Course Offerings

Questions regarding the course offerings can be directed to Chelsea O'Hara, MCAA Academic Advisor.

Course Descriptions

MCAA 510: Principles of Coaching & Leadership

Methods of teaching sport skills, and sport management skills. The purpose will be to promote athletes' growth, development, and learning, while teaching age-appropriate skills. Includes analysis of National Coaching Standards.

MCAA 520: Psychology of Coaching

Sport psychology principles applied in a coaching environment, including the concepts of motivation, confidence building, competitive anxiety, communication skills, group processes, and emotional growth.

MCAA 530: Ethics and Sport

Examination and analysis of the philosophy and ethics of coaching. Students will examine how values are communicated, and how to facilitate positive social and emotional growth. Students will write personal statements on their philosophy of coaching, and will work through ethical dilemmas in sport.

MCAA 540: Sport Technologies

Current uses and application of technology in sport. Included will be video analysis of skill, analysis of computer data printouts, and integration of technology with coaching and administration applications. Students will apply skills, strategies and tactics in applied analysis training.

MCAA 550: Research Methods & Analysis

Review of graduate research techniques. Introduction to action research and professional portfolio development.

MCAA 560: Leadership & Administration

Principles of leadership, organization, and management of sport programs. Included will be leadership skills and techniques, communication, scheduling, and program reviews.

MCAA 561: Athletic Finance

An advanced study in the finance, marketing and sponsorship of sport programs. The class will incorporate the theories of athletic finance, current strategic planning models, sport facility related finance and facility management.

MCAA 562: Facility Planning and Event Management

Study in event management and the planning and development of sport facilities. The development of new sport facilities, renovation of existing sport facilities and the management of sport venues will be incorporated. Students will review event planning models, sport facility related finance, and facility management.

MCAA 568: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Soccer

This class will provide soccer coaches with the tools to build upon their coaching philosophy, assist with program development, and continue with professional growth. The program will include: practice planning, technical vs. tactical training, cultivating relationships with administrators, parent groups, and officials and preparing players for the next level. This will be done though classroom and practical instruction, as well as presentations by guest speakers.

MCAA 569: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Lacrosse

This course will serve to further the knowledge of both the veteran and the new lacrosse coach, covering topics such as: skills development, teaching lacrosse tactics and strategy, coaching philosophy, practice organization, developing strength training/conditioning programs, improving relationships with game officials, parents and Booster groups, and more.

MCAA 570: Sport Medicine & Performance

Recognizing and caring for sport injuries. Included will be basic physical evaluation and taping skills, as well as purposes and procedures for adequate care of injured athletes. An application of nutrition information and eating to win is also included.

MCAA 571: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Golf

Advanced training to improve the coaching of golf. Theories, strategies and course content will include: history and etiquette of the game, proper mechanics and teaching/recruiting techniques. A combination of classroom learning and practical application of driving range.

MCAA 572: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Cross Country

A professional development training designed for high school and college cross country and distance running coaches. Topics will include: philosophy of the sport, best coaching practices, warm-up and stretching, successful training theory, cardio-training, nutrition, injury prevention, weight training theory, cardio-training, nutrition, injury prevention, weight training, mental training, and recruitment.

MCAA 573: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Basketball

A professional seminar designed to assist basketball coaches in developing their coaching philosophy, team building, and coaching strategies. Topics will include rules/regulations, team defense, special situations, fundamental offensive and defensive drills, strength and conditioning, and more. Experts currently working in the field will share/discuss their best practices coaching basketball.

MCAA 574: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Football

MCAA 574 will offer football coaches the opportunity to increase their knowledge of operating a football program. This class will cover: position specific drills, offensive and defensive alignment and strategies, the importance of continual learning, the recruiting process, and situational coaching. Course instructors will include high school and collegiate level coaches leading in-class and on-filed sessions.

MCAA 575: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Softball

This advanced level course will enhance the knowledge of novice and experienced softball coaches. Experts currently working in the field will discuss best practices for coaching successful softball programs. Areas covered will include: philosophies implementation of good practices, identifying common coaching mistakes, fundamentals for each position, on-field implementation drills, good hitting basics, technology to improve hitting, on-field team defense and strategy, recruiting process, identification of coaching methods and personal coaching.

MCAA 576: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Volleyball

This class will provide volleyball coaches with advanced training to improve coaching in volleyball. Discussion will include coaching philosophy, difference in the men's and women's game, training techniques in practice, coaching strategy, use of technology in practice and matches, sand volleyball, and running of high school, club and collegiate programs. The class will cover the various skills of volleyball, including attacking, blocking, setting, defense, passing and serving.

MCAA 577: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Baseball

This class will provide advanced training to improve the coaching in baseball. Theories, strategies and best practices will include: planning, organizing and conducting quality practices; hitting and pitching mechanics and fundamentals; offensive and defensive strategies; baseball specific strength and conditioning; college recruiting and professional scouting elements. There will be guest instructors and on-field demonstrations throughout the class.

MCAA 578: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Water Polo

An educational seminar designed to assist water polo coaches in developing a framework for the operation of an aquatics program. This training will serve as a valuable tool for veteran and new aquatics coaches. Topics will include: rules/regulations, coaching philosophy, best practices within training sessions, developing strength training/conditioning programs and improving relationships among game officials, parents and Booster groups.

MCAA 579: Advanced Theories and Strategies for Coaching Wrestling

This course will serve to enhance the knowledge of both the new and veteran wrestling coach. Topics to be discussed will include skills development, tactics and counter moves, promoting your program, use of technology, coaching philosophy, strength and conditioning, practice organization, and community/media relations. There will be demonstrations and distinguished guest speakers throughout the course.

MCAA 580: Legal Aspects of Sport

Legal aspects of sport administration and coaching, including analysis of liability, application of sport law, and risk management. Included will be case reviews.

MCAA 585: Strength, Speed, & Conditioning

Principles of strength, flexibility, power and cardiovascular conditioning. Students will learn to construct and apply conditioning programs.

MCAA 590: Concordia University Coaching Academy

Selected topics provide training for coaches and athletic directors, including coaching certification, substance abuse prevention training and current issues and challenges facing coaches. Currently not offered online.

MCAA 591: Athletic Director Institute

A professional seminar designed to assist athletic directors enhance the operation of the athletic department. The training will serve as a valuable tool for new and veteran athletic administrators. Topics include rules and regulations, organization, health and safety, emergency procedures, athletic eligibility, office management, scheduling, officials, personnel evaluation, gender equity and budget. Currently not offered online.

MCAA 595: Culminating Project

Application of knowledge and skills related to the student's specific area of coaching. Students will develop a comprehensive portfolio.

MCAA 595E: Continuing of Culmination Project

This class is an extension of MCAA 595 and students are to enroll in this course if they have not completed their portfolio while enrolled in MCAA 595. Students are not charged for this course. However, if students enroll in this course they are responsible for following the current MCAA 595 portfolio guidelines at the time they submit the final portfolio. Therefore, previously written chapters that were completed during any previous terms may need to be re-written in order to satisfy the current portfolio guidelines. Students are responsible for following all current guidelines. Portfolios submitted based on previous guidelines will not be approved.