Méabh Corr: Why I decided to pursue an MSc in Sports Performance 5 years after completing a PhD
My background:
I have always had a keen interest in all things sport and physical activity, having played nearly every sport I could as a child and teenager, and continuing this into my adult life playing Ladies Gaelic Football and basketball. I always wanted to pursue a career that involved sport and physical activity in some capacity. For this reason, my undergraduate degree was a BSc in Physical Education in the University of Limerick. Immediately following this, I completed my PhD in Mary Immaculate College, under the supervision of Dr Elaine Murtagh, where I focused mainly on physical activity promotion strategies for adolescent girls.
During my PhD I was fortunate to get some experience teaching at third level, something that interested me greatly. However, I always felt that in order to be a reliable teacher-educator, it was essential for me to gain some real-life teaching experience, and so I worked in a post-primary school for three years, teaching PE, including the new Leaving Cert PE curriculum. I then got the opportunity to return to third level, and worked in DCU for a year, teaching on their BSc in PE programmes. During the last academic year (2023-2024), I returned to post primary teaching and I am now back in DCU as an Assistant Professor in Sport Pedagogy.
The decision to return to education:
During 2023/2034 when I was working full-time in a post primary school I enrolled in ATU Donegal. The decision to return to education and pursue an MSc in Sports Performance Practice might seem unconventional to some. After all, a PhD is often seen as the pinnacle of academic achievement. So why did I “step back” into a master’s programme? For me, it wasn’t a step back—it was a deliberate pivot to complement my academic expertise with skills that could broaden my impact as an educator, researcher, coach and as an athlete. By pursuing an MSc in ATU Donegal, I’ve been able to dive into the intricacies of human performance, enhancing my ability to design training programmes, analyse performance, and provide personalised guidance to athletes and students. This complements my existing expertise in sport pedagogy, creating a synergy that enhances my role as an educator and coach. Another reason for pursuing this MSc was my commitment to lifelong learning. The landscape of sports science and performance is ever-evolving, with new technologies, methodologies, and insights emerging constantly. For me, staying at the forefront of these developments is not just a professional responsibility—it’s a personal passion and I have learned so much from the perspective of both a coach and an athlete.
Any advice for anyone interested in returning to education:
Choosing to pursue an MSc in Sports Performance after completing a PhD wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It was a step that aligned with my desire to bridge theory and practice, enhance my coaching, and remain a lifelong learner. One of the key reasons I was able to pursue this MSc in Sports Performance Practice in ATU Donegal while working full-time was the flexibility of its online delivery. This format allowed me to balance my career, research, studies and my own athletic performance without compromising any of them. Additionally, the option to pay the tuition fees in installments made the programme financially accessible, ensuring that I could invest in my professional development without overwhelming my budget. The combination of convenience and affordability made this opportunity truly achievable and I would highly recommend the course to anyone with an interest in sports performance, and if you want to know more you can read about the course here.
Author Bio
Méabh Corr is an Assistant Professor in Sport Pedagogy at Dublin City University with expertise in physical education, coaching, and sports performance. Her research focuses on physical activity promotion, maternal influences on adolescent girls, and sports performance. Méabh combines academic insights with practical experience and is passionate about bridging theory and practice. She recently completed an MSc in Sports Performance to deepen her expertise in strength and conditioning, performance analysis, and nutrition.
Connect with Méabh:
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/meabhcorr1
LinkedIn: méabh-corr
ResearchGate: researchgate.net/profile/Meabh-Corr
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1770-9916