Student athletes enrolled in one of our degree-seeking master’s programs need to have full-time status (taking at least 6 credits per term) during the semester(s) they’re practicing or competing in the sport. Students also need to be making satisfactory progress towards their degree (as determined by Loras). If a student wants to participate in athletics while being enrolled less than full-time, they will need to work with their coaches to determine if they are eligible for a waiver.

Please note that while 6 credits per term is considered full-time for graduate students at Loras, students only need to take at least 3 credits per term in order to be eligible for federal financial aid.

Financial

What are current tuition rates for the Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership?
Visit the Graduate section of our Tuition & Fees page for detailed cost information.

Tuition and Fees are subject to change at any time.

Is financial aid available?
Students wishing to obtain a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan must complete the current year FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and take at least 3 credits per term. For more information, please contact our Financial Planning Office at 563.588.7136 or financial.planning@loras.edu.

Loras College does not offer institutional scholarships for graduate students at this time.

Master of Arts in Coaching Leadership Program Cost
Visit the Graduate section of our Tuition & Fees page for detailed cost information.

Employer Reimbursement
Students who wish to utilize tuition reimbursement from their employer must complete Loras’ Employer Tuition Reimbursement Form before the first day of their first class. Students will still be issued regular billing statements from Loras, but will be exempt from any service charges and will be exempt from having to make full payment until after the end of each class (or until after program completion for CFP Certification or Cybersecurity Bootcamp students). Students or employers are welcome to make payments directly to Loras along the way if they would like, but it is not required. If the employer reimbursement criteria are not met and/or reimbursement is denied, the student must bring their account current immediately before any future registration will be permitted. Student’s balance must be paid in full within 30 days of the last day of each term (or within 30 days of program completion for CFP Certification Education and Cybersecurity Bootcamp students), and prior to Loras issuing the student a degree and/or final transcript.

Financial Aid
Degree-seeking graduate students (in a Master’s program) are eligible to receive $20,500 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds for each academic year. Students wishing to obtain a loan must complete the current year FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at: www.fafsa.ed.gov (Loras’s school code is 001873), and be taking at least 3 credits per term. The loan will disburse directly to the school to cover the cost of the term. Loras’s academic year runs from Summer-Spring (ie: Summer 2021-Spring 2022).

Loras College does not offer institutional scholarships or federal grants for graduate and professional education students at this time.

Students who have outstanding loans from their undergraduate education may be able to defer payment on those loans while enrolled in a degree-seeking master’s program. Deferment options are generally available to students who are enrolled at least half-time in a graduate program (3 credits or more per semester). If deferment is a requirement for you to be able to afford to enroll in a graduate program, we advise you to connect with our Financial Planning Office or your loan service providers to make sure you know exactly how deferment applies to your previous loans.

Contact us if you have additional financial aid or billing questions:
Financial Planning Office
financial.planning@loras.edu
563.588.7136

Carrie Jones
Director of Student Accounts
carrie.jones@loras.edu
563.588.7232

Tuition and Fees are subject to change at any time.