Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

Margaret Weinhold
By
Updated on April 25, 2024
Edited by
Learn more about our editorial process
Want to earn an online master’s in coaching but don’t know where to start? Read about the top programs and compare schools by cost and flexibility.

An online master’s in coaching can lead to coaching careers in various professional settings. While these degrees are not common or prevalent, many students feel significant passion for the field.

While graduate school is a significant investment, some people feel called to the one-on-one connections and team-building inherent to coaching.

You can find a job coaching semi-pro teams, working with secondary students, and helping businesses and corporations thrive. Completion times vary, but most programs take 1-3 years to complete, depending on whether you enroll full time or part time.

Read on to learn more about these in-demand programs.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Best Online Master’s in Online Coaching Programs

#1 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

University of South Florida

  • Location-markerTampa, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,559
  • Out-of-state$15,473
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,350
  • Out-of-state$19,048
  • Retention Rate90%
  • Acceptance Rate44%
  • Students Enrolled49,600
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment67%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

Michigan State University

  • Location-markerEast Lansing, MI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,966
  • Out-of-state$41,778
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$20,202
  • Out-of-state$39,696
  • Retention Rate89%
  • Acceptance Rate88%
  • Students Enrolled50,023
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment52%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

West Virginia University

  • Location-markerMorgantown, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,360
  • Out-of-state$26,568
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,602
  • Out-of-state$27,450
  • Retention Rate79%
  • Acceptance Rate88%
  • Students Enrolled24,741
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment53%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

Ball State University

  • Location-markerMuncie, IN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,434
  • Out-of-state$25,918
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,884
  • Out-of-state$21,222
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance Rate69%
  • Students Enrolled19,770
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment59%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

University of Arkansas

  • Location-markerFayetteville, AR
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,666
  • Out-of-state$25,420
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,875
  • Out-of-state$21,420
  • Retention Rate86%
  • Acceptance Rate79%
  • Students Enrolled30,936
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment36%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

East Carolina University

  • Location-markerGreenville, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,452
  • Out-of-state$20,729
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,749
  • Out-of-state$17,898
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled27,151
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment72%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

Xavier University

  • Location-markerCincinnati, OH
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$44,770
  • Out-of-state$44,770
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$12,060
  • Out-of-state$12,060
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate85%
  • Students Enrolled6,114
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment42%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

Emporia State University

  • Location-markerEmporia, KS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,278
  • Out-of-state$13,195
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,547
  • Out-of-state$16,368
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance Rate96%
  • Students Enrolled5,324
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment74%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

SUNY Brockport

  • Location-markerBrockport, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,070
  • Out-of-state$16,980
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,310
  • Out-of-state$23,100
  • Retention Rate66%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled6,424
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment48%
  • AccreditationYes

badge-check How We Rank Schools

At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.

We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.

What Courses Will I Take in an Online Master’s in Coaching Program?

Safety and Injury Control

In this course, you learn best practices for protecting the health of your future players. Possible topics include injury prevention, concussion symptoms, and injury care and management.

Sociocultural Issues for Sports Practitioners

This course delves into the intersection between sports and prevalent social concerns. Topics can include institutional structures, interpersonal dynamics, and the role of sports in various cultures.

Ethics in Coaching

At times, coaching can feel fraught with ethical dilemmas. This course prepares you to navigate these issues. Topics may include moral obligations of coaches and decision-making frameworks when faced with a dilemma.

Legal Aspects of Sports

This course delves into multiple legal issues as they relate to sports. Topics can include foundational legal concepts, potential legal issues in amateur athletics, and injury prevention.

Stages of Athlete Development

In this course, you learn how young athletes develop across young adulthood, adolescence, and childhood. This course blends aspects of biology, kinesiology, and psychology.

What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Coaching Degree?

A master’s degree in coaching prepares you for very specific careers. You can pursue coaching roles within semi-pro athletics, secondary education, and corporations and business, among other environments.

In general, coaching is only a lucrative profession at the highest levels. Program graduates can pursue careers as athletic trainers, who earned a median annual salary of $57,930, as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Coaches and scouts earned a median annual salary of $45,910, as of May 2023.

Potential Careers for Master’s in Coaching Graduates
JobMedian Annual Salary (2023)
Atheltic Trainer$57,930
Coach$45,910
Scout$45,910
High School Teacher$65,220
Fitness Trainer$46,480
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions About Coaching Degrees Online

The value of any degree is subjective. For some students, a master’s in coaching can lead to the exact career they seek in schools, professional athletics, or corporations.

However, you can qualify for many coaching careers without a master’s degree. So make sure this degree is an investment that you really need to make.

Explore More College Resources

Best Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs

Best Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs

Earn your online master’s degree in higher education to prepare for a dynamic and challenging career in university administration or a related field.

Mark J. Drozdowski, Ed.D.

by Mark J. Drozdowski, Ed.D.

Updated April 30, 2024

A Guide to Master’s Degrees in Education and Teaching

A Guide to Master’s Degrees in Education and Teaching

Ready to step up your education career? Find out which online master’s in education programs are the best fit to help you advance in your field.

Evan Thompson

by Evan Thompson

Updated April 18, 2024


Compare Your School Options

View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home.