Coaching Minor
Athletics hold a prominent position in society, with millions of children, adults, and older adults participating in sports every year. Participation in recreational or organized sports can influence a person’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development, especially for children and adolescents. The type of experiences people have while playing sports is strongly impacted by the competencies and qualifications of their coaches. Therefore, coaches must be trained to work with athletes in an effective, ethical, and safe manner. Informed by research and best practices, the Coaching Minor provides students with the latest knowledge and hands-on experiences for developing their coaching style.
Career Opportunities
Because so many people participate in organized athletics each year, demand for coaches remains high, particularly at the youth level. While there are typically no educational requirements for coaching, athletic departments and leagues are increasingly looking to hire people with training in how to be an effective coach. Students who complete this minor are prepared to coach athletes in multiple settings, including:
- Youth Sport
- High School Sport
- College Sport
- Community Leagues
- Sport Clubs
- Sport Camps
Additionally, students who want to work in the sports world, but not as a coach, will still benefit from taking sport- and fitness-based coursework. Examples of such careers include:
- Athletic Administration
- Sport Management
- Strength & Conditioning
- Sport Psychology
- Sports Journalism
- Sports Marketing
Coursework
The Coaching Minor is 19 credits across 6 courses and students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses to complete the minor successfully.
The five required courses are:
- ESC 220: Fundamentals of Coaching
- ESC 244: Movement Science & Skill Analysis
- ESC 325: Sport Psychology (Prerequisite: PSY 101 or HON 151)
- ESC 340: Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries (Prerequisites: ESC 220 and BIO 150/238/350)
- ESC 343: Foundations of Exercise Physiology (Prerequisites: ESC 220 and BIO 150/238/350)
Students must also take one elective course from the following options:
- DS 100: Introduction to Disability Studies
- ESC 213: Organization & Administration for Fitness & Sport Facilities
- ESC 260: Principles of Nutrition
- ESC 387: Theory & Practice of Power & Agility Training (Pre/Corequisite: ESC 343)
- ESC 445: Coaching Internship (Prerequisites: ESC 220, 244, 325, 340, and 343)
- HCS 225: Communication and Sport (Prerequisite: HCS 100 or HON 100)
- PSY 361: Psychology of Group Interaction (Prerequisite: PSY 101 or HON 151)
- SOC 275: Sociology of Sport & Leisure
Exercise Science Majors with a Coaching Minor need to take the following courses:
- ESC 220: Fundamentals of Coaching
- ESC 325: Sport Psychology (Prerequisite: PSY 101 or HON 151)
- One elective (see above)
Admission Requirements
The Coaching Minor is open to any Undergraduate student. Interested students must meet the following criteria to be admitted into the minor:
- GPA of 2.00 or above
It is strongly recommended that students complete BIO 150: Human Biology as one of their Natural World & Technology General Education courses because it is a prerequisite for ESC 340 and ESC 343, both of which are required for the minor.
Additionally, it is strongly recommended that students complete PSY 101: General Psychology as one of their Interconnections General Education courses because it is a prerequisite for ESC 325, which is required for the minor.
While these are not requirements for declaring the minor, they are necessary to progress through it.
Related Majors
Any student interested in becoming a coach or working in the sports world will benefit from a Coaching Minor. However, students often come from one of the following majors:
*Please note that the Coaching Minor does not prepare students to teach physical education classes.
Double Minor in Coaching and Exercise Science
Students who also have an interest in Exercise Science may complete an additional 12 credits across 4 courses to earn a second minor. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses to complete the minor successfully. For more information about the Exercise Minor, please click here.
The one required course is:
- ESC 150: Introduction to Exercise Science
Students must also take three elective courses from the following options:
- ESC 260: Principles of Nutrition
- ESC 278: Medical Terminology
- ESC 336: Motor Behavior
- ESC 348: Group Exercise Techniques & Leadership
- ESC 350: Nutrition for Sport & Fitness
- ESC 352: Psychology of Physical Activity
- ESC 375: Exercise Testing & Programming
- ESC 425: Exercise Metabolism & Weight Control
The following courses count towards both the Coaching and Exercise Science Minors:
- ESC 244: Movement Science & Skill Analysis
- ESC 343: Foundations of Exercise Physiology
Coaching Minor and PAGE Certificate
Students who have an interest in strength and conditioning or personal fitness may also benefit from completing the Power, Agility, & Group Exercise (PAGE) Certificate. Students must complete an additional 6 credits across 2 courses with a grade of C or higher.
The two required courses are:
- ESC 348: Group Exercise Techniques & Leadership
- ESC 387: Theory & Practice of Power & Agility Training