/Continuing, Professional and Online Education
School of Professional Development

Coaching

Guiding Athletes, Shaping Futures

 

Coaching

ADVANCED GRADUATE CERTIFICATE

Stony Brook University's online Advanced Graduate Certificate in Coaching program prepares students to become certified athletic coaches in New York State.

The curriculum consists of three graduate-level New York State Education Department (NYSED)- approved coaching courses, plus three additional advanced courses that examine a broad range of concepts and issues impacting the coach in today's educational climate.

Subject areas include:

  • Learning theories
  • Social and psychological issues
  • Principles of organization and administration
  • Kinesthetic theories
  • Injury care
  • Exercise and nutrition

Program Overview

  • 100% online format
  • 18-credit advanced graduate certificate or 9-credit course series option
  • Students can finish in one year
  • Curriculum approved for New York State certification
  • Affordable SUNY tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state online students (see Admissions for details)

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall: August 4
  • Spring: January 5

All materials required for the application must be submitted by the deadline date to be considered for the upcoming semester.

NEW YORK STATE CERTIFICATION

Students who seek coaching certification must take, at a minimum, the three NYSED-approved courses noted below with an asterisk.  Additional requirements for certification are found on the NYSED website.

MASTER'S DEGREE OPTION

These courses can be incorporated into SPD's Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree program.  A separate application is required.

A basketball coach mapping out a play on a whiteboard

 

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Academic Quality

Stony Brook University is New York's #1 public university, ranked among the country's top 30 by US News and World Report.

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12-18 Months

Time to completion for students taking 2-3 courses per term. Courses are offered in 10-week terms. See the schedule below.

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Fully Online

Asynchronous course format provides both the flexibility and interactivity that working professionals demand.

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NYSED-Approved

Our courses fulfull the educational requirements for New York State certification. 

Courses and Schedules

Required Courses

All 5 courses are required for the certificate. Courses with an asterisk are required for NYSED certification.

This overview takes a look at the administrative responsibilities in education, with particular reference to the role of the administrator in athletics. Topics include: personnel responsibilities, governance, finance, supervision, evaluation, and scheduling. Former course title: Administrative Responsibilities in Athletics - may not be repeated for credit. Note: This course is one of three approved courses to meet the NYS Coaching Certification requirement.

This course is an in-depth analysis of the care and prevention of athletic injuries. As a result of the increasing awareness of the specialized nature of athletic injuries, considerable emphasis is now being placed on the importance of this developing area of sports medicine. May not be repeated for credit.Note: This course is one of three approved courses to meet the NYS Coaching Certification requirement.

Applied anatomy and kinesiology will be discussed in reference to three major topics: anatomic and physiologic fundamentals of human motion, fundamentals of biomechanics, and principles and applications of motor skills. The major topics to be covered in reference to exercise physiology are the following: physiology of energy sources, neuro-muscular concepts, cardiorespiratory considerations, physical training applications, environmental aspects, and nutrition and body composition. May not be repeated for credit.

This practicum is designed for those students who would like to coach a particular sport at the high school level, but who have had limited coaching experience. This course requires 72 hours of practical experience in the coaching field to be completed concurrently with the seminar. All students are required to make arrangements for his/her own coaching practicum with approval of instructor. Students will be evaluated in the administration and presentation of a specific coaching program. May not be repeated for credit.

Note: This course is one of three courses approved to meet NYS Coaching Certification requirements, with specific sport(s) designation. Prerequisite: CEP 507 and matriculation in the AGC in Coaching.

LSF 504 Effective Professional Action and Leadership*

Provides a professional roadmap for individuals who wish to navigate an enriched personal and professional path. This course focuses on helping learners to understand themselves as professionals and to take action for further and future development.  Attention will be given to individual and group dynamics, leadership, self-monitoring, time management, and other important concepts for professional success.

CEP 502 Principles of Coaching

This course will review selected principles of coaching and incorporate an appreciation of this knowledge into a framework of competitive athletics. Attention will be given to the potential of the coach to significantly influence the attitudes, behavior, and physical well-being of players toward their own self-development.

*LSF 504 Effective Professional Action and Leadership may be substituted for CEP 502.

Elective Courses

Choose one of the following. Courses in related areas may be substituted with program director approval.

Athletes, coaches and performing artists all understand the importance of psychological factors in consistently performing at their best.  By integrating lecture, readings, group exercises, and applied projects this course presents students with both an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the field and the ability to apply the most advanced techniques in building Mental Toughness and creating a Zone of Performance Excellence.  Topics include Goal Setting, Pre-Competitive Anxiety Management, Creating the Ideal Performance Zone, Experiencing Flow, Imagery Training, Mental Rehearsal, Hypnosis, Focus Planning, Attention Control, Mental Training for Individuals and Teams, Building Team Cohesion, Psychological Aspects of Injury, and Career Termination Issues.

This course integrates the concepts of nutrition, bioenergetics, and energy expenditure into a wellness paradigm for optimal health. Emphasis will be placed on the topics of macro and micro nutrients and their effects during exercise and training; nutrient bioenergetics; thermoregulation; ergogenic aids; body composition; energy balance and weight control; and optimal nutrition for exercise, training and health. Recommended: A course in anatomy and physiology or CEP 513.

Schedules

Students should refer to these schedules when planning their certificate program. This program does not offer courses in the Summer or Fall terms.

FALL COURSES

  • CEP 507 Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education*
  • CEP 513 Health Sciences Applied to Coaching: Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries*
  • CEP 514 The Study of Human Movement for Coaches
  • CEP 520 Theory and Techniques of Coaching-Sport Specific Practicum*
  • LSF 504 Effective Professional Action and Leadership 

 

SPRING COURSES

  • CEP 502 Principles of Coaching (Spring 2026)
  • CEP 513 Health Sciences Applied to Coaching: Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries*
  • CEP 517 Psychology of Sport and Performance
  • CEP 518 Exercise and Nutrition
  • CEP 520 Theory and Techniques of Coaching-Sport Specific Practicum*

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Connect with an admissions advisor or start your application.

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