Sport Science and Coach Education
The Master of Science in Sport Science and Coach Education has two concentrations that each provides a uniqueness that helps add to the overall mission of improved levels of sport science and coach education regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The Applied Sport Science Concentration immerses students in the training environment as they work directly with highly trained athletes through the CESSCE and ETSU Athletics as well as other local colleges and high schools. Students will have a significant number of opportunities to acquire experience as a sport scientist and strength and conditioning specialist.
The Strength and Conditioning Concentration is offered exclusively online and caters to students who are working with or have a desire to work with competitive athletes at the high school, college, professional, and elite levels. Students will gain an understanding of coaching issues, physiology of training and conditioning, and fatigue management.
PURPOSE (Goals and Objectives): This master’s program is designed to produce individuals who understand and utilize evidence-based practices in sport science and coaching such as strength and conditioning.
Specific objectives for the program are to:
- Provide a strong foundation in sport physiology that enhances the quality of coaching;
- Advocate for using a scientific approach to address challenges in athletic performance;
- Emphasize that a coach's primary responsibilities are for athletes' well-being and competition success;
- Influence perceptions to understand that research is a part of coaching; and
- Elevate the academic status of coaches.
IMPACT: This Master of Science program enhances education and research for sport scientists, strength and conditioning specialists, and coaches. It contributes to national interest by raising awareness of the need to academically train sport scientists, strength and conditioning specialist, and coaches, with an emphasis on improving athletic performance rather than just participation. This shift in focus aims reduce sport-related injuries and enhance athletic performance, thereby supporting sport and athletes through research and education.
The master’s program is integrated with the ETSU Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education (CESSCE). The students have the opportunity to engage in clinics for coaches, continuing education programs, and activities that span the sports community, from elite athletes to the grade-school children participating in school or recreational sports. The CESSCE objectives include improving athlete performance and better understanding the role of sport and sport performance in the overall health and well-being of the nation. Additionally, the center explores the impact of disability, injury, and disease on sport participation and performance. The research conducted through the CESSCE has the potential to substantially enhance the quality of life for athletes and the general public.
Welcome from the On-Ground Master of Science in Sport Science & Coach Education-Applied Sport Science Concentration Program Coordinator
Thank you for your interest in the Master of Science in Sport Science and Coach Education. We are excited that you are considering joining a community of scholars, practitioners, and coaches who are passionate about advancing human performance through evidence based practice.
Work Directly with Athletes, Coaches, and Performance Staff
The Applied Sport Science concentration is designed for students who want to work
directly with athletes, coaches, and performance staff in competitive sports at all
levels. At ETSU, you will be immersed in a culture that values scientific rigor and
real-world application. Our program integrates coursework in physiology, biomechanics,
training theory, and monitoring with hands-on experience.
Contribute to Athlete Monitoring and Work with Competitive Teams
What makes ETSU distinctive is our commitment to experiential learning. As a graduate student, you will have opportunities—beginning in your first semester—to contribute to athlete monitoring and work with competitive teams. Whether your goal is to become a sport scientist, strength and conditioning professional, applied researcher, or coach educator, our curriculum is crafted to help you build the knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment needed to thrive in the ever-demanding competitive sport environment.
Invested in Your Success
Beyond academics, you will find a supportive and close-knit community of peers and
mentors. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds but share a common drive:
to improve athletic performance through thoughtful, ethical, and evidence-informed
practice. We hope you will bring your own experiences, curiosity, and passion to that
community.
We invite you to explore how the applied sport science program at ETSU can shape your
future. Please reach out, ask questions, and get to know us—we are here to support
you as you consider the next step in your educational and professional journey.
We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to our program!
Warm regards,
Satoshi Mizuguchi, PhD
Applied Sport Science Concentration
CURRICULUM: The M.S. degree in Sport Science and Coach Education – Applied Sport Science Concentration
requires completion of 33 credits for the thesis option and 36 credits for the non-thesis
option distributed as follows:
| Core Requirements | 15 Credits |
| Concentration | 12 Credits |
| Advisor Approved Electives | 3 - 6 Credits (Thesis/Non-Thesis) |
| Thesis or Internship (Non-Thesis) | 3 Credits |
| TOTAL | 33 - 36 Credits |
Thesis: The thesis option requires 33 total credits. This includes 3 credits of advisor approved electives
Non-Thesis: The non-thesis option requires 36 total credits. This includes 6 credits of advisor approved electives.
Welcome from the Online Master of Science in Sport Science & Coach Education-Strength and Conditioning Concentration Program Coordinator
Program Overview and Faculty Expertise
Thank you for your interest in our online Strength and Conditioning program. This 36-credit-hour master’s degree is one of the few fully online programs of its kind in the country. It is built around the idea that great coaching is grounded in great science. A unique feature of this program is that our faculty have all worked as strength and conditioning coaches or sport scientists during their careers. Because of these backgrounds, the courses you will take are not just academic exercises; they reflect real-world experience in the weight room, on the field, and in the lab. This ensures an excellent blend of academic and applied knowledge.
Flexibility and Admission
We have designed this program to fit your life. There is no GRE requirement for admission, and we offer both fall and spring start dates. The application deadline is August 1st for the fall term and December 1st for the spring term. Whether you want to go full-time, part-time, or take an expedited path, we can work with your schedule. Courses are delivered asynchronously online, allowing you to continue working while you earn your degree. If you are a current or aspiring strength and conditioning coach looking to sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding of the science behind performance, we think you will find a great fit here.
We look forward to hearing from you and having you in the program!
Jeremy Gentles, PhD
Online Strength and Conditioning Concentration
CURRICULUM: The Master of Science degree in Sport Science and Coach Education – Online Strength
and Conditioning Concentration requires completion of 36 credits (no thesis option)
distributed as follows:
| Core Requirements | 15 Credits |
| Concentration | 12 Credits |
| Advisor Approved Electives | 6 Credits |
| Internship | 3 Credits |
| TOTAL | 36 Credits |
Note: Students in the Strength and Conditioning Concentration are required to complete a comprehensive exam during their last term as one of the requirements for graduation.
MASTER'S PROGRAM COORDINATORS:
Applied Sport Science Coordinator:
Satoshi Mizuguchi, PhD
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
East Tennessee State University
(423) 439-5387
mizuguchi@etsu.edu
Online Strength and Conditioning Coordinator:
Jeremy Gentles, PhD
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
East Tennessee State University
(423) 439-4733
gentlesj@etsu.edu
Various forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Financial Aid. In addition, Graduate Assistantships are available in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science (EXSS). Other opportunities may be available in campus recreation, intercollegiate athletics, student activities, and other campus areas. More information for Graduate Assistantship positions may be obtained from the Program Coordinator.