The S.M. in Exercise & Sport Studies

Philosophy of the Graduate Program

Since the passage of Title IX, the number of participants, sport opportunities and programs for girls and women has grown dramatically. Over more than three decades, programs at the intercollegiate athletic level for women have generally thrived as well. However, the percentage of women who serve as head coaches and administrators for these programs has precipitously declined. In 1972 more than 90 percent of women's collegiate athletic programs were headed and coached by women. By 2005, these positions were filled predominantly by men, while women headed only two percent of the men's teams. The situation is worse at the administrative level: one in 10 athletic programs have no women administrators at all. Recent longitudinal data on women's coaching in the workplace produced by Vivian Acosta and Linda Carpenter over the past 30 years corroborates this social fact.

To address such inequities, Smith College, one of the largest undergraduate women's colleges in the country, decided in 1985 to focus its master's program in exercise and sport studies on training intercollegiate coaches of women's teams. This was in keeping with the college's mission to provide women with educational opportunities that lay the foundation for them to excel and take leadership roles in any occupation, particularly those in which they have been underrepresented.

The college already had many resources in place to address this need: an extensive library, a dedicated faculty, a highly qualified and diverse student population, and extensive computer and technological resources, all on a beautiful 143-acre campus. The current program offers a marvelous physical plant for sports and athletics that includes excellent outdoor and indoor facilities, a committed faculty in the Department of Exercise and Sport Studies and coaches in the Department of Athletics and Recreation. The Department of Exercise and Sport Studies over the years has developed a rich curriculum that addresses the pedagogical and motor learning techniques critical for quality instruction, the sociocultural issues encountered in coaching, the biophysical knowledge base to properly train athletes, and the practical experience relevant to engage coaches broadly in the field of exercise, sport studies and athletics.

Since Smith has 11 intercollegiate teams, the program's primary goal is to place candidates as assistant coaches at the college. With Smith's membership in the Five College Consortium and its location in the Pioneer Valley, some graduate candidates may be placed at nearby institutions to gain professional experience and be exposed to a diverse group of coaches who use a variety of approaches toward their sports.

By combining multiple theoretical approaches and scientific information about exercise and sports with practical experiences encompassing all aspects of coaching, the program produces graduates who are ideally suited to work as head coaches of women's intercollegiate teams. For the most part, candidates who have been willing to relocate, without restriction to a particular geographical area, have been successful in finding head coaching positions. Already more than 90 percent of graduates are now serving, or have served, as head coaches at numerous institutions across the country, from Division I to Division III. Follow-up evaluations with alumni and their athletic directors affirm the relevance of the theoretical and practical preparation gained through the program.

Human Performance Lab

Located on the fourth floor of the Scott Building, the Human Performance Lab (HPL) is a space for teaching and research, and home to graduate offices, faculty research and labs.

Teaching Lab

The teaching lab houses many resources to give students hands-on experiences in exercise science, including metabolic testing, functional performance and health monitoring. The equipment includes a VacuMed metabolic cart, treadmill, Monark cycle ergometers, body composition assessment tools, blood pressure and heartrate monitoring tools, a Polar Team2 system, iWorx Data Acquisition and Analysis systems, anatomical models and an exam bed.

Sample Processing Lab

Adjacent to the HPL is a sample processing lab, which is approved to accommodate and process human samples (i.e. blood, saliva, urine). The space includes instrumentation for lactate and glucose analysis and is supplied with a sink and emergency eyewash station.

Vascular Function Research Lab

The vascular function laboratory is a quiet, temperature-controlled space with exam bed, sink and eyewash station. In this space, noninvasive tests are performed for endothelial function via ultrasound and Doppler, and arterial stiffness via pulse wave velocity. The space has a Terason uSmart 3300 ultrasound imaging system with 15L4A Linear Array Transducer. It also houses a Hokanson E20 Rapid Cuff Inflator, a 27-inch iMac computer with FMD Studio software, patient monitor for blood pressure, and EKG necessary for vascular function testing. The laboratory has the SphygmoCor XCEL Pulse wave analysis (PWA) and Pulse wave velocity (PWV) system to measure and analyze arterial stiffness outcomes with the SphygmoCor XCEL Software suite.

Research Testing Lab

The research testing lab is a space to perform physical testing on research participants. The space has the capacity for submaximal and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill or cycle ergometer, muscle strength and endurance assessments via the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer and Lafayette Jackson Strength Evaluation System. We can analyze muscle function and its relationship to electroencephalography (EEG) via Emotiv Epoc Systems.

Through Smith’s Summer Research Fellowship Program (SURF), Abigail Edwards ’20 is studying heart disease risk in women of color by testing for signs of arterial stiffness. Pictured here, Edwards demonstrates a pulse wave velocity test on her summer research adviser, Associate Professor of Exercise & Sport Studies Sarah Witkowski.

Read the article in the Gate →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can men apply to this program?

Yes! Anyone with a bachelor's degree or its equivalent may apply to the ESS Graduate Program.

Is the stipend payment for being an assistant coach?

No. As part of being in the program every student is assigned to be an assistant coach or athletic trainer in his or her sport. The assignment is treated as any class (ESS 505/506). The student registers, and receives credit toward his or her degree.

What is the graduate award for?

