Leadership in Physical Education & Sport Coaching

NDSU offers three stackable certificates within the Leadership in Physical Education & Sport Coaching program, allowing you to customize your professional path and build credentials that fit your goals. Choose from:

• Advanced Coaching Education – Deepen your knowledge of athlete development, training methods and performance strategies.
• Advanced Physical Education Teaching – Strengthen your teaching skills with innovative approaches to physical education.
• Supervision and Management in Physical Education and Coaching – Gain leadership and administrative skills to manage programs and teams effectively.

These certificates can stand alone or be combined to create a broader foundation in leadership, coaching and teaching.

• Admission: Bachelor’s degree (3.0 GPA preferred); relevant experience and conditional acceptance options available.
• Core Courses (9 credits): Including research, leadership and management in physical education and sport.
• Electives (21 credits): Select from courses such as Sport Skill Instruction, Youth Development, Legal Liability and Ethical Leadership.

• Graduate catalog
• Course rotation
• Course descriptions
• FAQ
• Tuition and fees
  • Students in this online program pay in-state tuition at NDSU

Students must complete 30 credits of coursework. Each course is offered at least once within a two-year cycle, with all required courses available every other semester. Most students complete the degree within 3 to 6 semesters, including summer terms. Typically, students enroll in two courses per semester; however, course loads are flexible to accommodate individual schedules.

All students, regardless of residency, pay in-state tuition rates. As of Spring 2025, the total cost of the program, including tuition and fees, is approximately $14,600.

Yes, students may take graduate courses from NDSU or another institution. However, these courses must be pre-approved by an academic advisor to be included in the Plan of Study. NDSU graduate policies allow up to 9 graduate credits to be transferred.

Graduate assistantships may be available for students who supervise NDSU undergraduate student teachers.

No, a thesis or final paper is not required, though both are available as options. Most students, particularly those employed full-time, choose not to pursue these options.

Students must prepare a professional portfolio, which includes a resume, reflection paper, and artifacts demonstrating competency within the program standards. This portfolio is presented online to faculty and a small group of peers.

The portfolio presentation takes place during the final semester of coursework or the final spring semester for those graduating in the summer. These small group meetings for graduating students occur every fall and spring.

All courses are delivered online asynchronously. Some courses may include optional synchronous sessions, but accommodations are made for those unable to attend at scheduled times.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.0 may be admitted conditionally. To transition to full standing, students must complete their first 9 credits with a minimum grade of B.

LPESC courses are restricted to admitted or conditionally admitted students in the program or its associated graduate certificates. Non-degree-seeking students may enroll with instructor approval.

Yes, you may apply; however, admission is not guaranteed. Faculty will evaluate previous graduate coursework to determine its applicability to the LPESC Plan of Study.

The program is limited to approximately 50 students. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and students may apply for the fall, spring, or summer semester.

This program is not a sports management master’s degree, though it does include elements of sports management. The curriculum is designed for individuals pursuing careers as head coaches, master physical education teachers, department heads, high school athletic directors or assistant athletic directors, or collegiate-level assistant coaches.

Students should verify with their licensing agency or school district to confirm whether the courses qualify for licensure renewal or pay scale increases, as policies vary based on license type and district requirements.

No, this program does not lead to a teaching license. However, NDSU offers a separate master’s degree that does lead to licensure in North Dakota (which may translate to other states).