Fredonia State University
Athletic Coaching Minor
Students have three ways to qualify to coaching youth sports in New York State...
FREDONIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COACHING MINOR.
The Department of Sports Management and Exercise Sciences offers a Minor in Athletic Coaching (18 credit hours). The athletic coaching minor prepares students to meet the New York State Department of Education's mandate for coaching in the public schools and in youth recreation programs.
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 requirement prior to starting to coach. A certified non-physical education teacher does not need to apply for a temporary coaching license. A person who does not hold a current New York State teaching certificate (e.g. physical education, English, mathematics) may be employed as a temporary coach only if there are no certified teachers available with experience and qualifications to coach the team. The non-teacher coach must obtain a Temporary Coaching license from their school district's BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) and meet all of the same course requirements for coaching as does the certified classroom teacher. Successful completion of the program qualifies the student with a provisional license to coach in New York State. The provisional licensure can lead to permanent coaching licensure through the New York Department of Education.
BOCES
The New York State Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) provides courses for anyone interested in qualifying to coach in the public schools or recreation departments. These courses are not academic courses and do not transfer to Fredonia State University. Contact your local BOCES for application, issuance and renewal procedures. Non-teacher coaches are issued a professional coaching certificate. A professional coaching certificate will be valid for a three-year period, and may be renewed for an additional three-year period upon the submission of a renewal application in a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education. The professional coaching certificate review and approval process will be conducted by each Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Teacher Certification Unit. Any non-teacher coach who has not fulfilled the three State Education Department coaching courses and does not have three years coaching experience in a specific sport must continue to apply for a temporary coaching license at the BOCES through established procedures. Your local BOCES can also answer any other questions about acceptable life experience, workshops or clinics that would be acceptable to qualify to coach in New York State.
Application Process
- submit a completed Application for a Professional Coaching Certificate.
- submit a payment of $50 for an application fee related to each specific sport. A money order should be made payable to the New York State Education Department. (i.e., one sport application fee is $50.00; two-sport application fee is $100.00); and
- after receiving the completed application and $50 fee, the BOCES will conduct a review and approval process for purpose of issuing a professional coaching certificate. The non-teacher coach must have completed first aid and CPR certification required in section 135.4, completed all three coaching courses, and must possess three years' coaching experience in a specific sport;
- if approval is granted, the professional coaching certificate will be valid for three years. Each certificate will be sport specific (i.e., football, field hockey, soccer, basketball, softball, track, etc.). Therefore, any non-teacher coach who meets all the requirements related to more than one sport will be issued a separate professional coaching certificate for each sport.
Renewal Process
A non-teacher coach may renew a professional coaching certificate at the conclusion of the three-year period, if he/she does the following:
- submits a professional coaching certificate renewal application and pays the $50.00 fee for each specific sport. A money order should be made payable to the New York State Education Department;
- completes first aid and CPR requirements set forth in section 135.4; and
- submits an evaluation prepared by either the principal or athletic director to be reviewed by the BOCES for each year coached in a specific sport.
Fingerprinting Requirement
- Lastly, the legislation on Project SAVE (Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act) requires new school district employees (both certified and non-certified) as of July 1, 2001 to undergo fingerprinting and clearance for employment. The Teacher Moral Character Unit within the Office of Teaching is responsible for developing regulations for implementing this provision and is working with the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this requirement. The State Education Department will produce fingerprint packets that include two fingerprint cards, information, instructions related to legislation, fees, due process rights and where to get fingerprinted. These packets will be sent to school districts and to colleges and universities that prepare teachers. Further information regarding the Project Save fingerprinting initiative is available at the Department's web site at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert or by contacting the Office of Teacher Certification at (518) 474-6440.
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Your New York State High School Principal or Athletic Director can qualify you to meet the requirements of coaching licensure through workshops and clinics that are held at the high school. These programs are run by the athletic director who qualifies you through BOCES. This is an approval for equivalent experience in lieu of attending BOCES courses.
What are the required core courses at Fredonia State University? (18 credit hours)
| Course | # | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| HLTH | 115 | First Aid Skills & Knowledge | 3 |
| PHED | 220 | Health Sciences Applied to Coaching | 3 |
| PHED | 221 | Philosophy, Principles & Organization of Athletics in Education | 3 |
| PSY | 237 | Sport Psychology | 3 |
| PHED | 315 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries | 3 |
| PHED | 321 | Coaching Techniques | 2 |
| SPMG | 400 | Internship | 2 |
How do I apply to coach in the public schools or recreation departments?
Once you complete the minor you contact your local BOCES office if you want to be employed as a coach. The office will review your transcripts and view the Fredonia State Certificate of Completion for the minor. Once you register with BOCES you are qualified to coach in the public schools or recreation department.
How do I maintain coaching licensing after graduation?
Once you graduate you will have to periodically update certain courses to maintain your licensure. These courses include First Aid Skills and Knowledge, CPR, and AED training. Once you graduate your local BOCES or your High School Principal or Athletic Director will assist you in maintaining your coaching license.
How do I get started on a coaching career?
Contact the Department of Sports Management and Exercise Sciences at (716) 673-3101. We will advise you about course requirements and the internship experience so you can meet the New York State Department of Education coaching requirements and officially register you in our academic program. Information is also available in the university undergraduate catalogue and online at: