Increase your knowledge to generate better results. Strength coaches can empower themselves by expanding their understanding of the field. But finding the right learning opportunity can be challenging. Thankfully, the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology offers a solution through its Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program.
As one of the leading graduate programs in strength and conditioning, the University of Denver’s MA in Sport Coaching program offers coaches the chance to deepen their expertise as human performance professionals. The program is accessible online, allowing coaches to fit academics into their busy schedules. Through the program, coaches will not only learn about sport science but also gain a deeper understanding of the psychological, sociological, and ethical aspects of coaching. The interactive coursework will also help coaches to develop practical skills and improve athlete, team, or client performance.
Scott Caulfield, a highly acclaimed collegiate strength & conditioning coach, was one of the pioneers to try out the University of Denver’s Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program (MASC). With over 20 years of experience in strength and conditioning, Scott served as the coaching education manager and head strength & conditioning coach at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) for 11 years.
Before joining the NSCA, Scott honed his skills as the assistant strength & conditioning coach at Dartmouth College from 2008-2011, where he worked with football, men’s & women’s swimming, and rugby teams. He also held the position of director of sports performance at the River Valley Club, one of New England’s most successful training facilities, and served as the NSCA’s Vermont State Director. Currently, Scott serves as the Director of Strength & Conditioning for Norwich University, the first private military college in the nation and birthplace of ROTC.
Despite his long-standing encouragement for other coaches to pursue a master’s degree, Scott himself did not have one. But when he saw the University of Denver offer a Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program specifically focused on strength and conditioning, he knew it was time to take the leap.
“I feel like everything we did in that master’s program at Denver was applicable to the job I was doing,” says Caulfield. “Being online, it fit perfectly for a person who couldn’t stop working to go back to school. And all the content, all the classes really were helping me in my day-to-day coaching life too.”
The University of Denver’s Master of Arts in Sport Coaching (MASC) program sets itself apart by placing a strong emphasis on psychology. This offers coaches a new perspective on coaching and helps them develop a deeper understanding of the psychological aspects of the field and themselves. As a part of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, the program provides coaches with insights into the character and mindset of coaching, equipping them to better handle the challenges of managing athletes.
“The different aspects of sociology, psychology, the [French philosopher Michel] Foucault research that we get into in the University of Denver program, it was just so different, it opens your mind,” says Caulfield. “A lot of us that are in the program joke that you can’t unsee that stuff. Once your mind’s been opened, the lens that you look through is a little different. I think it’s great because it makes you more introspective and, I think, retrospective.”
The MASC program at the University of Denver adopts a hands-on approach to coaching. Coaches can expect interactive and student-centered coursework that will equip them with new skills that they can apply in the real world. By joining the program, coaches will also gain access to a supportive network of peers, coaches, and faculty committed to their success.
“I felt a great connection to it,” Caulfield says. “It was 100% online, but I think they do a good job of connecting students through the online format in a variety of different ways. I think that engagement really helps and sets it apart. It just seems like they’re constantly evolving.”
The field of strength & conditioning is continuously evolving, making it wise to choose a university that keeps pace. The University of Denver stays current with the latest information to offer a highly relevant curriculum for strength coaches. By pursuing the Master of Arts in Sport Coaching (MASC) program, students will acquire skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. They will learn practical strategies to help them succeed in their careers and gain a fresh perspective on coaching. If you’re looking to broaden your coaching horizons, consider enrolling in the MASC program at the University of Denver.
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The Graduate School of Professional Psychology within Denver University offers several online graduate certificates, which will help advance your career in as short as one year or less.
