Program Description
The Athletic Leadership program in Clemson University’s College of Education is moving forward to address the needs of leadership development and ethical decision making in the intercollegiate athletic coaching and administrative communities. The Athletic Leadership master’s degree provides current and aspiring coaches and administrators, especially those at the intercollegiate level, an opportunity to obtain a graduate degree that focuses on leadership, ethics and coaching development within the current landscape of athletics in educational settings. This program promotes personal and professional growth in leadership, coaching integrity and community influence. The need for strong and effective leaders within the intercollegiate athletic community provides Clemson’s athletic leadership program an opportunity to impact the future of college athletics through education, philosophical coaching development, leadership development and student athlete development.
The athletic leadership graduate program affords students the opportunity to receive a comprehensive discipline of study that (1) develops effective leaders in the fields of coaching and athletic administration; and (2) expands on the body of knowledge regarding ethical decision making, policy regulations and leadership at the intercollegiate setting.
The program focuses on preparing students for leadership positions in coaching and administrative athletic settings within intercollegiate athletics. Focus areas include coaching, athletic administration, compliance, and student athlete development. All courses are offered online with both synchronous and asynchronous options to accommodate the schedules of intercollegiate athletics professionals. Course schedules include fall, spring and summer offerings and include special topic classes to address current situations in collegiate athletics. Additionally, courses include networking and instruction from working professionals throughout the landscape of college athletics to ensure students are receiving relevant current information and are prepared to enter and succeed in professional areas of college athletics.
To meet the needs of students who are also working professionals, all courses are offered in an online format and designed around the time constraints and responsibilities of the intercollegiate coaching community. Accepted students progress through the program by enrolling in two courses (taken consecutively) each term and complete the program in two years. For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.clemson.edu/education/academics/masters-specialist-programs/masters-science-athletic-leadership/.
Outcomes, Learning Objectives, and Graduation Requirements
The two-year Master of Science degree online program is designed specifically around the time demands of the intercollegiate coaching community. The degree is designed to prepare coaches and administrators to build a philosophical foundation of leadership by equipping them with knowledge related to:
- Leadership Theories
- Student Athlete Development
- Ethical Decision Making
- Policies and Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Marketing and Finance of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Psychological Components of Athletic Performance
- Community Influence
