Home > Academics > Graduate and Special Programs > Programs of Study > ESS > Academic Requirements

• Academic
  Requirements
• Two-Year
  Academic Cycle
• Philosophy of ESS
  Graduate Program
• Faculty, Coaches &
  Staff
• Frequently Asked
  Questions
• Applying to the
  Program
• Financial Aid
• ESS Graduates
• Job Placements
• Current Candidates

Related Link

• Smith College
  Athletics
• 

Academic Requirements

Theory Courses

Full theory courses of 4 credits each include:

• ESS 510 Biomechanics of Sport
• ESS 515 Physiology of Exercise and Sport
• ESS 550 Women in Sport
• ESS 560 Sociocultural Analysis of Sport
• ESS 565 Skill Acquisition & Performance
• ESS 570 Sport Psychology

These courses typically meet for a minimum of three hours a week, and several require an additional two hours of laboratory work.

Candidates who do not have the prerequisites for ESS 510 or ESS 515 may take prerequisites at Smith in addition to their normal course load. The department offers Applied Exercise Science (ESS 175), Kinesiology (ESS 210), and Exercise Physiology (ESS 215). Candidates may elect to take prerequisites either for undergraduate credit or as an audit, but in either case they are expected to do all work, and to earn a passing grade.

Seminars and Applied Skills

Coaching theory courses are largely 2 credits and are organized as seminars and colloquiums. They include:

• ESS 501 Seminar in Administration of Athletic Teams
• ESS 502 Seminar in Philosophy and Ethics
• ESS 503 Legal Issues in Sport
• ESS 507 Critical Thinking and Research in Coaching (1 cr)
• ESS 520 Sport Leadership for Coaches
• ESS 540 Microcomputers in ESS
• ESS 555 Sports Nutrition
• ESS 575 Sports Medicine

Coaching Practicum

• ESS 505 Practical Foundations in Coaching (1st year)
• ESS 506 Advanced Practicum in Coaching (2nd year)

Students in the coaching practicum serve as assistant coaches. Candidates in the coaching practicum in ESS 505 observe and assist the head coach in as many areas as possible. After having spent a season with a head coach and team, candidates in ESS 506 are given increased responsibilities. Here assistant coaches may be responsible for certain areas within their sport's program, such as developing and implementing a recruiting plan, developing a budget, organizing a tournament, or planning and running practices. In the assistant coaching context, candidates are exposed to (1) team organization, including tryouts, team selections and the choosing of captains; (2) scheduling, budgeting, providing for meals and officials; (3) recruiting; (4) medical exams; (5) planning, implementing and evaluating practices; (6) developing, implementing and evaluating training protocols; (7) sport promotion and fund raising; (8) NCAA rules and athletic department policies; and (9) sport governing body issues.

Note: With the exception of the ESS 502, 505/6, 507, and special studies and theses credits, courses are offered on an alternate-year schedule.

To view the next two-year academic cycle, see Two-Year Academic Cycle.