Master of Applied Sport Science

Program Overview

Deakin University's Master of Applied Sport Science prepares students for leadership roles in high-performance sport, combining technical expertise in areas like strength and conditioning with managerial skills in leadership and continuous improvement. Through partnerships with industry leaders, students gain practical experience and build networks that enhance their career prospects. The program is available online, providing flexibility for working professionals.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This industry-leading degree prepares you for the full spectrum of challenges faced by sport scientists and high-performance managers working at all levels of sport, from local to elite level. You will graduate with 220 hours of professional practice, or with the knowledge and skills to pursue entry into a PhD. Through our partnerships and your placements, you will build advanced skills and networks that open the door to senior roles. If you are looking to elevate your career, why not do it with the number one sport science school in Australia?

• Jobs in the sports industry are set to rise in the next five years.^ But that doesn’t mean sport scientists expecting career growth can afford to be complacent.
An industry that demands so much of its athletes also demands practitioners who are committed to self-improvement and finding new ways of optimising performance. Deakin’s Master of Applied Sport Science prepares you for this pursuit. It provides valuable professional development opportunities and trains you in skills that give you an edge in a competitive job market. You’ll study at the cutting-edge of sport science, access world-class facilities and benefit from extensive industry partnerships that help move your career forward. The course prepares you for both the technical and managerial aspects of high performance sport. Build specialised skills in: high-performance management advanced sport performance analysis strength and conditioning training design and program evaluation scientific processes for sport scientists. Complement these skills by boosting your management capabilities through studies in leadership, culture development and continuous improvement. These management skills don’t just make you more employable – they give you the ability to implement systems to optimise opportunities for team success and allow you to develop your support staff as well as your athletes. Importantly, you will get to practise your new skills in simulated and real sports science settings. Just a few examples of these practical learning experiences include:
• 220 hours of professional practice – work at an organisation that matches your career aspirations and see what it’s like to be a leading voice within a high performance team.
• Research projects – work with a supervisory team to produce a critical review of literature that can be published in a journal relevant to your career path – and be ready for entry into a PhD.
• Hands-on access to world-class facilities – study, work and play at our new multi-million dollar Specialised Indoor Exercise and Sport Science Teaching Building and Elite Regional Sports Precinct.
The curriculum is underpinned by science and research. You will graduate with the ability to critically evaluate and apply research to make confident, evidence-based decisions in your role. Better still, you will have direct access to academics with expertise in a broad range of sport science and nutrition fields. This includes specialist researchers within Deakin’s multidisciplinary Centre for Sport Research (CSR) and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). These ties to industry extend to our extensive partnerships. We have a network of over 150 industry connections, including Netball Victoria, Geelong Football Club, Deakin Melbourne Boomers, Cricket Australia, Swimming Australia, Tennis Australia and the Victorian Institute of Sport. This gives our sport science students a big advantage. It means that everything you study is closely linked to the state of the industry. It also gives you the opportunity to learn alongside established professionals, building relationships that shape your career. The Master of Applied Sport Science is available on our premium online learning platform. This gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, so you can complete your degree on your terms.
• Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2021
^ Australian Government 2018 Occupation Projections

Outline:

Core units

Year 1 - Trimester 1

• Academic Integrity Module (0 credit points)
• Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety (0 credit points)
• Athlete Development and Performance Management
• Evidence Based Practice for Sport Science
• Strength and Conditioning for High Performing Athletes
• Notational Analysis of Sport Performance

Year 1 - Trimester 2

• Program Evaluation for Sport Science
• Time and Motion Analysis of Sport Performance
• Sport Science Literature Review and Application (2 credit points)

Year 1 - Trimester 3

• Management and Leadership in High Performance Sport
• Advanced Training Design for Sport
• Plus
• Sport Science Research Project (2 credit points)
Or

Careers:

The course prepares you for both the technical and managerial aspects of high performance sport. Graduates with a sought-after combination of sports science and managerial skills that set you up for success in roles such as:

• high performance manager
• sports scientist
• strength and conditioning coach
• rehabilitation coach
• sports performance analyst
Looking to become an Accredited Sports Scientist? This course may enable you to meet the study requirements to become a Level 1 or Level 2 Accredited Sports Scientist. Other requirements, such as work experience, may apply. Visit the Exercise & Sports Science Australia website for more details on gaining accreditation. Accredited Sports Scientists are becoming more and more highly sought after by national and local sporting organisations across the country, with many organisations now choosing to exclusively hire sports scientists with a minimum level 1 accreditation as an Accredited Sports Scientist.