Coaching is an act of preparing or developing a person or team of people in a particular sport.
The goal is for the coach, or teacher, to support the athlete(s) in achieving a specific goal by providing training and guidance. It involves aspects of physical education pedagogy, health promotion, and kinesthetic principles in preparing athletes for performance.
The curriculum for the coaching minor arms students with foundations of coaching, psychological and sociological aspects of coaching, and strategies for team development. Additionally, an independent study in which students assist with coaching a local team of athletes prepares them to experience working under a mentor, to learn different coaching philosophies, to train athletes, and to coach in game conditions.
This minor allows the student to select a number of electives, which may include strength and conditioning principles for sports, basic exercise physiology, athletic training content, sports officiating, sport management information for organized sports, and more advanced psychology of sport and physical activity content.
Students must complete all 4 required courses:
Students choose 6 or more hours from the following course options:
The Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotions offers a 3-credit hour practicum course for Coaching Minors, which give students experiences in shadowing and/or assisting a youth, middle school, high school, collegiate, or in some cases professional coach/team. The title of the class is Independent Study in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. For this practicum experience, students must complete at least 45 contact hours of coaching experience in a sport of their choice. It is important for the student to select their practicum site. This can be done in conjunction with one of the Coaching Minor faculty. Students must be enrolled in KHP 395 and have approval of their site from the practicum instructor BEFORE they may begin accumulating practicum hours. For students, this practicum will take place after taking KHP 280, as it is a prerequisite for the course. For questions concerning the practicum/KHP 395 course, contact Dr. Heather Erwin, Director of the Coaching Minor.
Prospective students: Minors and certificates are declared once you are a current University of Kentucky student.
Current students: You can do so online in MyUK GPS. Under "My Program of Study" on the right side of the screen, click the link "Request a major/minor/certificate change". If you need help, contact your academic advisor.
College of Education
128 Taylor Education Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0001
(859) 218-2698
