Study with us and you’ll benefit from a curriculum that is focused on using evidence-based practice to examine effective coaching at both strategic and at operational levels. This includes detailed coverage of reflective practice, skilled performance under pressure, and an examination of effective group dynamics and leadership.
To bring learning to life, you’ll be encouraged to apply theory to real-life coaching situations. As part of our dynamic community of learners, you’ll benefit from a variety of online approaches to study that will support the exchange of knowledge. These will include reading, listening, producing and viewing online content and interacting with fellow students and tutors within a dynamic community of practitioners.
In Effective Coaching 1: Strategy and Practice (15 credits) you develop a critical understanding of both your coaching philosophy and different approaches to the coach-athlete relationship. Contemporary topics that influence modern day coaching practice are introduced, examined and assessed.
The module Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis (30 credits) develops and enhances research methods, statistical and qualitative analysis skills. Key analytical techniques will be addressed via data sets that are provided to you and which allow you to demonstrate your growing understanding of both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in the area of sports coaching
The module Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise (15 credits) covers the application of social psychological theory to sport and exercise settings, with a focus on audience effects, groups, and leadership, and on how these processes may impact on the performance of athletes, coaches, trainers and managers. Adopting a social psychology framework, the module will examine contemporary approaches related to the impact of audiences, group dynamics and cohesion in the performance domain.
The Effective Coaching 2: Reflective Practice (30 credits) module examines different approaches and practices related to reflective practice to allow you to develop an advanced and critical understanding of reflective practice in sports coaching. The role of experiential learning, mentoring and technology to modify existing coaching practice and support professional development lies at the heart of the module.
The Skilled Performance Under Pressure (30 credits) module uses psychophysiological interpretations of how athletes interact with motivated performance situations to explain skilled performance under pressure. First, the module will explore historical and contemporary approaches to understanding skilled performance. Second, recent approaches to understanding skilled performance under pressure will be explored. Finally, investigation will take place of the psychophysiological markers of the human reaction to stress in the context of their relationships to skilled performance under pressure by examining the use cardiovascular reactivity as an indicator of adaptive and maladaptive responses to stress.
The final module is the Masters Research Project Dissertation (60 credits). This module involves the planning and execution of an empirical research project. Typically, students are encouraged to write their thesis in a journal style and where appropriate submit for publication. A formal presentation and oral examination of the research is a key feature of the module.
Facilities
As a Staffordshire University online student you may wish to use our extensive set of facilities based on the Leek Road campus of the University. Our laboratory facilities can support you if you wish to undertake some lab-based research as part of your Maters Research Project module.