M.S. in Sport Physiology and Performance Coaching

Carroll University's Master of Science in Sport Physiology and Performance Coaching program prepares you for careers in high school, collegiate, and professional strength and conditioning settings. Extensive hands-on experience both in and outside the classroom paired with an innovative curriculum taught by expert faculty prepare you for success in the field. The program includes two courses that allow you to work directly with the NCAA Division III athletic department at Carroll University. You'll also complete an internship that gives you valuable, hands-on experiences in your field of study.

Cameron Kissick

Human Performance Coach

I chose Carroll University because of the highly respected faculty. After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, I wanted to further my education in the field of sport science and strength and conditioning. I wanted to get hands-on coaching experience, apply scientific-based training principles, and to do research and the SPPC program offered it all. Additionally, Dr. Timothy Suchomel is well known in the strength and conditioning world and I knew working under him would be an incredible experience.
 
The practicum was very hands-on and I learned a lot about myself as a coach. This environment gave me a chance to apply what I was learning in the classroom to the weight room immediately and throughout the year. Another benefit that the practicum gave me was that I was part of the Sport Performance Enhancement Group (SPEG) where the Human Performance Coaches, Athletic Trainers, and Athletic Director would come together to discuss training reports, athlete health, weight room needs and areas for improvement to allow our athletes to reach their greatest potential.
 
The SPPC program also offered a unique experience where we were part of the Carroll University Sport Performance Institute (CUSPI) … we were essentially the sport scientists for our teams and performed athlete testing and monitoring. I took advantage of as many opportunities as I could, which included working with multiple teams, coaching a diverse population of athletes, performing athlete testing and monitoring, communicating with sport coaches, performing research, presenting at the NSCA National Conference, interning with the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education (CESSCE), and working within the Carroll University Sport Performance Institute.

Photograph of SPPC alumnus Cameron Kissick

Graduate Into a High-Demand Career

When you graduate from Carroll’s Master of Science in Sport Physiology and Performance Coaching program, you’ll be career-ready for a variety of positions, including:

  • Strength and conditioning coach/coordinator
  • Performance coach
  • Sport scientist
  • Tactical facilitator
  • Adjunct faculty/instructor
Your advanced degree will prepare you for opportunities in multiple job settings, including:
  • Sports performance training centers
  • Tactical performance
  • Military research and development
  • High school, collegiate and professional athletic programs

Our hands-on curriculum prepares you for a variety of careers in sports performance in a range of job settings. You'll complete a minimum of 320 hours during an internship, giving you valuable, real-world experience.

About the Program

Our M.S. in Sport Physiology and Performance Coaching program prepares you to be a strength and conditioning professional highly qualified to work in high school, college/university or professional settings. The program focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and abilities for the comprehensive design and delivery of programs and services to include performance assessment, human performance development and athletic performance.

Program Highlights

The program offers two completion options:

  • The accelerated option is a 15-month program that begins each summer (May).  
  • The traditional option is a 24-month program that begins each fall.  
Both options are full time and include exclusive learning opportunities with the chance to collaborate on strength and conditioning research with highly regarded faculty members. In the last semester of the program, your studies will culminate in a full-time internship high school, college, professional or performance center setting. Faculty collaborate with you, one-on-one, to identify and develop an internship that fits your professional goals.

Accreditation

Carroll University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
See Accreditation

Program Details

Baylee Techmanski

Strength and Conditioning Coach for Athlete Performance

Choosing Carroll was easy – all of my professors at the time pushed me to learn from the best if I was going to continue my education. In addition to a brilliant facility, Carroll offered a 15-month master’s program that allowed me to not only get my degree, but to have the same responsibilities and accountability as a full-time strength and conditioning coach. It was appealing to me because there was the research and deeper knowledge in the course work, as well as the practical coaching side.
 
The experiences that stand out most to me is the research and having your own teams to coach. The research was new and exciting for me because the science behind the exercise is what makes this field amazing, and it allowed me to grow as a professional. On the other hand, working with my assigned teams as their human performance coach and watching them grow into better athletes is what made this program stand out. These courses prepared me to leave Carroll and be ready to enter the field. The SPPC program is set up to provide as much involvement as possible, and I did just that.
 
I am currently a full time strength and conditioning coach for athlete performance, and I can honestly say I would not be where I am without Carroll’s SPPC program. At the start of the SPPC program at Carroll, I knew what my strengths and weaknesses were as a coach, and I had only 15 months to do better. Throughout the coursework I gained more knowledge, as a professional I participated in conducting research and learned to communicate with the human performance team, and as a coach I practiced what I was preaching to better understand what I was programming to my athletes.

A photograph of Carroll alumna Baylee Techmanski

Connect with Us

Admission Counselor Josh Hurlebaus

Join us for an event! Speak one-on-one with faculty and our graduate admission counselor, Josh Hurlebaus.
Get your questions answered about the program and admission process.

Graduate Programs Open House

  • Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 6:00 PM - RSVP Here

Interested but unable to attend? Contact Josh Hurlebaus to learn more:
Email - jhurleba@aaharways.net | Call or text - 262-747-2275
Schedule an appointment:  Bookings Link

More Resources

Latest Program News

Carroll Professor Earns NSCA 2023 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Excellence Award

7/18/2023

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) selected Dr. Tim Suchomel, Ph.D., CSCS, *D, RSCC, to receive the 2023 National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Editorial Excellence Award.

students learning from a coach in weight room

Carroll Announces New Sport Performance Institute

3/9/2021

Carroll University is announcing its new Sport Performance Institute, a partnership between the College of Health Sciences faculty and students and the university’s athletic programs. The Carroll University Sport Performance Institute (CUSPI) will also extend its reach to serve the surrounding community.

Sabrina Sieger

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

I wanted to further my education in the sport sciences and make myself a better resource for athletes. I chose the SPPC program at Carroll because I knew the faculty and because of this I was certain I would be given the opportunity to learn a lot, whether it was in the classroom setting or in a practical setting.

Being assigned a team and writing their strength and conditioning programming gave me a lot of responsibility and freedom to learn from my mistakes and successes along the way. It was a huge confidence booster – being able to use what you learned in class practically with teams and watching them become better athletes.

I was given so many opportunities: to be a leader, an assistant, a part of research, do athlete profile testing, everyday weight room and athletic facility functions, assigned a team and made responsible for their growth as athletes, a large and very optimal set of choices for internship experience, and even be a part of staff weekly meetings. Having all of these opportunities and being able to see all facets of human performance that a strength coach can be a part of helped me not only become more knowledgeable but helped me know where I would like to be and how I am going to make the biggest positive impact on athletes.

photo of Sabrina Sieger

Meet the Faculty

Human Performance Team

Peter Delzer, Carroll University

Peter Delzer

Associate Head Coach of Track and Field and Human Performance Coach
Mark Krzykowski, Carroll University

Mark Krzykowski

Associate Athletic Director
Shana McKeever, Carroll University

Shana McKeever

Exercise Science Adjunct Faculty and Volunteer Human Performance Coach
headshot of Jason Roe.

Jason Roe

Exercise Science and Human Performance Coach
Becca Saal, Carroll University

Rebecca Saal

Head Volleyball Coach and Human Performance Coach

Your goals are within reach

Panoramic View of campus