Coaching Education and Athlete Development, M.Ed.

The role of the coach at every level in today’s society is becoming increasingly complex and competitive.

The historical approach indicates two paths to the coaching profession: becoming a physical education instructor or apprenticeship training. In the latter, aspiring young coaches seek out expert coaches to learn the ropes. These young coaches rely on the mentorship of the head coach to gain valuable insight into the field.

In contrast, the coaches who emerge from the physical education field are qualified in pedagogy, sport science and growth and development, but lack the real-world coaching experience to fulfill the school or community-based coaching needs of today.

Xavier’s CEAD program is unique from other coaching education programs; it takes an in-depth approach to coaching education and addresses the true purpose of coaching: athlete development. This is accomplished by applying the Integrated Coaching and Sport Education (I-CaSE) model developed by Ron Quinn, the director of the coaching education program. The program is also designed in accordance with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), as well as the National Council for the Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) program’s National Standards for Sport Coaches (NSSC). The NCACE is the accrediting body for coaching education programs at college and universities, community-based sport and scholastic sport. The standards set by the NCACE cover:

1. Philosophy and Ethics
2. Safety and Injury Prevention
3. Physical Conditioning
4. Growth and Development
5. Teaching and Communication
6. Sport Skills and Tactics
7. Organization and Administration
8. Evaluation

Cohort Course Sequence

The Coaching Education and Athlete Development program offers a unique cohort model in which students progress through the 2-year course sequence together. Cohorts begin three times a year (August, January and May.  The program consists of 30 credit-hours, where students take two 8-week courses for five consecutive semesters (including the summer).

To supplement the online courses, the CEAD program has two residency or face-to-face experiences. Within the first year, Residency I - Professional Development, students attend the North American Coach Development Summit in June at a site to be determined each year. At the end of the program, students come to Xavier’s campus to complete the program and present their research.

Cohort Experience

The program offers a unique cohort model in which students progress through the two-year course sequence together. Participants have the opportunity to interact with other students in the cohort to take advantage of diverse perspectives and build a solid network of professional colleagues. This experience could pay dividends for years to come.

Also, with the cohort model, all students take the same series of courses throughout the program.