Equipping Christian Coaches and Sports Leaders
Progress in your calling to lead in athletics, sports organizations, or ministries. This new graduate certificate from Wheaton College provides advanced education rooted in Christian leadership and wining coaching strategies.
Why Pursue a Certificate in Sports Leadership and Coaching?
The Certificate in Sports Leadership and Coaching equips Christian coaches, athletic directors, and sports ministry leaders with the academic knowledge, spiritual insight, and practical skills to influence athletes for Christ in a culturally diverse world.
Through specially designed courses, you will learn to motivate athletes to achieve their best, lead teams effectively across varied contexts and cultures, communicate vision and guide change with confidence, strengthen personal and group development, and shape organizational strategy while managing transitions within athletic teams and sports organizations.
Courses You’ll Take (Pick 5 Courses)
- Psychology of Sports Performance and Coaching
- Leading and Managing a Sports Organization
- Character Development and Spiritual Formation
- Data Analytics for Decision Making
- Fundraising in Nonprofit Orgs and Congregations
- Internship
Certificate in Sports Leadership and Coaching
(Choose 10 credits from the following)
PSY 531 – Psychology of Sports Performance and Coaching (2)
Dr. Ray Phinney explores the psychological factors that influence sports performance and involvement, applying research and theory to real-world coaching.
LEAD 623 – Leading and Managing a Sports Organization (2)
Dr. James Whitaker equips you to plan, fund, direct, and evaluate athletic programs—preparing you to lead successful teams, wellness programs, and sports ministries.
LEAD 625 – Character Development and Spiritual Formation (2)
Coach Dr. Dave Pederson will be joined by coaches Jim Gruenwald and Dr. Steve Connor to share practical and biblical approaches to discipling athletes and integrating faith into sports leadership.
LEAD 617 – Data Analytics for Decision Making (2)
Sawyer Nyquist teaches how to retrieve, analyze, and visualize data to make strategic, evidence-based decisions—just like the approach in the movie— Moneyball.
HDI 686 – Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations and Congregations (2)
Dr. Jamie Goodwin demonstrates how to cultivate generosity and apply proven fundraising strategies to support your sports organization’s mission.
Internship - Participate in an ongoing athletic department, sports team, organization, or ministry serving in athletics (like FCA, or AIA) and be apprenticed in the art of working in a sports organization.
All Courses Are Online
Undergrads... Save on tuition with the Accelerated Program option!
Questions? Contact Dave.Pederson@wheaton.edu
