Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Mental Skills for Sport Coaching

UNCG’s Department of Kinesiology is one of the most comprehensive programs in the country. It has faculty with expertise in multiple sub-disciplines, including sports medicine, athletic training, community youth sport development, exercise physiology, motor behavior, applied neuromechanics, pedagogy, sport and exercise psychology, and sport history and philosophy.

The fully-online Post Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) program in Mental Skills for Sport Coaching is designed for people who want to gain sport psychology knowledge and skills to maximize their coaching. The certificate is ideal for current K-12 and college coaches, as well as graduate students interested in coaching careers.

Students will learn psychological theories applicable to coaching for sport performance, apply mental skills to enhance athlete performance and coach well-being, recognize psychological factors and intervention strategies related to the risk, experience, and treatment of athletic injuries from a biopsychosocial perspective, and implement motor learning principles for effective learning and performance of skills.

Program Distinctions

The program is taught by faculty members who are experts in the field of kinesiology and sport psychology. They are also former collegiate athletes and experienced coaches, lending first-hand experiences and insight into what is being taught.

Course Progression

In most cases, applicants will begin their program the summer prior to the fall term with KIN 680: Mental Skills for Coaching Athletes. Prospective students seeking an exception for spring term enrollment should contact Dr. Donna Duffy before applying.

Student Experience

• You can work and attend school, as all courses are offered fully online in an asynchronous format and are structured to fit into the busy schedules of working professionals and graduate students.
• Students must complete all nine credit hours, which consists of three classes.
• Learn from faculty who are experts in the field of kinesiology and sport psychology.

After Receiving a Certificate

Graduates of the certificate program may be in coaching-related careers such as:

• K-12 coaching
• College coaching
• Mental skills consulting
• Strength and conditioning