The Specialization in Coaching is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that will enable them to coach effectively and safely in school, community–youth, and adult sports programs. Students who complete the specialization will be eligible to take the examination for certification as a Program for Athletic Coaches' Education (PACE) Coach. The Department of Kinesiology administers the specialization.
The educational objectives of the Specialization in Coaching are for students to acquire:
- Knowledge and understanding of the growth and development of athletes.
- Knowledge and understanding of the medical, legal, psychological, social, biological, physical, theoretical, and technical aspects of coaching.
- Practical experience in coaching.
With the approval of the department and college that administer the student's degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor's degree.
Requirements for the Specialization in Coaching
The student must complete:
| 1. | All of the following courses (19 credits): | ||||||
| KIN | 125 | First Aid and Personal Safety | 3 | ||||
| KIN | 260 | Physical Growth and Motor Behavior | 3 | ||||
| KIN | 340 | Psychological Bases of Physical Activity | 3 | ||||
| KIN | 400 | Principles of Coaching I | 4 | ||||
| KIN | 401 | Principles of Coaching II | 4 | ||||
| KIN | 494 | Fieldwork | 2 | ||||
| The Program for Athletic Coaches' Education is administered jointly by MSU's Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and the Michigan High School Athletic Association. | |||||||
| 2. | One of the following courses (2 credits): | ||||||
| KIN | 300A | Coaching Baseball | 2 | ||||
| KIN | 300B | Coaching Sports for Athletes with Disabilities | 2 | ||||
| KIN | 300C | Coaching Soccer | 2 | ||||
| KIN | 300D | Coaching Basketball | 2 | ||||
| KIN | 300E | Coaching Football | 2 | ||||
| KIN | 300K | Coaching Track and Field | 2 | ||||
| KIN | 490 | Independent Study | 2 | ||||
| To be counted toward the requirements for the Specialization in Coaching, the content of Kinesiology 490 must focus on coaching. An academic advisor in the Department of Kinesiology must approve in writing the content of this course before the student enrolls in the course. | |||||||
Upon completion of the requirements for the Specialization in Coaching, the student should contact the Chairperson of the Department of Kinesiology and request certification for the completion of the specialization. After the certification is approved by the chairperson of the department and the Dean of the College of Education, the Office of the Registrar will enter on the student's academic record the name of the specialization and the date that it was completed. This certification will appear on the student's transcript.