The 16-credit specialized graduate certificate in strength and conditioning and fitness coaching equips students with the most essential knowledge and skills to succeed in the field. We provide prospective student-coaches an opportunity to receive the University of Denver’s excellent teaching and mentoring in a four-course sequence. Students benefit from high quality, engaging online instruction from a top university known for its commitment to developing scholar-coaches. Upon completion, students have the option of transferring into our 24 credit graduate certificate in strength & conditioning and fitness coaching or our master of arts in sport coaching.
Created and led by internationally respected coach educator and NSCA Fellow Dr. Brian Gearity, ours is the first and only graduate certificate program in strength and conditioning in the world. Students are individually paired with an experienced strength and conditioning coach or personal trainer who serves as a coach mentor.
Featured Courses
CPSY 4730
Biomechanics of Athletic Performance
About this Course
Graduate level course to educate students on the biomechanics of athletic performance. Students will learn quantitative and qualitative methods of biomechanics to analyze and enhance athletic performance and prevent injury. Course content includes knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, force development and how additional factors such as body composition and joint structures influence athletic performance and injuries.
CPSY 4710
Motor Learning and Sport Pedagogy
About this Course
Graduate level course to educate students on the science and practice of how athletes learn motor skills and how coaches can facilitate skill acquisition. Course content includes the scientific and theoretical frameworks of motor learning, with a secondary examination of motor control and development. Applied course content will focus on how coaches can use learning strategies such as demonstration, instruction, feedback, and practice planning to improve athletic performance.
CPSY 4736
Practicum in Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness Coaching
About this Course
The purpose of the Practicum in Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness Coaching course is to help students gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become a quality coach and a reflective practitioner through experiential learning. Students will be provided with a variety of strategies and methods to solve real-world strength, conditioning, and fitness coaching problems in real life settings. Students will draw upon other coursework, research, and practical insights to exercise professional judgement. Students must complete at least 50 hours of coaching throughout the quarter.
Featured Faculty
Brian Gearity
Professor & Dir MA Coach Sports Education; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, GSPP
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