UNITED SOCCER COACHES ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

Advanced Education Opportunities

Better your coaching education and your player development with the United Soccer Coaches Advanced Diplomas. When you complete these courses you will have earned a diploma that is respected industry-wide and enhances your coaching resume.

Follow the United Soccer Coaches Advanced Diploma pathway by earning your National, Advanced National, and Premier. You can also specialize in your coaching with the National Youth Diploma and the Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.

Some of our Advanced Diplomas are offered in a blended format. Click here to learn more.

All current education courses being held can be found on our Master Course Schedule. Don’t see a course near you? Host a course at your own facility!

National Diploma

The National Diploma, the introductory United Soccer Coaches Advanced Diploma, acquaints the coach with the technical, tactical, psychological, and physical needs of soccer players and provides an organized and progressive methodology of coaching those needs. Technical and tactical knowledge on the field is the central theme of the course, with sessions on the teaching process, principles of play, the importance of leading, and physical and psychological applications to develop the player and team. 

Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes
Prerequisites: None. United Soccer Coaches 11v11/Pre National Diploma or the U.S. Soccer ‘E’ License are suggested

Advanced National Diploma

With an emphasis on training players within a team concept designed to produce a successful environment, the Advanced National curriculum includes team organization and training, advanced methodology, analysis and understanding of systems of play, a focus on tactics within thirds of the field, technical position overviews, match analysis, and the psychological aspect of coaching.

Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes
Prerequisites: National Diploma // U.S. Soccer ‘D’ or ‘C’ License 

 

Premier Diploma

The association’s top technical award, the Premier Diploma curriculum includes a thorough examination of different systems of play, including technical and tactical implications; 11v11 topics, including coaching in the game, phase play, and shadow play; nutrition; sportsmanship/ethics; and a leadership component including team management, personal development and the coach’s role in game development in their community.

Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning 
Testing: Yes
Prerequisites: Advanced National Diploma // U.S. Soccer ‘B’ or ‘A’ License. 

 

National Youth Diploma

The overall objective of the National Youth Diploma is to support the coach in the understanding and implementation of developmentally appropriate training protocols. Particular attention is paid to players 11 and under, considering the physical, cognitive and social demands of the game in each child’s context. 

Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes
Prerequisites: None. United Soccer Coaches National Diploma or the U.S. Soccer ‘D’ License are suggested
Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old to attend

Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma

The pinnacle of United Soccer Coaches goalkeeping education, the Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma offers curriculum includes, advanced positioning, communication, goalkeeper psychology, fitness and methodology as well as a thorough review of technical fundamentals. An important aspect of this diploma is integrating the goalkeeper into team training and developing the goalkeeper’s coordination with their teammates in game situations.

Pre-course assignment: Video-tape yourself training a goalkeeper/goalkeepers (20-30 minutes). Session training forms and self-evaluation forms will be sent once you sign up for the course.
Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes
Prerequisites: Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma OR Goalkeeping Level 2 Diploma and extensive experience as a goalkeeper/goalkeeper coach, and National Diploma

Director of Coaching Diploma

The Director of Coaching Diploma is an applied theoretical educational offering with lecture and interactive classroom sessions. It is designed to address the issues confronting the Director/Leader of an American soccer club/organization. It examines the technical, conceptual, leadership and administrative skills of future and current Directors of Coaching for youth soccer clubs for the purpose of developing the American soccer player. This is accomplished through a curriculum rich in application and theory and will focus on a range of topics that will be drawn from the following list which is not exclusive.

  • Organizational structure
  • The “business” of Soccer
  • Methods of coaching
  • Leadership  
  • Development of coaches and players
  • Fiscal, legal and moral responsibility
  • Sports Science

Time Commitment: 12-14 hours of directed learning
Testing: No
Prerequisites: None

Continuing Education

Through educational partnerships, United Soccer Coaches is able to offer continuing education opportunities with top-rated universities. 

Master Coach Diploma

United Soccer Coaches Master Coach Diploma/University of Delaware Master Coach Certificate

This program, offered by the collaboration of United Soccer Coaches and the University of Delaware, is an excellent educational opportunity for coaches seeking growth in their skills and development in their careers. The course focuses on evidence-based management principles and player development to prepare experienced coaches and soccer organizational leaders.

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Master's Degree in Soccer Coaching

The only soccer-specific master’s degree in the United States, the Master’s Degree in Soccer Coaching program was developed in partnership with United Soccer Coaches and Ohio University. This program aims to offer candidates a comprehensive understanding and the practical tools for the administrative, health/safety, fitness, player development, and management requirements of coaching, directing and managing soccer players, teams and programs.

*United Soccer Coaches advanced education is a benefit of membership with the association. If you are not a current member, a one-year membership fee ($150) will be added onto your course registration. If you have any questions, please contact the Member Services Team at membership@unitedsoccercoaches.org.

Continued Learning Opportunities

Continuing adding to your coaching resume with United Soccer Coaches Special Topics Diplomas and continuing education, made available through United Soccer Coaches partners. 

Special Topics Diplmas

Available intermittently throughout the year, United Soccer Coaches Special Topics Diplomas offer specialized learning on today’s biggest coaching topics.

Previous special topics covered include:

  • Performance Analysis
  • Analyzing Goalkeeper Performance
  • Developing Your Game Model

To see all Special Topics Diplomas currently open for registration, please visit our Master Course Schedule.

Blended Advanced Diplomas

In response to the growing desire for online education, the association has created a blended format for the National, Advanced National, Premier, and Youth National Diploma that allows coaches to complete the majority of coursework online.

Online Resources

Upon Registration, you will receive access to online content within a few days to begin your course. Watch sessions and lessons from some of the best coaches.

Virtual Classrooms

Cohorts will be created to participate in a series of virtual classroom sessions. Interact with instructors and peers as you learn and share experiences.

In-Person

One weekend of in-person sessions delivered in a local environment will provide for hands-on instruction and demonstration.

Video Assessment

Complete your course by submitting a video of your session with your players in your environment to be assessed by your coaching intructors.