The Certificate in Sports Leadership and Coaching equips Christian coaches, athletic directors, sports ministry and organizations’ leaders with the academic knowledge, spiritual understanding, and practical skills needed to influence athletes to make an impact for Christ and His Kingdom in a culturally diverse world.
In these specially tailored courses, you learn to motivate your athletes to better performance and to influence your team in the variety of contexts and cultures in which they participate: by communicating vision and change; increase skills in personal and group development; and be equipped to fruitfully guide overall organizational strategy and manage change within your athletic teams /sports organizations.
Courses are offered in online format for flexibility in completing this certificate.
Select 10 credits from the following course list:
PSY 531 Psychology in Sports Performance and Coaching (2 Credits)
LEAD 623 Leading and Managing a Sports Organization (2 Credits)
LEAD 625 Character Development and Spiritual Formation (2 Credits)
LEAD 617 Data Analytics for Decision Making (2 Credits)
HDI 686 Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations and Congregations (2 Credits)
LEAD 696 Internship (with an Athletic Team or a Sports Organization/Ministry (2 Credits)
PSY 531 Psychology of Sports Performance and Coaching (2)
Dr. Ray Phinney explores the psychological factors that influence sports performance and involvement, applying research and theory to real world coaching.
LEAD 623 Leading and Managing a Sports Organization (2)
Dr. James Whitaker equips you to plan, fund, direct, and evaluate athletic programs—preparing you to lead successful teams, wellness programs, and sports ministries.
LEAD 625 Character Development and Spiritual Formation (2)
Coach Dr. Dave Pederson will be joined by coaches Jim Gruenwald and Dr. Steve Connor to share practical and biblical approaches to discipling athletes and integrating faith into sports ministry leadership.
LEAD 617 Data Analytics for Decision Making (2)
Sawyer Nyquist, an expert in data analytics teaches how to retrieve, analyze, and visualize data to make strategic, evidence-based decisions—just like the approach in the movie—Moneyball.
HDI 686 Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations and Congregations (2)
Dr. Jamie Goodwin demonstrates how to cultivate the virtue of generosity and apply proven fundraising strategies to support your sports organization’s mission.
LEAD 696 Internship (2)
Participate in an ongoing athletic department, sports team, organization or ministry serving in athletics (like FCA, or AIA) and be apprenticed in the art of working in a sports organization
Learn more about admission requirements for the Sports Leadership and Coaching Certificate