Postgraduate Course: Professional Development for Strength and Conditioning (SPRT11018)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 40 |
ECTS Credits | 20 |
| Summary | To positively impact physical performance, strength and conditioning coaches need to combine technical knowledge with knowing how to motivate and support their clients. Professional skills, such as communication, reflection, and understanding, are therefore required by coaches to positively transfer their knowledge onto others. This course encourages students to appraise their current level of proficiency in skills related to their future career goals in strength and conditioning, and to plan, implement, and reflect on the development of these skills. |
| Course description |
Professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills are crucial for effective coaching performance. You will be required to understand and evaluate these skills in the context of your current level of proficiency and also the developmental needs of the strength and conditioning coach. Using this information, you will develop a professional development plan, and then implement, record, and reflect on the activities undertaken to facilitate your professional development.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 25 |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2025 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
400
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 30,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
352 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment will consist of a professional development portfolio (weighted 50%) and two 2000-word (or equivalent) coursework assignments (both weighted 25%). To successfully complete this course, students must achieve an aggregate mark of at least 40%. |
| Feedback |
Informal Feedback: This takes place during teaching throughout the course. Tutors will comment on understanding of the ideas covered in the course and may give specific advice regarding progress. Such feedback is intended to help students understand what their strengths and development points are, and to enable them to take informed responsibility for their learning and progression.
Discussion forum: Throughout the course as a whole the students are encouraged to use a discussion forum in Learn Ultra and Teams. Any questions posted by students about teaching, learning and assessment are be responded to by the course tutors for everyone to see.
Formative Feedback: We utilise a range of different formative feedback methods such as de-briefs on student activities, tutor meetings, and peer feedback.
Summative Feedback: Detailed assignment feedback reports are provided in accordance with the assignment specification and criteria. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Show a critical understanding of the professional skills required of the strength and conditioning coach.
- Communicate current stage of professional development in light of the professional requirements of future career goals.
- Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in the planning, delivering, and recording of professional development activities.
- Critically reflect on personal ability to implement professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills relevant to future career goals.
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Reading List
- Burns, A., Collins, D., & Nolte, L. (2024). Coaches¿ experiences of performance support teams. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. DOI: 10.1177/17479541241228814
- Gilbert, W. D., & Baldis, M. W. (2014). Becoming an Effective Strength and Conditioning Coach. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 36(1), 28¿34.
- LaPlaca, D. A., & Schempp, P. G. (2020). The Characteristics Differentiating Expert and Competent Strength and Conditioning Coaches. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 91(3), 488¿499.
- Springham. M., Walker, G., Strudwick, T., & Turner, A. (2018) Developing strength and conditioning coaches for professional football. Professional Strength and Conditioning Journal, 50, 9¿16.
- Tod, D. A., Bond, K. A., & Lavallee, D. (2012). Professional development themes in strength and conditioning coaches. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(3), 851¿860.
- Vernau, J., Bishop, C. J., & Turner, A. N. (2021). An analysis of the minimal qualifications, experience and skill sets required for S&C employment. Professional Strength and Conditioning Journal, 60, 7-17 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Graduate Attributes and Skills
This course addresses 13 of the 26 graduate attributes developed on the MSc Strength and Conditioning degree.
Skills and abilities in Research and Enquiry
6. search for, access, critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant literature and information in order to develop their knowledge and understanding relating to strength and conditioning
Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
10. be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to professional development, self-evaluation and self-improvement
11. be able to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in academic activities, including decision making on the basis of independent thought
12. be able to recognise diversity of opinion in strength and conditioning, reflecting and evaluating this range and formulating justified and evidence-based ideas for application
Skills and abilities in Communication
14. be able to communicate using oral and written methods to specialist (e.g., staff, strength and conditioning coaches, sport scientists, and other members of a multi-disciplinary performance team) and non-specialist audiences (e.g., athletes, research participants)
15. be able to use communication as a means for collaborating and relating to others including staff, fellow students, research participants, and members of a multi-disciplinary performance team
16. be able to engage in critical discussion demonstrating listening skills, effective use of evidence and own experience to support assertions, and clear articulation of points.
17. be able to identify and effectively communicate with relevant individuals and organisations beyond their immediate environment
18. be familiar with the sports performance environment and integrate sufficiently well to provide justified input
Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness
20. have the confidence to make informed decisions relating to problems and issues in strength and conditioning
22. be able to transfer knowledge, skills and abilities from one professional context to another (e.g., sports vs. health context, or between different sports)
23. be able to effectively work collaboratively with others (e.g., students, coaches, athletes), recognising the diversity of contributions individuals can make
Technical/practical skills
25. have developed their strength and conditioning skills and attributes towards professional standards (UKSCA) |
| Keywords | Career,Planning,Skills,Practice,Reflection |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Matthew Weston
Tel:
Email: Matthew.Weston@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr George Adams
Tel:
Email: George.Adams@ed.ac.uk |
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