Coaching Minor
Athletics are afforded prominence in the educational process and can have far-reaching effects physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually in the lives of young people.
What is the coaching minor?
The experience gained from participation in an athletic program is strongly influenced by the qualifications and competencies of the coach. It is important for potential coaches to be trained to work with young adults within a framework of ethical philosophy, practices, and procedures.
The coaching minor prepares coaches to work with athletic teams in youth sports, junior or senior high school sports, or in recreational sports settings. The coaching minor prepares students to coach after school and to be employed by school districts as a coach; however, it does not prepare teachers to teach physical education classes in a school setting. Many Shippensburg University students enroll in the coaching minor to supplement their chosen major. For example, elementary education majors who minor in coaching are trained to teach during the day and coach after school. Secondary education majors also select the coaching minor for the same reason. Biology majors who select the coaching minor have gone on to graduate school to study exercise physiology after graduation from Shippensburg University. Psychology majors with a coaching minor have gone on to graduate school in sport psychology. Business majors with the coaching minor have gone on to graduate school in sport management and marketing. The coaching minor can be a stepping stone to many career options.
Coaches and athletes develop relationships with each other and with other players on the team. While players must be “coachable”, coaches must be approachable. The common goal of realizing one’s sport potential and performance is not all-inclusive. This “coach and athlete” relationship is often the means by which both players and coaches experience more than just sport lessons, but lessons about trust and respect, honesty, and character.
Within the Coaching Minor, we strive to achieve educational goals beyond X’s and O’s. Our society establishes rules of behavior for sport, and sport, for its own part, can influence those rules as they are applied. Coaches and athletes are both playmakers and stakeholders; on and off the field the dynamics of sport influence countless lives. Responsible coaches are educated and prepared to contribute to the positive influence sport has on individual players and society at large.
What is the job outlook?
For those who wish to coach in a secondary educational setting, the coaching minor will be particularly advantageous. It will also be helpful for anyone who intends to work within a recreational or leisure sport environment involving children or adults, such as swim clubs, community leagues, etc.
Many coaching jobs are available at the junior/senior high school and college levels. There are also many volunteer opportunities available in all sport areas for children or adults (baseball/softball, gymnastics, football, tennis, basketball, etc.).
How can I prepare for the coaching minor?
A natural interest in children and a love of sport is probably a very good beginning. High school courses in psychology, physiology, human anatomy, child growth and development, and/or biology would also be very helpful as a knowledge base. Volunteer work with children, as well as participation in the sport(s) of your choice, and a minimum knowledge or proficiency in that sport are advantageous.
What is the curriculum?
The minor is a total of 18 semester hours, consisting of six required core courses. Students in the coaching minor will need a minimum grade of “C” in each course in order to complete the minor. Required courses include:
BIO150 Human Biology
ESC243 Physiological Basis of Sport
ESC244 Mechanical Analysis of Sport Skills
ESC325 Sport Psychology
ESC340 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
ESC400 Methods of Coaching
The students in the coaching minor take BIO150 Human Biology as the first course in the program. During the sophomore year, students take ESC243 Exercise Physiology and ESC244 Mechanical Analysis of Sports Skills. During the junior year courses include ESC325 Sport Psychology and ESC340 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries. During the senior year, coaching minor students take ESC400 Methods of Coaching. This course provides students with the opportunity to work with teams in a high school or junior high. Students in ESC400 spend three hours a week in the classroom. In addition, five hours a week are spent in a supervised sport setting in one of five schools assigned by the Director of Field Placement. NOTE: Education majors who teach during their senior year are encouraged to declare the minor early. They should plan to take ESC340 during the sophomore year and ESC400 during their junior year.
Who can take the coaching minor?
The coaching minor is open to undergraduate, graduate, and non-matriculating students. In addition, Sport Psychology and Mechanical Analysis of Sport Skills can be elected by any non-minor student based upon space availability during schedule adjustment.
What are the program admissions requirements?
Freshmen are selected for initial entry into the coaching minor through the Admissions Office. Transfer students, both internal and external, are selected for admission based on the following criteria:
Why should I take the coaching minor at Shippensburg University?
Coaching minor classes at Shippensburg University are small, typically 20 students or less.
Lectures and labs are taught by seasoned professors; not by graduate students.
Faculty-directed student research is highly encouraged at Shippensburg University.
Faculty are accessible in and out of class.
Where can I get more information about the coaching minor at Shippensburg University?
For specific program information, contact:
Department of Exercise Science
Henderson Gym 109
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
717-477-1721
Fax: 717-477-4083
E-mail: exsci@ship.edu
Website: http://www.ship.edu/exercisescience/