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Athletic Coaching Education

The athletic coaching education degree focuses on professional knowledge, sport-specific science and coaching skills mixed with experiences that allow students to learn and apply the principles and practices of coaching across a wide range of health, recreation, and performance based professions. It also helps students develop professional networking and social skills.

Athletes aim to maximize their potential both on and off the field. Athletic coaches help guide them on their paths to success. The undergraduate athletic coaching education program at WVU Tech primes students for a variety of roles in the coaching profession. The program equips students to teach, motivate and properly structure sports environments.

ACE students graduate with key knowledge in philosophy and ethics, safety and injury prevention, physical conditioning, growth and development, teaching and communication, sport skills and tactics, organization, administration and evaluation. Through guided internship experiences, students in the ACE program have an opportunity to work with a wide range of athletes including youth, masters and individuals with disabilities.

All students are eligible for nationally recognized coaching certifications from the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Fundamentals of Coaching, plus Red Cross CPR, AED and First Aid certifications. Students will also have an opportunity to earn other sport and coaching-related credentials based on the area of emphasis or minor they choose.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for earning a B.S. in Athletic Coaching Education include:

  • meeting all University mandated requirements for graduation, including the GEF requirements, upper-level units requirement and 120 hour minimum
  • completing all ACE probationary and ACE major courses
  • earning a C or better in all ACE probationary courses C or better in all ACE major courses (Includes all required ACE, PE,EXPH & SM classes)
  • completing a minor
  • completing current First Aid, AED and CPR certifications by time of graduation

Specific inquiries concerning the Athletic Coaching Education major should be directed to:

Mark Jones
Chair, Department of Sport Studies
Carter Hall, Room G10
Phone: 304.929.1283
Mark.Jones@mail.wvu.edu