B.S. in Sport Performance Leadership

Coaching and Leadership for Performance

Our undergraduate program in Sport Performance Leadership develops the academic and practical skills necessary for the leadership and instruction of sport in elementary, secondary, and collegiate settings; in elite-level settings; and through private-practice coaching.

What is the primary goal of the SPL program?

The B.S. in Sport Performance Leadership (SPL) major resides within the Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management (APSM), which finds its home in the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

This program’s mission is to provide students with academic and experiential training pertinent to the leadership and instruction of sport.

The required introductory class for students interested in applying for the SPL concentration is APSM 2340- Coaching and Leadership for Performance.

Academic coursework, addressing coach and leadership development, and the experiential learning opportunities within this program will prepare students for a variety of possible career paths including youth, high school, collegiate, elite-level, or even private practice coaching.

What does the summary of the credit hours consist of?

Core Applied Physiology and Sport Management Major Curriculum - 12 Credit Hours
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours Prerequisites
APSM 3311 Applied Exercise Physiology 3 3322
APSM 3322 Functional Biomechanics 3 2340
APSM 3332 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Fitness and Sport 3 2340
APSM 4315 Senior Project (No STAT prerequisite) 3 90+ hrs

Sport Performance Leadership Concentration Curriculum - 9 Credit Hours
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours Prerequisites
APSM 2340 Coaching and Leadership for Performance 3 less than 90 hrs
APSM 4X90 Experiential Learning Labs 3 60+ hrs
APSM 4385 Exercise Program Design 3 APSM 3311 &
APSM 3322

Choose seven (minimum of two 4000 level or higher) - 21 Credit Hours
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours Prerequisites
APSM 3301 Rules and Regulations of Sport 3
APSM 3315 Communication in Sport 3
APSM 3333 Coaching Team Sports 3
APSM 3351 Nutrition 3
APSM 3371 Diversity and Inclusion in Sport 3
APSM 4300 Advanced Coaching & Leadership for Performance 3
APSM 4310 Psychology of Sport 3
APSM 4370 Coaching Seminar: Special Topics 3
APSM 4380 Technology & Sport 3 60+ hrs

Core and Sport Performance Leadership Concentration Total: 42 hours

*Required Gateway course for SPL majors

Minor in Sport Performance Leadership

Follow us

Follow us on X

Upcoming events

What's it like to study at SMU?

Teacher posing in an elementary/middle school classroom.

From Classroom to Career

Top Dallas-Area employers seek SMU students for internships and jobs. And our alumni love connecting our students to their industry networks to make career moves.

Working in Dallas
Exciting SMU football game as students enthusiastically run with large SMU flags.

SMU by The Numbers

Discover SMU. Top 20% nationally. #1 in Dallas, High-achieving students. Impressive alumni success. Thriving sports teams. Vibrant DFW community. Join the Mustang family today!

SMU by the Numbers
Dallas Skyline

Life in Dallas

At SMU, Dallas is your classroom. Live boldly in this vibrant community that embraces a world of ideas and backgrounds and offers access to top employers, more than 20 Fortune 500 company headquarters and thousands of internship opportunities.

Life in Dallas