Are you interested in coaching an athletic team in New York State? SUNY Oneonta’s NYS Coaching Certification Preparation microcredential is the place to start.
Anyone looking to coach an athletic team in New York State must meet certain minimum requirements as set forth by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. This includes all head coaches and assistants for varsity, junior varsity, freshman and junior high (modified) teams of public schools.
This 11-credit microcredential will give you everything you need to fulfill New York’s coaching requirements and be eligible to coach students in K-12 settings (even if you are not seeking NYS eligibility, these classes will give you a solid foundation to be able to effectively coach at any level, including youth sports and collegiate).
Upon successful completion of this program, you will come away with:
- organizational and time management skills
- in-depth understanding and experience of high school sports contexts
- knowledge of fundamental skills and advanced tactics related to sport-specific demands
- effective communication skills, especially in instructing young people
- understanding of student dynamics and commitment to the school community
Required Coursework
The three NYS required classes, plus a First Aid/CPR certification, will satisfy NYS educational course requirements. When you complete the microcredential, you will be eligible for NYS certification once you satisfy the non-curricular requirements.
- SPMT 2320 - Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education
- SPMT 2340 - Theory and Techniques of Coaching
- SPMT 3320 - Health Science Applied to Coaching
- EXSC 1110 - CPR Certification (can be fulfilled through documentation of a current First Aid/CPR certification)
NYS Certification Requirements
Certification requirements vary depending on your background:
Certified Physical Education Teachers
A person who holds a valid certificate to teach physical education in New York State may coach any sport in any school but must meet the first aid/CPR requirement prior to starting to coach.
Other Certified Teachers
Coaching a secondary school athletic team is considered teaching physical education. However, a person who holds a valid teaching certificate in an area other than physical education may also be appointed to coach. The person may either complete appropriate courses or meet the provisions of the "grandfather" clause. The "grandfather" clause qualifies a teacher under Section 80.2(c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to do incidental teaching (coaching) in an area other than the one for which the person holds a certificate.
In addition to the first aid/CPR requirement prior to starting to coach, the certified teacher must:
- complete an approved course in Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education within two years from the date of initial appointment as a coach;
- complete a course on Health Sciences Applied to Coaching within five years of appointment as a coach; and
- within that same five years, complete a course on Theory and Techniques of Coaching the sport or sports for which he/she is appointed. A certified teacher does not need to apply for a Temporary Coaching License.
Non-teacher Coaches
- Temporary Coaching License (TCL). A person who does not hold a current New York State teaching certificate may be appointed as a temporary coach only if there are no certified teachers available with experience and qualifications to coach the team. The nonteacher coach must obtain a Temporary Coaching license from their school district’s BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) by applying online through the NYSED TEACH system and meet all of the same course requirements for coaching as does the certified classroom teacher within the same timelines and extensions.
- Professional Coaching License (PCL). A person who has completed all the required coaching courses, child abuse, and violence abuse workshops, maintains fingerprint clearance, has valid first aid and CPR certification, and has held a minimum of three Temporary Coaching Licenses for a sport may apply for a three-year renewable Professional Coaching License.
For complete details, see the Guidelines For The Coaching Requirements at NYSED's PE Toolkit.
The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at SUNY Oneonta is a New York State Dept. of Education Authorized Provider for the required coaching coursework, First Aid certification, and CPR certification.
Specific details are available in the Dept. of Sport and Exercise Sciences main office, 200 Chase or from the NYS Dept. of Education website.
Note: NYS also requires fingerprinting, Child Abuse identification and Reporting and School Violence Prevention and Intervention Workshops, and ongoing concussion training courses. These are typically fulfilled through the school district and not part of this microcredential.
Eligibility
Anyone
Instruction method
On-campus
Time to complete
1-2 semesters
Credit/non-credit
11 credits
Stackable to degree
No
Estimated Cost
NYS resident = $4,030
Non-resident = $8,800
Ready to apply? I am a...
Non-degree student
Contact Us
Learn more about the Extended and Community Learning Center by emailing excl@oneonta.edu or contacting us at one of our two locations.
SUNY Oneonta Campus location
215 Hunt Union
Phone: 607-436-2548
Fax: (607) 436-2692
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Downtown Oneonta location
4 Dietz St
Phone: 607-436-2831
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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