Master's degree of Education in Sport Sciences

Vision:

The program aspires to be one of the best graduate programs in sport sciences in the region.

Mission:

Provide the community with graduates who can excel in discovery, learning, academic achievement and research excellence within the tracks of human movement sciences: (1) Physical & Health Conditioning, and (2) Sport Management & Supervision.This mission is intended to be achieved by creating, interpreting, transmitting, and applying sport sciences as well as research, scholarship, outreach services, and policy development to meet the needs of the Omani society.

Objectives:

The educational objectives of the program are to:
1. Enable graduates to develop a systematic and in-depth understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights related to the sport sciences.
2. Provide graduates with opportunities for further development of sport - skills analysis, critical evaluation, problem solving and presentations that enable them to become effective practitioners in their field of specialization.
3. Provide a stimulating, multidisciplinary student-centered learning environment for the advanced study of contemporary sport issues.
4. Enable graduates to become autonomous and life-long learners, demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving sport problems.
5. Enable graduates to further develop their independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.
6. Provide an opportunity to engage in an independent research - based study demonstrating understanding and the application of appropriate research methods in the design, implementation, and evaluation of high quality research.
7. Develop a critical appreciation of the different perspectives and values held by sport practitioners that enable students to become good communicators with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
8. Provide an opportunity for graduates to engage in and experience academic studies that lead to the development of professional skills required to confront.

General Structure:

The program is composed of two subspecialty tracks: Physical & Health Conditioning (Track A) and Sport Management & Supervision (Track B).

Full-time Enrollment:
1. Students study (24) credit hours in the first year (15 core and 9 from one of the two tracks). Students will complete the program by the end of the second year after the completion of thesis defense.

2. Students’ research orientation is identified after the first semester. Students then take three courses (9 credits) from one of the two tracks: Physical and Health Conditioning (Track A), or Sport Management and Supervision (Track B).

3. A research proposal can be submitted to the postgraduate studies committee for approval and supervisor allocation only after completing (12) credit hours successfully and with a GPA of (3.0).

Part-time Enrollment:
Students study (24) credit hours in the first (2-3) years (15 core and 9 from one of the two tracks). A research proposal can be submitted to the Postgraduate Studies Committee for approval and supervisor allocation only after completing (12) credit hours successfully, with a GPA of (3.0).

Program Language:
The medium of instruction of the program is the Arabic language. However, relevant scientific terminology will be introduced in the English language.

Academic Degree:
The degree title will be Masters of Education in Sport Sciences (Physical & Health Conditioning or Sport Management & Supervision)

Program Conditions:

The program will be offered for full-time and part-time students who meet 2008 Postgraduate Academic Regulations requirements.
The program will adopt as a course work with thesis research option for both full-time and part-time students. The program will accept a total of (10-15) students every year in both tracks Physical & Health Conditioning (Track A), and Sport Management & Supervision (Track B). Minimum of (5) students in each track will be required to start the program.
Students whether full-time or part-time must choose their preference of the tracks after the completion of the three core courses offered from the PESSD in addition to Research Methods & Design (PSYC6102) course (12 credits hrs).
Students who have PE degree will not take bridging courses.
Students who have sciences background such as Medicine, Health Sciences, and Nursing will only take (PHED2420) as a bridging course.
Students who have background in other fields will take (PHED2420), (PHED1240), and (PHED1270) as bridging courses.

Degree Plan:

Master of Sport Sciences in Physical & Health Conditioning

Master of Sport Sciences in Sport Management & Supervision

Description of Master program courses:

Applied Sport Physiology : PHED 6101

This course provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the function of the human body in response to exercise, nutrition and recovery from acute and chronic exercise. An operational exercise physiology laboratory provides the basis for data collection for research studies required in the field.

Research Methods & Design : PSYC 6102

This advanced, application and survey course of the different research methods is designed to acquaint the student with the basis, principles and concepts of scientific research in educational and psychological fields, to enable him to skillfully read previous research and literature, and to conduct research in psychology and education. Topics include: introduction to research methods, scientific research methods, educational and psychological research, types of educational research, the steps of scientific research, and report writing. The method of teaching is lecture, coursework and training.

Coaching Science & Physical Preparation : PHED 6201

This course provides students with current theoretical foundations in sports training, exercise, and its practical implementation, illustrating training planning cycles for youth and elite athletes and developing students' analytical skills for training requirements as well as understanding coaching strategies.

Contemporary Issues in Health, Nutrition, and Sport Conditioning : PHED 6202

This course discusses current issues related to health, nutrition, and sport conditioning with respect to the scientific basis of physical conditioning and health related fitness with special emphasis on the acquisition and expression of muscular strength/endurance. Basic biological principles related to training for children, women, the elderly and those who suffer from inactivity diseases will be discussed.

Methodological applications in sport sciences : PHED 6203

This course provides students with information related to scientific research methods, philosophy and ethics of scientific research in sport sciences. It also aims to teach students how to write the laboratory report according to the scientific methodology in the field of sport sciences, and give them examples and models of systematic and experimental research. The course also provides students with basic procedures and restrictions related to laboratory measurements, and teaches them the IT and technological tools used in sport sciences.

Management and Leadership in Sports : PHED 6204

This course provides advanced theoretical approaches in managing sports organizations. It explores components of human recourses, strategic planning, and the principles of organizing, controlling, supervising and evaluating, as well as discussing organizational environment, sport governance, sport sponsorship, and marketing.

Psychology of Sports Management : PHED 6205

The course provides students with knowledge and theoretical concepts that are uniquely related to leadership, group dynamics, effective communication skills, human relationships, decision making, and conflict negotiation in sport organizations. It also covers the psychological needs, motivational enhancement strategies, marketing elements, and customers satisfaction in the field of sports.

Contemporary Issues in Sport-Health Management : PHED 6206

This course explores a wide range of current sport-health issues related to management. Issues such as sport globalization, sport organization, health clubs management, and professionalization in sport are discussed. In addition, sport policies are evaluated providing the opportunity to analyze and criticize social norms in the sports sphere.