Information on Academy Educational Offerings

The NSCAA Coaching Academy offers a wide range of educational opportunities to enhance the knowledge of soccer coaches. Following is a brief summary of those offerings:

Non-Residential Courses - These courses are conducted on an on-demand basis throughout the country.  Entry-level courses include the Parent Coach and State Diploma, which are designed for coaches with little to no experience.  The Regional and Advanced Regional Diplomas are designed for coaches who work with players from 11 to 18 years of age.  There are also several courses geared toward specific coaching disciplines (ex. National Youth Diploma, High School Coaches Diploma, Director of Coaching Diploma).

Residential Courses - These courses are scheduled at predetermined sites around the country over a one-week period of time. This includes the upper level National, Advanced National and Premier Diplomas.  The courses are intended to be progressive (i.e., National before Advanced National, Advanced National before Premier).  There is a minimum one-year waiting period between courses unless a candidate receives a distinguished passing grade.

Goalkeeping Institute - The Academy launched its Goalkeeping Institute in 1998 to focus attention on the education of coaches working with goalkeepers as a special and unique position to train. Currently, State Goalkeeping Diploma (six hours), Regional Goalkeeping Diploma (eight hours) and National Goalkeeping Diploma (10 hours) courses are offered.

Special Topic Courses and Clinics - The Academy Committee will conduct special topic courses periodically in different parts of the country, as well as special clinics at various events, including the annual NSCAA Convention. Some examples of Special Topics Courses include Zonal Defending, Sports Psychology, Striker Play, Management of Soccer Programs, etc.

International Courses and Exchanges - NSCAA actively works with associations in other countries in the development of international learning opportunities.

Symposiums - The NSCAA conducts annual symposiums in conjunction with the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s championships.

College Credit - The opportunity to receive three hours of college credit is available for both the National and Advanced National Diploma courses through the University of Colorado. The tuition fee is $195 and must be paid at the course. A packet of information, including an application for credit, transcript form, evaluation and an envelope to be returned to the staff director, will be distributed at each course site. Refunds will not be issued to candidates who fail a course. For further information, please contact NSCAA Past President Jay Engeln at engeln@comcast.net