Best Online Master’s in Coaching Programs

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.
Margaret Weinhold
By
Edited by
Updated April 25, 2024
chevron-up

Why Trust BestColleges

  • graphs

    3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed

  • Phone

    6,000+ Users connected with programs every month

  • 300+ College and university partners

  • 40+ Expert reviewers

Learn more about our 

Our Integrity Network

At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.

The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.


Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

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

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$8,350

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,048

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

44%

Acceptance Rate

67%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,559

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,473

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

49,600

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,350

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,048

Tampa, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,350

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,048

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment

67%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,559

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,473

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

49,600

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$20,202

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$39,696

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

52%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,966

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,778

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

50,023

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,202

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,696

East Lansing, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,202

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,696

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

52%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,966

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,778

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

50,023

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV4 yearCampus + Online

$10,602

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,450

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,360

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,568

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

24,741

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,602

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,450

Morgantown, WV4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,602

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,450

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

53%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,360

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,568

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

24,741

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

Ball State University

Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online

$9,884

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,222

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

59%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,434

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,918

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

19,770

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,884

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,222

Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,884

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,222

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

59%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,434

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,918

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

19,770

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR4 yearCampus + Online

$7,875

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,420

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

36%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,666

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,420

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

30,936

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,875

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,420

Fayetteville, AR4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,875

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,420

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

36%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,666

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,420

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

30,936

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#6

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,898

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

92%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

27,151

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

72%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

27,151

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#7

Xavier University

Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$12,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$44,770

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$44,770

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

6,114

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,060

Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,060

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$44,770

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$44,770

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

6,114

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#8

Emporia State University

Emporia, KS4 yearCampus + Online

$6,547

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,368

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

96%

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,278

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,195

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

5,324

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,547

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,368

Emporia, KS4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,547

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,368

Acceptance Rate

96%

Online Enrollment

74%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,278

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,195

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

5,324

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#9

SUNY Brockport

Brockport, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

68%

Acceptance Rate

48%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,980

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

6,424

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

SUNY Brockport

Brockport, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment

48%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,980

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

6,424

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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

Read this comprehensive guide to master’s of education online programs to explore what you should consider when you pursue your advanced degree.

Bernard Grant, Ph.D.

by Bernard Grant, Ph.D.

Updated April 18, 2024