The Bachelor of Science in Sport Coaching Education provides professional preparation for those who aspire to teach and coach at the elementary, middle school, junior high school, senior high school, and college levels.
Preparation includes courses in:
Sport-specific Coaching Techniques
Strength and Conditioning
Sport Coaching Practicum
Sport Psychology
Kinesiology
Biomechanics
Sport Law
Sport Pedagogy
First Aid and Injury Care/Prevention
Typical Job Titles
Program graduates typically occupy positions as head or assistant coaches. All individuals wishing to coach in the state of Mississippi must possess a state teaching license and be certified to teach in a recognized curriculum subject area at the educational level desired (see below for teacher licensure information).
Typical Job Responsibilities
Most coaching responsibilities include duties in more than one sport season. In addition, coaches frequently work in strength training and conditioning, facility management, equipment maintenance, fund-raising, and academic counseling. Typical coaching duties begin in practice sessions before or after school, or during an athletic period during the normal school day. Games and practices usually involve after-school and weekend hours.
Market Outlook
The state of Mississippi is experiencing a statewide shortage of teachers and coaches. It is predicted that, on an annual basis, over 400 teaching positions and over 200 coaching positions will go unfilled by certified teachers and coaches.
This shortage makes the market for certified teachers with professional coaching credentials and/or training excellent. Also, many schools in Mississippi are adding sports such as volleyball and fast pitch softball to their curricula.
Salary Ranges
Coaches are usually paid a stipend in addition to their teaching salary. Stipends vary according to the sport, whether the coach is a head or assistant, and the experience level of the coach. Head coaches may earn a stipend upwards of $6,000 or more per sport season. Assistant coaches may earn upwards of $3,000 or more per sport season.
The amount of time and effort involved in coaching extends well beyond the limits of monetary compensation. Economic incentives should not be the primary incentive for students entering the vocational field of coaching. Benefits accrue to those with a strong desire to work with young people in a profession that is competitive and challenging.
The satisfaction of seeing young athletes mature and improve in the performance of sport skills, work toward the achievement of personal and team goals, and develop such lifelong habits as commitment to a strong work ethic, teamwork, sportsmanship, fitness, and self-discipline is extremely rewarding.
Placement of Graduates
Currently, Southern Miss graduates serve as coaches throughout the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and other parts of the Southeastern United States at all levels of educational institutions.
General Educational Curriculum
Written and Oral Communication (6 hours)
ENG 101
ENG 102
Basic Science and Mathematics (11 hours)
AST 111/L
AST 112/L
BSC 103/L
BSC 110/L
BSC 250/L (Required for this major)
BSC 251/L
CHE 104/L
GHY 105/L
GLY 101/L
GLY 103/L
MAR 151/L
PHY 111/L
PHY 112/L
PHY 201/L
PHY 202/L
PSC 190/L
Mathematics Requirement (3 hours)
MAT 101or higher Mathematics
Global History and Culture (12 hours)
HIS 101
HIS 102
ENG 203 (Required for this major)
ANT 101
GHY 101
SOC 101
PHI 151
REL 131
Aesthetic Values (3 hours)
ART 130
DAN 130
MUS 365
THE 100
Decision-Making and Responsibility (3 hours)
COH 100
ECO 101
PHI 171
PS 101
PSY 110
Computer Competency Requirement (3 hours)
CSC 100
Writing-Intensive Requirement (3 hours)
ENG 333 (Required for this major)
Oral Communication Requirement (3 hours)
SCM 111 or SCM 305 or SCM 320 or SCM 330
Capstone Requirement (Major Area)
HPR 474 (Capstone) Junior / Senior Status Prerequisite ENG 333
HPR Program Core (52-55 hours)
HPR 109 First Aid (3 hrs)
HPR 204 Introduction to Sport Coaching (3 hrs)Prerequisite to all Sport Coaching Education Courses
HPR 301 Kinesiology (3 hrs) Prerequisite BSC 250, 250L
HPR 306 Sport Pedagogy (3 hrs)
HPR 351 Inclusive Recreation and Sport for a Diverse Society (3 hrs)
HPR 370 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (3 hrs)
HPR 409 Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 hrs)
HPR 419 Practicum (6-9 hrs) Junior / Senior Status, Prerequisite HPR 204, HPR 306, 1 Coaching Methodology Course
HPR 423/L Biomechanics with Lab (3 hrs) Prerequisite HPR 301
HPR 468 Sport Law (3 hrs)
HPR 470 Strength and Conditioning (3 hrs) Prerequisite BSC 250, 250L
HPR 324 Coaching Football (3 hrs)
HPR 325 Coaching Basketball (3 hrs)
HPR 327 Coaching Volleyball (3 hrs)
HPR 328 Coaching Softball (3 hrs)
HPR 340 Coaching Golf (3 hrs)
HPR 341 Coaching Tennis (3 hrs)
HPR 403 Coaching Female Athlete (3 hrs)
HPR 404 Motor Development (3 hrs)
HPR 407 Competitive Sports for Youth (3 hrs)
HPR 416 Advanced Techniques of Coaching Basketball (3 hrs)
HPR 418 Advanced Techniques of Coaching Football (3 hrs)
HPR 427 Coaching Track and Field (3 hrs)
HPR 428 Coaching Soccer (3 hrs)
HPR 429 Coaching Baseball (3 hrs)
Electives
Choose electives as needed with adviser's approval. 124 total hours needed to graduate.
Click here for course descriptions.
Click here for more information about the Alternative Route Program (ARP) to Teacher Licensure.
Minor: Sport Coaching Education students are required to minor in a Praxis II subject area beginning in 2011-2012.