The Masters of Science in Kinesiology-Coaching online program at Southern Arkansas University has attracted students from Philomath, Oregon, to the opposite side of the U.S. at Tarrytown, New York, and everywhere in between.
The rise of this program is due its affordability and to a number of other factors, according to Dr. Kim Bloss, dean of the School of Graduate Studies at SAU.
“Word of mouth about the quality of this program, coupled with Steve Dingman’s relentless recruiting efforts are making the M.S. in Kinesiology-Coaching program successful. I have heard such positive comments from graduates of this program, many that I meet at graduation on their first physical visit to campus,” said Bloss.
Dingman, director of the M.S. in Kinesiology-Coaching program, is excited about the expanded reach of this degree program.
“The benefit of this program being online is that it has attracted SAU graduate students from both of the U.S. coastlines, as well as from Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, Louisiana, and Tennessee,” said Dingman,. “The diversity of students in this program should make for some awesome online interaction.”
Students in this program are offered an understanding of coaching philosophy and ethics, safety and injury prevention, physical conditioning, growth and development, teaching and communication, sport skills and tactics, organization and administration, and evaluation. Students will be able to demonstrate competencies outlined by the National Standards for Sport Coaches as well as the competencies that have been established for the graduate programs at SAU. The program is delivered online to enable working professionals greater flexibility in completing their advanced educational studies.
The total program cost, from the 2014-15 tuition and fees, is $10,241 and $14,465 (out-of-state). The program is 33 total hours, or 11 courses, and can be completed in 23 months.
Tim McKelvy with Steve Dingman and Dr Kim Bloss
Tim McKelvy, running backs coach Pulaski High School and the 2013-14 Outstanding Graduate Student from the College of Education, aspires to be an athletic director and particularly found the Sport Administration course beneficial.
“One of the biggest things I got out of the program was the extra knowledge to help me be a better coach. Second of all, the coursework is very applicable and I have used many of the things I completed in my classes in my daily work,” said McKelvy.
McKelvy added that the faculty in the program is exceptional. He lives and works in Little Rock, and said the online nature of the classes was extremely helpful, especially during football and baseball season.
Brian Schaudt Oregon student in SAU MS Kinesiology-Coaching
Brian Schaudt, of Philomath, Oregon, said he was drawn to SAU’s program because he found it was a healthy blend of both kinesiology and coaching instruction. He said in his research, he noticed that kinesiology is not prevalent in other graduate programs. He said he has appreciated the responsiveness and genuine interest of faculty, and the flexibility of the program.
“Due to the accommodating faculty and program layout, I am able to coach at two programs and study massage therapy at the same time as well…all in Oregon,” said Schaudt.
Remus Galvin Chicago student in SAU MS Kinesiology-Coaching
Remus Galvin, a teacher and coach at Frazier Preparatory Academy in Chicago, said that the thing that jumps out to him with SAU’s program is the family-feel, which he felt since his first conversation with Dingman. In fact, he credits the faculty with helping him pull through despite facing three family losses in a six-month timespan.
“I was all but mentally checked out of the program,” said Galvin. “Mr. Dingman and Mr. Ron Smith were very patient with me and supportive. I will be eternally grateful for their support and guidance. This program felt like a family. I thank SAU for the experience.”
Galvin was introduced to the SAU program when his athletic director handed him a brochure. Hannah Dyer, on the other hand, got her bachelor’s degree from SAU and said she could not imagine continuing her education anywhere else.
“I live in West Virginia, and the program being online enables me to continue my education through SAU. My instructors are always willing to work with me, and I always get a timely response to any questions I have,” said Dyer, who hopes to work in athletic administration or sports information at the university level.
The M.S. in Kinesiology-Coaching is not the only graduate program at SAU to be on the rise. In fact, the SAU School of Graduate Studies reached a milestone of more than 500 students, a school record, in fall 2014 semester. In Spring 2015, the record was crushed as enrollment spiked to more than 600 students.
To find out more about the family-like and affordable degrees at SAU’s School of Graduate Studies, visit www.SAUmag.edu/Graduate.
