The Department of Kinesiology at Texas Woman’s University in partnership with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is offering a Masters of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in coaching. This program is founded on the need to prepare, at the post-graduate level, quality coaches for leadership roles to meet the challenging demands of coaching in the 21st century. Such a need is accomplished through this highly relevant program that combines theory and practice by drawing on the collective talents of both partners.

The masters program is 36–hour, non–thesis option curriculum emphasizing the development of skills, techniques and concepts necessary to become a master coach. The degree plan systematically infuses the theoretical bases of coaching with the most relevant softball practices. Beginning in the spring of 2004, a student can potentially complete the masters in 3 years by averaging 12-semester hours a school year. While the majority of the coursework will be taken online, students will attend classes on the TWU campus during at least one summer term.

The 36-hour master’s program consists of the following coursework:

24 hours: Professional Development Courses (Please note the following eight courses include a specific NFCC workshop (professional inservice modules) as well as additional online classwork (see Personal and Professional Development section below) that extends and applies the skills, techniques, and concepts covered in the NFCC workshop. Students will register for KINS 5903 for each of these 8 classes.)

Listed below are the course descriptions for the 24-hour Professional Development Block

• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Personal and Professional Development: Discussion of principles and theories leading to the development of a coaching philosophy and style; building steps to credible coaching skills; motivation strategies and teaching methods; leadership and appropriate communication skills; time management and coping skills.  Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour in-service module (NFCC 401) and online assignments. 3 credit hours. 51% online
   
• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Principles of Sport Skill Acquisition: Application of coaching principles and learning theory including principles of growth and development.  Video analysis and photo summaries are used to develop learning progressions, drills, and cues required for specific skills within the scope of sport rules and regulations.  Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour in-service module (NFCC 402) and online assignments.  3 credit hours.  51% online
   
• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Principles for the Development of Optimal Performance: Motor learning principles applied to the development of strategies and evaluative techniques for promoting optimal utilization of player’s abilities as well as team production; development of skills in visual observation and analysis of proper technique by position/event.  Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour in-service module (NFCC 403) and online assignments.  3 credit hours.  51% online
   
• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Tactics and Strategies I: In-depth study of various defensive tactics and systems by position or by specific athletic event; development of team systems based on personnel. Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour in-service module (NFCC 404) and online assignments.  3 credit hours.  51% online
   
• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Tactics and Strategies II: In-depth study of offensive concepts and systems by position or by specific athletic event; development of team systems based on personnel.  Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour in-service module (NFCC 405) and online assignments.  3 credit hours.  51% online
   
• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Organization and Administration for Effective Team Management: Organization and administration specific to staff, budgeting, personnel, and effective team function.  Issues includes topics such as risk management, recruiting, safety, positive learning environment, technology, legal concerns, etc. Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour in-service module (NFCC 406) and online assignments.  3 credit hours.  51% online
   
• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Coaching Case Analysis: Utilization of the case study method on issues related to effective coaching; value and role conflict; style, risk, accountability, internal and external issues that effect team productivity.  Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour in-service module (NFCC 407) and online assignments.  3 credit hours.  51% online
   
• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Systematic Observation in Sport: Principles of observation and analysis of sport in the context of competitive events.  Students will apply these principles as they evaluate techniques, tactics and strategies of competitive teams/athletes. Requirements include successful completion of the appropriate professional 24-hour inservice module (NFCC 408) and online assignments.  3 credit hours.  51% online

9 Hours: TWU Required Coursework (KINS 5023 and 5033 will be taken at TWU during a summer. The Professional Culminating Experience (KINS 5913) is an independent study taken toward the end of the program.  This culminating experience will be taken online, but does require a presentation to the faculty at the completion of the project.

• KINS 5023 Methods of Research
• KINS 5033 Applied Statistical Principles
• KINS 5913 Professional Culminating Experience

3 Hours: Electives (Can be taken any time throughout the program)  Below are listed a few options that are available during the summer term.

• KINS 5903 Special Topics—Experiential Education Low Ropes
• KINS 5653 Strength and Physical Fitness Development
• KINS 5663 Body Composition and Weight Management
• KINS 5143 Group Dynamics in the Professions
• KINS 5883 Disability and Sport
• KINS 5783 Learning and Teaching Styles in Physical Education and Sport

Note: You can transfer up to 6 graduate hours, but these must be current (no older than 5 years when you complete the degree). 

 Delivery System for Online Classes

The 8 professional development courses will be taken online. All online classes use Blackboard as the delivery platform. To access Blackboard go to online.twu.edu. Once you are enrolled in a course you will be added to that blackboard section. You will be assigned a username and password that will allow you to access this system 24/7. 

 Tentative Schedule for Coaching Cohort