The graduate award varies, but can be a full tuition waiver, a stipend in exchange for service to the college above and beyond your classroom and coaching responsibilities, or reduced tuition. This service can be in the form of teaching performance classes, assisting in the Olin Fitness Center or doing administrative work for the Exercise and Sport Studies or athletic departments.

What is "Preview Day"

At Preview Day you can visit the campus and get a better sense of the program by attending panel discussions and talking to faculty and coaches. During the day visitors can interview with department members and coaches as part of the application process. Preview Day registration is required. Register now 

Is it necessary to come to campus to interview?

It is not necessary to visit campus for an interview, but it is strongly recommended.

Is the GRE test score required for admission?

No. The GRE is optional for U.S. applicants. International applicants must submit TOEFL results.

Whom should my three letters of recommendation be from? Can I submit them with my application, and should the envelopes be sealed?

Your three recommendation should include one that is sports related, from a coach or employer.

When is the deadline for applying?

All required materials must be received by the Graduate and Special Programs Office at Smith College by January 15th for early action consideration, or by March 1, 2022. 

Can I enter the program in the spring?

No. Our courses are on a set program schedule. We only accept new students entering for the fall semester.

My undergraduate degree is not in a science field. Can I still apply?

Yes. We accept applications even if you don't have a science background. You are not required to take prerequisite courses.

I am interested in becoming an athletic trainer. Does this program support athletic training?

Yes. This program is suitable for applicants interested in both athletic training and coaching.  

Does this program offer mentorships?

Yes. You are essentially mentored by your coach throughout the 2 year program. 

Are there other opportunities to shadow or volunteer within the athletic department?

Yes. The program functions out of the gym, home to the facilities manager. Opportunity to ask about operations management exists. However, no courses are based on operations as this program is centered around coaching athletic teams. We do have opportunities to lead physical fitness classes and TA undergraduate theory and performance courses. People can also do work in contest management, sports information, and event planning.

What is the student-to-teacher ratio?

2-4 graduate students, depending on the year, shadow each coach. Classes are small. Generally 10-25 per class. Half of your courses would probably be on the lower end while half would have upwards of 20.

Each grad student in our program completes a competency-based matrix that was developed for coach education programs. Smith's ESS program is certified at the highest level—level 5—because we work so closely with these objectives.

ESS Matrix (PDF)

ESS Matrix (PDF)

Adviser: Lynn Oberbillig

The master’s degree in exercise and sport studies is a 53-credit program tracked over the course of two years. A candidate receives theoretical and applied practice in coaching through 14 credits of a practicum experience by serving as either an assistant coach or a trainer to an intercollegiate team.

With the exception of 500, 502, 505, 506, 509, and special studies and theses credits, courses are offered on an alternate-year schedule.

Theory Courses

Full theory courses of 4 credits each include:

• 510 Biomechanics of Sport
• 515 Physiology of Exercise and Sport
• 550 Gender in Sport
• 565 Skill Acquisition and Performance
• 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.

Seminars and Applied Skills

Applied coaching courses are largely 2 credits and are organized as seminars and colloquiums. They include:

• 500 Foundations of College Coaching
• 501 Seminar in Administration of Athletic Teams
• 502 Seminar in Philosophy and Ethics
• 503 Legal Issues in Sport
• 504 Collegiate Recruiting
• 509 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
• 520 Sport Leadership for Coaches
• 555 Sports Nutrition
• 575 Sports Medicine
• 576 Fundamentals of Conditioning

Coaching Practicum

• 505 Practical Foundations in Coaching (1st year)
• 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.

	With Financial Aid	Without Financial Aid
M.S./ESS Application for Admission (U.S. Applicants) M.S./ESS Application for Admission (U.S. Applicants)	March 1	March 1
Application fee ($60)	March 1	March 1
Official transcripts of the undergraduate record	March 1	March 1
Writing sample (greater than five pages in length), such as a paper written for an advanced undergraduate course	March 1	March 1
Résumé and personal statement	March 1	March 1
M.S./ESS Application Supplement M.S./ESS Application Supplement	March 1	March 1
M.S./ESS Recommendation Form M.S./ESS Recommendation Form at least one that is sports-related (coach or employer)	March 1	March 1

Where to Send Forms

You may send your documents by mail, e-mail or fax.

Please note: if you have transcripts submitted electronically, you must specifically ask that they be sent to the e-mail address below.

Graduate and Special Programs
Seelye Hall 209
2 Seelye Drive
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063

Email: gradstdy@smith.edu
Fax: 413-585-3054

Application for Admission (Non-U.S. Applicants) Application for Admission (Non-U.S. Applicants)	March 1
Application fee ($60)	March 1
Official transcripts of the undergraduate record	March 1
TOEFL or IELTS scores (GRE if from English-speaking country)	March 1
M.S./E.S.S. Recommendation Form, including at least one that is sports-related (coach or employer)	March 1
Writing sample (greater than five pages in length), such as a paper written for an advanced undergraduate course	March 1
Résumé and personal statement	March 1
M.S./ESS Application Supplement M.S./ESS Application Supplement	March 1
International Financial Aid Application International Financial Aid Application	March 1

Where to Send Forms

You may send your documents by mail, e-mail or fax.

Please note: if you have transcripts submitted electronically, you must specifically ask that they be sent to the e-mail address below.

Graduate and Special Programs
Seelye Hall 209
2 Seelye Drive
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063

Email: gradstdy@smith.edu
Fax: 413-585-3054