Sport Coaching Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate
- Online
- Online
8-15 Months
Summer Term (May)
$698/Credit
Online Graduate Certificate for Sports Coaching
Our online Sport Coaching Graduate Certificate is for those who want to become more effective coaches.
This program is fully online, so you can easily fit it into your busy schedule. Finish your sport coaching certificate in as few as eight months.
What You’ll Learn
You will take the same courses offered in our NCACE Accredited master’s degree program. You’ll learn sports coaching principles and how to bridge theory with coaching practice. You can also choose from:
- Sports psychology
- Injury prevention, training and conditioning
- Using technology to improve your coaching
- Sport administration for coaches
- Developmental or international perspectives
This certificate gives you the tools you need to make a positive impact on your athletes.
Athlete Assessments Profile of Professor Douglas
Athlete Assessments profiled Sport Coaching coordinator and professor Scott Douglas. Learn about:
- His athletic, administrative and coaching histories
- The applied learning focus of the Sport Coaching graduate programs
- The role of CoachDISC Profiles for students
Career Opportunities in Coaching
Focused Coaching Excellence
Tailor your graduate certificate coursework to your coaching goals. Become an effective coach and bring out the best in your athletes and teams.
This sports coaching program can help you if you coach at the recreational / club, high school, college / university or high-performance level.
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
Because of our innovative program design, you will be able to focus on one course at a time for most of your coursework.
- All courses are completed online. You will attend a short online orientation course to prepare you for success in the program.
- Summer term courses are 6 or 12 weeks each.
- Fall and spring term courses are five or six weeks each, offered one at time.
- You can complete the program in as little as eight months if you take five courses within your first two terms. Or you can choose to spread out your enrollment, particularly if you prefer elective options that will be offered in later terms.
- There are no internship or research requirements.
To see specific course offerings, visit an example current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 15-credit graduate certificate program.
Also Available as a Master's Degree
Sport Coaching MA
This certificate includes some of the coursework from our NCACE accredited master’s degree. The degree can take your coaching even further, and qualifies you for federal financial aid.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Jori Moore
Enrollment Counselor
Scott Douglas
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Financial Aid and Support
- The federal government only awards financial aid for courses that count toward completion of a UNC degree, so federal aid is not available for this stand-alone certificate.
- If you will need financial aid, please work with UNC Office of Financial Aid for information about non-federal loans.
- UNC also offers a monthly payment option.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Recommended Application Deadline
The recommended application deadline for both programs is April 15. Additional students can be admitted after that date if space is available. Please contact the Program Coordinator if you are applying after the deadline.
A limited number of certificate students may be able to begin this program in the Fall or Spring terms if they miss the Summer term start. Please contact the Program Coordinator to inquire about permission for a possible Fall or Spring start if desired.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Sport Coaching Graduate Certificate
- Start term: Summer Term (May)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status