Certificate in Soccer Science and Performance Coaching

Science-Informed Soccer Coaching

The Certificate in Soccer Science and Performance Coaching at Lasell University is a post-baccalaureate program designed to equip you with leading-edge knowledge and a range of practical skills, including player assessment and team training, to become a modern, science-guided soccer coach.

Designed for coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, sport scientists, and former athletes, this certificate closes the space between coaching practice and the vital areas of sport science, preparing you to improve player growth, improve team training, and advance your career. 

With soccer's growing popularity in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there's a rising demand for qualified professionals who can apply-data-driven approaches to coaching and player development.

Lasell's partnership with the International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF) ensures you receive globally recognized education tailored specifically to soccer's unique challenges. 

This program is ideal for:

• Current coaches at all levels (youth, amateur, semi-professional) seeking to enhance their coaching abilities and career prospects. 
  
  
• Aspiring coaches looking to enter the field with a robust foundation in soccer science.
  
  
• Professionals in sports science, kinesiology, or related fields seeking to specialize in soccer performance. 
  
  
• Athletic trainers, physical therapists, and sports medicine professionals aiming to deepen their understanding of coaching methodologies. 

Why Choose Lasell 

• Expertise & Partnership - Courses are developed and delivered by ISSPF leaders in soccer education and performance. They are a team that possesses a combination of advanced academic credentials and practical experience in the soccer industry.  These instructors include experts in sport training methodology, exercise physiology, coaching principles, and injury prevention, many with experience coaching or providing performance analysis at professional clubs. 
  
  
• Specialized Curriculum - This program goes beyond traditional coaching education by integrating the latest advancements in soccer science.  You'll gain expertise in areas such as exercise physiology specific to soccer, biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition, injury prevention, tactical analysis, and coaching methodologies.
  
  
• Career-Focused - Practical, evidence-based skills tailored specifically for soccer
  
  
• Exclusive Offering - One of the few soccer-specific sport science programs available in the U.S.
  
  
• Flexible Learning - Designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals, our program offers asynchronous online delivery, allowing you to learn at your own pace. 

Why Choose This Program

• Advance Your Coaching Career 
• Improve Coaching Effectiveness 
• Strengthen Your Sport Science Knowledge
• Improve player performance 
• Use science-backed methodologies
• Understand the mental game 

The Certificate in Soccer Science & Performance Coaching is a fully online, 12-credit program designed for flexibility—allowing you to balance professional commitments with advancing your expertise in elite soccer performance. Delivered in partnership with the International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF), the program combines applied learning, evidence-based practice, and research to prepare coaches, practitioners, and performance staff for success at the highest levels of the game.

The program is structured into four academic modules (3 credits each), followed by a culminating independent research project:

• Nutrition for Soccer Performance (3 credits) 
  This module explores the full spectrum of soccer-specific nutrition, starting with the essentials of fueling and hydration before advancing to applied strategies for competition and recovery. Topics include pre-match meal planning, in-game energy management, post-match recovery protocols, and the effective use of supplements to maximize performance and support long-term player wellbeing.
   
• Coaching and Mental Skills Training for Soccer Performance (3 credits)
  Designed to integrate tactical coaching with psychological development, this module examines training periodization, game model design, and strategies for building mental toughness. Students will also explore leadership, team dynamics, and applied psychology techniques that enhance resilience, focus, and readiness for high-pressure match environments.
   
• Strength and Conditioning for Soccer Performance (3 credits)
  This module develops expertise in soccer-specific physical preparation, bridging gym- and pitch-based training. Topics include strength and power development, sprint mechanics, agility, and endurance, with an emphasis on connecting physical conditioning to on-field performance, injury prevention, and long-term player development.
   
• Science and Performance for Soccer (3 credits)
  Focusing on data-driven insights and applied coaching science, this module covers performance analysis techniques, tactical and technical assessment, opposition scouting, and player monitoring. Students will also study training load management and strategies for integrating analytical insights into coaching practice—including specialist approaches to women’s high-performance soccer.
   
• Independent Research Project (Culminating Paper)
  The program concludes with a 2,500–3,000 word independent research project, where students choose one of six key areas in soccer science and performance coaching:

  • Nutrition for performance and recovery

  • Strength & conditioning integration

  • Training load monitoring & management

  • Soccer psychology & resilience

  • Performance analysis & tactical insights

  • Periodization & game model integration

This capstone paper provides the opportunity to critically evaluate current research, demonstrate evidence-based practice, and apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges in both elite and sub-elite soccer contexts.

Additional Learning Opportunities
**Self-directed reading is built into the learning timeline to encourage deeper exploration and independent study. Note that reading materials for research papers are advised but not provided as part of this course. For selected modules, optional workbooks are available for purchase, providing extra tools to support your learning alongside the fully online lectures and modules.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Certificate in Soccer Science and Performance Coaching are prepared for high-impact roles such as: 

• Soccer Performance Coach - Working with athletes at youth, collegiate or professional levels to optimize physical and tactical performance. 
  
  
• Strength and Conditioning Coach - Designing and implementing training programs that build strength, endurance, and agility specific to soccer. 
  
  
• Athletic Performance Analyst - Using data analytics and performance metrics to provide actionable feedback and develop targeted strategies that enhance team and individual performance. 
  
  
• Sport Scientist - Applying scientific principles to training, recovery, and performance evaluation in soccer teams. 
  
  
• Youth Development Specialist or Coach - Applying sport science principles to guide the physical and skill development of young players. 

You'll acquire skills highly sought after by professional clubs, collegiate programs, sport academies, and athletic organizations. This certificate also positions you for further academic opportunities, including advanced graduate studies in sport science or kinesiology. 

Tuition and Fees

$1,350 per course ($5,400 total)

Program Requirements

Students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from other countries. 

Applying is easy! 

• Complete the application and upload your transcripts that show your Bachelor's degree from an accredited US Institution. If you completed your application outside the United States, please have your transcript evaluated for US equivalency. Instructions can be found on our International Application page. 
• Once the form is completed, you will get a message that your application has been submitted. 
• Within two weeks, you will be notified if you have been accepted into the program. 

Questions about your application? Call/text us today at 617-243-2400

International Applicants:

This program is NOT F-1 eligible, and can only be completed online.

All International applicants need to submit English equivalency from one of the following: TOEFL scores: minimum required score is 80 (iBT) or IELTS, minimum required score is 6.0; or Pearson PTE Academic minimum score is 53; or Duolingo minimum required score is 105. The English equivalency scores may be waived for international applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree at an accredited college/university in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.

For additional requirements, please visit our International Admission Requirement page.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete the program? 
The program is typically completed in 1-2 semesters or 6-12 months.  

Is prior coaching experience required? 
While beneficial, prior coaching experience isn't mandatory. The program is designed for a range of backgrounds, including coaches, sport scientists and former athletes. 

Are the courses fully online?
Yes. All courses are delivered fully online through Lasell's partnership with the International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF) platform.

Can credits apply towards a master's degree? 
Credits earned may be applied toward related graduate programs at Lasell University, subject to approval. 

How do I apply? 
Applicants must have a completed bachelor's degree with a recommended GPA of 2.7 or higher. Submit transcripts and complete the online application.

Can I use Federal financial aid to pay for this program?
No, this program is not Title IV eligible and students cannot receive Federal financial aid. All students will need to secure funding through a private lender or pay out of pocket for each course.