My son's chosen College recently dropped Sports Management as a degree. Very few schools in the mid-west offering Sports Management. My son would like to become a High School Coach. Academics can be a challenge for him thus the need for classes / courses that are of interest to him and hold his attention. Can anyone offer any information on the United States Sports Academy located in Alabama? Any thoughts on distance learning vs being on-campus? Would a on-line degree be acceptable if he were to pursue coaching and teaching?? Any comments, thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Kevin Kevin
I don't think sports management is a common degree among coaches. Degrees in kinesiology and physical education are more common. Schools usually want coaches who are able to teach academic courses. I know most of my high school and middle school coaches taught social science subjects. I also knew coaches who taught English and algebra. He should get a degree in an academic subject in something like English, chemistry, or history and get on the education track. I don't know how it works in Missouri or whatever state you're in, but public universities in Texas don't offer degrees in education. Students choose a regular major, take a few education courses, and do a semester of student teaching. Your state might offer education degrees with various concentrations.
These Missouri schools offer physical education programs that lead to teacher certification. Central Methodist University Missouri Valley College College of the Ozarks Missouri Western State University Culver-Stockton College Northwest Missouri State University Drury University Southeast Missouri State University Evangel University Southwest Baptist University Hannibal LaGrange College Truman State University Lincoln University University of Central Missouri Lindenwood University University of Missouri - St. Louis Missouri Baptist University Westminster College Missouri Southern State University William Jewell College Missouri State University William Woods University http://dese.mo.gov/eq/ep/directory/documents/certificationareas3-31-2013.pdf You two might want to read more about the different pathways to becoming a teacher in Missouri. Educator Certification
There are a ton of teacher/coaches, especially with PE degrees. Most schools have a need for Math and Science teachers. That's the best way to become a coach. Teach first then coach. I've taken some continuing ed courses from USSA. Good customer support, decent course material but I'm not sure about the reputation. I coach Basketball and have the certification in Sports Coaching on my resume. No complaint. Better to be an educator first then the coaching will come.
Yeah, from my research, most regions have a high demand for math, chemistry, physics, technical/career, family consumer sciences, special education, ESL, and foreign language teachers. The reason why I didn't just say science is because there is not as much demand for biology and other life science teachers.
The guy who used to be the AD and basketball/softball coach at the local community college had a masters from USSA. I imagine it would be a good school for the right person. It sure looks interesting to me! There are some dirt cheap programs in PE and Sports Management such as these: Graduate Degree Programs - Distance Education | Emporia State University (note a masters as well as grad certificates) and Master of Science in Organizational Management | Graduate Programs | WSC or Master of Science in Organizational Management - Graduate Studies - Chadron State College or Health and Human Performance - Fort Hays State University
