Athletic Coaching Certification

Program Coordinator/Contact

Tracy Nelson, Coordinator
Department of Health & Nutritional Sciences
Wagner Hall 139, Box 2275A
605-688-4034

Program Information

Persons interested in coaching a sport at the elementary, junior high/middle school, or high school level can complete requirements to have a coaching authorization on their certificate.  Some states, including South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota have specific requirements for athletic coaching certification in public schools.  Students interested in seeking certification should visit with the Coaching Certification Coordinator in the Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences to verify the specific requirements for each state.

To be a coach at the elementary or junior high/middle school level or to be a coach at a high school level, students should take:

• EXS 354-354L - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries and Lab Credits: 2 
• HLTH 250-250L - Pre-Professional First Aid and CPR and Lab (COM) Credits: 2 

In general, persons wishing to be a head coach at the high school level must also take a course in each sport s/he wishes to coach. The coaching classes are:

• PE 469-469L - Coaching Baseball/Softball and Lab: Officiating (COM) Credits: 2  
• PE 470-470L - Coaching Basketball and Lab (COM) Credits: 2  
• PE 471-471L - Coaching Football and Lab: Officiating (COM) Credits: 2  
• PE 473-473L - Coaching Track and Field/Cross Country and Officiating (COM) Credits: 2, 1  
• PE 474-474L - Coaching Wrestling and Officiating (COM) Credits: 2  
• PE 475-475L - Coaching Volleyball and Officiating (COM) Credits: 2