The Ed.S. in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education is a rigorous academic program of 27 semester hours of fully online course work. Graduates of the program who meet all criteria may be eligible for upgrade to T-6 certification in the state of Georgia or reciprocal states.

This specialist program offers candidates the opportunity to continue to develop their knowledge and skills through advanced and more specialized content designed specifically to address excellence in coaching and educate practicing teachers through the medium of coaching studies. Course objectives and requirements coincide with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education National Standards for Sport Coaches.

Selected Educational Outcomes

Candidates will:

  1. develop a coaching philosophy that centers on ethical conduct and behavior while focusing on the safety and well being of the athlete.
  2. develop effective sport coaching pedagogical practices that are applicable to the advanced candidate's current sport context.
  3. develop a research-based capstone project on a topic that is unique to the needs of the sports program being coached by the candidate and determine the relevance of the study through a statistical analysis of the results.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

Candidates will:

  1. Develop a coaching philosophy to be evaluated by faculty using a departmentally developed rubric.
  2. Create a pedagogical context knowledge portfolio in which the effective physical education and sport coaching instructional practices are adapted to the advanced candidate's sport context.
  3. Develop a capstone project on a topic that is unique to the needs of the advanced candidate's professional growth and the sports program being coached with results based on meta-analysis of current sport coaching  pedagogical research.

Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE or MAT), completed application form, fee, and any additional program requirements submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for the preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.

Admission Deadline

  • March 15

Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on Coaching Pedagogy Ed.S. Program for information on:

  • Specific Coaching Pedagogy Program Admission Requirements
  • Coaching Pedagogy Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
  • Coaching Pedagogy Program Graduation Requirements

To Apply Online, click here

Requirements for the Ed.S. Degree with a Major in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education

KSPE 8100Studying Sports Coaching3
KSPE 8210Sport Coaching Pedagogy3
KSPE 8300Applied Sports Science3
KSPE 8500Coaching Pedagogy Research Methods3
KSPE 8600Professional Coaching Development3
KSPE 8700Communication Skills for Coaches3
KSPE 8110History, Sociology and Psychology of Sport3
KSPE 8410Coaching Pedagogy: Evaluating Research3
KSPE 8420Foundations of Sports Coaching and Theory3
KSPE 8900Coaching Pedagogy Capstone: Data Analysis Research Project3
Total Hours Required for the Degree30