Athletic Leadership
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Admissions Contact
Rachel Ahlmeyer Are you an International Student? |
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Curriculum and Delivery
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Empower Athletes to Lead.
The MEd/MS in Athletic Leadership at Springfield College equips students with the knowledge and skills to develop as inclusive, equity-minded leaders who create empowering sport experiences and positively impact the sport community. Our program adopts a holistic approach to leadership development that blends training in the sport sciences and practical experience.
Students develop their evidence-based practice by gaining a strong foundation in theory, research and application of the sport sciences through active engagement in the classroom. Opportunities for fieldwork in various sport settings (e.g., youth, interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional) provide students with valuable practical experience and meaningful connections with professionals in the field to enhance their classroom learning.
Students can select additional courses based on whether they wish to pursue a career in athletic coaching and/or administration.
- Coaching Focus: This concentration offers the opportunity to interact with experienced, highly successful coaches in the classroom and on the playing field. Coursework is offered in areas such as strength and conditioning, motor learning and control, and sport psychology.
- Athletic Administration Focus: In this concentration, you have the option to prepare for the interscholastic or intercollegiate levels. These include administrative oversight of student-athlete health and well-being, facilities in athletics, and athletic finance. The legal issues and interscholastic athletic administration courses have National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), Leadership Training Course (LTC) content embedded in them so that students can achieve a Registered Athletic Administration certification (RAA).
How to Apply:
Admissions Requirements
- Complete the online application: Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials and instructions for submitting supplemental materials as listed below.
- Essay: In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your interest in your field, your understanding of this field, your occupational objectives, and why you have chosen Springfield College.
- Resume: Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study.
- Two letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or direct supervisor: Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.
- Transcripts: An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu or mailed to the college address:
Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
International Applicants
- $100 non-refundable International Application fee
In addition to the above admissions requirements, all international applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to submit:
- Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS: Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
- Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.
The Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.
Application Deadlines
Domestic Students:
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space is available.
International Students:
Fall Start
- Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: May 1
Spring Start
- Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: October 1
What job can I get with a degree in Athletic Leadership?
A Master's in Athletic Leadership from Springfield College is more than a degree—it's your launchpad to transformative careers that shape the future of sports, organizations, and athletic excellence. Imagine building programs that develop future champions, creating inclusive athletic environments, and driving innovation in sports management.
Data is from the 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Coaches teach amateur and professional athletes the fundamental skills of individual and team sports. They hold practice and training sessions to improve the athletes’ form, skills, and stamina. Along with refining athletes’ individual skills, coaches are responsible for instilling the importance of good sportsmanship, a competitive spirit, and teamwork.
Many coaches evaluate their opponents to determine strategies and to establish particular plays to practice. During competition, coaches call specific plays intended to defeat, surprise, or overpower the opponent, and they also may substitute players to get optimum team chemistry and success.
Training and development managers oversee training programs, staff, and budgets. They are responsible for creating or selecting course content and materials for training programs. Training also may be collaborative, with employees informally connecting with experts, mentors, and colleagues, often through social media or other online medium. Managers must ensure that training methods, content, software, systems, and equipment are appropriate.
